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CPU Upgrade to an Intel Core (TM) i7-9700 from the Intel Core (TM) i7-6700 CPU Windows 11
XPS 8910
I'm considering a CPU Upgrade to an Intel Core (TM) i7-9700 from the Intel Core (TM) i7-6700 CPU, except for the number of cores 8 vs 4 and the cache size 12 vs 8 these processors have virtually the same specs, and cost pretty much the same money. That's not in any way to deminish the advancement in technology, but I'm not seeing how Microsoft is picking winners and losers here and why they would be dumping a processor that's fully capable of running their software, given that in 99% of the cases the problem with Windows is never hardware related. I think that since this machine is only 5 years out of the box it should be fully capable of running Windows 11, and that Dell should lobby for that. The processor is the only component in the PC that is not Windows 11 Compatible. This was not a cheap machine, I believe I spent $1,000 on it, and while that's not a ton of computer in todays world, it's enough to make it better than average 5 years later.
Thoughts? Does the bios on this machine support the upgrade in CPU? The new CPU will fit the socket.
Thanks!
JOcean
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March 6th, 2023 11:00
First off that is a Z170 chipset and not compatible with anything above an i7 7700 as shown on this chart at Intel. And the 8910 BIOS is not compatible with the i7-9700 either. The chipset is the big problem as fitting in the socket is meaningless if the chipset does not support it.
Now that does not mean you cannot install Windows 11 as there are a huge number of videos, such as this one, explaining the procedure. Keep in mind though that down the line MS has threatened to stop updates for unsupported systems. They have not carried through on that threat yet but who knows what the future may bring.