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| Authored by: dcook32p on Wednesday, February 11 2004 @ 12:57 AM CST |
On the back of your computer should be the full model number. Gateway is worse than Compaq about having the front of the PC say one thing and the back another...
If you have two RAM slots, chances are that you can place a maximum of 512 MB PC-100 SDRAM in your computer. Make sure you purchase the proper densities - older motherboards can be finicky with newer (and higher) density chips. You should do fine with modules that use 64 Mbit chips.
As for your processor, as long as you have a 440 BX chipset from Intel then you can put up to a 1,000 MHz Pentium III on a 100 MHz front-side bus that uses the SECC 2 packaging (the part number from Intel for that is SL4KL).
If you want to upgrade to a new motherboard, may I recommend Microstar (MSI)? Their boards are rock solid and good performers, too. If you choose to upgrade your motherboard, you should get a standard ATX board or a Micro-ATX. You'll probably have a hard time with Flex-ATX, and I know you can't use an SFX board. The best bang-for-the-buck option will get you a decent performing AMD Athlon XP - probably a 2400+ or 2600+.
Make sure you know what you're doing before performing a motherboard swap. Know that your old processor and memory will not work in a new motherboard - Intel's Slot 1 (SECC and SECC 2 packaging) processor interface has been dead for a long time, and only specialized motherboards are being produced that support 168-pin SDRAM (66 MHz, PC-100, and PC-133). You'll wind up paying quite a bit.
But no matter what you decide, you'll pay quite a bit anyway. The SL4KL part mentioned earlier will run you between $150US and $200US - on eBay. The parts are nearly impossible to find new. As for the RAM - check with Crucial.com. If you input your exact model number then they will guarantee whatever they sell you will work in that system - for life!
For what use is this computer? If it's for 3D gaming then you should definitely purchase a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM. If you're going that far then you should probably buy a new case and power supply unit, as well. Gateway cases aren't the nicest ones with which to work. If you'll just be running a few instances of your favorite browser (I highly recommend Mozilla), a word processor, and an instant messaging application then I would just upgrade your memory to the maximum (probably 512 MB) and get a 600 or 700 MHz Intel Pentium III processor to go with it.
Go buy a copy of Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition if you don't already own one. The stability alone will make it worth the upgrade from the G6-400's default installation of Windows 98. If you go that route, make sure to back-up all of your data and format your hard disc drive. That will make sure you won't transfer any of the errors you receive in Windows 98 and all of its clutter, as well.
All-in-all, I'm really satisfied with this computer. We obviously have two different models (since mine has three RAM slots supporting a maximum of 384 MB), but if you keep it well maintained (clean it with canned air every six months, make sure it has good ventilation, etc.) this computer should stay alive until you get rid of it!
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Dustin D. Cook, A+
dcook32p@htcomp.net
Universal System Emulation Framework[ Reply to This | Parent ]
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