Upgrade Pathway for Gateway PII-450

[clarsax]

I have a Gateway Pentium II 450 MHz-based computer which I am interested in upgrading with a faster CPU.
After browsing through various USENET newsgroups, I am thoroughly confused as to what is possible. I have seen either no upgrade possible, upgrade to PIII-450 or to PIII-600.
I have attached the motherboard and CPU report on my machine generated by SiSoft Sandra. I realize that it recommends up to a 500 MHz CPU, confusing the situation even more. I would appreciate anyone's input on this. Thank you.


<<< Mainboard Information >>>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

< General System Information >
Class: IBM PC/AT
System Bus(es): ISA(16-bit), PCI(32-bit), USB, AGP(32-bit)
Fast Windows System: Yes

< Entire System >
Manufacturer: Gateway
Name: G6-450

< System Chassis >
Manufacturer: Gateway
Case Type: Tower

< System Mainboard >
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Type: Single Processor
Model: WS440BX
Version: AA719570-204
Serial Number: IMWS84506171

< System Memory Controller >
Location: Mainboard
Error Correction Capability: ECC
Number of Memory Slots: 3
Maximum Installable Memory: 768MB
BANK 0 - J6J1: DIMM Synchronous RDRAM 128MB/32
BANK 1 - J6J2: DIMM Synchronous RDRAM 128MB/32
BANK 2 - J7J1: DIMM Synchronous RDRAM 128MB/32

< System Chipset >
System Chipset: Intel 82443BX/ZX 440BX/ZX PCI-Host Bridge (AGP Enabled)
Front Side Bus Speed: 100MHz
CPU Speed Multiplier: 4.5x
ACPI Support: Yes
SMBus Support: Yes

< Logical/Chipset Memory Banks >
Bank 0 Setting: 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W
Banks 0 + 1 Memory Module: Samsung KMM366S1623BT-GL 1F2E3002 128MB 16x(8Mx8)
SDRAM CAS3 PC100-322-620
Bank 1 Setting: 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W
Bank 2 Setting: 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W
Banks 2 + 3 Memory Module: PNY Electronics 128MB 16x(8Mx8) SDRAM CAS3 PC125U-333
Bank 3 Setting: 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W
Bank 4 Setting: 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W
Banks 4 + 5 Memory Module: 128MB 16x(8Mx8) SDRAM CAS3 PC125U-333-602
Bank 5 Setting: 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-1-1-1W
Memory Bus Speed: 100MHz

< Temperature Sensor(s) >
Board Temperature: 3.0°C / 37.4°F td
CPU Temperature: 3.0°C / 37.4°F td

< Port Connectors >
J1K1 - COM A: Serial Port 16550A Compatible - None / DB-9 pin male
J1J1 - COM B: Serial Port 16550A Compatible - None / DB-9 pin male
J1J2 - LPT1: Parallel Port ECP/EPP - None / DB25 pin female
J1M1 - Keyboard: Keyboard Port - None / PS/2
J1M1 - MOUSE: Mouse Port - None / PS/2
J1L1 - USB0 : USB - None / USB
J1L1 - USB1: USB - None / USB
J8K2, FLOPPY: Floppy
J8G1, PRI IDE: (E)IDE
J7G1, SEC IDE: (E)IDE
J1G1 - GAME: MIDI Port - None / DB-15 pin female
J1G1 - MIC: Audio Port - None / Mini-jack
J1G1 - LINE IN: Audio Port - None / Mini-jack
J1G1 - LINE OUT: Audio Port - None / Mini-jack
J1F1 CD : Audio Port - CD-ROM Sound Input
J1F2 Telephony, 4 pin: Audio Port - None
J2D1 AUX IN: Audio Port - None
J2C1 WOL, Wake on LAN: None
J5B1 WOR, Wake on Ring: None
J2B1, AC97 Header: None
J7C1, Front Panel USB: None

<<< CPU & BIOS Information >>>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

< System BIOS >
Manufacturer: Intel Corp.
Version: 4W4SB0X0.15A.0015.P10
Date: 09/28/1999
Plug & Play Version: 1.00
SMBIOS/DMI Version: 2.01
ID No.: FC 01 00
(EE)PROM Size: 512kB (4Mbit)

