Windows 7 - New Processor

Hey guys, i need some help picking out a new processor. I also had some questions about being able to run it in my Mobo. Its an OEM MCP61PM-GM, I tried doign some research online but results were inconsistent. I was looking to upgrade to either a Athalon II x4 635 2.9 GHz or a Phenom II X2 555 3.2 GHz Black Edition. What would you guys recommend? Also which one has better performance, the quad core or the higher G Hz's? Its not the installation im worried about, its the performance or the incompatibility. im also open to suggestions. Any help is highly appreciated.

Thanks in Advanced.

I'm hoping someone more familiar can confirm, but I don't think either are supported by your MB:

Processor Support

Supports AMD® AM2 Socket K8 Athlon™ 64 X2, Athlon™ 64, Athlon™ FX, and Sempron™ processors under 89 watt power consumption

Specs

It doesn't seem to support x4 at all, and the other CPU you list is AM3, and that doesn't appear to be supported either.

Is a new PC even in sight on your horizon? I know you want to upgrade, but you may be better served to save the $ for the next PC. If not, looks like you have limited CPU upgrade possibilities. A Guy

i saw that same page, and i don't think that's my mobo. that takes 4gb of ram, i have 6. and i thought that the AM3 sockets also worked with AM2 motherboards. i forgot were i read that though

Yes and no. AM3 and AM2+ CPU's are backwards compatible with Am2/AM2+/AM3 sockets, but they have to be supported by the bios/chipset (more the bios). When installed on a board without proper support they do sometimes work but will not be detected properly, or sometimes (which would be in most cases) the computer just won't boot at all.

Another thing to remember with OEM motherboards like that Gateway (or Dell, HP, etc) is with how much they like to lock or hide a lot of the features/settings in the bios, they also like to lock the bios to a very limited range of supported CPU's whether the board is capable of supporting more or not. Reason for that is they would much rather sell you a new computer than allow for a simple CPU upgrade.

That is probably more of a CYA thing than any real limitation, unlike it being a very real limitation for the CPU support. Makes it so that they don't have to support anyone that installs more than 4 GB and has problems; think 4 GB or more and 32 bit Windows for example.

With an AM2 socket, your most powerful CPU choice is an AMD 5600+ (if I am not mistaken). If you mobo supports AM2+ and AM3 backward compatibility, then you have other choices.

Well this is my bios according to CPUID.

Doesn't help much as the bios from ECS likely won't work on that board, that is if ECS even has the same board available. What gets used in pre-builts and what you can buy retail while they can be similar spec-wise, there is always something somewhere that will make them different.

dang, so my upgrade possibilities arnt looking good are they?

you must buy at least phenom II X 4 965 it is good cpu and i like it it run perfect

and you can buy gigabyte 785 ud3h