Precision T3610 Hardware Upgrade Guide
AWESOME PRECISION T3610 GAMING COMPUTER
The Precision T3610 has all the base components to be converted in to a good gaming computer. Precision T3610’s are a single socket Xeon based workstation. They have an optional 685W Power Supply, which gives you lots of options for good Graphics Cards. Let us show you how you can build an effective Precision T3610 Gaming PC.
Where to buy?
If you haven’t already acquired a Precision T3610 we’d recommend checking out a company called Serverworlds. They sell the T3610’s cheap and they provide free ground shipping to the lower 48 states. You can click on this link and it’ll bring you directly to there T3610 Page: Precision T3610 Link. You can also try to snag them cheap on Ebay. However, Ebay can be a bit of a gamble because you never know what you are going to get.
The goal is to purchase the T3610 with a good processor(s) and memory already installed and then you can source the graphics cards, hard drives, and other optional components from other sources.
What Processor(s) should I get?
High Clock speed cpu’s are the way to go.
Recommended Processors:
Up to 1 x QC Xeon E5-1620 V2 3.70Ghz 10MB 0GTs Processors | 3.9Ghz Max Turbo Frequency (SR1AR)
Up to 1 x QC Xeon E5-2637 V2 3.50Ghz 15MB 8GTs Processors | 3.8Ghz Max Turbo Frequency (SR1B7)
Up to 1 x 6C Xeon E5-2643 V2 3.50Ghz 25MB 8GTs Processors | 3.8Ghz Max Turbo Frequency (SR19X)
Up to 1 x 8C Xeon E5-2667 V2 3.3Ghz 25MB 8GTs Processors | 4.0Ghz Max Turbo Frequency (SR19W)
Up to 1 x 8C Xeon E5-2687W V2 3.4Ghz 25MB 8GTs Processors | 4.0Ghz Max Turbo Frequency (SR19V)
How much Memory should I get?
The base line should be a minimum of 16GB of memory. However, 24GB to 32GB would be ideal.
Memory PNs:
4GB 1Rx8 ECC 14900R DDR3 Module (7826W)
8GB 2Rx8 ECC 14900R DDR3 Module (25RV3)
8GB 1Rx4 ECC 14900R DDR3 Module (T0F69)
16GB 2Rx4 ECC 14900R DDR3 Module (12C23)
Recommended Memory configurations:
4 x 4GB PC14900R ECC Reg Modules (16GB)
6 x 4GB PC14900R ECC Reg Modules (24GB)
4 x 8GB PC14900R ECC Reg Modules (32GB)
6 x 8GB PC14900R ECC Reg Modules (48GB)
It’s very important to use 14900R modules because they will run at the max speed supported by the system board and processor(s).
What Hard Drive should I get?
Ideally you would want to have a Solid State Drive as your boot device as well an NVME.2 SSD to store your game libraries/large programs on. If you are limited on budget you could go with a small SSD for your boot device and a larger capacity 7.2K SATA drive to hold your larger files/programs/games.
Recommended SSD Drives:
SSD 2.5″ to 3.5″ Adapter (F767D)
Samsung 860 EVO 1TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E1T0B/AM)
Samsung 860 Evo 500GB 2.5 inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E500B/AM)
Recommended large Capacity SATA Drives:
Seagate 2TB BarraCuda SATA 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch Desktop Hard Drive (ST2000DM006)
Seagate 3TB Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal HDD (ST3000DM008)
Seagate 6TB IronWolf SATA HDD 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5″(ST6000VN0033)
*NVME.2 Drives cannot be used as a boot device with this model workstation*
NVME.2 PCIe Adapter (You need this if you plan to install an NVME.2 Drive in to this system):
NVME.2 SSD Adapter *Required to Install NVME.2*
Recommended NVME.2 SSDs:
WD Black 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe NVME SSD (WDS512G1X0C)
Samsung 960 EVO Series – 500GB NVMe – M.2 Internal SSD (MZ-V6E500BW)
Samsung 960 EVO Series – 1TB PCIe NVMe – M.2 Internal SSD (MZ-V6E1T0BW)
Raid Controller:
Integrated Intel AHCI 6GBPS SATA Controller (Supports Software Raid 0, 1, 5, 10)
LSI 9217 6GBPS SAS/SATA PCIe Controller (Supports Raid 0, 1, 10)
LSI 9271-8i 6GBPS SAS/SATA PCie w/1GB Controller (Supports Raid 0, 1, 5, 10)
What Graphics Card should I get?
*Make sure to upgrade your Precision T3610 to the 685W Power Supply before upgrading your graphics card*
Recommended Graphics Cards:
EVGA NVIDIA GTX1660 Ti 6GB Graphics Card
EVGA NVIDIA GTX1070 8GB SC Graphics Card
EVGA NVIDIA GTX1070TI 8GB Graphics Card
EVGA NVIDIA GTX1080 SC 8GB Graphics Card
EVGA NVIDIA RTX 2060 6GB Graphics Card
EVGA NVIDIA RTX 2070 8GB Graphics Card
EVGA NVIDIA RTX 2080 8GB Graphics Card
What type of Monitor should I get?
