[one_with_shadows]

Alright, start at the beginning. I have a gateway gt5676 running vista 64 bit. The bios hasn't been kept up with one Gateway's part. I recently installed a x3 720BE...windows does not know what it is "unknown processor." However, this works for many and has worked a solid 2 days for me. the wattage is acceptable for this board.

I was on a World of Warcrack binge when I noticed my newly (and very high) frames dropping off a bit. I signed out of wow expecting to see windows update or Norton running a background scan. The computer was just SLOW (didn't change settings or anything) then windows update started and froze at 26% install of a new "critical" update to make future updates run properly or something. I tried closing it, closing it in task manager, stopping it by closing it etc...wouldn't budge. I was forced to do a hard reboot by holding in my power button. Then it had to use a restore point to even boot. (now I'm having other issues too) My main concern is though that this happened ALL OF A SUDDEN. Now every time I try to open something that is not already loaded into memory (which I already tested, its good) it takes awhile to read from the hard drive. Is my hard drive failing or is something causing a bottle neck in speed (possibly the cpu if thats even possible?) Sometimes firefox will stop responding, WMP will hang for a long time, and even going to program files through windows and trying to say view whats in a file...it will hang while looking for the info on the hard drive. If it is loaded into memory already, it opens without a problem.

I ran WOW for HOURS without any problems at all. I cant figure out what could have possibly went wrong in that time. The ONLY thing I did change was my router settings for port forwarding for WOW. I KNOW that isn't it though. Other than that, nothing had changed...it all just happened at once.

Additional Details
I have already ran memtest, the ram is fine. I did run chkdsk on the hard drive and there are no bad sectors. There IS NO bios update. Gateway does not supporting their products. That is why the cpu is "unknown processor" according to windows. I read for almost 2 weeks before hand, lots of other people with this gateway mobo have upgraded to the phenom 2 processor lines without problem, be it x3 720, x2 550, or the x4 945 (all 95 watt tdp or lower)

As far as I know there has be no heat related problems. I have a thermaltek fan running 70+cfm in the back of my case, a lower pci expansion fan right under the 9800gt exhaust (its pulling out hot air from the cards exhaust)

computer isn't having file access problems all the time, its intermittent. Only when hd is at high % active time in resource monitor

[noop]

Welcome to the site!

I think this may be a heat issue as those can sometimes lead to freezing/rebooting. Could you please download this program and tell me what the temperature is of your processor?
http://www.alcpu.com.../CoreTemp64.zip

Make sure to right click and run as administrator.

[one_with_shadows]

noop, on 22 October 2009 - 04:13 AM, said:

Welcome to the site!

I think this may be a heat issue as those can sometimes lead to freezing/rebooting. Could you please download this program and tell me what the temperature is of your processor?
http://www.alcpu.com.../CoreTemp64.zip

Make sure to right click and run as administrator.

I already have coretemp lol. amd OD and coretemp are about in line with one another. typically at idle the cpu sits around 30c - 34c the MAX with a 20 minute run on amd od system stability test was 60c typically while running wow (in the time it takes me to alt tab to the desktop) coretemp in the taskbar usually runs around 46c-52c

I just wish gateway supported their motherboards with new bios updates. I know a bit about computers, but since i have never attempted anything like this I really need to isolate the new cpu as not being the problem...or imma bang my head on the wall 119 times for each dollar i spent on the new cpu lol. it was pretty risky running a cpu i know my bios doesn't support.

also I had a question about heat/thermal. is it better to spread the thermal on the processor (really thin i know) or use the put it on the heatsink and let it do the job method? I'm having success with the cpu spread, but i have read a lot of conflicting suggestions.

oh, i almost forgot. my new cpu cooler IS on its way from newegg. i ordered it thinking i would need it...but i then realized it was a waste of $30 on a BEHEMOTH of a cpu cooler. 3 copper pipes, 120mm fan, yeah...overkill i know. So if its cpu heat that may be an issue it for sure won't be for long.

oh, also. my hard drives always run below 40c as well.

This post has been edited by one_with_shadows: 22 October 2009 - 06:24 AM

[noop]

So you purchased a new CPU and added it into your gateway computer?
What is the CPU model?

