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Dell Optiplex 745 Desktop version

6603 Views 22 Replies 5 Participants Last post by DavisMcCarn, Aug 16, 2016

KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · Aug 15, 2016

Hello, I am looking to upgrade my Dell Optiplex 745 Desktop with a new CPU, Graphics Card and max out the RAM at 8GB. The CPU I am considering is Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz I do not know if this is the best for this system but the bottom line is I am looking to make this system as powerful as possible. I would just buy a custom PC but sadly I don't yet have that much on an income however upgrading piece by piece is an option. The graphics card however I am really stuck at (I'm just getting into hardware) and as I think the RAM I need is x4 2GB DDR 2 @667 MHz (this is the current RAM speed and I currently have x4 1GB DDR2 @ 667MHz).

I have also read that I need a low profile Graphics Card. My power supply states on it MAX OUTPUT POWER: 275W. Hope the information given helps you help me and I hope I manage this. I'm surprised this PC is running Windows 10 considering it was built for XP and it seems to run smootly so upgrading should make it better.

Thanks.

SysInfo Specs:

Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft Windows 10 Home, 64 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 2
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 4021 Mb
Graphics Card: Intel(R) Q965/Q963 Express Chipset Family (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM 1.1)
Hard Drives: C: Total - 75766 MB, Free - 17038 MB;
Motherboard: Dell Inc., 0WF810
Antivirus: COMODO Antivirus, Updated and Enabled

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

valis

· #2 · Aug 15, 2016

indeed, considering that Dell doesn't even offer Windows 10 drivers for that machine, I'm sorta amazed it's running at all.

flavallee

· #3 · Aug 15, 2016 (Edited)

Instead of spending all that money trying to upgrade that Windows XP-era Dell OptiPlex 745, investing less than $250.00 will get you the following:
Dell OptiPlex 780 minitower (refurbished)
Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 3.33 GHz processor
8 GB DDR3 RAM
500 GB SATA hard drive
305W power supply
Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit

I speak from experience because I have 3 of them.
I installed a NVIDIA GeForce GT 720 1 GB graphics card in each of them.

And it will run Windows 10 64-bit.

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KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 15, 2016

The 745 runs Windows 10 just fine and I am in the UK so my currency is £ and I don't have much of a budget as I said before. This PC was refurbished and works perfectly for everyday use but would just like to upgrade it I need an answer to my questions not a statement telling me to get a new one, sorry if it sounds bad I've been told I can be too blunt. (No hostility intended) Thank you for your reply but it does not answer my questions. I came here for answers because Dell would not talk to me because the warranty expired in 2012.

KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 15, 2016

valis said:
indeed, considering that Dell doesn't even offer Windows 10 drivers for that machine, I'm sorta amazed it's running at all.

The drivers were a lot of trouble on upgrading however I found some to make it work (Win 7/8 ones I think) I got the PC from eBay for £25 refurbished. Sound driver was the worst problem I have its the wrong driver but I got rid of the error message and it works but now I just want to upgrade it to it's best possible. I found a CPU for under £30 but just need to confirm if Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 will work in it but I read elsewhere it should but I'd rather have confirmation.

flavallee

· #6 · Aug 15, 2016 (Edited)

Switching from an Intel Core 2 Duo to an Intel Core 2 Quad processor is going to increase the power requirement by about 40 watts.
Adding a graphics card is going to require additional wattage.
The Dell OptiPlex 745 uses older DDR2 instead of newer DDR3 RAM.
You're talking about upgrading the processor, adding a graphics card, and adding more RAM.
This is going to require upgrading to a better and higher wattage power supply.

I wasn't aware that you live in the U.K..
I was just trying to offer you a simpler and probably cheaper option.

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DavisMcCarn

· #7 · Aug 15, 2016

On your first question, the OptiPlex 745 will support the Q6600 if you have the latest BIOS installed; though, you may have fun getting it installed if its an older version because of the Windows 10 issue: http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=GRJ7T
You may be able to see the current version of the BIOS with WinKey+R and MSINFO32<enter> or by hitting F2 while the Dell logo is still on the screen.
The 745's will run most socket 775 processors as long as the front side bus is 1066Mhz or lower AND it is supported by the BIOS version (Dell's have a nasty habit of popping an "unsupported CPU detected" message up and refusing to boot)
On your second question, it depends entirely on which case you have; USFF, SFF, Desktop, or Minitower. All but the minitower will require a low-profile video card AND use a proprietary power supply so you won't be able to upgrade it.
Choose "view a different product" and type in the SERVICE TAG number of your PC to be accurate:
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/optiplex-745/diagnose
I have put one of these in a 745:
https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/gt-740-lp

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flavallee

· #8 · Aug 15, 2016

Are you thinking about using that Dell OptiPlex 745 for gaming?
That's usually the reason when someone wants to upgrade to a faster processor and add a graphics card.

