Motherboard speed

I would like to upgrade my computer but I need to know what I can upgrade to without overkill. Here are my system specs. I definitely would like a better graphics card that will enable three monitors, a faster processor and perhaps better DDR2 Ram. Any suggestions?

Gateway DX4200-09 Desktop Specs.



Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 2 (build 6002)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States)

System Model
Gateway DX4200-09 7B3P091G

Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.80 gigahertz AMD Phenom 9100e Quad-Core
512 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache
2048 kilobyte tertiary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)
Not hyper-threaded Board: Gateway RS780 Rev 1.0
Serial Number: U007090202537
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 7B3P091G 08/06/2008
Drives Memory Modules c,d
629.65 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
394.79 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

ATAPI DVD A DH16A6S ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

IOI CF/MicroDrive Disk.. USB Device -- drive 1
IOI MS/MsPro Disk ... USB Device -- drive 4
IOI SD/MMC Disk ... USB Device -- drive 3
IOI SM/xD-Picture Disk.. USB Device -- drive 2
WDC WD6400AAKS-22A7B2 [Hard drive] (640.13 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WMASY5621704, rev 01.03B01, SMART Status: Healthy
3840 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM0' has 2048 MB
Slot 'DIMM1' has 2048 MB
Slot 'DIMM2' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM3' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes

c: (NTFS on drive 0) 629.65 GB 394.79 GB free

Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Aaron & Anna 4/16/2010 8:48:27 AM (admin)
Guest 1/12/2010 7:30:40 PM
Mcx1 3/14/2010 12:46:04 PM (admin)
local system accounts
Administrator 1/10/2009 5:31:25 AM (admin)

Marks a disabled account; Marks a locked account EPSON Stylus CX8400 Series on USB001
Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPSPort:

Controllers Display
IDE Channel [Controller] (4x)
Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller (2x) ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics [Display adapter]
Gateway FHD2401 [Monitor] (24.0 "vis, s/n M1Z86D0R02975, June 2008)
Panasonic-TV [Monitor]
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller (2x)
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller (5x) ATI HDMI Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio
Virus Protection [Back to Top]
new Group Policies
avast! antivirus
None discovered
Communications Other Devices
LSI PCI-SV92PP Soft Modem

Marvell Yukon 88E8071 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller
primary Auto IP Address: 192.168.1.2 / 24
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Dhcp Server: 192.168.1.1
Physical Address: 00:22:68:473:8A
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

Networking Dns Server: 192.168.1.1
OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
HID-compliant consumer control device (2x)
HID-compliant device (7x)
Microsoft eHome Infrared Transceiver
USB Human Interface Device (3x)
Logitech HID-Compliant Keyboard
Microsoft eHome MCIR 109 Keyboard
Microsoft eHome MCIR Keyboard
Microsoft eHome Remote Control Keyboard keys
HID-compliant mouse
Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
eHome Infrared Receiver (USBCIR)
Realtek USB 2.0 Card Reader
USB Composite Device (2x)
USB Root Hub (7x)
Generic volume shadow copy
pcouffin device for Amd 64 bits systems
D-Picture Disk..
icroDrive Disk..
MC Disk ...
sPro Disk ...

 

It sounds like you want to turn it into a gaming machine (3 monitors). OEM computers can be upgraded...modestly. They are built to a competitive price. For example, the motherboard is listed as Gateway RS780 Rev 1.0, it doesn't state the chipset model. You might start upgrading parts to be limited by the motherboard.

What size power supply does it have? Usually OEM machines have a power supply that only just runs the unmodified system. Can the PSU be upgraded without needing to get it from Gateway (if they supply one)? Is it a standard size and shape?
http://www.journeysystems.com/?power_supply_calculator

The motherboard will probably have a BIOS with a limited number of resources available. BIOS upgrades will only be supplied by Gateway. Drivers for basic system hardware will probably only be available through Gateway. You will find they don't provide many updates.

I think you will find it has very limited options to be upgraded.

Matt

 

That's what I was afraid of. I had a pretty hard time just figuring out what motherboard it has. It won't be for gaming. I'll be using it for business purposes. I need the additional screens for displaying individual video. I would be happy if I could upgrade the CPU to a 3 GHertz processor and a better quality video card that will handle my needs. Right now my processor is 1.8 GHertz.

 

I tried to find the CPU compatibility, nope. Ha!, I thought, I will check any BIOS upgrades that usually allow for upgrading the CPU. Ha...Ha, no BIOS upgrades.

Try sending a question to them through their support contact
http://support.gateway.com/support/ask_gateway.aspx?cmpid=topnav

If you can get a Phenom II to fit it, it would be much better than the Phenom I. It runs at 1.8GHz, but note that it has 4 cores. You will only get around 3GHz with fewer cores. Open Task Manager and watch the CPU performance with some of your applications running. Are they being shared between the cores?

A decent graphics adapter might take some of the load off the CPU, but remember what I said before.

Matt

 

What I'm running now is quad core. I guess I shoulda built my own. What about a better graphics card?

