does dell 360 support intel q9300

Q9500 is validated by user so Q9300 should on some Optiplex 360.

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/55598959

what is your motherboard Dell part number?

sometimes Dell played a sly hand under the table by offering different versions of mobo, some supporting quad while others core 2 duo only.  we have seen it in Optiplex 760 I think.

"sometimes Dell played a sly hand under the table by offering different versions of mobo, some supporting quad while others core 2 duo only. we have seen it in Optiplex 760 I think."

Only the 760 that I know of.  Only referencing that generation of Optiplex's.

@bradthetechnut​ my motherboard chipset is P35/G33G31 and the model is 0T656F, can this chipset work?  

it seems to be a 360 DT

If OP can ask this seller on the 360 motherboard (w quad) DP/N

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204535428944?

@redxps630​ how can i check if dt is the mother and what exactly does that mean, if it can quoad processor  

As far as I can tell from one site, the g33 supports the q9300.   

it is not the chipset per se, but the oem motherboard version.  if you see someone selling the same motherboard part number with a quad cpu, that is evidence.  

I found a 360 MT w quad, but unfortunately can not pull motherboard DP/N from its spec.

some seller include motherboard DP/N on listing photo or is kind enough to help.  

OP motherboard part number matches Desktop (DT).

@redxps630​ so whether a q processor can do it in the end or not, I hope at least it can  

based on service manual, my guess is that MT and DT use same motherboard.  the difference is the chassis and drive support btn MT and DT

Dell Optiplex 360 Service Manual

oddly there is apparently no SFF offered for 360.   

when I search for 360 motherboard DP/N, only T656F comes up as the most common if not the only DP/N.  The odds are in OP's favor that T656F supports quad cpu.

@redxps630​ I found an old video on YouTube of how someone puts it in a dell 360 q6600, so I think it can also be used in my q9300 and as for the heat, that's not a problem, I have 3 fans 

@redxps630​ I'm ordering a q9300 processor right now and my current specs are 

4gb ram 

Amd radeon r7 430 2gb

Kingston a400 ssd 

Samsung 160gb hdd

you're making good progress in determining whether the Intel Q9300 will work in your Dell Optiplex 360, and based on the evidence shared by others, it seems highly likely that it will. The motherboard you have, with the part number T656F, has been seen in listings paired with quad-core processors like the Q9400, which suggests that your system should be able to handle the Q9300 as well. Additionally, the P35/G33/G31 chipset that your motherboard uses is compatible with a variety of Core 2 Quad processors, including the Q9300. So, in terms of chipset compatibility, you are on solid ground.

One of the main concerns when upgrading to a quad-core processor like the Q9300 is ensuring that your cooling solution can handle the extra heat generated by the CPU. It's great that you have three fans in your system, as this should be more than sufficient to keep the temperatures under control. Even though the Q9300 is a relatively efficient processor, it's always wise to monitor temperatures closely after installation. Keeping an eye on the system’s performance and temperatures is crucial, especially with older systems, to ensure everything is running smoothly without overheating.

You’ve already updated your BIOS to version A7, which is an excellent move. Newer BIOS versions often improve compatibility with newer hardware, so you’ve taken the right step there. After installing the Q9300, you might need to reset or adjust some BIOS settings to ensure the CPU is running optimally. Since others have successfully used quad-core processors like the Q6600 in the same model of Optiplex 360, your Q9300 should also work, as the two processors are similar in both performance and compatibility.

In terms of overall system performance, upgrading to a Q9300 will likely provide a nice boost, particularly for multi-threaded applications. Your existing setup with 4GB of RAM, an AMD Radeon R7 430 GPU, and a Kingston A400 SSD should complement the new processor well, resulting in improved performance in both everyday tasks and more demanding applications. Given that you’ve found a video showing someone successfully installing a Q6600, this is another strong indication that your Q9300 will work. Overall, you’ve got a solid plan, and with good cooling and the right settings, your Optiplex 360 should handle the Q9300 without issue.