XPS 8930, Intel i7-9700 CPU upgrade

Question

Hello community,

I bought this PC back in 2019 for my parents, it has Intel i5-9400 CPU @ 2.9GHz 16gb RAM and 1TB storage

OS is Win 11 Home version 23H2

My mom mainly uses photoshop (a fairly heavy demanding software)

The computer is just SO SLOW

I really think the 9th gen i5 CPU is the problem, with WIN 11 and photoshop being just too much for the current CPU

What are my limits/recommendations as far as upgrading the CPU to a more up-to-date processor?

Im seeing that a Intel Core i7-9700 is recommended when using chatGPT, but warns of potential power supply upgrade and CPU cooling upgrade. I dont know much on computer hardware installation, so preferring a situation of just a simple CPU swap and thats it.

Needs to be windows 11 compatible of course.

any help or advice would be appreciated.

Chino de Oro · Answer

You can upgrade the processor to an i7-9700 or i9-9900 without concerning about power supply upgrade. They both have the same 65w TDP just like the i5-9400. The upgrade process will be a simple CPU swap.

RoHe · Answer

You might want to consider upping RAM (currently 16 GB) to 32 GB before going to the expense of a new CPU. And keep in mind an i9 CPU might require better cooling than Dell's stock XPS 8930 heat sink and case fans.

You also didn't tell us other key hardware specs that might be related to slow performance:

Is 1T drive a HDD or an SSD? XPS 8930 can use an M.2 NVME SSD which will be much faster than a HDD.
Does this PC have an add-in video card (which one?) or only onboard Intel Graphics? Intel Graphics is processed on the CPU so that slows it down. Intel Graphics also hogs system RAM while add-in video cards have their own and faster VRAM.

ProfessorW00d · Answer

In addition to the specs mentioned by RoHe, what is your PSU wattage. If possible, drop a few photos of the inside of your XPS 8930 so we can see what you have going on.

RoHe · Answer

Stock XPS 8930 PSU is 460W. The 850W PSU was an extra-cost optional upgrade on XPS 8930.

Would also help to tell us what unnecessary stuff is running in the background.

Disabling things like SupportAssist, Dell Update, Fusion Service, etc could free up resources, and if using McAfee, getting rid of it and switching to Windows Security (Windows Defender) which is built into in Windows.

And are drivers and BIOS up-to-date..?

Hokie_Shankar · Answer

I am surprised it has the  i5 on a 2019 8930.  I bought mine from costco in 2018 and I have the i7 8700 processor!

Hokie_Shankar · Answer

As RoHe said, the RAM upgrade is a good first direction. I went to 32GB in 2019.  I am going to 64 GB tomorrow! I found a good deal for a Crucial 64GB set.

EeyoreTheDonkey · Answer

You'll definitely need a new cooler for the i7-9700, but, 'so slow' compared to what? Also, you didn't mention what sort of GPU is running in the system. But, yes, if she's doing a lot of other stuff besides photoshop, then more memory will help.

EeyoreTheDonkey · Answer

@Hokie_Shankar​ What kind of cooler did it come with? The little stock cooler or something else?

RoHe · Answer

XPS 8930 heat sink:

ProfessorW00d · Answer

This blower style cooler is a big improvement over the pancake fan

Hokie_Shankar · Answer

@EeyoreTheDonkey​ The little cooler.

RoHe · Answer

Dell P/N for heat sink (picture above) in my XPS 8930 with i7-9700 CPU is 0F1M53. I see it listed as 'new' on one of the big sales sites for $15.

Nabil98 · Answer

@Chino de Oro​ can i also upgradedell xps 8930 i5-8500 to i9-9900 my mother board is 0df42j

Chino de Oro · Answer

@Nabil98 , yes, all boards for XPS 8930 are compatible with 9th gen processors if the BIOS is updated.  To improve system cooling, update your chassis fan (top fan) and premium CPU cooler.

XPS Desktops

XPS 8930, Intel i7-9700 CPU upgrade

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