[bmccune12]

Answering upgrade questions I know is loaded with prefered responses and/or whys but please bear with this as it is really what I would like to do to enable me to get what I really want instead of what is packaged in a system.

What I own:

Gateway GT5449E Intel Core DuoE4300 the specs for it are here, GT5449E Specs

The only thing I have changed to date is added 2 1 gb DDR2 mem modules, that is all.

What I want:

New Video card that enables me to do games and movies/pictures. I see where most require 400-500 w power supply. Specs say 300 on this PC. So I assume I need a different power supply. I also see on some of the cards where it ask if I have a power supply plug in on board? This I do not knwo what I am looking for!

So in short 4 questions for you.

1) What power supply do I need to purchase for this unit?

2) Best video card I can get for what I need w/o a heck of a lot of trouble installing?

3) Is there a new processor I could put on this board or is this one ok?

4) As I am thinking of all these upgrades would IF all above is done it also be wise to upgrade the sound card as well as I forgot I also have upgrade the speakers to a THX 700 watt system external), sounds great now but would it sound better if I upgraded?

Not concerned to much about the price of the above as much as I am getting a system that is as current and to my needs as possible, this pc has not giving me any troubles so my thinking is just to upgrade it for now to get me as much as I can until something really new and exciting comes out....

Message was edited by: bmccune12

Not sure why the adrress tags are in there, tried to edit and would not let me, sorry....
Message was edited by: rgreen4 - took the tags out for you since you indicated that you wanted them out.

[rgreen4]

First - Welcome to the PC World Community.

There is a prejudice among many experienced users that Intel and Nvidia go better together, and AMD and ATI go better together. That being said, the main reason for this may be the fact that AMD now owns ATI and manufactured machines that come with discrete graphics cards seem to bundle them together that way. You can put either one in your machine however, as there are many members who do run ATI with Intel processors, and seem happy with the arrangement.*

I personally am more comfortable with Nvidia as I understand their version hierarchy. I currently only have one machine (a 4 year old laptop with an integrated ATI graphics chip with an Intel P4) with ATI, except for one Intel integrated chip, the rest all have Nvidia cards.

Handling the processor question first. The Intel 945 chipset with the socket 775 on your motherboard will support a good number of improved chips up to a Front Side Bus (FSB) speed of about 1066 Mhz and some 1333 Mhz (with overclocking). I pulled this info from the Gigabyte website (I have two of their boards, one with a 945 chipset). However, most manufacturers make it very difficult to upgrade major components like the CPU in their machines, because of support problems. If you installed an Intel C2Extreme QX9770 that requires a FSB speed of 1600 Mhz and it would not boot when you turned it on, the first inclination is to call Gateway. While I realize you may not, some would.

Aftermarket boards are more upgradeable as they publish information on their websites to enable you to do this. You could probably install a CPU chip with an FSB requirement of 800 Mhz, which would mean you could possibly get a modest increase by going to a 2.4 Ghz processor, if it would work. This would be the E4600 in the same series as your E4300 which is currently installed. Whether that increase is worth $120 is another question.

As for the video card, you can probably put as large a card that you have room to fit and PSU to power, but you are right, you will have to increase the PSU to most likely a minimum of 550 Watts. I am about to play musical chairs with video cards myself. I purchased an Nvidia 9800GT for my main machine, I will bump the current 8600GT to my Media Center and the original factory installed wimpy 7300LS will improve a machine with an integrated video chip. The 9xxx series are for the most part double slot cards so they take up more room, and I will jump the PSU from 550 to 650 (already on hand).

Unfortunately, many times when we start down the upgrade path we find that at times it's just easier to replace MB, CPU, and memory as a unit. For example your machine has DDR2 533 memory modules in it (as does my Media Center machine), yet none of the boards currently listed on Newegg show a DDR2 533 memory speed as standard, even the bargain boards with only two memory slots are shown at DDR2 667. My main machine with DDR2 800 which is 1 1/2 years old and was upper end when built, is now considered mid range at best.

