Gateway Parts

How can I tell if my computer is able to be upgraded by exchanging parts?

I have the Gateway One ZX4800-02. It's an all-in-one computer so the computer is built in to the monitor. There is an area on the back you can open up but I still can't tell if you are able to change stuff around. The reason I ask is that it doesn't have a very good graphics processor and I want to see if I can upgrade it.

Public Comments

1. not usually, due to the fact most all in one computers are used using laptop parts, which cannot be upgraded unfortunately.
2. Why don't you open it up and look? If you want to upgrade, you are going to have to open it anyway, so you might as well take a look to see what is inside. Second option is to find out what model your motherboard is. Then find documentation online for the model motherboard. That will tell you what your options are.
3. Those kind of computers are not typically designed for gaming and or graphics use. Usually they are just for show and looking good, while being able to perform simple tasks. The newer video cards that are actually good use PCI Express 16x or PCI Express 16x 2.0. I found the this computer has 32MB (shared) Intel GMA 4500M integrated graphics chip. Although that may differ among versions and manufacturing options. Integrated means that the video card is non-detachable and integrated to your motherboard. Chances are if you have a PCI slot it is an inferior type and not the PCI Express 16x. If you want to get a good graphics computer, my advice would be to just forget about upgrading that one and use it for your simple tasks until you can get something better. The better performing computers tend to be bulkier. Next time you look for a computer, if you are wanting good graphics look for discrete graphics, 512MB-1GB graphics. I would reccomend that if you want to game, to build your own or go here...... www.ibuypower.com Gateway and Dell just don't cut it anymore for performance. Thanks, Jesse Borden Borden Computer Repair www.bordencomputers.webs.com