Want to Upgrade a Pentium D 920 (Presler) to a Core Duo 2 Quad ?

bobkn said:

I think that the correct system is an FX510 (not a 500 series 510) with a "Watsonville" motherboard. There's BIOS update for it, but no mention of what CPUs it supports. Here's a direct link:

http://global-download.gateway.com/G...TEWAY&SC=PA_6G

It's dated 29 July, 2010.

Thanks to you both for the help. I'm a bit confused whether or not to download and do a BIOS Update or flash the Bios.
Another obstacle I just thought about, gateway back then had a patent technology called BTX, where they enclose part of the tower inside, and create this wind tunnel effect, being the Pentium D's ran so hot. It works apparently, because the Processor is still in good working condition. But I'll have to undo all of that and that may be a difficult task, more than I am thinking.

I'm attaching a screen shot of the Gateway update page that is most recent updates, there is nothing beyond 2010.

I really wanted to get a refurbished CD2 Quad, they are such HOT items now, some can out perform an i3 or i5 given certain conditions. They last forever, and are probably Intel's best made and performing processors they made or will ever make, given that time period.

I could basically fry an egg under the current Pentium D 920.... But for 10 years, it is still performing! Okay, I got excited when I updated to the recent MSI made GeForce GT730 with GDDR5 in it, which really blew the graphics on that machine into today's level. So now that I am teased with that, if I can speed up with a better processor, wow, I'd be really happy for the next 2-3 years, if not more. Can you imagine getting 15 years out of a Gateway Desktop?

Another option, buy a cheap refurbished Dell Optiplex for under $100, and believe me, there are tons of them online off Bestbuy and eBay. And just stick that graphics card in the Otiplex. I don't think though any of the Dell's Otiplex Machines had as many expansion slots as I have on the old Gateway, and maybe not even a PCIex16

The link that was given was to a mobo upgrade, on the screen shot I have, I don't see that link?
I only see the chipset upgrade, not the WT975.... Where did you get that link?
You posted it as a direct link to the download.

Ah, I am so sorry!!!! I see where you got it! I'm working overnights plus a regular day job, a bit tired, I'm so sorry! I see it!

jaxxxx said:

Ah, I am so sorry!!!! I see where you got it! I'm working overnights plus a regular day job, a bit tired, I'm so sorry! I see it!

I read the "Read Me" txt file from the zip file, it seems fairly easy to do.
At the end, it gives the series info for the exact computer models this update applies to:

Computer Models:

FX510 Series:

1008695 - Gateway FX510S
1008696 - Gateway FX510X
1008697 - Gateway FX510XL


I'll give this a shot on the weekend and let you both know how it worked.

Can you explain what is the difference between doing a bios/firmware update to doing a bios flash?

Kbird said:

Hi Jack , a bios update or flash is the same thing , personally I have never had an issue with a bios update failing (touch wood) but it can happen but is usually due to something like a power outage during the 3 min flashing process , If you aren't familiar with the settings in the current bios write them down or take pics with your phone and reset everything after the Flash. Usually after a flash it is good to pull the CMOS battery for 5 mins and then boot it up , go into the bios and "Load optimized defaults" , then reboot and go back into the bios and reset the bios up like it was before from the notes or pics.

The instructions etc in the Zip are actually pretty good , perhaps print before hand if it's your only computer incase you need to troubleshoot.

Couldn't hurt to email Gateway and ask about C2D or C4D Chips on that MB , certainly my old Q6600 is still doing okay if you can find something like that , my Brother just picked up a Q9650X I think it was for the same reasons you are thinking.

I just want to let every know that when I tried updating to Windows 10 64 bit on the other side of my partitioned drive where Windows 7 32 bit resides, the process wouldn't go forward because Microsoft is saying I do NOT have a product key for the update to Windows 10 64 Bit, I can only upgrade to Windows 10 32 Bit... Si Decided to keep Windows 7 for old times sake, and being I have Windows 10 Pro Current on my other side of the Partition, I am okay with that.

I really am so eagerly wanting to upgrade this Pentium D to a Core Duo, but I get so many conflicting reports, one that sticks out in my mind, is the best processor I can replace on this Mobo is a Pentium Extreme Edition, or any of the higher level Pentium D's Intel came out with. I am kind of sad, because the new MSI GT 730 with GDDR5 really took a lot of the power away from the processor D, and is/was a real snappy upgrade for just 20 USD. I can see where the Pentium D fails, in applications, multitasking, it just doesn't have enough power for me to say this is where it should be. Oh well, I can live with it, if I have to, but if I only knew for sure a Core Duo (any of them) would work, I'd do it in a heart beat!

jaxxxx said:

I just want to let every know that when I tried updating to Windows 10 64 bit on the other side of my partitioned drive where Windows 7 32 bit resides, the process wouldn't go forward because Microsoft is saying I do NOT have a product key for the update to Windows 10 64 Bit, I can only upgrade to Windows 10 32 Bit... Si Decided to keep Windows 7 for old times sake, and being I have Windows 10 Pro Current on my other side of the Partition, I am okay with that.

I really am so eagerly wanting to upgrade this Pentium D to a Core Duo, but I get so many conflicting reports, one that sticks out in my mind, is the best processor I can replace on this Mobo is a Pentium Extreme Edition, or any of the higher level Pentium D's Intel came out with. I am kind of sad, because the new MSI GT 730 with GDDR5 really took a lot of the power away from the processor D, and is/was a real snappy upgrade for just 20 USD. I can see where the Pentium D fails, in applications, multitasking, it just doesn't have enough power for me to say this is where it should be. Oh well, I can live with it, if I have to, but if I only knew for sure a Core Duo (any of them) would work, I'd do it in a heart beat!

Just to say as well, there is NO Gateway support anymore. Any of the support driver updates I posted on here in screen shots, if you want to email Gateway, you can't. They all revert to ASUS. So in reality, I don't see where anyone can actually say whether this Mobo is okay to upgrade the processor to a Core 2 Duo, or a C2D Quad. I've searched, believe me, no one, no where has heard of a watonsville 2 motherboard made by Intel's 975X.

Kbird said:

I am surprised too that nobody has tried what you want to do , maybe not possible ?

Why not try emailing some of these Resellers on Ebay etc and pose as a C2D Owner needing a replacement MB, wonder if it will work ?

Or get another cheap MB too , my brother recently got the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L for the same reason as you

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/pro...px?pid=2629#sp

I still have a UD3P running too

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/pro...px?pid=3137#sp

Maybe that is my only option for me. Like I say, I cannot seem to find it now, but I did see the highest level Processor support on my current motherboard from an unofficial website stating the Pentium Extreme Edition. Than CPU-World states different, and lists all the C2Ds it can support, but I think that was for the LGA Socket 775, nothing about my bios and specific Watsonville 2 Intel 975X. Must be so few out there, so long ago, everyone by now has bought a new Desktop. I just hate to give this one up now being it does work pretty well with a nicer graphics card designed to enhance even processor's lagging performance. Oh well, thanks for those links, maybe I might consider a new mobo.