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#1
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Question concerning which motherboard to purchase
I have a Gateway machine which is a P4, 1.8 GB processor and the
motherboard seems to be failing. I want to purchase a new one from tigerdirect, etc. but not sure how to make sure the form factor will work with the processor, memory, etc. Is there an easy way to look up what motherboard is in my computer and find out which one I would need to purchase which would be a good fit for my form factor. Excuse the ignorance, I am relatively new to hardware. Any good lookup sites or information would be very helpful. Thanks! JJ |
#2
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On 5 Nov 2004 06:03:29 -0800,
(Jimmy Jim) wrote: I have a Gateway machine which is a P4, 1.8 GB processor and the motherboard seems to be failing. I want to purchase a new one from tigerdirect, etc. but not sure how to make sure the form factor will work with the processor, memory, etc. I would avoid Tiger Direct, too often they overhype low-quality parts and have questionable business practices, complaints to BBB and other customer review 'sites are numerous. Someplace like http://www.newegg.com might be a better place to start and also provides better pictures than most. Is there an easy way to look up what motherboard is in my computer and find out which one I would need to purchase which would be a good fit for my form factor. You could try Gateway's website or the documentation that came with the system. Generally speaking Gateway used standard form-factors, the size of the case itself should give a good clue as to what's inside. By looking at the back of the case the number of parallel slot covers should indicate if it's full ATX (6 or more slots) or mATX (fewer slots). Of course opening system and taking board height (height relative to board mounted in tower case standing up) and width, regular ATX being taller (12") than mATX. If your case is a unique, proprietary low-profile (very small) then there may be no replacement available from anywhere but Gateway. Otherwise there was another potential issue, whether the GW case has rear port holes (PS2, Parallel, sound, etc) stamped out of the metal case wall, OR if it uses a removable I/O shield. If it doesn't have a removable I/O plate then your choices for a replacement motherboard are more limited. |
#3
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Companies like Gateway usually use PROPRIETARY custom designed parts,
including motherboards, in their computers. That means that the standard motherboards that are available out there will NOT fit the Gateway case. You are unfortunately stuck with Gateway parts. -- DaveW "Jimmy Jim" wrote in message om... I have a Gateway machine which is a P4, 1.8 GB processor and the motherboard seems to be failing. I want to purchase a new one from tigerdirect, etc. but not sure how to make sure the form factor will work with the processor, memory, etc. Is there an easy way to look up what motherboard is in my computer and find out which one I would need to purchase which would be a good fit for my form factor. Excuse the ignorance, I am relatively new to hardware. Any good lookup sites or information would be very helpful. Thanks! JJ |
#4
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On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 00:11:09 GMT, "DaveW"
wrote: Companies like Gateway usually use PROPRIETARY custom designed parts, including motherboards, in their computers. That means that the standard motherboards that are available out there will NOT fit the Gateway case. You are unfortunately stuck with Gateway parts. No they don't. The majority of Gateway boards over the last DECADE have been OEM Intel boards. |
#5
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I would avoid Tiger Direct, too often they overhype
low-quality parts and have questionable business practices, complaints to BBB and other customer review 'sites are numerous. Someplace like http://www.newegg.com might be a better place to start and also provides better pictures than most. I echo this poster's response to Tiger Direct. Sleeze is more the description I would give to them. Start by checking the dimensions on your current board. -- Jan Alter or "kony" wrote in message ... On Sat, 06 Nov 2004 00:11:09 GMT, "DaveW" wrote: Companies like Gateway usually use PROPRIETARY custom designed parts, including motherboards, in their computers. That means that the standard motherboards that are available out there will NOT fit the Gateway case. You are unfortunately stuck with Gateway parts. No they don't. The majority of Gateway boards over the last DECADE have been OEM Intel boards. |
#6
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Don't buy anything from TigerDirect!!
I have a Gateway machine which is a P4, 1.8 GB processor and the motherboard seems to be failing. I want to purchase a new one from tigerdirect, etc. but not sure how to make sure the form factor will work with the processor, memory, etc. |
#7
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Guys,
Thanks for the heads up about tigerdirect! I will try the new egg site, how is their customer service? More often than not, I am on the phone when I order parts, so I want to use a company that can work well with me over the phone. Great info on the motherboard, I am a programmer and have limited knowledge of hardware. Put together a few computers, but nothing intense. So your responses were very helpful, I will try and determine what kind of board by the dimensions. If I call new egg, will they be able to direct me to the right motherboard for it? It is a small case but I love the setup, where everything is located, and it is really light. Perfect for a media center PC which is what I am trying to build it as. Anyway, thanks again!!! JJ (YanquiDawg) wrote in message ... Don't buy anything from TigerDirect!! I have a Gateway machine which is a P4, 1.8 GB processor and the motherboard seems to be failing. I want to purchase a new one from tigerdirect, etc. but not sure how to make sure the form factor will work with the processor, memory, etc. |
#8
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#9
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Newegg has been great with service. There are always people who complain no
matter what,but generally I won't buy from anyone else(unless it' a fantastic deal). I don't know how good or bad their telephone sales stck up.Never use it. Guys, Thanks for the heads up about tigerdirect! I will try the new egg site, how is their customer service? More often than not, I am on the phone when I order parts, so I want to use a company that can work well with me over the phone. |
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