Gateway 550GR Question

ndpgtr07 · 07-08-2008, 06:26 PM

Hello, i'm new to this particular forum i have a Gateway 550GR with an Intel 915G Express Chipset and a Pentium 4 HT running at 3.2 G. I was wondering if i could swap my CPU with something a little better? This is my little project computer and id like to do what i can with in reason you know. Thanks

**linderman** · 07-08-2008, 07:14 PM

I hate to deliver the bad news / but the 915 chipset was a lame duck IMHO they didnt pick up decent support & top end performance for Pentium D (dual cores) cpu's until the 945 chipset

and second finding a better bios to allow you to upgrade your CPU is usually very limitedf with OEM systems their bios usually support the original system configuration and not much more :(

in your shoes; I would look to change the motherboard with a board from mwave.com / click refurbished / click motherboards

you can find a replacment board that will allow cpu upgrades to a cpu that will kick some butt for under $50.00

**linderman** · 07-08-2008, 07:19 PM

ABIT IB9 INTEL P965 CHIPSET ATX FORM FACTOR 1xPCI-E(X16)/3xPCI-E(X1)/2xPCI/4xDDR2 W/SATA2,LAN(Gb),USB 2.0 & AUDIO (Refurbished Bare Product No Accessories w/15-day Warranty) (*Limit 1 pcs/customer) $29.92

SKU: CB23404 Mfg. Part No: IB9
More Info View Full

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewprodu...2D+Refurbished

this motherboard would allow you to run the Pentium D as well as the newer and better Conroe cpu's like the E6500 E6600 E4300 etc etc

**Pharaohz** · 07-09-2008, 01:12 AM

wow nice find Lind.

ndpgtr07 · 07-09-2008, 07:34 PM

I gotta say thats not a bad idea and its pretty cheap. I do have a couple more questions now that we have changed gears if I was to get this mobo what would i need to do to start using it right away, IE it dosnt have onboard VGA so how would i use it, could i just put my current video card in and it would recognize it or what would i need to do. Second question, xan i just swap mobo's and use my P4 and current HD etc. for now until i can get my new CPU, I guess what im trying to say what all would i have to do as cheap as possible to use this new mobo with my current setup? I hope i don't sound stupid i know a little about PC's but I will admit i dont quite understand the whole concept of swapping a mobo. Thanks for the help up till now i hope i will hear from you or someone else very soon, Thanks alot Lindermen.

**linderman** · 07-10-2008, 04:38 PM

you would need to buy the motherboard and some DDR2-800 memory sticks and you would be set for now add $40.00 for memory

your existing cpu would work on the new board , but your existing PC3200 ram would not

you existing video card would also work with the new board

then when you are ready to increase your budget you could upgrade your cpu and whatever else you may desire

**linderman** · 07-10-2008, 04:39 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

ndpgtr07 · 07-10-2008, 04:57 PM

Thanks a bunch man, I have looked into it my self and as soon as my check clears the bank im gonna be doing this. I think that this would be a good first step in the right direction. Im sure i will have more questions soon so keep an eye on this thread your a good dude ill post as soon as i get my stuff together to update my progress so you and anyone else can comment on it for better or worse thanks again, peace.

**linderman** · 07-11-2008, 10:15 AM

enjoy its a good learning experience

07-08-2008, 06:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
ndpgtr07 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rantoul, IL Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP (Service Pack 3)	Gateway 550GR Question Hello, i'm new to this particular forum i have a Gateway 550GR with an Intel 915G Express Chipset and a Pentium 4 HT running at 3.2 G. I was wondering if i could swap my CPU with something a little better? This is my little project computer and id like to do what i can with in reason you know. Thanks

07-08-2008, 07:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Gateway 550GR Question I hate to deliver the bad news / but the 915 chipset was a lame duck IMHO they didnt pick up decent support & top end performance for Pentium D (dual cores) cpu's until the 945 chipset and second finding a better bios to allow you to upgrade your CPU is usually very limitedf with OEM systems their bios usually support the original system configuration and not much more :( in your shoes; I would look to change the motherboard with a board from mwave.com / click refurbished / click motherboards you can find a replacment board that will allow cpu upgrades to a cpu that will kick some butt for under $50.00 __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

07-08-2008, 07:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Gateway 550GR Question ABIT IB9 INTEL P965 CHIPSET ATX FORM FACTOR 1xPCI-E(X16)/3xPCI-E(X1)/2xPCI/4xDDR2 W/SATA2,LAN(Gb),USB 2.0 & AUDIO (Refurbished Bare Product No Accessories w/15-day Warranty) (Limit 1 pcs/customer) $29.92* SKU: CB23404 Mfg. Part No: IB9 More Info View Full http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewprodu...2D+Refurbished this motherboard would allow you to run the Pentium D as well as the newer and better Conroe cpu's like the E6500 E6600 E4300 etc etc __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent. Last edited by linderman : 07-08-2008 at 07:21 PM.

07-09-2008, 01:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Pharaohz TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 611 OS: Windows XP Home My System	Re: Gateway 550GR Question wow nice find Lind. __________________ I am the way, the truth and the life.No one comes to the father, Except through me. John 14:6 Wrench: "When they make an SLI that's not buggy we'll let you know" OMG: "Noooooppeeee! we build pc's.. we don't manufacture mobo's"

07-09-2008, 07:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
ndpgtr07 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rantoul, IL Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP (Service Pack 3)	Re: Gateway 550GR Question I gotta say thats not a bad idea and its pretty cheap. I do have a couple more questions now that we have changed gears if I was to get this mobo what would i need to do to start using it right away, IE it dosnt have onboard VGA so how would i use it, could i just put my current video card in and it would recognize it or what would i need to do. Second question, xan i just swap mobo's and use my P4 and current HD etc. for now until i can get my new CPU, I guess what im trying to say what all would i have to do as cheap as possible to use this new mobo with my current setup? I hope i don't sound stupid i know a little about PC's but I will admit i dont quite understand the whole concept of swapping a mobo. Thanks for the help up till now i hope i will hear from you or someone else very soon, Thanks alot Lindermen.

07-10-2008, 04:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Gateway 550GR Question you would need to buy the motherboard and some DDR2-800 memory sticks and you would be set for now add $40.00 for memory your existing cpu would work on the new board , but your existing PC3200 ram would not you existing video card would also work with the new board then when you are ready to increase your budget you could upgrade your cpu and whatever else you may desire __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

07-10-2008, 04:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Gateway 550GR Question http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034 __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

07-10-2008, 04:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
ndpgtr07 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rantoul, IL Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP (Service Pack 3)	Re: Gateway 550GR Question Thanks a bunch man, I have looked into it my self and as soon as my check clears the bank im gonna be doing this. I think that this would be a good first step in the right direction. Im sure i will have more questions soon so keep an eye on this thread your a good dude ill post as soon as i get my stuff together to update my progress so you and anyone else can comment on it for better or worse thanks again, peace. __________________ Be Cool Like The Snowman

07-11-2008, 10:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Gateway 550GR Question enjoy its a good learning experience __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.