(eMachines ET1331G-03W) would this be a good start for a gaming pc

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astesprit

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Jan 5, 2010
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eMachines ET1331G-03W comes with AMD Athlon II X2 Dual-Core Processor 2.7ghz 6gb ram 750gb hard drive
. would this be a good start or should i start from scratch
 
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wa1
Yes, it's okay if u want that machine, but absolutely u must upgrade your PSU and graphic card later if u want some decent gaming... :)
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The mobo only handles up to 89 watts if I've read all the specs right, so the 620e was what I was looking at, but the benchmarks just don't add up. It really is a shame about the 250u, but for some reason I think EMachines was duped by AMD and their scheisty numbering system.... "Oh, By the way...this Athlon II x2 250u is an underclocked underpowered version of the next generation X2 technology, so it runs under what a normal Athlon II x2 250 would"
Who would've ever thought they'd give what should be Sempron an Athlon II x2 badge?
That's just plain deceptive.
 
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Well I got my machine from TigerDirect and it's a nice looking shiny black sleek case. The included mouse and keyboard ARE crap as already mentioned in this thread.

I'm disappointed with the 235e processor. Since you mention the 620e I'm wondering how you know that the most up to date bios can handle a quad core processor on this mobo? What am I missing here?

Frankly, my head is spinning from researching cpus at AMD and I was confused about mobo specs that say it is an AM2 socket but is using an AM3 cpu UNTIL I found this article about AM3 backward compatibility with AM2/AM2+ mobos:
http://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2009/01/quick-reminder-am3-chips-compatible-with-am2am2-boards.ars

Thought that info would be helpful to others who may be similarly behind in the processors wars.
 
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All I really did was get the mobo serial and check it against what new Athlon II processors it was currently able to hold. Apparently it's an ECS made specifically for Gateway/Acer and has been employed for some time.
It will handle an Athlon II up to 89 watts, preferably the 'e' series due to it's low power consumption.


 
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OK. I did do some checking at Gateway with a gateway part # I found online for the board - I even let gateway check my machine but the info that came back was paltry which surprised me. I'll have to crack it open and do the serial # thing next.
 
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The only thing that's really Paltry to me is the Powersupply, the graphics card, and yes the 235e isn't a monster,
but I upgraded from a 2005 year T6412 with XP Home that had issues, monthly.
This is a whole new step up for me and I knew what I was getting before I got it.
Sorry you're not too pleased with the budget purchase.
There is hope though, just be ready to come off the hip a tad for it if you want to up it a bit,
or return it and get something better.
In all honesty I think you should move on with something better. (and I'm not trying to be funny)
I'm done with mine as I've put as much money into it as it's going to get unless something breaks.
 
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What I meant was paltry was the information I got from a system check on gateway. I've opened the case, written down the serial # of the mobo and no amount of checking is getting me information I need for this motherboard. I want a dang manual!!

Even with the computer's serial number, gateway only identifies it as an emachine 1331g - then gives me zip, zero, nada for support docs, for drivers, etc. What is up with that? I can tell you, one thing I'm good at is digging for information on components and this dang motherboard is an elusive sucker. I was able to get some newer driver downloads from the emachines site before I even got the machine, but I simply cannot find the information you said in last post "did get the mobo serial and check it against what new Athlon II processors it was currently able to hold". Can you dig up and toss me a link to this information? I am afraid to spend $$ on a processor that won't work - I need to see the information with my own eyes.

This is supposed to be my newest machine that is easily upgradeable - moving on to something else is not something I can even entertain this early in the purchase!!
 
