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Hardware Gateway to Support Overclocking
Marcus Yam (Blog) - October 30, 2006 7:06 PM

21 comment(s) - last by Jkm3141.. on Nov 4 at 9:56 PM

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Gateway revamps its stance on overclocking, 24" displays

Gateway today introduced the FX530 Series Desktop PC. Geared towards enthusiasts, the FX530 comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Extreme processor with ATI RADEON x1950 and x1900 CrossFire Edition Graphics. In addition, the FX530 will support Intel's next-generation Quad-Core processing technology when available.

All FX530 models are Microsoft Vista Premium Ready and are eligible for a for a free upgrade to Vista Home Premium via the Express Upgrade Program.

A surprising part of Gateway's announcement is that the Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 dual-core processor can be ordered overclocked from the factory while retaining the full warranty. However, it is unknown what the clockspeed increase will be, or whether or not the end-user will have any control over clock frequencies.

"The Gateway FX530 Series delivers so many leading-edge technology options in the four areas that impact performance most -- processing, graphics, storage and system reliability," said Gary Elsasser, vice president, platforms. "Customers can choose the features in their PC that will have the greatest impact on what they're using it for -- such as high-end graphics for gamers or high-capacity storage for digital creation enthusiasts. Plus, advanced features like overclocked processors and RAID hard drive storage ensure customers are getting a high-powered system that also meets their strict reliability requirements."

Mentioned as part of the FX530 package is a 24" Widescreen LCD, which has yet to be officially announced by Gateway. The specifications for the 24" flat panel, as found in the already-available manual, list a native resolution of 1920 x 1200, brightness of 500cd/m², contrast ratio of 1000:1, 8ms response time and a 176 degree viewing angle all around.

The FX530 Series can be ordered now through Gateway's Direct channels and will begin shipping November 2. Separate orders and pricing for the 24" LCD are expected to be officially announced within a couple weeks.

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Naming...

By Etsp on 10/31/2006 7:11:51 PM , Rating: 2

Does it bother anyone else that the naming scheme of these systems is so similar to AMD's FX line of processor? After all, AMD's FX processors were aimed at enthusiasts, and these systems are aimed at enthusiasts, so they are in the same market. So what's really running under the hood? an intel... I am not going to argue about which company is better, my point here is, isn't that naming scheme going to confuse quite a few people?

an enthusiast will look into it further and find out the truth, but if someone tells you that they have a FX530 Gateway, and you hadn't heard of that line of desktops before, what processor would you assume was in it?

RE: Naming...

By JackPack on 11/2/2006 11:09:47 PM , Rating: 2

Hardly anyone knows what an FX processor is to begin with. None of the large vendors like HP/Compaq, eMachines, or Gateway use it.

The enthusiasts that know what an FX-62 processor is aren't going to confuse it with the Gateway FX530. You might as well spend your time worrying about how people might confuse the X6800 with an nVidia product.

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RE: Naming...

By Jkm3141 on 11/4/2006 9:56:30 PM , Rating: 2

I just cant wait for the nVidia 9800. Tell me how people wont compare that to Radeon 9800

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Two way monitor...

By Trisped on 10/31/2006 11:33:18 AM , Rating: 2

At first though turning a wide screen monitor to portrait was stupid, because you can't use something so tall and narrow. Then I realized that you could hook it up to a dual graphics set and tie four of them together to get a pretty nice setup.

While a wide screen in portrait doesn't make sense, neither does 4 wide screens in landscape. The only thing I think would be better is 4 wide screen projectors in portrait, because if you had the space you could line them up so they don't have gaps between viewing areas.

RE: Two way monitor...

By swtethan on 10/31/2006 1:50:02 PM , Rating: 3

Actually Portrait mode is useful for reading long documents, you wont have to move your head side to side as much to read the text.

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A small cost for gateway.

By Dfere on 10/31/2006 8:04:17 AM , Rating: 2

So they try to overclock the processor slightly. If it fails, they use it as a normal one in another system. My guess is they do not OC anything else.