 

Better Graphics for what you intend to do, really your Motherboard is not ideal best is a SLI Motherboard that will accommodate 2 Video cards and with one video card for one monitor each and share the third monitor between them.
Your CPU can handle the load alright there is no problem at all.

 

Ok. Unfortunately replacing the motherboard isn't really an option. If I'm gonna do that I might as well just build a new one.

 

I see hawk22 as saying that it will not meet the requirements you are asking for.

I haven't set up a three screen system before (as you can see by my "guess ").

You should work backwards (uh-oh ). Look at what you are you trying to achieve. Look at the requirements of the programs/applications you are using. Look at how you need to set up the hardware to make it work.

I think you will need to find a machine that can cover your needs.

Matt
(How are you going to connect three screens? Do you have a plan?)

 

Not really. I'll probably just settle for two. I'm going to call Gateway and see if I can get an answer as to what the motherboard can handle and go from there. I will definitely upgrade the video card.

 

amaurer2, this should wet your lips.

http://daggle.com/my-multimonitor-setup-three-screens-for-one-computer-76

hawk22

 

here is one more Gadget that will make multi viewing a breeze.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/04/04/plugable-technologies-usb-2-0-uga-multi-display-adapter-review/

 

Most cards today support 2 monitors. Many motherboards allow the on-board to remain enabled even when a card is installed - so you can have 3 monitors that way. However, on-board graphics degrades overall system performance, so adding a 2nd card - an inexpensive PCI, for example, will free up system RAM, and allow for 3 (or 4) monitors with little problem. And of course Windows has supported multiple monitors for years - but I could not live without UltraMon.

BUT - as mattman warned, a new power supply is most likely in order. I prefer the eXtreme PSU Calculator however as it is constantly updated with new CPU and GPU requirements, and it allows you to tweak the criteria to compensate for age and usage for a more practical result that can carry you through future upgrades. See my canned text below.

You already have 4Gb of RAM so any more is not likely to yield significant performance gains. Your CPU is a bit slow and according to the Gateway DX4200 Specifications, your motherboard will support a bigger CPU, but I would still go for better graphics first. Today's computing is very graphics intensive so the more cable the graphics solution, the more the CPU can hand off tasks to it, and it takes very little CPU horsepower to hand off tasks.

***

Use the eXtreme PSU Calculator Lite to determine your minimum power supply unit (PSU) requirements. Plug in all the hardware you think you might have in 2 or 3 years (extra drives, bigger or 2nd video card, more RAM, etc.). Be sure to read and heed the notes at the bottom of the page. I recommend setting Capacitor Aging to 30%, and if you participate in distributive computing projects (e.g. BOINC or Folding@Home) or extreme 3D animated gaming, I recommend setting both TDP and system load to 100%. These steps ensure the supply has adequate head room for stress free (and perhaps quieter) operation, and future hardware demands. Research your video card and pay particular attention to the power supply requirements for your card listed on your video card maker's website. If not listed, check a comparable card (same graphics engine and RAM) from a different maker. The key specifications, in order of importance are:

1. Current (amperage or amps) on the +12V rail,
2. Efficiency,
3. Total wattage.

Don’t try to save a few dollars by getting a cheap supply! Digital electronics, including CPUs, RAM, and today's advanced graphics cards, need clean, stable power. A good, well chosen supply will provide years of service and upgrade wiggle room. Look for power supply brands listed under the "Good" column of PC Mechanic's PSU Reference List.

Most PSUs have an efficiency rating of around 70%. This means for every 100 watts of power a PSU draws from the wall, only 70 watts is delivered to the motherboard, with the rest wasted in the form of heat. The best supplies are 85 to 90% efficient, and as expected, cost more. I strongly recommend you pick a quality supply with an efficiency rating equal to or greater than 80%. Look for 80 Plus - EnergyStar Compliant labels.

Too big of a PSU hurts nothing but your budget. Your computer will draw from the PSU only what it needs, not what the PSU is capable of delivering. If a computer needs 300 watts it will draw 300 watts regardless if the PSU is a 350W, 650W, or 1000W PSU. In turn, the PSU, regardless its size will draw from the wall only what it needs to support the computer. In this example, 300 watts plus 45 "“ 90 watts, depending on PSU inefficiency.

As noted, the eXtreme Calculator determines the minimum requirements. If the calculator (with the changes I suggested) recommends a 400 watt minimum, a quality 400W supply will serve you just fine. But a quality 550W "“ 600W supply will have, among other things, larger heat sinks to dissipate potentially more heat. It might have a larger fan too. The 400W supply will run most of the time closer to capacity, while the larger supply will be loafing along, rarely breaking a sweat. To help the smaller heat sinks get rid of the wasted 80 watts (20% of 400) of heat, the fan in the 400W supply may need to run full speed, while the fan in the larger supply, with bigger sinks just loafs along too "“ but in near silence.

Don't forget to budget for a good UPS with AVR (automatic voltage regulation). Surge and spike protectors are inadequate.