Upgrade options for this Gateway DX4200-09

[Crow550]

Throwing it in another room however if I can give it a little more power that would be cool.

Really the CPU needs to be upgraded. It's an AMD Phenom X4 9100e 1.8GHz.

Chipset is AMD 780G. CPU type is: AM2+

Should I track down a faster CPU for it or get a new Mobo & CPU?

Don't know if I wanna invest too much but want to give it some kind of boost. Maybe no more than $200-$300?

Newegg stats on it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113088

I do have an ATI 4670 in it & X-FI Xtreme Music sound card.

Doing a Google search on dx4200-09 upgrade & cpu upgrade turned up a few things....

Like a phenom II 945 which is AM3 so I am unsure if that person is correct or a Phenom II 940 or 955?

Thanks.

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

I recently (~6 months ago) upgraded the same exact system! I used the phenom II x4 820. My system was running terribly in Rift with a gtx 460, so I upgraded the processor. I did have to pull battery on mobo and reset to have it boot, but it worked cool and flawlessly. I would suggest getting a 95w CPU only. The system also was upgraded with a seasonic 520w psu.

 

[mfenn]

A 1.8GHz original Phenom is one of the slowest processors known to man. Upgrading the CPU would definitely help out. If you're looking to spend $300 though, the best bet would be to start on a whole new system.

If you really want to upgrade this thing, I am thinking along the same lines as Mark. Just spend $68 on something like an Athlon II X4 450 and call it a day.

 

[Crow550]

I recently (~6 months ago) upgraded the same exact system! I used the phenom II x4 820. My system was running terribly in Rift with a gtx 460, so I upgraded the processor. I did have to pull battery on mobo and reset to have it boot, but it worked cool and flawlessly. I would suggest getting a 95w CPU only. The system also was upgraded with a seasonic 520w psu.

You said 820 but the link is 840.

The 840 looks like it will be as tricky as the others to track down.

A 1.8GHz original Phenom is one of the slowest processors known to man. Upgrading the CPU would definitely help out. If you're looking to spend $300 though, the best bet would be to start on a whole new system.

If you really want to upgrade this thing, I am thinking along the same lines as Mark. Just spend $68 on something like an Athlon II X4 450 and call it a day.

Tell me about it! So slow. At the time my older PC died and I needed something and the sales person claimed that by being a quad-core meant 1.8ghz would be 7.2ghz! LOL! Sounded good to me. Yeah I didn't know crap about quad cores at the time. I was running an old P4. LOL!

I think will just throw 2 more gigs of ram and a faster cpu & bigger power supply and be done. Or should 300 watts be decent enough or get a 400-500watt just to be safe?

At least it could then handle some games if I did lan matches.

So should any 95w AM3 CPU work? I might for that X3....

For Ram would PNY Optima 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model MD4096KD2-800 $42 be sufficient enough? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820178219 or Team 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model TEDD4096M800HC6DC $1 more has heat spreaders: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313079

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

You said 820 but the link is 840.

The 840 looks like it will be as tricky as the others to track down.



Tell me about it! So slow. At the time my older PC died and I needed something and the sales person claimed that by being a quad-core meant 1.8ghz would be 7.2ghz! LOL! Sounded good to me. Yeah I didn't know crap about quad cores at the time. I was running an old P4. LOL!

I think will just throw 2 more gigs of ram and a faster cpu & bigger power supply and be done. Or should 300 watts be decent enough or get a 400-500watt just to be safe?

At least it could then handle some games if I did lan matches.

So should any 95w AM3 CPU work? I might for that X3....

For Ram would PNY Optima 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model MD4096KD2-800 $42 be sufficient enough? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820178219 or Team 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model TEDD4096M800HC6DC $1 more has heat spreaders: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313079

I'm sorry about the link misnamed. I was originally just trying to remember off the top of my head and was like "Duh order history dummy". So i checked and copy/pasted link w/o double checking the info lol! Not far off though right!

Any of the AM3 processors should work 95w or less. I mean the higher watt versions MIGHT work but considering the age of the board, it's not worth risking frying the board because it wasn't designed to handle the load. I don't think you'd need to change the PSU since it's working with the video card you have now. I only changed because of the 460 i installed. The newer processors should draw the same if not a tad less power due to newer process tech.

