Upgrade Old Gateway

M

Master Bob

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
378
I'd like to upgrade an old Gateway Performance 1600 CL; it's getting slow and uncooperative, even with a clean XP install. XP is required for iTunes 8 support, else I'd slap Win2000 on it. The following are the specifications of the computer:
  • Pentium 4 1.6GHz Socket 423
  • 256 MB (2*128MB) RDRAM
  • Geforce 3
  • Quantum Fireball 60GB HDD
  • CD-ROM
  • CD-RW
  • Creative SB Live!
  • Firewire Add-ON Card
  • 10/100 Ethernet Card
  • 56k Modem
  • Newton Power Ltd. Model: NPS-250 CB A REV: 00
    • MAX 250W / +5A = 25A / +12V = 13A / +3.3V = 20A
  • Generic Case
Picture of the case internals (not mine):


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Web browsing/iTunes/Picture Management/Downloading/Microsoft Word
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
150 +/- 25, shipping included
3) Where do you live?
Ohio
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
CPU + Heatsink, RAM, PSU, Mobo
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
  • CD-ROM (IDE)
  • CD-RW (IDE)
  • 60GB HDD (IDE)
  • Floppy Drive
  • Case
None of these parts have to be reused, but to keep costs down I imagine a lot of them might need to be reused. Any parts from the original computer are up for being reused, but I figure these are the most essential.

6) Will you be overclocking?
No.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
CRT 19"
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Soon.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Stability and 2* IDE ports.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, Windows XP Pro 32bit.

My goals for this upgrade is to ideally have a Dual-Core processor and at least 1GB of RAM. The same PSU/RAM are used in each build. All the mobos have integrated video as well.
AMD Builds
Dual Core
Subtotal = $153.96
+ S&H $9.63
Total = $163.59​
Over Budget
Subtotal = $189.47
+ S&H $7.59
Total = $197.06​
Intel Build


I'm not sure yet if I'm going to go through with this, but I figured I'd spec something out to see what I could get. I like the Dual-Core AMD build with the Brisbane, but am not sure if it is better than the Celeron ... I'm thinking yes.

Would I have any problems mounting a mATX board in that case? (I'm guessing no) Any comments?

EDITED: Changes PSU to the one Danny Boi recommended. Added overbudget build.
 
Danny Bui said:
Can you save another $25? Because you could IMMENSELY improve your build with just another $25
...
Click to expand...
I was trying to keep the budget at $150 as that would be the cost to max out that board's RDRAM; I think that mobo has a max of 2GB of RAM. If I do end up upgrading the computer, I imagine it won't be that difficult for the budget to be slightly increased.

I remember when I first got that computer, I specifically went with RDRAM as I thought it would win the RDRAM vs DDR format war as I perceived the RDRAM to be the superior technology.
 
Trying to beat Danny's build but can't, so I'm just gonna stop and move on. Searched 3 stores but came up with nothing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top