[brettt777]

I want to upgrade my XPS710 that has served me well for several years. It has an E6420 CPU and I saw on the Dell forum that as long as the BIOS is up to date I can upgrade it to a Core 2 Extreme QX6700. I am wondering if the OEM motherboard will allow all four cores of the CPU to be used?

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If the motherboard/Chipset support the CPU, then it is up the operating system after that to utilize all four cores. So if you are certain it will support the quad (and this review suggests you are right) then you should have no problem. But do note replacing the CPU is generally low on the list for improving performance - 3rd after increasing RAM and upgrading the graphics card.

[Digerati]

If the motherboard/Chipset support the CPU, then it is up the operating system after that to utilize all four cores. So if you are certain it will support the quad (and this review suggests you are right) then you should have no problem. But do note replacing the CPU is generally low on the list for improving performance - 3rd after increasing RAM and upgrading the graphics card.

[brettt777]

If the motherboard/Chipset support the CPU, then it is up the operating system after that to utilize all four cores. So if you are certain it will support the quad (and this review suggests you are right) then you should have no problem. But do note replacing the CPU is generally low on the list for improving performance - 3rd after increasing RAM and upgrading the graphics card.

Thanks for the info. Actualy a graphics card update is first on my list. I thought I might go with a CPU as well because I can get get a QX6700 for about $150. I can also get RAM for about $25 for 2GB. I believe the motherboard in the 710 is designed for PCI-E 16 video cards. I have been told that I can run a PCI-E 16 2.0 card on it but I just won't have all the functionality of 2.0. Is this true? I only ask because I have seen some really good deals on PCI-E 16 2.0 cards.

[Digerati]

I have been told that I can run a PCI-E 16 2.0 card on it but I just won't have all the functionality of 2.0. Is this true?

Yes. 2.0 cards are backwards compatible, and why almost all cards sold today are 2.0.

[brettt777]

What does a PCI-E 16 2.0 do that a non 2.0 won't do? Or I guess the better question is, what would I be missing using a 2.0 video card on a MB that doesn't support 2.0?

[Digerati]

http://en.wikipedia....iki/PCI_Express