Upgrade my Gateway??

3767 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by johnwill, Jan 6, 2003

bobboss

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2002

My 2 year old Gateway tower is really showing its age now that I have started editing DV video.

I've added memory (512mg), a second HD (WD80), a new video card (nVidia GeForce TI 4200), and a DVD burner (Sony DRU-500). But alas, the poor AMD Athlon 950mhz (VIA KT133a) just can't handle the load I'm now throwing at it.

I asked Gateway about a mobo upgrade and they say there is none????

I'm sure they must be mistaken - guess they just don't offer a way to get there.

Is it possible to switch to a board with super fast P4?? If not, I can stay with the Athlon. Is it a simple matter of plug and play???What problems will I be getting myself into here, if I proceed??
Where should I do my shopping??

Thanks
-bob

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rlbewick

· #2 · Dec 28, 2002

Well...

First I must say, never buy a priporitory system such as HP & Compaq. I'm not sure if the Gateway is priporitory but, there is a good chance it is. If so you will need a new case & PS most likley.

You can get a fast AMD machine but, if you do mostly DV processing the P4 is faster (for the time being). How much $$ are you planning on spending?

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bobboss

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 28, 2002

Re: Well...

rlbewick said:
First I must say, never buy a priporitory system such as HP & Compaq. I'm not sure if the Gateway is priporitory but, there is a good chance it is. If so you will need a new case & PS most likley.

I guess that is my question - what exactly is a propritary system? If I am going to replace the mobo and processor, will my components work? or will there be problems waiting that I am not planning on.

What ever I spend at this point will certainly be less than buying a whole new machine. Right??

-bob

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johnwill

· #4 · Dec 28, 2002

You should assume that you'll be replacing the MB, processor, memory, and the case-P/S. After you price them, you'll know if it's cheaper to buy a new system. Of course, don't look at the $599 systems and think you're getting what you'd be getting if you hand select each component, they're built to be cheap, and they show it!

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Midnight Tech

· #5 · Dec 29, 2002

Bob, could you post the model # of your system plese?

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bobboss

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 29, 2002

Midnight Tech said:
Bob, could you post the model # of your system plese?

This is a Gateway Model SELECT K7-950. It was sold in their Midtower case with 250w power supply.

I would think that I could move alot of the components over, if I need a new case??

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Monkey

· #7 · Dec 29, 2002

I don't think it would be a problem. If you get a new mobo/cpu the memory/hard drives/video card should work, just make sure you get a mobo that takes your memory. I would also get a case and a better power supply. I dont think it is propritary, but I could be wrong. You can go to their website and have an online chat with a support tech. The only problem you should run into is that you will probably have to install Windows back on the computer. So you would have to buy an OS. If any of this wrong, someone please correct me.

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johnwill

· #8 · Dec 29, 2002

If you install a modern processor, you'll probably have issues with the power supply. Most P-4 motherboards have a 4 pin connector to take 12v directly to the processor switching power supply, so you'll be out of luck with the older supply. For the small price, I'd just plan on buying the case-P/S.

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Bombario

· #9 · Jan 6, 2003

If you install a modern processor, you'll probably have issues with the power supply. Most P-4 motherboards have a 4 pin connector to take 12v directly to the processor switching power supply, so you'll be out of luck with the older supply. For the small price, I'd just plan on buying the case-P/S.

Johnwill, with a 2 yr. old computer, [read the 1st post] I am 99% sure that the P/S has a 4-pin 12 volt connector.

also (from intel.com):

Pentium® 4 processor-based PC should use at least a 250 watt ATX12V power supply

I don't think bobboss will be [very] short of power. If you are, bobboss, I suggest looking for a 300-350 watter. It should be able to hold what you have. My friend's comp is a mere 250watt and it can pull a p4 2.0, a cd-rom, a cd-rw, a 40 gig h/d, and a 64 meg nVidia GeForce MX420.

Whatever you do, make sure to look long and hard before making a decision -- you can find some REALLY good deals on the net and even in just sales if you're patient.

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johnwill

· #10 · Jan 6, 2003

Bombario said:
Johnwill, with a 2 yr. old computer, [read the 1st post] I am 99% sure that the P/S has a 4-pin 12 volt connector.

also (from intel.com):

I don't think bobboss will be [very] short of power. If you are, bobboss, I suggest looking for a 300-350 watter. It should be able to hold what you have. My friend's comp is a mere 250watt and it can pull a p4 2.0, a cd-rom, a cd-rw, a 40 gig h/d, and a 64 meg nVidia GeForce MX420.

Well, I didn't say he'd be short on power, at least I sure don't see that in my message. I have several P3 systems here that were purchased late in 2000, and they do not have the extra 12V connector, which was added quite recently for the higher power and lower voltage processors. Personally, I don't think it's all that certain that his P/S is so equipped. You can be 99% sure that he has the connection, but I'd be much more comfortable if he actually looked to see, rather than take your word for it.

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