Are Gateway MB's still non-proprietary?

willmarth2

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It is about time for a new pc. I have upgraded my GW mb several times. That is what I like about GW. I was a GW phone tech, outsource. Dell Mb's are proprietary and cost a bunch.
Can someone recommend a good gaming system with Vista with non-proprietary mb's?
 

Newf

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I don't know how good a response you will get here. Folks on this forum tend to want to build their own new systems. You could call Gateway tech support and ask if they still use standard mATX motherboards and power supplies (not trying to be sarcastic, they should tell you). PC Power & Cooling only sells special pin-out build power supplies for Dell, so I would guess Gateway supplies are probably still standard. Monarch.com will build systems for you, but I've heard rumors that they are not doing so well lately. Microcenter sells store brand systems using open standards, but use cost cutting measures that would cause me to build my own (cheap PSU and mobos).
 
The gateway i bought more than a year ago came with a very nice tooless BTX case, the mobo is an intel mobo (BTX) cant remember the PSU.
If I had to buy a pre manufactured computer it would have to be from gateway.
 

willmarth2

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I don't know how good a response you will get here. Folks on this forum tend to want to build their own new systems. You could call Gateway tech support and ask if they still use standard mATX motherboards and power supplies (not trying to be sarcastic, they should tell you). PC Power & Cooling only sells special pin-out build power supplies for Dell, so I would guess Gateway supplies are probably still standard. Monarch.com will build systems for you, but I've heard rumors that they are not doing so well lately. Microcenter sells store brand systems using open standards, but use cost cutting measures that would cause me to build my own (cheap PSU and mobos).

I want a reasonable gaming system.
 

Newf

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Ok, well then consider building something like this. At the $1000 level, I think that you can build a better quality rig than Dell/Gateway will sell you:

Gaming Box (Box only) for around $1000:

Conroe E6300 1.86GHz 2MB Boxed $193+0 1/07/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005

Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 LGA775 965 Conroe $145+6 1/06/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128012

Corsair XMS2 2x512 DDR2-800 5-5-5-15 1.9v $122 1/07/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145566

Chenming CMUI-P-601AEB-0 Blk SOHO Tower w/o PSU $60+16 1/07/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811125480
OR Pick your own $75 bare case. Most do not like my choice here...
The CoolerMaster Centurion5 is a popular choice
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119077

Antec TruePowerTrio TP3-550 PSU Active $95-15+0 1/07/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817371002

Foxconn FV-N79SM2D2 7900GS 256GDDR3 $190-45+6 1/07/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814186003

Asus DVD RW Black DRW1608P3SBLK Retail $33+6 1/02/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827135078

NEC 1.44MB Black Floppy $6+6 1/07/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16821152005

WD 2500YS 250GB 7200/16MB SATA $80+6 1/06/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136055

Windows XP Home OEM $90+5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116169

If my math is right = $1,005

If you are not planning to overclock, then make these trades:
Kingston value DDR2 CL4 1.8v 2x512 KVR533D2N4K2/1G $117+0 1/07/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144152
(Instead of Corsair 1G overclockable -$5)

For an even less expensive motherboard:
MSI P965 Neo-F LGA775 965 ATX Conroe $92+6 1/07/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130052
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=P965_Neo-F&class=mb
Hardwarezone Review MSI P965 7/21/06
http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=1987&cid=6&pg=1
(Instead of Gigabyte DS3 -$53)

This allows you to put some more money into the video card...

These motherboards are also quite popular:

Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 LGA775 965 Conroe $109+6 1/06/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128017

MSI P965 Platinum LGA775 ATX Conroe $135+6 1/07/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130055


It's always hard to compare apples to oranges, but if you look at $1500 pre-builts you often get this stuff free:
Monitor, Office software, some utilities, an entire system warranty and maybe a printer and/or free shipping. Only the monitor really adds any value for most people. The warranty and tech support for some.
What you also get is a marginal psu, low-end graphics, cheap HDD, and a cheap but hopefully stable motherboard.
 

Surferosa

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It is about time for a new pc. I have upgraded my GW mb several times. That is what I like about GW. I was a GW phone tech, outsource. Dell Mb's are proprietary and cost a bunch.
Can someone recommend a good gaming system with Vista with non-proprietary mb's?

So, let me recap;

1) You need a new PC
2) You have practical experience of mobo replacement
3) You used to be phone support for a system builder. I therefore conclude;
__a) You have knowledge of how a PC works
__b) You have knoweldge of common faults of a system-built PC
__c) You are not filthy rich- ie you would appreciate getting more bang-for-yr-buck
4) You want a gaming rig
5) You have found these forums

Given these factors, please explain why you are thinking about buying a pre-built PC. Have a good read of the 'General Homebuilt' forum, then come back and tell us.

Good luck.
 

willmarth2

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I appreciate your faith in me. It is the software packs. Windows Vista is a must for Alan Wake. I want a system that will last me a while. I will look at prebuilt.
 

Newf

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I appreciate your faith in me. It is the software packs. Windows Vista is a must for Alan Wake. I want a system that will last me a while. I will look at prebuilt.
1). The OS I listed comes with the same coupon for Vista that a pre-built will until Vista is actually sold outright.
Windows XP Home OEM $90+5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116169
2). The rig you build is much more likely to last longer than the one you buy. The component quality is better.
3). Most of the bundled software in pre-builts have free alternatives awaiting download. This includes Open Office, Virus and Spyware programs, etc...
 
I appreciate your faith in me. It is the software packs. Windows Vista is a must for Alan Wake. I want a system that will last me a while. I will look at prebuilt.

I agree with other advice given here. Buying a system that will "last you a while" is not a good reason alone to buy a prebuilt system. If you are in the least bit PC savy, which it seems as though you are, building your own will allow you to customize with the best component bang for your buck. This equals a faster more powerful PC, for a several hundred less than the same system prebuilt. Prebuilt systems always entice you with the great new processor lines, like a fast Core Duo, but then skimp elsewhere on video, memory, and sound. And that "free" software is bloatware and junk for the most part. However, the 15 CD's do make nice coasters for around the house :)

Make yourself a list of parts, come back for opinions, and build it!
It's fast and easy.

If you are concerned about long life and rock solid stability, pick hardware that has been out for a few months, not the latest greatest newest stuff that may not have all the bugs worked out yet. It will last you as long or longer than any prebuilt system, and be completely open to future upgrades without worrying about parts being proprietary.