Looking to upgrade my CPU

[Bobmoreno650]

Well I have currently a Gateway dx4300-03

http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668282.php

I upgraded the psu to a ocz sxs 600 watt and the vid card to a bfg gts 250.

I was told that my mb on the gateway is an amd2+ so I can use amd3 socket CPUs.

Now my question is what to upgrade to. I do light gaming mostly , world of Warcraft, and some fps. So would it be best to get a phenom II x2 555 or get somehig better?

Any help would be much appriciated.

 

[Lmeow]

Yeah, a Phenom II X2 550 or Phenom II X3 720 would be a good choice for some light gaming. AM3 CPUs do work in AM2+ motherboards, but I'm not sure if your motherboard would support it, you may need a BIOS flash, I'm not sure if updating Gateway's BIOSes will add support for AM3 CPUs, but if it does then good. Otherwise, I don't think you can.

 

[Pro Llama]

I looked up your computer and it only shows one chip as an option, so you may only be able to use that chip with the bios on that motherboard. You would need to contact gateway to find out if the bios supports any other chips.

 

[Bobmoreno650]

And how would I check I I need to update my bios?

 

[Pro Llama]

And how would I check I I need to update my bios?

Here is a link that tells you how to find what bios you have: http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/help/whichbios.shtml

You can go here to find out if they have any bios updates for you:
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/dlcenter.asp?cmpid=topnav#

I can’t see what bios that have to help you because you need the serial number to see the downloads. If they have other bios there should be a list of supported chips with them.

 

[Bobmoreno650]

Ok I'll look at it once Im off of work. If it doesn't support amd3 socket. What are my options In that case, get a new mb as well?

 

[Pro Llama]

Ok I'll look at it once Im off of work. If it doesn't support amd3 socket. What are my options In that case, get a new mb as well?

If you get a new motherboard you will also have to get a new copy of windows because the os that was shipped with your pc will know that the motherboard has changed. Also if you upgrade to an AM3 board you will have to buy DDR3 ram because your system currently has DDR2. The biggest problem with buying a brand name computer is that it is hard to upgrade the core parts without upgrading everything.