I doubt this will be a big OC, and now everyone who buys one can say they "'turbocharge' their computer, don't you?'". This is an excellent marketing strategy by gateway.

RE: A small cost for gateway.

By Pwnt Soup on 10/31/2006 3:16:27 PM , Rating: 2

corect, it makes perfect market sense. add a mild OC and stir in some marketing glitter and presto, a win for gateway. since intel brand mobo's started doing a burn in mode with a 4% OC back with the 875 chip's, wasnt this in the works since then?

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A response to competitor's acquisitions of High end End PC manufacturers?

By dijuremo on 10/31/2006 9:08:18 AM , Rating: 4

Is it possible that this is Gateway's response to DELL and HP on their acquisitions of High End gaming PC manufacturer's Alienware and Voodoo PC?

These new systems from Gateway will allow a newbie to do some overclocking on their system and actually get support for it when it breaks. It also enables Gateway to compete in some way with the high end systems that DELL and HP are now selling through their newly adquired companies, not a bad strategy.

Not that I would ever buy a system from any of them, I would rather build my own since I would pretty much use the same parts or better and pay less, but someone who lacks the expertise will probably consider buying one. I guess we have to wait until some review site gets their hands in one of these systems to see how well it overclocks.

I would assume it will be like ATI's Overdrive

By dug777 on 10/31/2006 6:34:20 AM , Rating: 1

A small but nonetheless pleasing to see speed bump, that provides no threat of damage to the processor, and doesn't cannibalise sales of higher speed parts...

Unless of course it's only available on the highest end part, and there for those who want a faster machine than anyone else without having to OC themselves, given the dramatic ease of oc'ing conroe on the right motherboard it's a win-win for those people and Gateway ;)

RE: I would assume it will be like ATI's Overdrive

By Hyperlite on 10/31/2006 12:38:15 PM , Rating: 2

Yeah, but there are no higher speed parts. so basically its no strings attached.

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Vista upgrade coupon

By Chaser on 10/31/2006 2:17:03 PM , Rating: 2

Do you get an upgrade couple for a DX 10 capable video card? :)

Perfect marketing

By encryptkeeper on 10/31/2006 4:34:26 PM , Rating: 2

Good idea Gateway. If you need someone else to do your overclocking, chances are you're using a Gateway.

At 1st glance

By Fnoob on 11/4/2006 7:32:40 PM , Rating: 2

Wondering how many Gateway users are, at this moment, trying to overclock their 24" monitors....

Pointles

By Nik00117 on 10/31/06, Rating: -1

RE: Pointles

By Master Kenobi

(blog) on 10/31/2006 9:10:09 AM , Rating: 1

If it takes you 20 seconds to get a 5% OC on a Conroe, I have to ask you how slow that system boots.......

Takes more like 6 seconds on an Asus board, just set to 5% and reboot.

Now getting that 45% OC, yea that'll take you a good 10-15 minutes probably.

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RE: Pointles

By therealnickdanger on 10/31/06, Rating: -1

RE: Pointles

By Phynaz on 10/31/2006 2:24:52 PM , Rating: 5

quote:
I bet it'll be like 5% or something OC.

You're missing a zero in there. Supported overclocks are up to 4.2Ghz.

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Gateway is crap

By Randalllind on 10/31/06, Rating: -1

RE: Gateway is crap

By Ksyder on 10/31/2006 10:34:02 PM , Rating: 2

It's funny how Gateway is crap just because it's not a custom home-built computer. Sure there are (many) drawbacks to buying one, but buying one that could be overclocked with a warranty is nice.

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RE: Gateway is crap

By Randalllind on 10/31/06, Rating: 0

RE: Gateway is crap

By JeffDM on 11/1/2006 10:21:35 PM , Rating: 2

I know it's easy to fall into the trap, but I really don't think that the typical low end consumer Gateway that you might come across represents their high end models. In my experience, high end units from other brands turn out to be quite a bit better built than the price-sensitive low end.

I think it makes just as much sense that they are trying this to get some attention because Gateway has never really had a high end machine and they need some publicity to show that they do.

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