Need help upgrading PIII Gateway

[Marth]

I have a Performance 600 Gateway and the heatsink fan is extremely loud and high pitched. I want to swap that out and at the same time upgrade the processor to maybe a 1 ghz. Is it possible to do this or does Gateway use special components and a standard heatsinks/fans won't fit?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

The heatsink shouldn't be an issue. I'd worry more about the motherboard supporting the chip you want to put in. It may only be geared for 100MHz FSB chips, and IIRC the P3 1.0 is a 133MHz FSB.

Do you have a model number or specification link for the PC? You can check at the Gateway support site.

- M4H

 

[dexvx]

Quick check on Google suggests that the Gateway Performance 600 has a 440BX based motherboard. So officially, you're going to max out at 1Ghz Pentium 3 / 256KB cache / 100FSB. It is most probably a slot1 platform, so you're going to pay *alot* for the upgrade (high end 900+ Mhz slot1's are going for well over $200).

Your best option IMO, would be to go for a tualatin slotket upgrade from either:

Upgrade Ware
Power Leap

You can max out at 1.4Ghz Tualatin Celeron (not a performance slouch!) for less cost. Even less if you just purchase the slotket and buy a retail processor and install it yourself ($70 maybe?). Browsing through the compatibility table, it seems to be good.

 

[bocamojo]

I find upgrading Dell's, Gateway's etc. to be a futile effort. The only thing I would do is maybe add some RAM, and a bigger HD. Other than that, I would suggest either passing this on to another person in the family, selling it, or stripping it for parts (HD, RAM, video card, etc.) and building a new PC. You can easily build a very nice system on a low end budget. Whatever you do, don't try to put a new motherboard and CPU in your current system. Always get a new case and PSU if you're going to go that route. You'll be happy you did.

 

[bendixG15]

I second the motion on what's been posted.

I have updated a few Gateway BIOS in the past, took me forever to
find the mobo model number.

All I would do is replace the fan, In my opinion P3 1000s are not
cost effective, don't know why people pay so much for them.
Anyways, its your stuff, have fun and Good Luck.