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KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 15, 2016

DavisMcCarn said:
On your first question, the OptiPlex 745 will support the Q6600 if you have the latest BIOS installed; though, you may have fun getting it installed if its an older version because of the Windows 10 issue: http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=GRJ7T
You may be able to see the current version of the BIOS with WinKey+R and MSINFO32<enter> or by hitting F2 while the Dell logo is still on the screen.
The 745's will run most socket 775 processors as long as the front side bus is 1066Mhz or lower AND it is supported by the BIOS version (Dell's have a nasty habit of popping an "unsupported CPU detected" message up and refusing to boot)
On your second question, it depends entirely on which case you have; USFF, SFF, Desktop, or Minitower. All but the minitower will require a low-profile video card AND use a proprietary power supply so you won't be able to upgrade it.
Choose "view a different product" and type in the SERVICE TAG number of your PC to be accurate:
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/optiplex-745/diagnose
I have put one of these in a 745:
https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/gt-740-lp

Thanks for the links they were helpful and good answers too, my last question is since someone said if I am upgrading CPU, Graphics and RAM is that I will need a better power supply, could anyone send me a link or name for one?

Thanks.

KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 15, 2016

flavallee said:
Are you thinking about using that Dell OptiPlex 745 for gaming?
That's usually the reason when someone wants to upgrade to a faster processor and add a graphics card.

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The main use for it right now is to watch TV shows ect but I would like to have an HDMI port and if it runs my games that would just be a bonus but also at a later date to run CCTV in the background.

flavallee

· #11 · Aug 15, 2016

I'll leave you with DavisMcCarn.
Good luck.

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lynx1021

· #12 · Aug 15, 2016 (Edited)

Do you have the tower model? From the Dell forums"Not in the Desktop SFF USFF. And only with latest bios and motherboard revision" Here is a link http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/19631188 If you get the Q6600 you need to get the "SLACR" chip GO stepping, it is the 95 watt version. On your ram, to get 8GB you have to get 4-2GB modules.
They have some Q6600's on ebay here http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=Q6600 - 2.4GHz Quad-Core SLACR&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684 On some of the specs they show 105 watt but the SLACR is supposed to be the 95 watt version.

KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 15, 2016

lynx1021 said:
Do you have the tower model? From the Dell forums"Not in the Desktop SFF USFF. And only with latest bios and motherboard revision" Here is a link http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/19631188 If you get the Q6600 you need to get the "SLACR" chip GO stepping, it is the 95 watt version. On your ram, to get 8GB you have to get 4-2GB modules.
They have some Q6600's on ebay here http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=Q6600 - 2.4GHz Quad-Core SLACR&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684 On some of the specs they show 105 watt but the SLACR is supposed to be the 95 watt version.

I looked on the Dell site and used the service tag to get the specs and here's what I found:

Font Rectangle Pattern Parallel Number

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KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 15, 2016

Okay so I read the Dell thread and mines does look like SSF but even if I do need to upgrade the Power supply to run it I would try I'm just looking on how make it at it's best.

lynx1021

· #15 · Aug 15, 2016

Looks like it supports a Core™2 Duo Processor E6700
(4M Cache, 2.66 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB (not the Pentium® Processor E6700) some are confused with 2-E6700's.http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_o....X.TRS0&_nkw=+Core+2+Duo+E6700+2.66+&_sacat=0

KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 15, 2016 (Edited)

Okay someone give me a list and/or some links for UK sites and I will look into them and if they are good I can close the thread. So I found out that my Dell Optiplex is a SFF and not Desktop model so if someone could verify the information I have so far that would be great, I just wanna make sure I got everything.

So for the CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6700

Graphics - GeForce GT 740 LP

and if upgrading to those would I need a new power supply, if so could someone provide me with some product names and some UK links.

Thank you all for your help so far.

lynx1021

· #17 · Aug 15, 2016

The GT 740 LP uses 65 watts , recommends a 400 watt supply. They don't make a bigger supply for the SFF. The only thing you could do is take the original out, replace it with a fan and put a 600watt behind it and run the wires inside.

KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · #18 · Aug 15, 2016

lynx1021 said:
The GT 740 LP uses 65 watts , recommends a 400 watt supply. They don't make a bigger supply for the SFF. The only thing you could do is take the original out, replace it with a fan and put a 600watt behind it and run the wires inside.

Okay is there another graphics card you can recommend that has an HDMI port but doesn't require a power supply upgrade. If not could you recommend a power supply aswell and fan.

Thanks.

lynx1021

· #19 · Aug 15, 2016

Found this on Youtube

, Also has windows 10 drivers http://www.evga.com/support/download/ select GeForce 200 series

KilljoyL6

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 15, 2016

Thanks for all the help

I have marked it as solved and will just get the items one by one and install them once I have them all and I will post here when I manage to do it

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

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