The current entry level Gateway with Intel ($510) has the C2D E5200 2.5Ghz (800 FSB), 4 GB of memory (800Mhz) but still has integrated video. I would upgrade the video card and PSU, but you need to browse and see what cards you like. Open the case and see if a double wide card will fit on your MB or not. If it will the upper 8xxx and 9xxx will work, if not, the lower 8xxx and 9xxx series is generally the highest end you can install. MSI has a unique card out, as most cards now have large fans on the front face of the card, it restricts many cards in the next slot, this card has a fan less design with a heat pipe and exchanger on the back of the card. If your PCIe x16 slot is the first slot and it is not too close to the CPU it may work.

If you upgrade your video card to a good one, and the PSU likewise to a good one, in another year or so, you can upgrade the MB, CPU and Memory combination and use your new video card and PSU. You could even use your current case, although may like to upgrade the case to advertise that they have build their own computer.

[coastie65]

Hi and welcome to the forum. To add to what rgreen has said, a few suggestions would be the following:

1) Power supply : Minimum 500w



2) Video Card: Nvidia 8800 GT ( Performance vs Cost )



3) Processor upgrade: Intel C2D E6850



4) as far as the Audio goes, that 8 Channel onboard should do fine, in the interim. I have 6 Channel HD in here and it is really good.

These are just some general things I would look at with that machine, and they are cost effective as well. I would also max out the ram as well as you can run up to 4 Gb althoul with a 32 bit OS, it will only use 3.0 Gb to 3.5 Gb. I have maxed out this eMachines, with the exception of the Video Card and I don't see the need to add an Audio Card. coastie65

[rgreen4]

Coastie, I think the C2D E6850 uses a 1333Mhz FSB speed and his factory board may not support it. I agree it's a sweet chip and the only reason I have an E6750 was that the E6850 hadn't been released yet. My other Gigabyte board with the 945 chip will support it by overclocking and a BIOS update, but he may not be able to overclock his factory board.

[coastie65]

Hi, Knowing Gateway / eMachines you may be right. I hadn't given much thought to the FSB aspect. I know mine is limited to 800 Mhz.

[bmccune12]

First thank you for the quick resposnes

Ok in Belarc Advisor it says the Board is: Intel Corporation D945GCF AAD73937-203

Other Info from Belarc as Follows if needed:

|Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 (build 6001)| |Gateway 2000 GT5449E
System Serial Number: CCW73 B10 00524|
|Processor ^a^| |Main Circuit Board ^b^|
|1.80 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache| |Board: Intel Corporation D945GCF AAD73937-203
Serial Number: BQCF7040010K
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Intel Corp. CF94510J.15A.0038.2007.0226.1646 02/26/2007|
|Drives| |Memory Modules ^c,d^|
|320.07 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
220.01 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H652D ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]
EPSON Stylus Storage USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 1
Generic USB CF Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 3
Generic USB MS Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 5
Generic USB SD Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 2
Generic USB SM Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 4
WDC WD3200AAJS-00RYA0 [Hard drive] (320.07 GB) -- drive 0| |3318 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 'J6H1' has 1024 MB (serial number 0x00001042)
Slot 'J6H2' has 1024 MB (serial number 0x9710BBA1)
Slot 'J6J1' has 1024 MB (serial number 0x00003041)
Slot 'J6J2' has 1024 MB (serial number 0x7ACC4104)|
| |Local Drive Volumes|
| || | | |
|c: (NTFS on drive 0)|309.63 GB|217.05 GB free|
|d: (NTFS on drive 0)|10.44 GB|2.96 GB free|
|


If I go to Intel site I cannot find this exact board? But I do find others asking saying E6700 is the best this one can do, so is that right as you all have hinted? I am lets say moderate in the skill range, can fight and read my way through things but Bios adjustments and the like WILL fight me. So with that and the above in mind in non tech terms I can get what is my best choice, going with the E6700, something else, new board and something????

Now power supply, no biggie install here, can handle. But read to much I guess as I have read some will hurt more than help. The question is which one, make or model. If I could relate to home (work in the field) I would rather have my home on a 200amp service than 100amp may never need it but it is there....

Graphics card, had the Nvidia 8800 GT in hand yesterday and put it back due to power supply reading on package, was not 100% sure what I had till today.

Sound card, dead, understand that.

