Gateway E-2000 series wimpy video needs upgrade

You might need to upgrade you graphics card.

USB 3.0 is the newest connection port upgrade, arriving on the market in 2010.
The cable port connection is far superior to the USB 2.0 port, as it is able to transport up to 5 gbps (gigabits per second), instead of the previous version's max speed of 480 mbps (megabits per second).

However, most computers do not yet have this connection port installed, in which case you are left to upgrade your own computer system to the newer, faster connection method.

Turn off your computer, then disconnect all of the cables running into the computer.
Remove the Phillips screws from the back side of the computer.

WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL.
http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules
Only work inside the computer case when the power has been switched off and disconnected. Never open the power source.

Some of the below steps recommend removing physical parts within the computer.
While in the computer it is highly recommend that you be aware of ESD and its potential hazards.

This unlocks the case, allowing you access to the interior of the system.
Slide open the computer case.

Inside the middle is a longer circuit board.
This is the motherboard of the computer.

On the back side of the motherboard, facing the rear of the computer, are PCI card slots.
These allow you to install additional hardware onto the computer.

Slide the USB 3.0 connection port into one of the open PCI card slots, then push down the plastic levers along each side of the slot to lock the card into place.

Close the computer cover, then tighten the Phillips screws and reattach the cables.
Power on the computer, then insert the driver installation CD into the disc drive of the computer.

Once the installation wizard loads, follow the prompts of the wizard to install the drivers.
Restart the computer once finished and the USB 3.0 connection ports are ready for use.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/186566/usb_30_finally_arrives.html
Compatible graphics cards for Gateway Computers

Just as a processor handles data and a sound card outputs sound, your computer's video card is responsible for processing graphics and displaying them on your monitor.

The video cards manufacturers build into computers typically have enough power for the average user, but it may be necessary to upgrade your video card for better performance in games or graphics heavy applications.

Understand which types of video cards are compatible with your Gateway computer and learn about all your options.
PCI Express Graphics Cards

Many newer Gateway computers have a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express slot in which you can add any PCI Express compatible video card.

These devices range from budget cards suitable for everyday tasks to high end models for gaming that cost hundreds of dollars.

AGP Graphics Cards

Older Gateway computers likely have an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) slot for AGP compatible cards.

The AGP bus provides sufficient bandwidth for high performance graphics cards, but the technology is no longer in use and AGP cards are difficult to find.

PCI Video Cards

Nearly all Gateway computers should have at least one PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slot regardless of age.

This slot has enough bandwidth to support a wide range of peripherals like sound cards and modems, but is not suitable for high end video cards.

You can find a number of low and mid-range cards for PCI slot computers, however.

USB Video Cards

USB video cards are also compatible with Gateway computers sporting USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 ports.

These external cards sit outside the computer and allow you to connect additional monitors to your system.

They are a good option for people who feel uncomfortable working inside computers.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2371083,00.asp
How to buy a video card

http://support.gateway.com/us/en/support/default.aspx
Gateway Support
Upgrade My Video Card on My Gateway Desktop

Gateway desktops are affordable computers, but they often do not come with top-of-the-line video cards.
Computer games may run slowly or not at all on your Gateway desktop.

One way to solve this problem is to upgrade the video card.
Video cards come in PCI, PCI-E and AGP interfaces, so you should be able to find a video card upgrade no matter what Gateway desktop model you have.

Click "Start" and right-click "My Computer."
Select "Properties" from the menu that appears.

Go to the "Hardware" tab.
Choose "Device Manager."

Click the plus sign next to the Device Manager entry listed "Display Adapters."
Find your graphics card in this list.

Double-click it.
Go to the "Drivers" tab and click "Uninstall Drivers."

Click "OK" to confirm the uninstallation process.
Shut your Gateway desktop down.

Pull the power cable out of the back.
Look at the back of the Gateway computer tower for screws on the right side panel or on top of the case for a cover release handle.

Case fan size is typically measured in mm. Common sizes include 40, 60, 80, 92, 120 and 140 mm. OEM cases can have proprietary fan sizes as well.

