Area-51 R2, upgrade to Windows 11?

Just install Windows 11 after bypass cpu tpm and secure boot check steps.

You cannot do an update to Windows 11 as you have a 5th generation CPU and to comply with the MS supported CPU list you must have at least an 8th gen CPU (except for 2 specific 7th gen CPUs). So you need to do an unsupported hardware installation using the media creation tool from the Windows 11 page here. This page at howtogeek may help, this page at the MS forum, and this video at YouTube as well.

Keep in mind that MS has been warning that down the road they will no longer offer updates for Windows 11 installed on unsupported hardware. But that warning came long ago and has yet to be implemented. Still one day MS could prevent Windows 11 from working on those systems. Also Windows 12 is in development and will be released around the time that Windows 10 support ends, with no hints as to system requirements or whether there will be stringent system requirements.

EDIT: @redxps630 is spot on as well and also types faster and with far more brevity than this old guy.

Thank you both.

This brings me to the question I really want to ask: what would be the easiest and best way to upgrade to a later supported CPU?

Thank you

In all honestly by the time you are done upgrading the price will come close to new.

I would make a list with prices, and compare against the price of a complete new machine. See what the difference is.

Best way is to upgrade to intel 8th or higher gen cpu such as i7-8700, i7-9700, or i9-9900.  If you want better future proof upgrade to 10th or 12th gen.

Easiest way is to upgrade motherboard to Z370M Micro ATX from MSI or Gigabyte for 8th gen cpu. Get whichever one that is least expensive, preferably new w warranty.

you also need LGA1151 cooler and DDR4 memory for 300 series motherboard.

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@Mitchblack wrote:

Thank you both.

This brings me to the question I really want to ask: what would be the easiest and best way to upgrade to a later supported CPU?

Thank you

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Long range ... you need a "current" system that runs Windows-11 without any compromises or hacks.

Buy or build a new system. Pull a few parts from it if you must (but not advised since they are "old and out-dated" also).

Leave Area51-R2 as is (running Windows-10) and move to less demanding role (or sell/gift-away). It's still relevant, just not for your current use-case.

Points all well taken. Thank you.

For reference, I also have an R5-9980 XE.

Is there any MB that will be a drop in - minimal/no cable repining, theater lights working, OC/thermal control software will work?

Thank you

I think you mean i9-9980XE which is an X series Intel cpu socket LGA2066 X299 chipset.

you can get a Dell Area 51 R5 motherboard for that cpu.   R4 motherboard does not have bios update to support 9th gen X series cpu.

If the Dell oem board is too expensive then get a MSI or GA X299 ATX motherboard.

I meant for reference my other Area 51 is an R5 i9-9980XE.

Would an R5 main board swap on my R2 be a drop in? 

You will need to use R5 FIO and USB 1 cable along if you put R5 board in R2 case.

Basically R2 case can work with any standard ATX board that uses standard Intel 9 pin FIO and USB 2.0 header.  Now R5 board although it is ATX form factor has some proprietary headers.  The exact pinout is not certain but the Dell cables for R5 is supposed to connect to standard FIO and USB1 on the R5 IO daughterboard (#13 and #3).  so those cables should be able to work with R2 IO daughterboard too (#7 and #5).

R5

R2

Why would you swap out your X299 LGA2066 R5 motherboard? . . . 18 cores and 36 threads is not enough?

I have both an R2 and an R5. The R2 is the subject of the upgrade.

Thank you

What are the part numbers for these two cables? Where would be the best place to source them?

Will the R2 CPU cooler work with an i9-9900 CPU?

Thank you

Both cables are available in stock directly from Dell.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Power-button/td-p/8116099

#11. LED Power Switch (PANEL1)

#12. USB connector (USB1)

R2 cooler is for LGA2011 socket (X99 chipset, R2) which has same mounting hole spacing and mounting mechanism as LGA2066 socket (X299 chipset) of R5, so yes cooler is interchangeable.

Are you considering cannibalizing your R5 to upgrade an R2?