Sorry to be windy here, like others I know once I buy it, open it it is mine and am trying hard not to make a mistake....

Thanks again,

Ben

[coastie65]

Hi, OK. Any C2D processor with an FSB of 800Mhz should be fine and you should find something above 2.0 Ghz. It may support a 1066 Mhz frontside Bus, but seeing as how I couldn't find anything, the safest bet would be the fastest processor at 800 Mhz FSB. To be honest, I have a Pentium D 945 in here that runs at 3.4 Ghz, but there are some C2D's that are slower, but will out perform this thing. As you have found out, that Gateway came with a 300w PSU and you will need a larger PSU if you want to run a PCIe Graphics card, such as the 8800 GT. Once I pulled this thing out of the box and set it up, the next order of business was to see just how much I could squeeze out of it in upgrades. coastie

[rgreen4]

The reason you couldn't find that board on the Intel site, is that according to Intel it doesn't exist. It was custom manufactured by Intel for Gateway to their specifications and they are responsible for the manuals and support. I have a 2+ year old HP m7690y Media Center with an Asus P5BW-LA motherboard that according to the Asus website does not exist. However, the HP website shows specs, has a drawing of the layout and photos of the board. It also has what I call a "crippled BIOS" in that you cannot adjust the clock speeds etc.

They do this to eliminate the troubles an ordinary consumer can get into experimenting in the BIOS. Remember an aftermarket board comes with a manual explaining the adjustments to someone who is supposed to be somewhat experienced in setting up computers.

[coastie65]

Yeah, I know. My Intel board in the eMachines is listed under "Mature" meaning it has some third party stuff. ( Realtek HD Audio Chipset, ati Radeon x200 onboard graphics chipset, and get ready for this, as near as I can determine,a Packard Bell chipset ). I can find this board at Intel's site, but it has a different chipset configuration than the one in here. The onboard graphics is the same though, and thus two different Bios's, Intel's and eMachines'. Really screwed up.

[bmccune12]

Ok guys again I really thank you for your help and after a whole afternoon of looking, looking more, reading here is what I came up with so please give your input on the selections good or bad. But I ask if bad why and what else???



For the cpu all info as per what you all have said points to:

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600



For the Power Supply this one was rated very well:

RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-630SS 630W



For the Graphics card, dead on here as well:



PNY GeForce 8800 GT 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0



Now I was told PCI Express 2.0 will be fine in a PCI Express 16 slot I just will not benifit from the 2.0 part if I was told correctly...

I hope all the links work for you to check them out to help me be sure. Again if all looks good to the experts for a Gateway GT5449E then cool I can begin to get the items, if not recommendations to change to please. One of the games I would like to play is Oblivion, bought it and would not play on this machine as it was due to what it said was Intel Card. I hope all the above allows it to. Another game I have now is Witcher of which I can play on the wifes PC which has a geforce card but cannot on mine, really you know what me off.

I do a TON of Video/Picture editing ( own a Vineyard as well as run a ATV area around 1000 acres here) so again all goes towards that end.

Thanks for all help it is highly appreciated,

Ben

[coastie65]

Hi, Looks good to me. Yeah that's what I hear as well concerning 2.0 x16 Graphics cards. To be honest I have an 8600 GT x16 in here and it does quite well, and youwill definitely get a performance boost from the 8800 GT. One thing, you'll need to get some Thermal Compound as well, preferably Arctic Silver 5. When you replace the processor, be sure and use some alcohol wipes and clean off the old TMC from the heatsink. When you apply the fresh AS5, be sure to ONLY use enough that is the equivalent of a half grain of rice. That will be enough as it only is to fill in the imperfections of the milling of the top of the processor to allow for better heat transferrance. Too much and it acts an insullator and defeats the purpose, allowing overheating of the processor. coastie

[rgreen4]

I would upgrade the video first. Then wait 30 days to replace the CPU. Microsoft is funny about the moving of an OS from one PC to another. They will approve the activation of a retail package on a second machine when you call them, but not the OEM version that came from the factory. Changing the video card and CPU at the same time will definitely trigger the requirement for a re-activation. If you wait, you can then change out the CPU and if it is triggered, comment that you are only changing the processor and everything else is the same.