Is it this computer:
Gateway GT5676 Desktop Computer


If so here is the motherboard and bios drivers:
Foxconn (Bengal) RS780 Motherboard

[madmatt2006]

The reason you will be having problems I think maybe the unsupported CPU and clock ratios in the bios. You could get a new mainboard for less than the CPU so you won't have to bang your head on the wall so many times

[one_with_shadows]

madmatt2006, on 22 October 2009 - 09:07 PM, said:

The reason you will be having problems I think maybe the unsupported CPU and clock ratios in the bios. You could get a new mainboard for less than the CPU so you won't have to bang your head on the wall so many times

Yes, that is the computer and the motherboard. Unfortunately gateway has not released an updated bios to support the amd x3 720BE. The problem with replacing the board (which I already thought of) is it is for this gateway. I will need to re-install windows (which I don't mind doing, no big deal) except it is a gateway windows disc, (32 bit disc, ew. does it include the 64 bit as well? if not..i need to call and yell at someone.)as such I'm thinking it may not work. If it does, then awesome. I'll start looking for cheap/new boards tomorrow that have bios support from their manufactures. I plan on a new system build as soon as I get taxes anyway, and this one is going to my wife.

So, as an added addition to this, does anyone want to buy an older HP with a dual core 4400+? lol. I'll leave it with the 9600gt and the corsair 450watt power supply! 3gb of 800 ram! feel the wind in your...motherboard? It can all be yours for the amazing low price of $500...no, not biting? well hell, I need extra money for my new build haha.

Seriously though, I just need this to work. I can say for sure, there is NO support from bios for this triple core. I read for awhile on it and it has worked for many other people with no problems. My only concern is I don't want to fry out my crap-tacular gateway for an extra 20-25fps in WOW. Especially don't want it to die after I have already sold my wifes current computer. So is there any correlation at all to the CPU and hard drive access times? It's obvious through resource monitor the drive busy with something when its exerting the symptoms....and it just started not long ago, but could this be related to my "unknown" processor? Most of the time now it is running half way alright, just noticing its only when the drive is under heavy usage. (mostly cause by system and svchost)

[noop]

You can use a 32-bit OS on a 64-bit system, it just won't take advantage of the power your system has to offer.

What is the new processor model?

[one_with_shadows]

the new processor is an AMD Triple Core 720 Black Edition. (x3 720BE) So could I replace the motherboard in this computer with a new one as long as I have a windows disc? (it is a gateway windows disc though)

This post has been edited by one_with_shadows: 25 October 2009 - 01:56 AM

[noop]

Yup, this is 99.9% processor incompatibility. I would recommend buying a cheap mobo that works with AM3 processors. (Make sure you buy a MicroATX motherboard or it probably won't fit your gateway case)

As for the discs, what do they say? If it is just the word Gateway stamped onto Windows XP installation disc, it may work.

When did you buy your pc? Maybe you are eligible to upgrade to windows 7 for free?

[one_with_shadows]

noop, on 25 October 2009 - 05:29 AM, said:

Yup, this is 99.9% processor incompatibility. I would recommend buying a cheap mobo that works with AM3 processors. (Make sure you buy a MicroATX motherboard or it probably won't fit your gateway case)

As for the discs, what do they say? If it is just the word Gateway stamped onto Windows XP installation disc, it may work.

When did you buy your pc? Maybe you are eligible to upgrade to windows 7 for free?

nah, it says windows vista home premium 32 bit sp1 operating system disc. Oh no, I have had it for way to long to be eligible for a windows 7 upgrade. I need to figure out why they sent me a 32 bit windows disc anyway. I know if I re-install windows that I should be able to swap the board out now. My problem now is that I don't want to downgrade to 32bit. I want full use of my 4gb of ram, looks like I need to get ahold of gateway.

[noop]

Looks like your only choice is to use the Home Premium 32 Bit SP1 Disc unless you purchase Windows 7.

[one_with_shadows]

noop, on 25 October 2009 - 07:57 PM, said:

Looks like your only choice is to use the Home Premium 32 Bit SP1 Disc unless you purchase Windows 7.

well, newegg sucks...and wont let me build my computer right now. I'm for sure getting at least one full copy of windows 7 pro with a .edu thing, possibly two. To be honest my problem is more annoying than catastrophic, i still posted A HUGE fps gain in W.O.W not to mention the thing starts a bit faster. worst case scenario ill have to get a new mobo and hard drive after getting my full version of windows 7 and modify the gateway like some form of frankenstien monster. For now, i get about 50-75fps depending on location, so im not going to die if i have to wait for tax time lol. thanks for the help. (p.s. gateway sucks)

[noop]

You don't need to buy a new hard drive, you can just reformat it.

Why do you say newegg sucks? I have made numerous orders from them and they have always been fine to go through.