< System BIOS Properties >
Can be Updated (flashed): Yes
Can be Shadowed: Yes
Is Socketed: No
Supports APM: Yes
Supports ACPI: Yes
Supports Plug & Play: Yes
Supports ESCD: Yes
Supports Enhanced Disk Drive: Yes
Supports Selective Booting: Yes
Supports LS-120 Boot: Yes
Supports ZIP Boot: Yes
NEC PC-98 Spec Compatible: No

< Processor(s) >
Processor: Intel Pentium II 448MHz
Co-Processor (FPU): Built-in
Type: Standard
Performance Rating: PR538 (estimated)
Class: 6x86mmx
Model Information: P6L (Deschutes) Pentium II 333-450 2.0V
Revision/Stepping: 5 / 2
Stepping Mask: (m)(m)dB0
Internal Code Cache: 16kB synchronous write-back (4-way, 32 byte line size)
Internal Data Cache: 16kB synchronous write-back (4-way, 32 byte line size)
L2 On-board Cache: 512kB ECC synchronous write-back (4-way, 32 byte line size)
L2 Cache Bus Speed: 224MHz

< CPU Socket/Slot(s) >
Type: J4J1, CPU
Upgrading: Slot 1
Maximum Speed: 500MHz
Supported Voltages: 2.0V

< CPU Environment Monitor(s) >
Name: iPII(I) Sensor
CPU Temperature: 3.0°C / 37.4°F td

[dmcnamar]

Here is a link to the Gateway info for your system, based on the BIOS ID you gave:
http://www.gateway.com/support/techdocs/references/motherboard/4w4sb0x0/4w4sb0x0.shtml#processor

Although it says this motherboard doesn't support Coppermine processors, it might if you used one of those socket adapters. I don't know enough about them to say for sure. Or maybe a Celeron and adapter would work.

dlm

[clarsax]

Thanks for the reference to the Gateway technical document; the Gateway technical group had refered me to the same
page.

Unforturnately, the paragraph covering processor upgrades specifically discussed one of the many versions of the
motherboard in question. There is particular reference to Gateway part number 4000608, while mine is part number
4000402. I do not know what differences, if any, exist between the motherboards represented by two part numbers. Further contact with Gateway did not yield any clarification.
In any event, there is the suggestion that the Coppermine versions of PIII will not work (voltage differences?) without any information about the Katami PIII's.

[dmcnamar]

Sorry I didn't find any new info for you. I'm looking to upgrade an ASUS P2BB. Fortunately, ASUS has more info on their site, and while the motherboard doesn't have the correct voltage settings, there are adapter cards for FCPGA chips to slot 1 which will adjust them. Another problem area might be the BIOS. I know this isn't really helping you much but I'll keep an eye out while I'm looking.

dlm

[Colonel Casio]

This particular situation only reinforces my feeling about brand computers. No matter what their name(be it IBM, Dell, Compaq or Gateway) these computers should not be purchased by consumers if they feel the slightest urge to upgrade. If you're going to upgrade over a period of time, buy a custom built box! It will save you a lot of trouble!!

[jokostel]

I also have the ws440bx board.... with the gateway/phoenix bios..
i have gotten the adobe acrobat files about this mobo and i have read it supports bios id strings of up to a P3 550mhz....

[clarsax]

Jokostel --
Thanks for the information - where can I find the pdf file you mentioned?
I also posted this question at the intel.microprocessors.pentium_ii forum at intelforums.com. I received a reply indicating that the motherboard would support a PIII-600 Katami processor. Does anyone have an opinion?

[drwho]

I also have a WS440BX motherboard from Gateway. I actually purchased it on ebay and threw it in my system to run a PII-450 that I had lying around. I have been trying to find upgrade information for a while also.

I have heard of the PIII-600 working also, I can't remember where. I know that the most recent Bios upgrade is P14, but I am not exactly sure what support that adds to the board.

I am looking for this information also, I will let you know if I find anything.

drwho

:cool:

[drwho]

I was surfing over at SharkyExtreme.com and I came accross a user there who was having trouble with some dual boot issues who has a WS440BX MB and claims that he is running a PIII-600 in the board.

Here is a link to the thread:
http://www.sharkyforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/003423.html

I have written an email to the user to ask for some information on the board to make sure that it is the Gateway OEM board and to see if he had to do something special to get the CPU working on that board.

drwho