Aspire Z3-615 CPU upgrade -- compatibility issues?

Neotozo

I have a 2014 Aspire Z3, which as you know is getting old. I recently had to replace my hard drive and decided I would upgrade it fully and make it last as the family computer a while longer.

I bought a Core i5 4670k to replace my Core i3 4160T (which was a mistake, I meant to buy a 4790k to take advantage of hyperthreading) and tested it today. The computer did not post. Everything online claims any LGA1150 chip will be compatible, but I am aware that my computer is one of the lowest models and may have limited motherboard hardware.

Should I assume that I have a bad chip, or are these just not compatible? If they aren't compatible, what are some recommendations for maximum performance with my setup? I will be upgrading the cooler, so that is not a problem. My warranty is also long expired so anything goes.

I will test with the 4790k that is on the way and update this thread accordingly. Thank you all for your time.

Neo

GAMING6698

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/708909/aspire-z3-615-cpu-upgrade-compatibility-issues

The Acer Aspire Z3-615 is not compatible with the Core i5-4670K or Core i7-4790K processors. These are higher-end LGA1150 CPUs that require a more advanced motherboard than what is likely included in the Aspire Z3-615 all-in-one PC.

The Aspire Z3-615 supports 4th generation Intel Core i3, i5, and Pentium processors, such as the Core i5-4460T, Core i3-4150T, or Pentium G3220T. The maximum supported CPU is likely the Core i5-4570T.

To get the best performance out of your Aspire Z3-615, your best options are:

1. Upgrade to the highest supported 4th gen Intel Core i5 processor, like the Core i5-4570T This will provide a noticeable performance boost over your current Core i3 CPU.
2. Upgrade the RAM to the maximum of 16GB if it's not already at that level.
3. Consider upgrading to a faster SSD like the Crucial MX500 to improve overall system responsiveness.

However, the Aspire Z3-615 is an older system, so major CPU upgrades beyond the supported 4th gen Intel chips may not be possible. Your best long-term solution may be to start planning for a newer, more powerful all-in-one PC when your budget allows.

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/708909/aspire-z3-615-cpu-upgrade-compatibility-issues

The Aspire Z3-615 AIO came oem form Acer fitted with either the i3-4160T cpu that your AIO has or the upper spec i5-4460T cpu . What I’ve found from personal experience with cpu upgrades of the earlier 2nd or the 3rd Gen Intel cpu’s and with allot of other Gen cpu’s is this, that you need to have about the same or you can get away with having just a slightly higher cpu TDP rating above what the oem cpu has, which in the Aspire Z3-615 AIO PCs case the oem i3 and i5 oem cpu’s have both a TDP rating of 35W and you could get away with a 45W or even 54W TDP cpu’s but your Z3-615 AIO can't power an 84W TDP cpu like the Core i5-4670K as the mainboard hasn’t got the power to power that cpu and that is why your mainboard doesn't post with that cpu.

The Acer Aspire Z3-615 AIO oem cpu’s like the Core i3-4160T (click on that site link for all the i3-4150T cpu upgrades) or the Core i5-4460T both have a TDP of 35W, you can get away with upgrading to the Core i7-4785T that also has a 35W TDP rating, this cpu is worth upgrading to as it has 4 cores / 8 threads / 3.6GHz standard frequency / 4.0 Ghz turbo / L2 cache 1MB / L3 cache 8MB and its 100% compatible upgrade to the i3-4160T that your AIO has and will give you around 190% relative performance improvement over your oem Core i3-4160T that your Aspire Z3-615 cpu performance has. good luck and hope this helps you out further.

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billsey

The main issue with CPUs on this is heat dissipation, the design uses a 35W CPU and trying to put a CPU with a higher TPD in will likely fail, as you saw. The i7-4785T is a 35W CPU and that is likely the best you can do with it. Note that a CPU change isn't going to make much of an overall difference in system performance. The best upgrade for overall performance are first changing the HDD to a SSD, next putting in more memory to get the total up near current needs, next a GPU if you are doing any gaming of graphics editing, and only last a CPU upgrade.