Intel X3230 or X3380 or QX6800

[chinthub]

I have a DELL Precision 390 workstation, which is having Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 processor. I am planning to upgrade the processor to Quad Core, as I wanted to setup a small VMware home lab with nested ESXi VMs.

As I searched over the net and queried with of couple vendors, I got different opinions. My motherboard is 975 series, Socket LGA775, Bus Speed is 1066 and Processor TDP 65 Watt. Below are the model is suggested to go for.

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/Intel-Core%202%20Extreme%20QX6800%20HH80562PH0778M%20(BX80562QX6800%20-%20BX80562PH0778M).html

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Xeon/Intel-Xeon%20X3230%20-%20HH80562QH0678M%20(BX80562X3230).html

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Xeon/Intel-Xeon%20X3380%20-%20AT80569KJ087N.html

Please suggest which processor would be fully compatible with my motherboard. I have checked the Intel compatibility list found that QX6800 and X3230 is in the compatibility list of my motherboard but I am bit confused with different Bus Speed and Processor TDP.

Thanks,

Chinthub

[wechslerl]

According to various sources there are two motherboards with 975x chip-set.
One limited to core duo X6800 and the other will take some quad cores.
The problem is, Dell will not tell you which is which and the same with every website I checked so far.
Intel also has two MB's. One is 975xcx for dual core and one 975 xcx2 for quad. But if you have a Dell, you will not know unless you have the combo already and it's working.
So whoever finds the right combo please let us all know!!!

wechslerl@aol.com

[chinthub]

Thanks wechslerl.

Since I didn't get much useful info from anywhere in the net, I have gone ahead to take the risk and ordered X3230 from ebay. I got it for $175 (bidding), which considerably cheap and its New Boxed item. I am waiting for the delivery. Will post the result as soon as I get it.

[Alogistos]

Hello chinthub,

Did you had time to test the Xeon X3230 that you have ordered? Pls give us your feedback, thanks