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I've never planned to upgrade my CPU. However, most of the components in my PC have been upgraded, and the CPU is now the performance bottleneck. It doesn't flinch except for gaming where it is maxed out, while the GPU still have quite a way to go before being maxed out.

The Intel CPU is the Core 2 Quad Q6600 and is now worth 10$ on ebay. In the same Intel CPU family, there is the Core 2 Quad Q9650 at around 20$.

So for around 10$ net, I could switch from 2.4 GHz to 3 GHz. This is quite cheap to upgrade, but I'm clueless as to how much better it would be. Also, there might be some other potential compatible models that I'm unaware of because I don't know what I should look at to know if a CPU is compatible or not with the Pegatron-made Benicia 1.01. I'm guessing CPUs released today don't fit anymore.

According to pc-specs, the CPU socket for the Pegatron Benicia 1.01 is BGA 1023. Does that means that any CPU with this socket is compatible?

Is there even suitable upgrade candidate?
If so, what compatible CPU would be a significant upgrade?
If there are, what should I look at to know if they are compatible or not?
I would have used a compatibility sites to find out, but all of those I've tried aren't even aware of the motherboard because it is so old.... Those who did recommended some crazy up to date CPU which instantly made me suspicious of their credibility...

I know there is quite a lot a questions here, but hopefully these questions will help understand the needs.

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  • Hello there. What exactly is your PC? Desktop, laptop? You've given no info besides the motherboard. Its quite impossible your socket is BGA1023 for this motherboard. The Q6600 isn't manufactured with that socket.
    – Natsu Kage
    Feb 8, 2020 at 15:29
  • It is à hp pavillons élite. It's a desktop. I'm on my Phone, I'll add others specifications once i-my back home. What other specifications is needed? Bios versions?
    – AXMIM
    Feb 8, 2020 at 19:25
  • I can already tell you: the Q9650 is compatible with your computer for sure. I'll create an answer.
    – Natsu Kage
    Feb 8, 2020 at 19:29
  • I ended up not buying anything and overclocked with TAPE BSEL MOD. The cores now run at 3 Ghz.
    – AXMIM
    Feb 28, 2020 at 18:39

1 Answer 1

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The Benicia motherboard supports many processors. Per HP documentation it should support this list of CPU:

enter image description here

The absolute best CPU available on this platform is the Q9650. As for speed gains, it gives a difference of about 50% faster at best. Q9650 vs Q6600 comparison Anything else than a Q**** series processor is a downgrade for you.

Now: is it worth it? 50% isn't really a big boost in speed, and if you will still have the processor as a bottleneck. To give a comparison, the cheapest Ryzen 5 setup will be at least 100-200% faster depending on the application. Ryzen 5 vs Q6600

Of course, changing platform will force you to change your RAM, motherboard, and CPU. As well as maybe your power supply. The price for that is way above the price for a single Q9650. I suggest you get a Q9650 for now anyways and save money for a new build eventually.

P.S. Be careful not to buy a QX9650. These wont work. It's a Q9650, without the X.

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    Great!, Yes, I'll get a new pc eventually, but for now the timing is wrong. Also, thumb up for the warning between QX and Q.
    – AXMIM
    Feb 8, 2020 at 20:59
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    I've got room on the power supply. Some seller on ebay have some Xeon X5470 modified to be compatible with 775 socket. This model would give 71% improvement best the Q9650. Vendor offer to verify compatibility, I'll check with them.
    – AXMIM
    Feb 9, 2020 at 5:41
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    @AXMIM That's the kind of processor that probably will not work. Don't buy modified CPU. You'll have other problems with them most often.
    – Natsu Kage
    Feb 9, 2020 at 14:50

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