Dell Vostro 5880 i7 to i9 upgrade possible?

The vostro desktop user group is not as big as Inspiron which could be due to Dell marketing.  so far no user has uploaded benchmark to validate i9 in V5880.  having said that there is indirect evidence that i9 is c/w V5880.  The similar Inspiron 3880 (see how Dell names similar model line) has up to i7 in Dell spec https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/inspiron-3880-desktop/inspiron-3880-setup-and-specifications/processor?guid=guid-daed7bac-4d2d-4ced-a804-43c6f7744908&lang=en-us

but users have validated i9 in 3880 on benchmark

https://www.userbenchmark.com/PCBuilder?searchTerm=Inspiron%203880%20i9

I have confidence that the bios in V5880 supports i9 too

another similar model is Optiplex 5080.   Dell cpu spec up to i7, user validated i9

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/optiplex-5080-desktop/optiplex5080_mt_specs/processors?guid=guid-e33af3cb-894f-4cd0-8ce4-d935a989d4cc&lang=en-us

https://www.userbenchmark.com/PCBuilder?searchTerm=OptiPlex%205080%20i9

I have a different take.  Since10th gen i9 processor is not validated as a support CPU for Vostro 5880, the BIOS microcode may prevent i9 processor to be functioned in a Vostro 5880.  Therefore, i9 swap is not viable option.

You may consider graphics card upgrade path instead.

My take, Intel simplified micro code after 3rd generation core processors because of efficiency. Every smaller NM process and the addition of efficiency cores in 6th generation core intel. Between i3 to i9 the gap between the power demands narrowed every generation moving forward.

most CPU’s prior to 3rd generation core/xeon intel if were upgraded required much higher power demand than the equipment would support. 

Dell usually doesn't block a processor from the supported socket list. Unless the power supply wont handle it. 

 Because Dell offers a optional 600watt PSU for this vostro. Leads me to believe that for the executive business class of desktops. There was an optional i9 10900 available. Just as I still own an extremely rare Dell Vostro with a E3-1290-V2 xeon which no one ever thought would work and blasts off to 4Ghz boost clock. 

looks like I might have to be the next test subject and report back my findings. 

Re: the BIOS microcode may prevent i9 processor to be functioned in a Vostro 5880

Chino is very knowledgeable in Dell, but on this particular topic I have to disagree with Chino.  I do not think bios is written in a way to intentionally block a cpu, rather, it sometimes does not have the update to support a newer gen cpu.  we see this in Intel and AMD Ryzen series.  in the case of V5880 which has H470 chipset in the same family as Inspiron 3880 (B460) and Optiplex 5080 (Q470).  Neither of the other models have Dell validated i9, yet both have users validate i9.

It is not in Dell's intention to block user from high end cpu i9, it is rather because Dell want to configure those cpu for its high end model which are Optiplex 7080 (also Q470) and XPS 8940(also H470, same as Vostro 5880). Dell has specifically validated i9 for those models.

Well the only way to end the debate is probably to purchase the i9.

usually when Dell uses the same computer refrence number. (Such as vostro/Inspiron/optiplex 5880.) Even though the boards have slightly varying hardware buss architectures. They typically follow the same power demands formulas for input output.

just like older 1st generation core intel to 4th gen vostros. Dell’s final bios release in the splash screen it says its a Dell XPS MOBO, not a vostro.

This leads me to believe with slight variations in the boards they all share the Intel ME code for CMOs BIOS.

I'm going to give it a try. Buy a $400 i9. If it doesnt work. Whats the worst that can happen? Ill just do a return.

no worries.  I think the i9 will run fine.    

V5880

I think it will too. The computer reference number with Dell usually infers that the Intel ME micro code driver set is the same. Dell does this because its a simple copy and paste job between the different name platforms.

which means the Kernel chipset is or should be the same according to number and manufacturing and uses that intel ME microcode.

VOSTROS can be a little sketch though as Dell for those boards would use substitute chip sets, which werent as high in quality as the optiplex.

inspiron is the dirtiest and cheapest of Dells tier structure.  It usually goes like this, optiplex is the best, Vostro is alternative second best, inspiron is the worst (barebones vostro). So in conclusion if a barebones inspiron will power an i9 a VOSTRO most likely will. 

LOL! I guess I gave away a Dell trade secret but my last post was just deleted. But yeah I guess I just hit the nail on the head.  The 4 digit model number sold with that series dell desktop reflects the chipset used for the kernel. Which means the 4 digit model number actually references the Intel ME microcode used as that kernel for that computer.

Not deleted. Just held up by the AI spam tool. Should be up now.

Re:inspiron is the dirtiest and cheapest of Dells tier structure.  It usually goes like this, optiplex is the best, Vostro is alternative second best, inspiron is the worst (barebones vostro).

that is funny,  you make me think that inspiron is the street model of Dell, while Optiplex is the elite club model.  I did not know vostro is better than Inspiron but my only hands on vostro was Vostro 200 which has same mobo as Inspiron 530.

Well, her goes nothing. Join me on this journey. Will know by next week if its hit or miss.

Also buyer beware on ebay. Anything sold under $200 is a chinese knock/ off /counterfiet that they label confidential. Dont buy chips from china right now.

@redxps630​   Yeah inspiron is the worst. They have the worst thermals so they invert the cpu cooling solution for CPU. Dont offer a case fan for  the “more affordable models” vostro’s atleast come supplied with a minimum of a case fan regardless of model number.

 So the i9 is coming in tomorrow, and I am honestly getting excited. More than likely this chipset will work.

Just so I am clear with the community. All the 10th gen i9 does is shift the way instruction is delivered and sent compared to the i7. In many ways the i7 will be more power delivery efficient than the i9. I am expecting some video degradation frame losses after 1440P 2K resolutions with the i9. Both the i7 and the i9 are 65watt TDP with some base clock and max peak clock shifts, but its is still 65watts, same micro code instructions. So all that is being changed is the time in which bulk instruction can  be unpackaged and sent in millionths of a second. Lower resolutions will use more slower system ram, versus the GPU's faster graphics card ram. The laws of physics aren't changing, just the way bandwidth distribution is being managed.

 This means I am expecting lower frames with the i9 the higher the resolution scale is after 1440P 2K. But I can rely on cheaper lower resolution graphics cards. My final graphics card for the dell vostro 5880 is the RX7900GRE, on a 42" 2K monitor.

 For online gaming, mostly esports titles in 1080P epic settings, and 1440P 2K medium settings is where the i9 will shine. Games like Fortnite rely on AVX  and SSE4.2 instruction which are compressed instructions then unpackaged once delivered to the CPU. Which is why games in lower resolutions perform better with higher thread CPU count. 

 Here is a bench mark video if the i9 10900k VS the i7 10700K. If you plan to exceed a 2 K resolution, hands down, stick with the i7 and go with a higher end 4k graphics card. But if you are into lower resolutions, and frugal on graphics cards the i9 will ultimately be the better choice.

Intel Core i7 10700K vs Intel Core i9 10900K — Test in 10 Games! [1080p, 1440p, 4K]