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I actually had my own thread of questions on the motherboard and the processor some time ago:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/270404-30-mcp61pm-athlon-iix4-605e

Here's the general information on the Motherboard:
http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/Shared/4006254R/4006254Rsp2.shtml

Here's the motherboard being sold on E-Bay with a Quad Core already attached to it (and a spec chart)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130375122095&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=%3F*I8&GUID=9824cd7a1270a0b58411c6e1fffbe697&itemid=130375122095&ff4=263602_263622

Here's the chart for the AMD processors:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/processors/athlon-ii-x2/Pages/AMD-athlon-ii-x2-processor-model-numbers-feature-comparison.aspx
 
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This was all very helpful. I came up with the same gateway page, however, when I saw it only took 4 gig memory I figured it's not the newest version of the board since mine takes 8gig. That ebay picture shows a Rev 2.1 on the mobo, not Rev 2.2 like mine, however it's good to see a slightly older mobo version being able to handle the quad core cpu. My mobo is not part number 4006254R - mine has a rather long number (mbnb)307001934008109100 - that doesn't appear to be a gateway part number.

Sorry to beat a dead horse. I appreciate you replying.
 
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The ECS MCP61PM-GM has had a couple of different versions (there was an AM version too) and it was hard for me to understand at first how they could change an AM2/AM2+ board to an AM3 running a new Athlon II x2 235e (these processors were just released in the fall of 2009) but obviously whomever is at the core of all of this switching is quite savvy in saving the parent co $$ while implementing the same old technology with a few board revisions and a Bios change.
The 2.2 version is the new AM2+/AM3 update I'm sure. That Quad core on that E-Bay machine has a tad bit of age on it
 
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I too have purchased this machine from Tiger direct...349.00 plus shipping...Not a gamer but found that this was the BEST deal out there for a Windows 7 64bit PC...With 6 gb memory....No question...


PS thanks for the input on the Motherboard...I could not get any help from the support or the refurb company as to specs....GREAT to see others praise this machine because others are in the dark!!
But I was wondering what would be a good case fan...couldn't find the specs as to size so I could buy one...Any suggestions?
 
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I bought the 'Dynex' case fan from Best Buy, $9.99 and it is super quiet.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dynex%26%23174%3B+-+80mm+CPU+Cooling+Fan/8498565.p?id=1186004520483&skuId=8498565&st=Dynex case fan
It was the only one I could find that still had a three pin connector for the motherboard 'fan' option
as opposed to a 4-pin molex connector (it has that too on a dongle included in the package).
You see, the only problem is I bought a Thermaltake PSU with cable mgt. and I installed no 4-pin molex connectors because the machine didn't require any, and I'll be damned if I was going to pull my top DVD drive out and hanker with a cable.
There are two 'fan' 3 pin connectors on the motherboard (besides the one being used for the CPU)
One on the backside of the CPU near the VGA input and one at the very bottom of the case (copper colored, 'pwr-fan')
 
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Hey Thanks!
I was wondering what is the size of the fan too. Tiger Direct sells a bunch for low price but they list them by milimeters. The Dynex you mention sounds good. But if you know the size that would be helpful.
Getting the true specs for this unit is sometimes a search and a 1/2....

E machines wont answer my questions because the supposrt has been assigned to the refurbisher (Revonate) or Seneca. I called them for some info and some of them are helpful but aren't sure about some of the specs like the motherboard. I wanted to find out what kind of hard drive it took. I opened the case took it out and found it was a Seagate 7200 but couldn't get an answer from the spec sheets so checked with seagate site and they matched 750gb 32mb cache! By the way thanks for the info you posted...It was very helpful.

Also, Whats the best way to punch out the metal tabs on back to put in expansion cards....I don't want to bend up the case...I am lible to ruin the mobo....any suggestions? Thanks again...
 
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It' an 80 mm fan. Here's a picture of the package:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat13506&type=page&skuId=8498565&productId=1186004520483&navigation=prev&count=-1&chk=true&h=387

I found it easiest to stick a small screwdriver through the hole in the removeable tabs and rock them up and down until they pop out (which they will).
You don't need to worry about keeping that shielding plate in there once you add a card. It will keep falling out (and eventually I realized it had no use.)
 
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Hey Thanks again!..
Have to say this is the best computer I have owned!
Had a compaq, Dell in the past. Priced out those new with the same features and you are right...7-800.00 range....
 
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It was no question in my mind when I saw this machine in late November that i had to have it!
I had been searching for 3-4 months but wanted to wait on Win 7 to arrive.
I almost settled for one of those Compaq's Oddice Depot was selling for $329 with the last years AMD processor and 3 GB ram with a 500 GB HDD.
Glad as hell that I waited.
I knew eventually E-Machines would release at least one machine everyone would clamor over...
and the ET1331G W-03 was definitely the end of the year surprise.
 