Ideally it would be nice to get a monitor with a 144Hz or 244hz refresh rate or better monitor. However, it really depends on the games you play. If you play first person shooter games a 144hz or 240Hz or better monitor is a must. If you play other games that do not require quick response time then a 60hz monitor should work fine.
Recommended Monitors:
ASUS PG248Q Full HD 144Hz 1MS 24″ Gaming Monitor
ASUS VG278Q Full HD 1080P 144Hz 1MS 27″ Gaming Monitor
ASUS XG258Q ROG Strix 24.5″ 1080P 240Hz 1MS Gaming Monitor
Recap:
Using the criteria above you can help you build a high end gaming system using a Precision T3610 Workstation.
Sample Configuration:
Precision T3610 Workstation
1 x QC Xeon E5-1620 V2 3.7Ghz 10MB
24GB PC14900R (6 x 4GB)
Samsung 256GB 6GBPS SSD + 512GB Samsung Evo NVME
GTX1080 w/8GB Graphics Card
1 x 10/100/1000 Network Port
685W Power Supply
DVD-RW
10 Pro 64Bit
We have tested this system with games like Dota 2, CS Go, PubG, Overwatch, and The Division. The frames can range from 90FPS to 200FPS depending on the game and settings that you choose. The system was tested using a 144Hz 27″ Acer Monitor.
Accessories:
SteelSeries QCK Heavy Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad (Click Here)
SteelSeries Apex M750 RGB Mechnical Keyboard (Click Here)
Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB Tunable Gaming Mouse (Click Here)
HyperX Cloud II 7.1 Gaming Headset (Click Here)
El Gato Game Capture HD60 Pro for a Streaming Capture PC (Click Here)
Secretlab Premium Gaming Chairs (Click Here)
Videos:
Precision T3610 Gaming Computer Build
How to install Memory in to a Precision T3610 Workstation
How to install a Power Supply in to a Precision T3610 Workstation
How to install a processor in to a Precision T3610 Workstation
How to install a Solid State Drive in to a Precision T3610 Workstation
Precision T3600, T3610, T5600, T5610, T5810, T7810 Fan Replacement
Please contact us if you have any questions!
Thank you for visiting our page.
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1st off I wanted to thank you for this. Some great info here.
I've been using Dell Precisions as gaming PCs for years now. My kids are each running a T3500 and my main gaming PC is a T3610. Glad to know I'm not the only one who see's some value in these older Dell workstations.
I didn't see an install video for a graphics card but I want to add some info from my experience of adding an aftermarket graphics card to my T3610. On the inside of the side cover of the T3610 there is a handle which I presume some Dell engineer added to make removing the side cover easier. Once I installed my GTX 960 GPU, the handle was preventing me from closing the lid. I had to remove the handle with a Dremel so i could close the case again.
I am considering upgrading my video card in the near future. My Precision is running the stock CPU, an Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-1620 v2 @ 3.70GHz. Do you think a faster CPU would be required to run some of the high end GPUs you suggested?
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Pinch Thank you for the kind words. You are right, you have to remove that handle on the inside of some systems to install the upgraded aftermarket gpus. We made a T5810 graphics card install video that shows how to remove the handle.
The E5-1620 V2 is a good gpu. You could also consider the E5-2667 V2 or E5-2687W V2 Processors.
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Please can you explain if you have to take the old processor out and do you have to use the glue as wondering as watched other videos that did not use it - thanks for any response
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Great post and site. Thank you! ... I have a T3610 with the QC Xeon E5-1620 V2 3.70Ghz and am considering an upgrade to the Xeon E5-2667 V2 3.3Ghz. Do you think the stock CPU cooler is sufficient? If not, do you have an recommendations on upgrading the cooler? It looks like that might be a tricky process in this case and with that socket.
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gregm for most applications that stock heatsink/fan will be sufficient. If you want better cooling, you can look in to Noctua aftermarket heatsinks.
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Jbigticket23 Thank you! Noctua makes a great product. Is there a specific heatsink of theirs you might recommend that would fit the 2011 bracket, give the RAM enough clearance and be low profile enough to fit in that case?
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I am sorry I have one more question -- will 2R memory work in the T3610? My current set up has "4GB 1Rx8 PC3 - 14900R 13 13 A1" memory modules. I plan to upgrade them, most likley replacing all the modules rather than just adding on. Regardless, most of what I am seeing for 14900R memory is listed as "2Rx8." I can't find any documentation on whether the T3610 motherboard will work with sticks that have memory chips on both sides. Thanks in advance!
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gregm
Other community members are using this Noctua NH-U9DX I4 Heatsink: https://amzn.to/3aad5id
You'll have to get some washers from your local hardware store to properly attached the aftermarket heatsink to the motherboard at the right depth.
