Upgrade Processor on an older PC, a Pentium 920 D with a LGA socket 775, mobo - Intel 975x, Upgrading to a Core 2 Duo (Any) - Is it Possible?

[JFatt]

I have been trying on several forums but with no luck. I have a watonsville2 975x Intel Chipset Mobo, but cannot seem to locate what type of processors are compatible to do this upgrade. I am more interested in the Core 2 Extreme Quad Edition processors, but will settle for any of the Core 2 Duo family of processors. I can list all my specs if that will help someone who might have an edge over what I can find. Any of these processors is what I am looking for :

Intel Core 2 Extremehttp://www.cpu-upgrade.com/CPUs/Intel/Core_2_Extreme/QX6700.html QX6700 - HH80562PH0678M / BX80562QX6700 QX6700, 2.66 GHz, FSB 1066 MHz, L2 8 MB http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/CPUs/Intel/Core_2_Extreme/QX6800.html QX6800 - HH80562PH0778M / BX80562PH0778M / BX80562QX6800 QX6800, 2.93 GHz, FSB 1066 MHz, L2 8 MB http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/CPUs/Intel/Core_2_Extreme/X6800.html X6800 - HH80557PH0774M / BX80557X6800 X6800, 2.93 GHz, FSB 1066 MHz, L2 4 MB

My PC is Gateway 510FX

Gateway

Intel Corporation

Version: 54.100001.131

S/N 0036516566

Desktop Board Info:

OEMD975XWT2G1

Version: AAD3346-106

S/N: BQW260600175

Chassis: Gateway

Version: WTN01A01

S/N 0036516566

XT and VT Enabled

That is all I can find in the BIOS.

with a "Watsonville" motherboard. There's BIOS update for it, but no mention of what CPUs it supports.

[AlHill]

Your motherboard appears to be a D975XWT board made specifically for Gateway.

There are more than 176 processors that fit LGA775. http://ark.intel.com/Search/Advanced?s=t&SocketsSupported=LGA775 ARK | Processor Feature Filter

The problem is that the processor must be socket AND BIOS compatible.

The best you can do is to contact Gateway and ask them what processors are supported by THEIR BIOS. Even though this board was made by Intel, Gateway must provide the information regarding supported processors and BIOS.

Now, all that said, you may be fortunate and find a Core 2 Duo that will work. Or, may work with errors. Or, may not work at all. And, worst cast, it can damage your motherboard.

If it works, the bios may not recognize or report it properly.

In my opinion, you will do better by looking for a new motherboard.

Also, and I cannot verify this source, you may find information here: http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/975X_Express.html http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel_(chipsets)/975X_Express.html

Sorry I could not help more.

Doc

[JFatt]

Hi Al (Doc)

I just did a GPU upgrade, third time. I just bought a very cheap ($20 USD) 730 GT made by MSI, it has 1 GB of GDDR5, and gave the whole system quite a boost. It took a lot of the processing power from that old Pentium D and equaled out with a higher graphics display, which overall did a nice job. That is why I want to keep this older PC, it has a lot of my older programs that I use for work, such as ESRI ArcMap, and Remote Sensing's IDRSI. I had a GT 9400 in it, and apparently, that GPU went bust, it just would die out after idling 2-3 minutes. Once I put in the newer MSI GeForce 730 in it, wow, the PC is buzzing along quite well. I did see a list a few weeks ago with a support page for all processors the mobo supported, but was once told that page was an old URL and tried several times. I think you are correct though, I can buy an older used processor and find out all the options you listed. The Pentium D is Intel's worst processor (IMO) they ever made. I can fry an egg off it, or under it, lol.

Thanks for the help though! If you do find anything, please let me know, it is worth beefing up that system with a better processor even if it is just a Core 2 Duo.

[AlHill]

Follow-up: There is a D975XBX, which supports these processors: http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/d975xbx/index.htm Intel&reg Desktop Board D975XBX Overview and http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel/D975XBX.html http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel/D975XBX.html

Here is the tech spec on that board: http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15066/eng/D975XBX_TechProdSpec.pdf http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15066/eng/D975XBX_TechProdSpec.pdf

You may be able to squeeze some information regarding supported processors from these documents.

Doc

[JFatt]

Thanks for these links, believe it or not, they help... Much appreciated!!!

[AlHill]

Just remember - there are supplied as is, and there is no guarantee that they will not cause other problems.

Good luck.

Doc

[JFatt]

How would I know for sure if the suffix D and the prefix BX in a 975X is what I have? I do know it was called a "Watonsville 2" from a forum, if that is true at all:

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?78452-Computer-Upgrade-Questions-For-Dummies&p=470609# post470609 http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?78452-Computer-Upgrade-Questions-For-Dummies&p=470609# post470609

In my Specs I gave, the WT would be for watonsville2 I assume. Not sure what the "BX" stands for.

In any event, I did find an upgrade to the BIOS, from the Gateway website. I'll leave a screen shot.

[JFatt]

That Update was in 2010 from a mobo made in 2005/2006- I am assuming that is the latest and final update for this motherboard.

I would also assume that should support a Core 2 Duo, hence the Update... Thanks again, I need all the luck!!! :-)

[AlHill]

Being on the latest bios can certainly help. One reason for a bios update, in addition to fixing bugs, is support of other/new processors.

I cannot help you with the suffix. Perhaps one of the Intel support staff can help with that.

Doc

[idata]

Hi Jacxxx,

Please let me know if there is anything else you need. Regards,Hellen.