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Yes, before I bought this unit, I looked at walmart to see what a new one was going for and saw its no longer available...glad I bought the refurbished one......absolutely no problems and a great deal! Anyone who thinks otherwise must have money to burn! I don't. Glad I waited too!

The other office... easy button store offered a few units with same specs but less memory, smaller HD. So....long and short of it is...E machines is the best deal out there if you can find it now...Thanks for the help!!
 
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Hey I noticed in the picture above a different power supply. What are you using? Is it easy to install?
(Massive video card!)...I think the PS that comes with it is on 250w but someone told me if I upgrade I need at least a 500....any thoughts?
 
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It's a Thermaltake 550 watt. Easy install, just match the cable per cable and it's easy as pie.
I would honestly get a 600 watt PSU or better so you can handle a bigger video card if you need.
Get something that will have around 46a on the combined dual 12v+ rail.
You can probably find one online at a good price.
Best Buy charges out the wazoo for a PSU.
 
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Has anyone figured out how to enable memory remapping in the BIOS? I can't even access the BIOS and when I chatted online with Gateway support, the poor tech who didn't even understand the problem offered me a callback from "pay support". The problem is that Windows 7 64 bit doesn't use more than 3GB of the 6GB installed and the only fix is to enable memory remapping which may not even be doable in this machine. What would be the point of making it expandable to 8GB if I can't even take advantage of the 6 already installed?
 
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Why can't you get into the bios? I press 'delete' to enter setup. Under Advanced Chipset Features there is a setting called Memory Hole Remapping. Mine is set to enabled. Is this what you are referring to?
 
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Yeah, I'm an idiot. Thanks. Unfortunately, mine was set to enabled as well which doesn't explain why the system shows "Installed memory (RAM): 6.00 GB (3.00 GB usable)"?
 
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I don't know - mine sez 6.00 GB (5.75 GB usable). I am using the stock configuration right now...no video card upgrade or anything else added so far.

I found a discussion elsewhere that quotes from Microsoft saying:

"When the physical RAM that is installed on a computer equals the address space that is supported by the chipset, the total system memory that is available to the operating system is always less than the physical RAM that is installed.

For example, consider a computer that has a chipset that supports 8 GB of address space. If you install 8 GB of RAM, the system memory that is available to the operating system will be reduced by the PCI configuration requirements. In this scenario, PCI configuration requirements reduce the memory that is available to the operating system by an amount that is between approximately 200 MB and approximately 1 GB. The reduction depends on the configuration."

In that same thread someone posted: "Difference is shared memory with video card in some instances. Bios update has slight chance of making it use all."

There is a bios update (not related to memory usage) - I haven't applied it to my machine since I'm not having any problems. The description is:
ET1331G bios update
BIOS eMachines
P01.A2 1.6 MB 2010/01/19
1. Fixes S3 Keep Lighting, PS2 KB/MS cannot wakeup issue.

Anyway, your usage seems high, doesn't it?

 
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You must have your video card maxxed out under the memory selection.
Even in 'off' mode my machine still allocates some 1540 mb of extra system memory to my PCI-E drop in video card.
Why? I can't tell you.
It will be used if needed and if not it won't be, so actually I like the added feature
of 'grab and go' if its needed instead of just giving an error message.
 
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I think you just solved my "problem". I upgraded the card to an NVIDIA GeForce 9500GT 1 GB http://review.zdnet.com/product/graphics-cards/evga-e-geforce-9500-gt-graphics-adapter-gf-9500-gt-1-gb/33368599?tag=content;col1 and maxed out all of the settings. I didn't realize that would affect available physical memory. Thanks.
 
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I have the same computer and that is exactly what mine reads. 5.75 available memory. That is without any video card upgrade...just stock equipment.....for now...
I appreciate the post because I wasn't aware of this situation so I am going to keep that in mind when I do upgrade memory or the video card..
 
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