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 Joined on 06/29/2006 Posts: 2,052
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Processor Update on the XPS 720 & 720 H2C

07 August , 10:15 PM

Update—August 8, 4:30pm CDT:  My apologies to XPS 7xx customers. I published this post last night at 10:15pm, but did not publish it on the home page of Direct2Dell. Sorry for the error on my part.

Several of you have been following the QX6800 quad core processors on the H2C since my earlier post. In that post, I had said we expected to fulfill orders at 3.73GHz (QX6800 overclocked to Bin +3) within 4 weeks. Since we were able to do that sooner than originally thought, we upgraded the orders to Next Day delivery and shipped them to customers instead of going the callback route like we had originally planned.

Since we worked through those pending orders last week, we are now offering the QX6800 at 3.73GHz on new XPS 720 H2C systems. Beyond that, I'm also getting questions on the quad core QX6850 and whether or not we will support it.  The XPS team is currently testing the QX6850 to learn the high end characteristics of the chip, so we haven't yet made a decision about it yet.

If you are an existing XPS 720 H2C customer who has a QX6800 that's not running at 3.73GHz, please contact XPS Technical Support to troubleshoot. To do so, customers in the United States can call 1-800-232-8544.

Customers outside the United States can do the following to find the appropriate phone number:

  • Go to support.dell.com
  • Choose Contact Us
  • Choose Technical Support
  • Choose Call Technical Support
  • Look for the listing for XPS Support

While I'm on the subject of processors, I've gotten lots of e-mails and comments from folks asking what processors we'll support on the non-H2C XPS 720 motherboard. Here's the current list of processors:

  • E6600  2.4GHz dual core
  • E6700 2.66GHz dual core
  • Q6600 2.4GHz quad core
  • QX6700 2.66GHz quad core
  • QX6800 3.0GHz quad core

I've been keeping up with lots of the questions related to the mobo exchange program and will try to address at least some of them in posts before we launch the program on August 13.

Update, 8/13:  The link for the XPS 700 Exchange Program is now live:

www.XPSUpgradeProgramDell.com

 

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tomm5151
16 Nov 2008 11:16 PM
Im sure this comment is quite late in the list. Looks like the entry I am quoting is over a year ago. I am not a OC person. I do run 4 displays. I am interested in the fastest processor for my XPS 700, especially in light of the fact the motherboard exchange program is not available. (I went to the link and the site is for sale) (not is a typical marketing/sales referral page for all computer parts) However, based on the comment below, I am now searching for a QX6800 for my Dell XPS 700 It is a non H2C XPS 720 board. Additionally, some research under QX6800 and X6800 located a site that had tested the two processors on a board with the Nvidia 590 SLI chipset. So hopefully, I will be OK with this initiative. I do not plan to overclock. Hope you're right Lionel. Lionel's comment: "While I'm on the subject of processors, I've gotten lots of e-mails and comments from folks asking what processors we'll support on the non-H2C XPS 720 motherboard. Here's the current list of processors: E6600 2.4GHz dual core E6700 2.66GHz dual core Q6600 2.4GHz quad core QX6700 2.66GHz quad core QX6800 3.0GHz quad core"
 
Jon
07 Nov 2007 10:59 PM
Any news on converting a XPS 720 to a XPS 720 H2C?  I'd like to do it if it's available.
 
Nathan
25 Oct 2007 01:02 AM

Just got my upgrade from XPS 710 -> 720. I'm wondering if there is anyway to upgrade it to the H2C version? (eg. by just replacing the heatsink etc)

Upgrade went very smoothly - didn't even have to re-install XP.
 
Ray
12 Oct 2007 07:58 PM

Hi Lionel,

I just installed the XPS 720 motherboard and get a message on boot "System does not support installed processor" what gives? This is a Q6600 by the way. 
 
Nicholas T
10 Oct 2007 11:46 PM

Just checking in. Anyone know anything yet about the QX6850 status??

 I need to start shopping for new RAM if so. =)
 
Brent Williams
02 Oct 2007 05:13 PM

I've just had the 710H2C -> 720 upgrade, all good but I'd like to know if it's mandatory to return the old MB.  Was told by the tech I will be charged if I don't return it (?!), but that seems to conflict with information on here, can someone confirm either way. 