[one_with_shadows]

noop, on 26 October 2009 - 12:34 PM, said:

You don't need to buy a new hard drive, you can just reformat it.

Why do you say newegg sucks? I have made numerous orders from them and they have always been fine to go through.

because they use bill me later for their credit application company. that sucks. newegg in itself is awesome, up until about a month ago i was a die hard compusa fan...but buying from newegg doesnt require me to pay tax, and HOLY **** newegg ships fast as hell. (and are also cheaper on many things even without looking at the fact that i get taxed at compusa) I couldnt believe it though. they denied me for computer parts and i have decent credit and an annual household income of almost 40k a year, but they approved my wife whos credit report looks like it got carpet bombed by a ww2 fighter plane and then had that first a bomb dropped on it. makes no sense. *sigh* so i have to wait for taxes.

So could I just use the 2 old drives? That would be nice, then all I need is $115 board...screw it, ill just transfer it all into a new case lol. the original plan was to upgrade this one with a new processor (which i have done) then build a new computer and give this one to the wife. i wanted to sell hers with the after market corsair 450 watt psu, 9600gt oc, and x2 4400 (or "upgrade" it to the x4 9600 that came with the gateway, people seem to think 4 cores is always better than one) to make up some of the cost of a new pc. eh, i guess thats what i get for planning.

oh, i almost forgot i actually have a couple more questions. 1) is a single 640gb drive better/faster than 2 320gb drives? (im only using one drive right now and im talking real world, not a bench mark, would i notice a difference?) along with that, 32mb cache as compared to 8 (which is what i have now) real world = noticeable difference? 2) when a board says "Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM3/AM2+ CPU for one DIMM per channel only" so how would I have to set that up for only 2 2gb sticks, and would it affect anything? I would like to do this as cheaply as possible, so if there isn't that much real world difference between 800 and 1066...well cheaper is better. the board I am considering (due to its future upgrade ability) is http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131367

This post has been edited by one_with_shadows: 26 October 2009 - 11:24 PM

[noop]

1. Depends on drive specifications and if you have them in a raid array.
2. Not quiet sure. From what I gather, I think it is saying if you use DDR2 1066 ram sticks, you will only be able to use 1 stick per channel (a maximum of 2 sticks total, 1 for the black slots and 1 for the yellow).

The only thing you need to replace on your current machine is the motherboard, you shouldn't need anything else. If you do want to just buy the motherboard, you must make sure that it is Micro ATX to fit the Gateway case though.

[one_with_shadows]

noop, on 27 October 2009 - 03:35 AM, said:

1. Depends on drive specifications and if you have them in a raid array.
2. Not quiet sure. From what I gather, I think it is saying if you use DDR2 1066 ram sticks, you will only be able to use 1 stick per channel (a maximum of 2 sticks total, 1 for the black slots and 1 for the yellow).

The only thing you need to replace on your current machine is the motherboard, you shouldn't need anything else. If you do want to just buy the motherboard, you must make sure that it is Micro ATX to fit the Gateway case though.

yeah, i for sure don't want to just replace that board. I was thinking about just getting another case, and transferring over the ram, video card, cpu, power supply, and perhaps get a new hard drive. I just don't want to destroy a "good pc" that i could sell in order to have a faster machine. I know the x3 720BE can be overclocked decently, even just using the unlocked multiplier. for a beginner with overclocking like myself, thats great. I'm afraid of trying it in this pos gateway case. heh, I already have an upgraded cpu cooler that I have just been too lazy to install lol. I was looking at a 750watt corsair with a 60amp single 12 volt rail...but, I'm assuming that the 450 corsair i have in the gateway now will be fine for a new build (until i put in a new graphics card) I can just put the old cpu and power supply back in. Alright, i have my mission! now...to call and get my copy of windows on its way.

(i just need to figure out now if i want to upgrade the gateway with a different board with another new cpu for my wife, or if i want to just put a new board in hers and upgrade the cpu)

This post has been edited by one_with_shadows: 27 October 2009 - 04:06 AM

[noop]

Your ram from the gateway machine will probably not work with your new motherboard as a heads-up. Why can't you just stick the old gateway processor back in? Why not stick the old processor back into the gateway, and then build a new pc for yourself and swap out parts if necessary to increase the specs of both PCs? The processor that came with your pc is quad-core and is not a bad processor at all. Does your wife use the pc for video editing or gaming? If not, the processor should be more than enough to do whatever else on the pc