Top CPU options for replacing the i7 920. Will adding 24GB of RAM improve performance?
Top CPU options for replacing the i7 920. Will adding 24GB of RAM improve performance?
The 6 core 32nm Westmere chips are great for overclocking. I prefer the W3670. You get a lot of value for $27.50 on eBay. For beginners, the W3680 is even simpler—it features an unlocked multiplier, so you just need to tweak one setting to speed it up. Here’s a W3680 running at its default voltage. Raising the turbo limits lets it stay fully loaded at top speed across all six cores. Adding extra voltage lets you boost the multiplier further for even higher performance. A solid upgrade compared to the i7-920.
Thanks for all that useful info! I've made a list of all these processors and I'm busy checking them out in YT vids and on comparison sites. I am a total n00b at overclocking so this will be a real learning experience! I saw some vids, alignment with the notch, do not touch the pins etc! Sounds a bit nerve wracking but I reckon I can do it! One thing thats out of my control is that with these used chips on eBay - I have no idea how they've been handled. All the pics of them on the site show them on table tops and not in any sort of protective padded packaging etc. But I guess they do that to show that there is no damage to the pins and such. I noticed that many of the sellers are in HK and China, I hope I wont have to wait too long for them to get here!
You won’t need to reinstall Windows after swapping the CPU. You can continue using it without any issues. It’s better to avoid the hassle, and having the latest Win10 ISO ready on your device is a smart backup.
These Intel CPUs lack physical pins; they rely on the motherboard socket. The bottom features small metallic contacts. In China, these outdated chips are likely being recovered quickly. They aren’t fragile despite their appearance. Simply match the notches on the side and place it in position. If misaligned, reposition and retry. Avoid shifting them sideways or backward—this risks damaging the pins. Most Chinese components undergo a 30-second test, ensuring reliability. You shouldn’t need to reinstall Windows. Swapping CPUs can sometimes limit recognition to just four of your six cores. If this occurs, open msconfig, go to the Boot tab, click Advanced options, and possibly clear the processors count. After rebooting, Windows will detect all six cores and twelve threads. Many users are eager to assist in maximizing performance.
Ohh I see ok! Shows what a n00b I am that I didnt even know that. I thought the pins were on the CPU. Thanks for all the great tips to remember while fitting it. Vertical motion only and align carefully. Also comforting to know they are not as delicate as I thought they were. Thank you, this is a very friendly forum I can tell , the responses have been so great on my first post. Other places I have tried just tell me to get a new PC and to dump this one. I CAN get a new one but personally cant justify the cost as this old thing literally runs all my fav games that I throw at it and runs them well. There is only 1 game that will need a new and very powerful machine - the new flight sim from Microsoft. That is one title I will want to run full bore at max settings, impossible on my PC.
Honestly, those around you are missing the point (the ones suggesting you throw it away). GPUs are tough to find at a decent price, so older machines are the most affordable option right now. I’m also using an old setup myself, and I really enjoy it. There’s no point spending more when you can still upgrade, and the components are super affordable. To reassure you, I’ve only modified one CPU—an old laptop processor (a Turion 2). The motherboard was gone, so I wanted to give it a try. You’re doing great! Don’t feel like a beginner; everyone here is still getting the hang of things. There’s nothing embarrassing about not knowing, and there are definitely no dumb questions about tech.
I’d keep my 920 and OC setup really well. Avoid pushing the voltage too high—1.6V isn’t ideal—but I think going overclocking is a good idea. Used X58 Xeons are reasonably priced. XP 11 handles single threads well, while MSFS is a bit more demanding (though I feel it varies a lot). I’ve switched entirely to MSFS for my flight training since I only fly GA aircraft, though I recall X-Plane was CPU-heavy with a stock 3700X and an RX 580. That was only in one situation, but it was quite extreme.
You can easily beat them and they'll be okay. You can push 1.6 as long as you manage your temperature. But usually anything above 1.4 becomes tough. If you time it right, make sure your power supply is solid. I'm saying they dislike nature, and polar bears even more. Don't bother with bees either.
Hey there, so I've been digging into chip research lately and have focused on the i7 990, W3670 and X5680/90. The main issue is that my motherboard (MSI X58 Platinum) isn't displaying the X-series CPUs in its compatibility list. I've noticed some mixed comments online suggesting it doesn't matter, but they still claim it should work. Is that accurate? These two sites only list i7-branded chips as compatible: https://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-MSI/X58_Platinum.html and https://pcpartpicker.com/products/cpu/?c...ith=8FKcCJ. Also, does it really matter if the CPUs are labeled as Xeons versus regular ones? Thanks for any tips! I'm eager to try this but found out my BIOS is locked—every voltage setting is grayed out. Appreciate the cool info about XP11 and MSFS too; that gameplay must be awesome! Knowing this helps, glad they're not as tricky as I imagined!