Help with upgrading?

[fabienne00]

Right, after reading all the info you knowledgeable guys have been exchanging over the past few months, i am now considering upgrading my system.

My previous experience includes repairing a fan (reattaching it as it had become loose) putting in mem sticks, a network card and adding a CDRW drive to the system. Is changing the CPU and video card much more difficult than what i've already done?

My system is at the mo a PIII 700 with 256Mb SDRam.

It looks to me that the most difficult thing is choosing the right parts to add on so that they are all compatible, so could you tell me how i can check if this PIII cpu is compatible with my mo bo?

Mo bo specs:

BIOS CAPABILITIES TEST REPORT
===============================

Generated by: BIOS Wizard 2.10
Date: October 13, 2002
Time: 19:28

PnP Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.0
PCI Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 2.1
PCI IRQ Routing Table : BIOS currently supports this feature
Enhanced Disk Drive
Specification : BIOS currently supports this feature
DMI Version : BIOS supports minimum version 2.1. Latest is
version 2.3
ACPI Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.0
APM Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.2
Booting From CD-ROM : BIOS currently supports this feature
Supports ESCD : BIOS currently supports this feature
Can be Updated (flashed) : BIOS currently supports this feature
Can be Shadowed : BIOS currently supports this feature
BIOS Chip in Socket : BIOS doesn't support this feature
Supports Selective Booting : BIOS currently supports this feature
Supports LS-120 Booting : BIOS doesn't support this feature
Supports ZIP Booting : BIOS doesn't support this feature
Supports Network Booting : The testing of this feature is not supported by
the current DMI version
BIOS Manufacturer : PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0 licensed to Intel
BIOS ID : 4W4SB0X0.15A.0017.P12.9912210939
BIOS Date : 11/02/99
BIOS OEM Signon :
BIOS ROM Size : 512K
Chipset : Intel 440BX/ZX rev 3
Super I/O Chip : SMC 70x or 80x found at port 370h

Thanks

[Steed]

Hi Fab,

I'll let others reply about the specification stuff but as far as doing the job is concerned you will have no problem. What you want to do is as straight forward as the stuff you have already done.

With guidance from the guys here [Hon. mention Onslo ] I built my first comp from scratch last year. I had done no hardware upgrades at all prior to that, well except a stick of RAM

Good Luck & enjoy

Steed

[Onslo]

Changeing Graphics card is just as easy as fitting a network card or RAM.

That PIII you link to is an FC-PGA (FC = flip chip) which will sit in a socket 370 mobo. Can you give us the make and model of your mobo as it is not listed in your bios readout.

If you have a PGA cpu at the moment as opposed to an FC-PGA cpu then you will want to change the heatsink also. Using a PGA heatsink on an FC-PGA chip is not a great idea and may lead to system instability due to excessive heat. I can recommend one if necessary.

Also, you might want to consider a PSU (power supply unit) upgrade if you expect to be adding more to this system. Higher end CPU's require higher rated PSU's, and an uppgrade will give you more scope for inclusion of other devices if required, such as more disks. I would recommend at least a 300w PSU.

'Slo

[fabienne00]

Thx Steed !
I'm trying to collect more info on the Mo bo at the moment. It comes out in German!!!

running ctcpi gives: (sorry but this is gobbledygook to me )
c't PCI-Optimierer Version 3.03.00
(c) Georg Schnurer, Redaktion c't, 1993..1998

Searching PCI-Devices (CFG_Type 1)
Bus Nr. 00h
00 0 Vendor=Intel Corporation No PCI-INT
Device=83443BX/ZX Pentium II-Chipset, CPU-Bridge, Rev=03h
01 0 Vendor=Intel Corporation No PCI-INT
Device=83443BX/ZX Pentium II-Chipset, AGP-Bridge, Rev=03h
07 0 Vendor=Intel Corporation No PCI-INT
Device=82371EB PIIX4e Function 0: ISA Bridge, Rev=02h
07 1 Vendor=Intel Corporation No PCI-INT
Device=82371AB/EB PIIX4/4e Function 1: EIDE Controller, Rev=01h
07 2 Vendor=Intel Corporation INT D=IRQ 9
Device=82371AB/EB PIIX4/4e Function 2: USB Controller, Rev=01h
07 3 Vendor=Intel Corporation No PCI-INT
Device=82371EB PIIX4e Function 3: I²C Bus Bridge, Rev=02h
0E 0 Vendor=Creative Labs / Ensoniq INT A=IRQ 11
Device=ES1271 PCI Sound Device, Rev=08h
0F 0 Vendor=Realtek Semiconductor Corporation LTD INT A=IRQ 10
Device=RTC 8029 PCI Ethernet Controller (NE2000-Typ), Rev=00h
10 0 Vendor=14F1h -- new vendor ID No PCI-INT
Device=1036h -- new device ID, Rev=08h
Weiter: Taste drücken...

Is that any use, Scooby?
And it is indeed a Gateway

[Onslo]

That looks like a probe of the PCI bus, not that actual MoBo itself.

'Slo

[Onslo]

What is the model of your Gateway PC ?

Or if you can give me the serial number of the PC? It should be printed on a label, possibly on the side or back of the case.

'Slo

[Scoobs]

check this page out fabienne00

http://www.plasma-online.de/index.ht...l_gateway.html

lists gateway boards via the bios number 4W4SB0X0.15A.0017.P12

as you will see theres several boards runing the same bios but there are pics so u can see it unless you have found the gateway pc model number

Scoobs

[fabienne00]

geez my connection keeps dropping tonight when i'm trying to look everywhere...

OK here's what i found:
model: GP7-700
Chipset Intel 440BX AGPset

Intel 700MHz Pentium III processor
200 Watt ATX Desktop CAse
Phoenix Bios
Processor speed 7oo MHz
Front side Bus Speed 100 MHz
System Memory 256 MB

Serial 0001398268

Thx guyz!

