I have a retail PC (gateway GT5056) & want to know if I can change the mainboard & still use the OEM processer. I wan to be able to upgrade, & if possible, rebuild the computer over time as the high end parts prices eventually go down.
2006-06-23 05:12:37 · 6 answers · asked by D J 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
I've been doing that since the IBM PC was introduced in 1981. I kept upgrading the same computer a little at a time, and it went through a number of cycles where all of the parts had been replaced, so it was a whole new computer each cycle, but each cycle was a number of years.
But I've gradually come to the conclusion that's a mistake. The parts keep evolving. Subtle differences from one year to another cause subtle compatibility problems. As just one of hundreds of examples of this problem, I added an ATI video card a number of years after I upgraded to a new motherboard, and it stopped working about once per month on average. It just froze/crashed the whole computer, such that it needed a power-on clear. It turned out the motherboard had a subtle glitch at the speed of that video card, and I had to reduce the AGP speed. That solved it, but that kind of problem takes months or years to diagnose, because the symptoms only happen at random. If the motherboard and video had been from the same year as each other, they would have been far more likely to be compatible with each other. Glitches such as that one don't get much testing in their early years before the right combination of products is available to make them happen. And by the time those products are available, the earlier products are being phased out, so the glitch doesn't get much testing then either.
Therefore, instead of gradually evolving a computer, I recommend that you save your money till you can afford to start from scratch, and build a whole new computer then.
2006-06-23 13:35:28 · answer #1 · answered by x4294967296 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to change the motherboard, you would have to ensure that your OEM processer is compatible with it. Also, if you intend to continue updating things like RAM, video cards, sound cards, etc. you want to make sure you have a large enough power supply (definately more than 250 watts) first, and that you have enough PCI, PCI-E or AGP slots available for sound, video, and network cards. It's probably cheaper in the long run just to buy or build a brand new computer as it would run more smoothly because the parts would have been designed or at least tested to work together (it's also a lot easier).
2006-06-23 05:17:51 · answer #2 · answered by gamer8668 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possibly. But, if you change the motherboard, you would have to get a motherboard with a slot for the processor you have now. That being said, if Gateway uses non-ATX power supplies, you will not be able to use a standard motherboard in it, if you did, you could end up frying it. I don't know if Gateway uses ATX power supplies or not.
If they do use ATX power supplies then you can swap out the motherboard... BUT, you will have to reinstall Windows and you may have to get a new license key for it. As changing the motherboard, according to Microsoft is getting a new computer, it may or may not work.
2006-06-23 05:16:48 · answer #3 · answered by conradj213 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may want to call a local shop and ask. Some computers such as Dell have slightly different wirings for their power supplies so you cant just change the motherboard and CPU. You will have to change the power supply also.
By the time you have figured out how to wire it up to the power switch, you will be wishing you had just bought a $35 dollar case and started from there.
Do yourself a favor and call your local shop and ask.
2006-06-25 15:47:20 · answer #4 · answered by billydeer_2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i assume this would nicely be a private computing device, on the grounds which you will soften your computing device down with those specs. E8400 will beat a Quad genuine now in gaming, using fact no longer something released takes great ingredient approximately extra beneficial than 2 cores. The clockspeed in step with center (constrained to 2) wins. 4GB is robust adequate, working in sixty 4-bit domicile windows. 2x 8800GT in SLi is robust, however the ATI 4850s are creaming Nvidia's mid-variety alternatives. 2 of those in Crossfire could beat your 8800s honestly. choose for a 800-1000W means furnish, and don't circulate away it on all day.
2017-01-02 06:01:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes,but check the old mainboard format and the case,by an mainboard that supports your CPU (processor) and Ram Memory (if you had an SD memory your new mainboard will probably come with DDR...there you have an aditional bying-SD wont fit) ,also by power supply (at least 350 W,if you plan to upgrade)-First Check Your Processor (brand,model,socket)
2006-06-23 10:05:57 · answer #6 · answered by isuf e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