Core2Duo to Quad Core Upgrade

[PremkumarDevara]

I have Gigabyte 8i945GM-RH motherboard with Intel 945G chipset.  Currently it runs a E4500 core 2 duo processor alongside Dual Channel 4GB DDR2 (2 x 2GB DDDR2) RAM and a 350 watt (max rated) PSU.

I was trying to upgrade it to Q9550 quad core processor. 

Intel 945G datasheet says that Q9550 processor is not supported.  But datasheet for 8i945GMF-RH (please note the F in the motherboard name - as this is the only available motherboard manual on the internet) says Q9550 is supported.

I don't have enough details to clarify whether the motherboard will support Q9550 processor or not.

With the current processor E4500 the system does the POST beep.

After switching to Q9550, I'm able to observe all fans are spinning. But there is no POST beep. Since Q9550 requires a GPU (which I don't have installed at the moment) I'm unable to see if there is anything displayed at all.

Both E4500 and Q9550 belong to LGA 775 socket type. I had no issues in installing the new CPU.

Also, there is heat on the processor when physically checked. Possibly it is working ?

Some say it won't work due to the different FSB of motherboard and processor.  Few other say that the processor might downclock to the motherboard FSB.

Please could anyone give me reason to believe that the CPU that I bought is a dudd and compatibility is not an issue.

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

Hi PremkumarDevara,

I'm afraid that your motherboard/945G chipset is not compatible with LGA 775 Core 2 Quad processors:

Link: List of Intel chipsets - Wikipedia

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @PremkumarDevara 

Below is the link to the HP Quickspecs for your model PC.

Dx2280_rev_2.0_QRG.doc (hp.com)

The list of supported processors can be found on pages 2 & 3.

Looks like the best processor you can install would be the Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Processor
(2.66GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz) -- Conroe.

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6700