[Scoobs]

right few more links for you there is a bios update for your board this might let it run a faster cpu.

http://www.uk.gateway.com/bioses/desktop/bios.shtml

enter bios 4W4SB0X0.15A.0017.P12
as you can see this is version p12 p14 is the newest one.

http://www.uk.gateway.com/bioses/desktop/upgrader.shtml

again enter same bios number and it tells you it can be upgraded but it doesnt tell you what speed.


http://support.gateway.com/support/m...8245/index.htm

tells you how to change the jumper to set speed in new menu on the bios (Manually setting the processor speed)

might be worth ringing them just to make sure now you no model and bios etc.

United Kingdom
Web site - http://www.uk.gateway.com
E-mail Support - http://www.uk.gateway.com/email/emailtech.asp?desktop
UK Phone Support - 0 800 802000
IRL Phone Support - 1800 46 2000


sorry cant be any more exact as to yes or no to your question.. unless any other screamers are running the same pc and no for sure

scoobs

[silver]

Hi fabienne,

Just wondered what the reason was you were looking to upgrade, adding more memory on it's own may be enough (20 quid for another 246 ram) or if its gaming then a good graphics card will help a lot

Sil

[Onslo]

Well the US gateway site doesn't support models purchased outside the the US, so your serial number didn't help. Sorry

Any chance of you opening the case up and actuallt taking note of the model number of the MoBo ? Should be pretty easy to spot.

I can't find a decent spec on a GP7-700, so I should imagine that there aren't that mnay of them about.

Or, as another option, ever thought about overclocking?

'Slo

[fabienne00]

Ok, have e-mailed support, will open the machine at the week end.

Silv, i want to upgrade mostly because the kids want to run super duper games on it, so, i will put in a good graphics card . I know that changing the cpu is not crucial and if i can't, then it won't matter much. And yes you're right, a bit more mem sounds easier!

Onslo: overclocking??? OMG!!! I wouldn't know where to begin...

[silver]

yeah - a good graphics card will make a world of difference - the fastest PC I have is a PII 450 an it's fine for running games on

Sil

[fabienne00]

Well, they are up bright and early at Gateway. Here's the answer to my mail, i should have asked them first, i suppose.

The following are the upgrade options for your system;

Name: Tabor III (NOT integrated)
Memory information :
Memory Cache : 512K in Processor
Number of Slot : 3 Banks / DIMM SDRAM / 4 CLOCK
Type of Memory : 100MHz SDRAM
Maximum Memory : 3 x 256MB = 768MB SDRAM
Processor Information :
Connection Type : Slot 1
Upgrade : The motherboard can be upgraded with Pentium III processors that
run at higher speeds. When upgrading the processor, use the BIOS
configuration mode to change the processor speed. There are no jumpers to
set the processor speed.

Hard Drive information :
Maximum Hard drive : 27 GB +

On-board information :
Chipset : 82440BX PIIX4E
Video on-board : No
Sound on-board : No

PROCESSOR

The Pentium® III processor presses into the SECC2 connector, which is keyed
on the left side. The mounting post for the processor is also keyed.
The voltage regulators for the Pentium III CPU are integrated into the
motherboard.

Processor speeds supported by this motherboard are from 400 megahertz (MHz)
to 850 MHz. The BIOS should be updated to the latest version before
upgrading the processor.

RAM

The motherboard has three Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets. Minimum
memory size is 8MB; maximum size is 384MB. The BIOS automatically detects
memory type, size, and speed.

Memory can be installed in one, two or three sockets. Memory type, size and
speed can vary between sockets. Bank 0 is toward the back of the board, next
is bank 1, then bank 2.

The motherboard supports the following memory features:

168-pin DIMMs with gold-plated contacts

Unbuffered SDRAM

Synchronous DRAM improves memory performance through memory access that is
synchronous with the memory clock. This simplifies the timing design and
increases memory speed because all timing is dependent on the number of
memory clock cycles. The SDRAM should also meet the PC SDRAM Unbuffered DIMM
Specification for either 64-bit or 72-bit SDRAM.

Memory Error Checking and Correction (ECC) is a powerful feature designed to
detect memory errors as they occur without interrupting system operation.

ECC memory detects multiple-bit errors (when two or more bits have failed)
and corrects single-bit errors (when a single bit has failed).

When ECC memory is installed, the BIOS supports both ECC and non-ECC mode.
ECC mode is enabled in the Setup program.

The BIOS automatically detects if ECC memory is installed and provides the
Setup option for selecting ECC mode.

66 or 100MHz SDRAM only
Processors with a 100MHz FSB can be used with 100MHz RAM only.
Processors with a 66MHz FSB can be used with 100MHz or 66MHz RAM.
Non-ECC (64-bit) and ECC (72-bit) memory

3.3V memory only

[Onslo]

Well, it's a new MoBo if you want to get above 850Mhz then

'Slo

[fabienne00]

rather pointless upgarding the cpu, i suppose.
I'll concentrate on the video card and more mem.
Thanks for your time and suggestions, very helpful lot you are!

[fabienne00]

Added a 256Mb mem stick, a RAdeon 9000 graphics card , we are now ROCKING !!!!

However, it took me a while to get the card to work as i found out that ATI does not support win98SE drivers anymore (MS fault), so i had to DL drivers for WinMe instead. RAther annoying as it says win9x on the box, but doesn't work with 95 or 98!!!!

[Onslo]

Ahhh, ATI drivers

How much 'bloatware' came with it Fab?

'Slo

P.S Congrats on a sucessful upgrade

[silver]

decent graphics card on the cpu you have it should be good,. all these ghz cpu ppl - whats the point

Sil