No, the motherboard is a proprietary format, specific to just this model and the case was designed around it.
http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/MSI/4001071R/4001071Rnv.shtml

I don't think you can't do that without some major changes. The 500SE is a small format computer. The motherboard only has 2 PCI slots so you need to match that interface. NewEgg still sells the PCI video cards but I don't think they are HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=2010380048+1069609642&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=696%3A9642

You need a more larger power supply. The current one is a 145 watt u-ATX Form Factor; you need at least 250 watts in that form factor (size)

A better choice might be a new motherboard. Look for board with a AMD Socket 7 if you want to keep this CPU. The motherboard will need to match the size of the current one to reuse the case. It's a uATX "like" form factor (7.4" x 9.35"). Also plan on a new power supply any AGP or PCI-e video card will want more than 350 watts (for the low end cards). Getting a new computer might be worthwile.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

aopen ES350 is just the name of the case, youll have to tell us what kind of graphix slot you have, whether an agp or pci-e slot.

The Gateway E-3400 Desktop computer, uses a Low Profile, ATI Rage 128 Pro graphics card, according to ATI Support.

It is an AGP 4X graphics adapter card.

(AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port)
Made around June 20, 2000.

This is the E-3400 Mid Tower System Manual,

http://support.gateway.com/s/manuals/servers/eseries/8505957.pdf

,(From Gateway. It's a PDF file), in case you do not have this manual anymore.

I see what you mean about the mount bracket.
REAL SMALL! The video card is a Low Profile card, but the mount bracket is Unusual!

From searching Gateway Support,

1.Looking through their graphics cards,

2.Looking for an ATI Rage 128 AGP 4X graphics card, that is Low Profile, and has the bracket I believe your computer uses,

(Based on the above E-3400 Mid Tower System Manual, and the photos on this website,

http://www.mayoousa.com/osc/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=989

Image 4),

4.I believe this is the graphics card you need from Gateway,

http://support.gateway.com/s/VIDCARD/ATI/6001587/600158703.shtml

The only way to be - Sure, is to physically look at the Product number on the video card you have now.

If this number does not match up, please come back, and state so.
I'll give you the link to the Gateway Support page, with all of the AGP video card product numbers, so you can match up to the correct one.

Availability? I don't know.
You'll have to contact Gateway yourself. They have Select Retailers.

What I do know.

The link above, where I stated I looked at the back of the Gateway E-3400, to see close detail of the VGA connector, and mount bracket of the video card.
(MayooUSA)

They're selling the entire tower unit for $24, and shipping is $20 in the USA.

Not advertising for this website. We don't do that here. I'm just stating what I found.

GATEWAY 500SE Computer Case Cover Removal before installing RAM

1. Turn off the computer and then disconnect the power cord.
   
2. On the rear of the computer, remove the three screws that secure the cover on the case.
   
   
3. Slide the cover back about one-half inch, and then lift it from the case.
   
4. Search for a small scale like card in motherboard similar to small scale as shown in figure in BANK A or BANK B.
   
5. And place the another ram in free bank slot (RAM Slot).
6. Make sure the locks are correctly locked to RAM at both sides.
7. Close the cover
8. Power On the System
9. If any beep sound then switch of the system and reinsert the RAM module.

Hope this will be helpful

Thanks & Regards
Nandu

I found this:

"Facing front of computer you need to remove the left side cover. cover release is on top of the computer in center of side panel. Press in on button and p[ull top of side cover away."

Don't know if it's useful. If not let me know and I'll keep looking.

Hi!

You can actually replace and upgrade the video/graphics card if it is not integrated. But in this case, upon checking on your model, the video card on this system is NOT replaceable or upgradable since it is built-in or integrated with the system.

Thank you.

This heatsink & fan assembly is the replacement for the Gateway 500SE & E-machine systems.
http://www.skyline-eng.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=5564
Under the window: Search by Machine click the dropdown menue & choose as follows.
Type: Gateway Desktop Parts
Series: 500
Model: Gateway 500SE Parts
Than click submit.
Click, Cooling Fan.
More socket 478 CPU fans.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CR099&cat=FAN

http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp?c=238&s=997&ID=39966&P=F
Most CPU fans come with the heatsink. Try not to buy a fan that comes with a grill over it. That slows the fan down & makes the fan work harder.

Good luck!

Mike