Upgrading CPU- Old PC?

Question

Well we have this old 1999 Gateway Essential 500 computer with a P3 497 MHz that always seems to be at 100% usage. I used a few tools and I guess this is the motherboard

Tabor3 WS440BX (TB3 600 maybe?)

I was wondering if I could see what all it could handle and maybe some place telling it. We don't have the manual anymore and I can't seem to find anything on Gateway's website. It has 512MB which is enough right now btw.

The RAM got upgraded once but I'm not worried about that. Even though its old it has a DVD Drive. It still works good I was just wondering if it could handle a cheap higher grade P3

Answer 1

Yeah you probably could 'shoehorn' another processor into the old mobo, but why. In any event check with Gateway on the max processor your board can handle. Note once you open the package it yours, work or not.
Even if the mobo would accept the upgraded processor you probably wouldn't be happy with the payback from the expense. You can get a new mobo and processor for as little as $100, done it many times. Or a totally new box for less than $500. Your call.

Good Luck

Answer 2

I believe that old PC still has some usefulness in it. It may be slow but it is enough for web browsing and light office apps. It is also good for long downloading times since it consumes little electricity. Add a DVD drive and you can still use it for viewing movies.

I have a Plll-500mhz, 3x128Mb RAM, 16Mb AGP card, USB wireless adapter. It runs XP fine and I just use it for web surfing (w/ MP3 on the side) and sometimes for DVD viewing. The only thing new there is the USB Wifi adapter w/c transfers to different PCs from time to time. This unit is KVM'ed so that it only shares LCD screen, keyboard and mouse w/ my main RIG. I use the RIG for gaming and other heavy and hot stuff.

Answer 3

hi, (ANS) i do no longer opt to disappoint you yet while pondering a achieveable improve to a working laptop or workstation you ought to understand that like all closed device. The gadget has barriers interior its layout. specific! you're able to perhaps be waiting to characteristic a sparkling swifter CPU to this gadget yet that wont resolve your situation. Why? because of the fact the completed laptop is constrained via the cost of the machines interior sight bus or front section bus (FSB), the interior sight bus is geared up into the main significant device board that's what connects all the machines a number of factor factors jointly. for this reason your device is constrained via a bus velocity of 66MHz. Any new CPU you upload must be properly suited with the interior sight bus at 66Mhz in any different case your throwing good money after undesirable, i.e. a sparkling CPU won't make any distinction in any respect in this occasion. **How upgradeable a working laptop or workstation is relies upon totally on the make & style of its device board (mom board specification) and the device BIOS. Ivan workstation veteran.

Answer 4

I suggest that you buy a new PC. It would probably be more expensive for the short term, but for the long term it would be really useful.

Regarding the transferring of your data- You could burn your data to DVD, use an external hard drive, a data transfer USB cable, or send it to your new PC (if you get one) over a Wireless Network.

Answer 5

ok, open the computer (disconnect power first!!!!) and then take the processor out of the slot. Then on the slot is should say the slot type. Then look for a processor that fits in that type of slot. If it is an intel processor then buy an intell processor, if it is AMT then get a AMT. Also makesure you get a dirver for the new processor

Answer 6

if it came with a 512 then your max is 2gig if it came with a 256 and you have 2 of those your max is only a gig..and also get a larger hard drive id do a 250 gig hard drive a 160 fills up to quick

Answer 7

that really sucks, you should really throw that machine out, until then see if you can get a riser card for one of your slots that will take a compatible processor