When you get the processor, the package is retail meaning it will come with a new heat sink and fan. You can put the old processor in the packaging, and keep it and the new heat sink and fan as spares. You definitely will need to clean the bottom of your current heat sink and add some thermal compound. Remember, a little goes a long way, it is really intended only to fill the minute machine scratches in the bottom of the heat sink and top of the processor case. To much forms a layer and actually insulates, and also makes it harder to mount the heat exchanger to the MB.

[bmccune12]

Thanks again guys for your help, then all sounds like a go here, now to get the stuff...:^0
Did not know a CPU would trigger MS, did not even think of that. Think will do some checking on that just to be ready in case....?:|



Updated::::

Just went to Micrsoft and this is what they said;

" Microsoft classifies the Motherboad as the Core component of a Computer. Meaning, you can change out any other componet (including CPU) without a problem (although you may need to re-activate), but if you change out the Motherboard, then a "New" (i.e different) computer is created and the OEM copy of Windows would no longer be licensed to run on that new computer."

So the way I understand other than the mother board or hard drive anything you wish to do is fine for keeping the the OEM copy of Vista, just may need to re activate and that can either be done by net or phone.... In fact the article said a cpu change usually does not trigger the reactivate but may.
Message was edited by: bmccune12

[rgreen4]

Thanks for that update. MS may have made their policy a little more reasonable, as many people do upgrade the processor. I do know that you can change the HD without even triggering an activation if you use a cloning software to clone the old HD to the new. I use Acronis True Image Home v11, and use it to clone my HD as backup. (I keep all my data on a separate networked drive). I then hook up the new clone and boot to test it. I may or may not then go back to the previous drive. One time I did get an activation request, but I had cloned, booted from the clone, went back to the previous drive, changed my mind and made the clone the new primary. All within the space of an hour. In that case, all I had to do was click on the activate button that came up, and it came back ok.
When you get the parts, you can of course install the video card and new PSU immediately, but you need to prepare your workspace and allow for some time to change the CPU because you do have to almost completely disassemble the PC to get the MB out. I would not recommend swapping the processor while the MB is in the case because of space limitations and the necessity to apply some force when reinserting the heat sink and fan. Coastie has changed out more processors than I have, I usually stick to the one I installed when I build a machine, and at that point of course the MB is outside the case.

[coastie65]

Hi, I was wondering about that, as I have changed out many a processor and have never had an issue with it. I did have an issue with the eMachines factory disk, when I put in a Video card. I just uninstalled the card and went back to the onboard Graphics chipset and all was good. No other upgrades had an effect. coastie

[rgreen4]

MS got a lot more picky about Vista than it was about XP.

[bmccune12]

Sorry if this keeps dragging on but got a little new input and wanted to make sure if all is still ok or could go better. I e-mailed Gateway help section prior to asking here and never got a response from them so I came here. Well the must be slow as I just got this below from them about the processor/motherboard. Read please and see if the processor we choose is still correct or could go better....



"C - Processor Socket
Part Number: 4006160RIntel (Council Bluffs) 945G Viiv Motherboard, This is the processor socket on the motherboard. This socket supports Intel® Pentium® 4 and Celeron® D processors and Pentium D dual core processors in an LGA775 package and with system bus speeds of 1066, 800, or 533 MHz."

MotherBoard Pic by Gateway



I remember you talking about a max of 800MHZ well according to this I can go up to 1066 and a choice of 3 different processor types so which one is best suited in your expert minds????

[coastie65]

Hi, No problem. You already have a C2D in there, so I would think the E6750 should work. It is a little faster then the one in there. coastie

[piyushsingh]

If 1066MHz is the max. your mobo supperts then you may put in any chip E6X00 series.You may consider an E6700 or E6600.
The E6X50 series are all 1333MHz and double L2 cache than parent E6X00 series and require G33 or P35 and chipsets that came after those. I have an E6750 , it wont run on your board.

[coastie65]

Thanks piyush, I keep forgetting the E6X50 is a 1333 Mhz FSB. :D . Sure glad someone is looking over my shoulder. :D coastie