Memory:
8GB 1Rx4 PC3 14900R = https://amzn.to/3aloHPP
or
16GB 2Rx4 PC3 14900R = https://amzn.to/2RZcE4n
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Jbigticket23 Thank you again!
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Hi - I did a search on your sample configuration, and a couple of the sites that try and predict bottlenecking claim that this CPU is too weak for the card. I know that opinions can vary, and that their computations are based on whatever formulas they use, but I wanted to see what you thought of that. I have a T3610 that I was considering combining with a 1660 Super and 32GB RAM for 1080 gaming, and these sites claim that the e5-1620 v2 is too weak even for that card. I also have an HP z420 with an e5-1650 v2, which would be 6 cores as opposed to 4, and am wondering if I am better off using that one to do the build with the 1660 Super. I lose 200MHz, but gain 2 cores and 4 threads. Any info and insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :)
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So I customized my t3610
But 4 of my Ram slot are not showing up and when I put ram in my screen goes black.
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ROBERT COHEN JR
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Roham Ahmadyfard where did you buy this case from 🙏🙏🙏
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Roham Ahmadyfard He didn't buy. He customized the original case. Probably by cutting the metal on the side cove and replacing it with glass or plastic.
I am curious what fans he used as the ones I've tried burned out even after converting the non-standard pins.
ROBERT COHEN JR Would you mind doing a build blog? I'd love to know how you solved the fans issue.
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Hans Mattsson I guessed I really want to swap my ugly case but I am skeptical about it
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Roham Ahmadyfard Doing what he has done wouldn't be too hard. You can see here how he cut the metal (with multi tool?) and a horseshoe shape {acrylic?) window. Personally I would have removed the metal bar to accommodate a taller GPU (Quadro 4000 installed), but it may provide some rigidity. The fans were my issue as the 'converter' didn't seem to work and using an after market PSU is also difficult, but probably not impossible.
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I repurposed two of these machines from work as gaming computers, but both are having the same issue...
While playing a game (or even watching Netflix), the screen will freeze (one (1660Ti) reports audio sounds continue but just loops the last milisecond of what was heard (like if you were excelarating a car, you'd just hear the engine at the same RPM)). Then, after a few seconds, the screen goes black and nothing is heard. To recover, the power button must be held down to power off, and then powered back on. The 1660 has been doing this since it was given to him back in January, and the 2060 has been doing it since it was given to her in October. Just last night, the GF's machine threw a BSoD reporting "Video_Scheduler_Internal_Error". Not sure if it's related or not, but figured I'd say it.
Any ideas? Or has anyone else experienced this?
(I also posted this here: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/k8w3xo/two_dell_precision_t3610_freeze_then_screen_goes/)
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Josh Burger
Try these solutions. Good luck!
https://windowsreport.com/video-scheduler-internal-error-windows-10/
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https://geeksadvice.com/fix-video-scheduler-internal-error-on-windows/
FIX Video Scheduler Internal Error on Windows (2021 Guide)
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Hey I am trying to do a case swap and would this work https://www.amazon.com/Bgears-b-Voguish-Tempered-Support-Motherboard/dp/B07T4W3BMH/ref=asc_df_B07T4W3BMH/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=380200604373&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13301083885746537265&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013636&hvtargid=pla-815220869688&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=82910274452&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=380200604373&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13301083885746537265&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013636&hvtargid=pla-815220869688
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Jordan woods Gonna say no on this one. While some Dell motherboards can fit in an ATX case you will run into the issue of hacking the control pins (power, led, USB, etc) to the pinouts of the new case. Unless you know how to rewire the header, you won't be able to even power on the motherboard much less move the USB headers to the front of the new case.
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stormson weathers would the t3600 fit
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Jordan woods
The new case itself would need to allow you to move the mounting points around, but for most Dell motherboards it should fit, but you will have to buy header adaptors as well.
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Hey guys I had a question regarding the graphics card. I purchased a nvidia geforce gtx 1070 and I'm not getting any visual output. The adapter is supplying power but I haven't been able to get anything on the screen. If you could give me any direction I would greatly appreciate it!
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John Ferrer Hello,
Did you check the cable connections on the video cable? Also do you have more than one monitor hooked up? If so leave only one monitor plugged in and try again. Also you can try another video cable if you have a spare.
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stormson weathers I did, I'm inclined to believe that it's the cable ( Display port to hdmi) because it gives me issues with my nvidia quadro k4000 but also I'm not getting a steady rotation from the fans on the 1070 either
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John Ferrer The rotations is usually handled by power management. The fans will wind down if the card isn't taxed/used.
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stormson weathers the motherboard should be able to accommodate the graphics card right? I attached a picture of the one I'm trying to install.
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Hi there, could anyone tell me the maximum height of the cpu cooler on t3610 without the internal support on the side panel (already removed it)?
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Bruno Ferreira I don't have a 3610 here but I think the layout is the same as my 5810. I have a 4u cooler in it. I had to remove the handle for the side panel latch for it to fit. I plan on making a plexiglass window there and having a small lever out the back to open the panel
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