Upgrading Gateway GT5082

[wulvfen]

Hello to all, this is my first post.

 

I have a 6 [7?] year old Gateway GT5082 and I'm wondering if I can upgrade it any farther than what I have done so far?

 

Here's my current specs;

 

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual Core processor, 2.0 GHz, 2x512 KB L2 cache, 2000 MHz system bus

4.0 GB DDR dual channel RAM

nVidea 8600GT GPU video card

WDC WD2500bb-22RDA0 disk drive [iDE, 250 GB]

Realtek AC'97 Audio [integrated]

Motherboard- whatever came standard with the computer when I bought it [Could someone tell me what it is?]

WIN XP [sp3] 32-bit OS, Media Center edition, fully updated

 

Did I miss something? I'm no IT/geek/computer specialist, but I am computer savvy and understand a fair amount.

 

Also;

 

I'm not concerned about the disk drive, I can always add an external/internal for more space

 

My sound is just fine for me to listen to, but I'd like to offer voice acting for the modders who want it [35+ years of old school RPG'ing, still going strong, leads me to believe I can help with voiced dialogues as I have always used an accent, inflection, or some other such vocal ability to help me "get" my characters personaes], so any input on required hardware [Microphone, Sound Card, etc] and software would be appreciated.

 

I've been researching, but I'm getting conflicting data on whether I can add more ram or a better video card to the motherboard and have it properly supported, or if it's even possible

 

Oh yeah, Can I change the processors?

 

I know my "Talkie Toaster Oven" is damn, DAMN near the end it's shelf life and I have to get a new computer, but that isn't going to happen anytime in the near future, although it will occur within a year or so.

 

I'm expecting to hear "Forget about it, get a new one!", but in the interim what can I do, if anything?

 

Thanks so much for any and all advice that comes my way

[blove]

Your mainboard is a micro BTX (aka uBTX). Your CPU is not tops for Socket 939, but finding a new one would be $$$ and even then your Gateway BIOS might not support it. 4GB of RAM is fine. Your power supply is 300W which limits your upgrade possibilities. Upgrading your PATA HDD is an option, but again, even then your Gateway BIOS might not support the drive if it is >500GB and/or uses new features like NCQ.

 

In my opinion your best upgrade is probably an AMD 7750 GPU (Best PCIe Card: $110 And Under) due to it not requiring any extra power connectors.

 

Anything else and you are looking at a new computer.

[FMod]

I have a 6 [7?] year old Gateway GT5082 and I'm wondering if I can upgrade it any farther than what I have done so far?

Motherboard- whatever came standard with the computer when I bought it [Could someone tell me what it is?]

Oh yeah, Can I change the processors?

A lot of these questions can be answered by a simple google search:

first result is http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/1009053/1009053nv.shtml

 

Gateway happens to have a very professional website. Components brings an extremely detailed list - everything down to "Long Chassis Fan Screw" has pictures, description and where applicable specs.

Motherboard is http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/FIC/105552/105552sp23.shtml

CPU is "Socket 939 package"

 

So the CPU can in theory be replaced, but it's a socket 939, an obsolete socket. The best CPU for that socket is only 40% faster and is a collector item. There are no reasonable upgrades.

 

You could add a better video card, I guess. But how did you get the 8600GT? Gateway website doesn't list it. And with an OEM 300W PSU it's not exactly safe to add power draw. You could replace the card with something under 100W TDP; modern TDP are all underrated, older were overrated. HD7770 or GTX650 would fit. Still better save up for a new PC.

[wulvfen]

Alrighty then. blove and FMod, thanks much for the info you've provided. Now, I Know.

 

As stated in my original post, I was expecting a "Forget about it, get a new one" and that's pretty much what you said. [Totally expected, most certainly not offended]

 

blove, great to have you ID my motherboard for me, it's one of the things I don't know much about on computers. My wife and I compliment each other with computer stuff, she knows how to use the programs best and I know about the hardware and tech specs better. Now I know even more [ok..sorta..].

 

FMod, as above with blove, and thanks for the redirect to the appropriate Gateway site pages, that helped a lot. As for the nVidea 8600GT video card, a bud of mine upgraded about a 2 years ago and passed it on to me to use because I was still using the integrated nVidea 6100 that came with the computer and was surprised I was able to play newer games with any efficiency at all. Didn't know about the power supply "restrictions" [yet even more info, yeah!].

Also explains some of the occasional overheat issues I had about 6 months ago before my power supply blew out and I had to replace it. Even had to take the cover off the tower to help keep it cool, but I thought it was just getting old. Well ok, it is getting VERY old for a computer.

 

Given the minimal requirements for the new games coming out, I know I have to get me a new one soon, soon, SOON, so in the meantime I'll just slog along and put my pennies in the piggy-bank rather than spend my coinage on upgrading.

 

Thanks a lot, great info, killer site,and having lurked on the Nexus net for more than a year, time for me to go give my kudos and endorsements for all the great, beautiful, and awesome utilities, tools, and mods I've been enjoying.

 

Want to stay young? Remain a student through life, learn something new everyday, no matter what!