Gateway NV79 and i7 possible cpu failure? Onboard graphics stuck @ 1280 x 600

Gateway NV79 system, the support information shows that this model will support the i7 620m processor. A cheaper version of this cpu was purchased, an ES (engineering sample). After installing the cpu it "found" a new graphics adapter, installed it, and ever since even in bios the graphics are stuck in the upper left corner with no way to change it. The old i3 processor (and several others were tried in hopes of recovering the graphics chipset) was reinstalled, bios was rerun, backtracked, sidetracked and bushwhacked and the video is still screwed. Is this a defective cpu, as I have heard the i7 can harbor video GMA graphics, how does it install onto the motherboard built in chipset???
Do I need to use another cpu to get it to work again? Its not the screen that was ruined because even with the LED panel removed from the system windows performance rating reports an error and the graphics adapter is showing a rating of about 4.3 for gaming when before it was 5.4. This system had zero problems before the installation of this processor, so what happened?? Ive used iseries cpus before but this was actually my first use of an i7.
Is there any hope at all to save this motherboard or is it just an expensive desktop now? (resolution can be set higher on external monitor but only if the internal display isnt included). Internal display has 2 settings, 800 x 600 and max 1280 x 600. Advanced settings for Intel graphics will NOT allow manual resolution change. Also tried a number of different drivers and updated from Intel and microsoft. Have removed all other parts and the machine upon bootup has a squished resolution.