Thanks
Brent 
 
Stewie
25 Sep 2007 05:33 PM

apparently the 720 can now be ordered with the QX6850.

 
Stewie
22 Sep 2007 05:00 PM
Any updates on QX6850 Support?
 
Steve
13 Sep 2007 08:10 AM

I'll be waiting for the 6850 and the Geforce 8800 Ultra, both of which every other PC company is offering already.

Mid September now, when are we likely to know?

 

 
 
Stewie
08 Sep 2007 12:54 PM
Any updates on the QX6850?
 
Chris :)
22 Aug 2007 02:06 PM

Hi Lionel,

Are we going to be receiving our "free" mousepad along with the new motherboard?

"XPS Mouse pads: We will ship an XPS mouse pad to XPS 700 customers at no cost when you schedule your motherboard exchange. "

 :)

Thanks 
 
Larry G. Johnson
15 Aug 2007 06:05 PM
Can the XPS700 be converted to XPS 720 HC? And what is the cost to upgrade to that? Please let me know... Thanks.. Larry
 
RJohnston
15 Aug 2007 10:08 AM

I own an XPS-710 with an E6800 processor and one nVidia 8800 GeForce 8800 GTX video board. Does this system warrant a motherboard upgrade? Should the processor be upgraded or is that also included in the upgrade.

I have not been able to find specificatrions that show exactly what improvements are made with the upgrade. Can someone tell me where they are?

Why is the upgrade free (including installation) for 700 owners, but 710 owners must pay a large fee?

Does my Dell hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service cover the installation of the upgrade?
 
Mike R.
12 Aug 2007 12:40 PM

Maybe I missed this somewhere but I am going to do the Motherboard exchange and I currently have the Pentium D processor. Can I still do the exchange or do I have to upgrade my processor?

Thanks 
 
Lionel_Menchaca
12 Aug 2007 12:40 PM
Mike R.: My bad... in this post, I only focused on the current processors the 720 board will support. It's also backward compatible, so the Pentium D processor will work fine.

 
Chuck Wright
11 Aug 2007 05:00 PM

Lionel:  Thanks a bunch for working with us XPS 720 H2C folks to get the processor that was promissed us.  I think we still need help.

I called technical support at 1-800-232-8544 per your post on August 8th.  Technical support (John) says he does not know anything about changing the QX6800 processor to one that support overclocking to 3.73.  He checked with his supervisor and he agreed.  He says that technical support is only allowed to change part for the exact part and this would be an upgrade so I have to contact customer service to do this.

I contacted customer service (866-865-7485) and they couldn't help me as I bought the computer under the employee purchase program and they aren't open on the weekend (or at least they could not forward my call).  I'll hold off on making any other calls until you can straighten this out.

So, Lionel, can you please help?  Who should we call?  Thanks.  chuck

 
 
Lionel_Menchaca
11 Aug 2007 05:00 PM
Chuck: Let me check into this... will let you know.

 
Dave F
09 Aug 2007 12:44 PM

Exchange program motherboard replacement doesn't support Intel E6400 dual core? I hope this doesn't mean I'll be forced to buy a new processor in order to take advantage of the motherboard exchange?

 
 
Chris C
09 Aug 2007 11:37 AM
What about those of us with the 1.8-2.2 Ghz Procs are they supported or do we have to purchace a better Proc?
 
Lionel_Menchaca
09 Aug 2007 11:37 AM
Chris C.: The 720 board is backward compatible—no need to buy a new processor.

 
Tim W
09 Aug 2007 03:43 AM

Lionel

any news on when the 720 (non H2C) will be available in the UK? I see little point in spending the extra cash on the H2C seeing as Dell don't overclock in Britain and I don't plan to O/C myself. Customer Service haven't been any help on this one.....
 
SrRookieX
08 Aug 2007 07:33 PM
So the "non-H2C" 720 board will not support the X6800 Core 2 extreme?? I believe my XPS700 supports it. I am participating in the mb exchange program. Please advise...
 
Lionel_Menchaca
08 Aug 2007 07:33 PM
Sr.RookieX: The X6800 Extreme Processor will be supported.

 
Jay
08 Aug 2007 06:35 PM
Will the Q6700 be supported in the near future?