 

[Crow550]

I'm sorry about the link misnamed. I was originally just trying to remember off the top of my head and was like "Duh order history dummy". So i checked and copy/pasted link w/o double checking the info lol! Not far off though right!

Any of the AM3 processors should work 95w or less. I mean the higher watt versions MIGHT work but considering the age of the board, it's not worth risking frying the board because it wasn't designed to handle the load. I don't think you'd need to change the PSU since it's working with the video card you have now. I only changed because of the 460 i installed. The newer processors should draw the same if not a tad less power due to newer process tech.

It's cool just making sure it was the correct one.

Since Gateways lock down the bios going above 95 watts would be a bad idea. Right? I haven't seen a way to unlock the bios either. Also would it really give any advantage? I think I will just snag the Athlon II X3 450 for $68 as it's the best bang for an aging system like this. Unless a better deal can be found?

Then Team 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model TEDD4096M800HC6DC for $43 to max out the memory.

You don't think the 300watts would be bottle necking the GPU would it? I know the CPU was bottle necking the GPU.

Still open for suggestions.

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

Since Gateways lock down the bios going above 95 watts would be a bad idea. Right? I haven't seen a way to unlock the bios either. Also would it really give any advantage? I think I will just snag the Athlon II X3 450 for $68 as it's the best bang for an aging system like this. Unless a better deal can be found?

I don't think the bios is really the problem. I think it's the VRMs on the motherboard. I know some older boards simply didn't have the power capacity to handle the 125w processors. I think any 95w processor is a safe bet. That tri-core is a pretty good value upgrade for the machine. It will definitely alleviate the CPU problem. I wouldn't spend money on the TBH because I found it has more than enough for just about everything I threw at it: gaming @ 1080p, video encoding, and all random web stuff. If they had a triple core at as nice of a price I likely would have picked up the triple core vs. the quad because I know it doesn't really help in most games, but at the time the quad was only like $10-15 more.

In rift with the 460 @ 1080p I was having horrible ~15-20 fps at low settings, new CPU ~40-50 at high settings. I originally bought the system like 5 years ago, so it was a good value upgrade for the CPU + GPU + PSU. I just waited for each part to go on sale and spent around $300 but it's a pretty mean secondary gaming machine now.

 

[Crow550]

I don't think the bios is really the problem. I think it's the VRMs on the motherboard. I know some older boards simply didn't have the power capacity to handle the 125w processors. I think any 95w processor is a safe bet. That tri-core is a pretty good value upgrade for the machine. It will definitely alleviate the CPU problem. I wouldn't spend money on the TBH because I found it has more than enough for just about everything I threw at it: gaming @ 1080p, video encoding, and all random web stuff. If they had a triple core at as nice of a price I likely would have picked up the triple core vs. the quad because I know it doesn't really help in most games, but at the time the quad was only like $10-15 more.

In rift with the 460 @ 1080p I was having horrible ~15-20 fps at low settings, new CPU ~40-50 at high settings. I originally bought the system like 5 years ago, so it was a good value upgrade for the CPU + GPU + PSU. I just waited for each part to go on sale and spent around $300 but it's a pretty mean secondary gaming machine now.

Hmmm.... Both CPUs look similar except lacking a core.

It will be displayed on a 1280X720P screen. Also might send it to the living room which is 1920X1080P since the room is behind a wall of the living room where the TV is. Wouldn't mind at least 60fps for like Left4Dead 2 and Borderlands and such.

 

[MadDogXJ]

OH RK!!!

:whiste:

 

[Crow550]

OH RK!!!

:whiste:

Shouldn't you be providing feedback in the other thread where I'm building a new PC. Since you helped with most of the part ideas.

 

[Crow550]

Unless anyone else has any other input on this?

So the Athlon II X3 450 for $68 & Team 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model TEDD4096M800HC6DC for $43 should be sufficient enough as a final upgrade?

I heard the Athlon II X3 450 can be unlocked to an x4? This would require a new Motherboard right? Also would it really be worth it?

Upping the video card most likely wouldn't do much without upping the CPU even more would it?

