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Dell 5676 PC. Upgrading motherboard and CPU.
Inspiron 5676
Howdy brains-trust
By CPU has fried itself so I need to purchase/upgrade to a new one. However, I figure if I am going to upgrade the CPU I may as well upgrade the MB as well.
Has anyone done this recently, and what did they upgrade to? Where you able to do it without cutting, changing the box? Is there a site where you can match motherboard dimensions so you don't have to change/cut the box?? (if not this would be very handy)
Any help and recommendations would be greatly appreciated
TIA
RoHe
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January 31st, 2024 21:32
Do you know why/how your CPU got fried, failed fan, failed heat sink and/or thermal paste...? Read this about CPU upgrades in Inspiron 5676.
If you get a motherboard other than one designed for the Inspiron 5676, you may find that the mounting holes don't line up with the Dell case.
You'll probably have to map and rewire the front power button on the Dell case to work with the new motherboard. Dell doesn't make those wiring diagrams public, but someone might have posted them on line somewhere.
You'll need to purchase a new license for Windows because the license you have is tied to the Dell motherboard.
RoHe
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February 1st, 2024 20:03
Sure the new PSU is compatible? FWIW, the BIST doesn't always identify a failed PSU. Does the PSU fan start immediately and spin steadily/smoothly during the BIST?
Did you check the power connectors for CPU on the motherboard, cable connections to front panel, to boot drive, etc?
You may want to take it to a reputable local PC shop and for a (small) fee, let them diagnose it for you. Or possibly use Dell's Out of Warranty Repair Service. You don't want to put more parts/$ into it without any clear indication of what's wrong. If you buy a new motherboard and that doesn't solve the problem, then what, especially if you can't return the replacement board? And then do you buy a new CPU that also may not fix the issue..?
Is it worth putting more money into it? This PC model is ~6 years old. So would you be better off getting a new PC?
Your PC, your money, your decisions...
Chickenbumflaps
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February 1st, 2024 02:24
Thanks so much for the response. I have no idea what happened to my CPU. One day it just not start turning on and the power button on top would flash orange 6 times. This would happen intermittently, some days it would start not problems, other days wouldn't start at all. Through all the Dell support and instructions they have concluded that it is the CPU. I have asked Dell for information regarding what mobo's and CPU's I could upgrade to. Will see what they respond with
Thanks
RoHe
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February 1st, 2024 02:36
Six power button flashes = Video card or Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) has failed, as you were told several times in your other recent thread. Six flashes does not (directly) indicate a CPU failure...
FWIW, 7 flashes = Processor or Central Processing Unit (CPU) has failed.
Have you tried anything suggested in that other thread..?
Chickenbumflaps
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February 1st, 2024 10:47
@RoHe Sorry, I should have said that I had completed the test suggested. I ran the 'power supply unit test' and the light came on and the fans run. But still nothing boots up and the front of the PC doesn't light up either.
So when I try to turn it on now, there are no flashing lights anywhere, blank screen, but all the fans in the box run?!? I have tried a new power supply and that made no difference either.
When I was chatting with the support team online they were recommending a new mobo first and then possibly a CPU.
I don't have a lot of knowledge regarding computers so I am struggling with this and just following the instructions they have been giving me
Thanks again for your input
Chickenbumflaps
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February 1st, 2024 22:41
@RoHe Agreed. Thanks heaps for all your advice. I am going to get someone to look at it for a correct and complete diagnosis
Thanks
RoHe
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February 2nd, 2024 00:01
Good luck, and post back with the diagnosis so the rest of us will know what's going on with your PC.