Thanks you've all been very helpful. I appreciate it.

 

[Crow550]

Found an old thread I made when I was asking advice for getting a video card.

I have not had my coffee this AM so for the most part you may want to ignore this ...

IIRC Gateway/Acer OEMs use the Foxconn A7GM-S 780g.

Foxconn hardware seems to be of good quality but can be a little finicky from time to time. I point this out because I think you have a few options which may improve your situation tremendously.

Getting info from Gateway on CPU support will most likely be as comfortable as a root canal but you should try, anyway. Here is the Foxconn CPU Support List for what I believe your motherboard might be.

You may upgrade to a Phenom II / Athlon II AM3. The issue is the Gateway BIOS might give you the 'unknown CPU' nonsense but still boot into Windows. This is where Gateway Support could help you out (but I wouldn't expect a great deal from them).

WARNING!: Do not attempt the following unless you are comfortable with the process!

Option #2:

On multiple occasions I have over-flashed an OEM BIOS with the BIOS from the manufacturer of the motherboard. Gateway does not want you to do this --- they want to sell you a new computer --- so this will definitely void your warranty.

I point out the 'over-flash' because in spite of its finicky nature, the Foxconn A7GM-S is quite the snappy little over-clocker. Drop in a $90-$150 AM3 CPU and you have the potential to be a gaming man-ster.

And if you don't have the Foxconn A7GM-S motherboard ? ...

Nevermind.

Doing a Google search I came across some Bios mods: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/th...x4200-With-Am3-surport-and-slic-2.1-acer-bios

and here by the same person http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-Gateway-Dx-4200

 

[mfenn]

Unless anyone else has any other input on this?

So the Athlon II X3 450 for $68 & Team 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model TEDD4096M800HC6DC for $43 should be sufficient enough as a final upgrade?

I heard the Athlon II X3 450 can be unlocked to an x4? This would require a new Motherboard right? Also would it really be worth it?

Upping the video card most likely wouldn't do much without upping the CPU even more would it?

Thanks you've all been very helpful. I appreciate it.

Yes, the Athlon II X3 can theoretically be unlocked to an X4, but it ain't gonna happen with an OEM mobo. No, it is not worth spending the money on a new mobo to do so.

Yes, a GPU upgrade would be somewhat pointless without a CPU upgrade. The Phenom 9100e is one of the slowest CPUs made with in the last 5 years.

 

[Crow550]

Is it even worth messing with the bios on this Mobo?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Is it even worth messing with the bios on this Mobo?

Not unless you are planning on upgrading the GPU and PSU as well. I'd say plug in the tri-core and memory and be done with it. System is fairly well matched then and should be able to do current games on medium settings.

You near a microcenter? http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0375737 also a option for a few $$$ less. You lose a bit of clock speed but pick up L3 cache and a fourth core.

 

[Crow550]

Unfortunately no. I placed the order last night. This should be fine. If I don't settle on something I will browsing all over forever....

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[mfenn]

No prob. Update this thread if you run into problems.

 

[Crow550]

So will lacking an L3 cache or 4th core hurt it that much?

Or is the advantage of having a 3.2ghz clock speed make up for it?

Which again this PC will just be used for streaming media (maybe transcoding?) & web browsing and the occasional game.

 

[fffblackmage]

Compared to your old Phenom X4, the Athlon II X3 should do everything faster.

 

[Crow550]

Yeah. Well then awesome! LOL!

As long as it's no worse than the Phenom x4. That's all that matters.

 

[Crow550]

I forgot to check the Mobo for bulging capacitors. Hopefully it has none. I get the parts Tomorrow though.

 

[Crow550]

Alright I will be cleaning my PC later and inspecting it. Then will pop in the CPU & Memory.

 

[mfenn]

Let us know how it goes!

 

[Crow550]

Bios & Windows say unknown CPU.... However cores and speed are detected. (Tried resetting the CMOS & popping out the battery too.)

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

Bios & Windows say unknown CPU.... However cores and speed are detected. (Tried resetting the CMOS & popping out the battery too.)

I'm sorry I should have mentioned that. It does just come up as unknown but CPUID and such shows proper speeds even loaded. Sounds like the upgrade went pretty painless .