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| Thread ID: 104369 | 2009-10-25 09:58:00 | Picking an AMD motherboard | utopian201 (6245) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 824093 | 2009-10-25 09:58:00 | Hi I'm specifying components for a low cost PC for a relative. Main use will be games. I'm thinking an Athlon II X2 240 + ATI 4850 1GB will suffice. The Athlon II uses AM3 socket. But there doesn't seem to be such a big selection for AM3 motherboards. Is an AM3 motherboard necessary? I notice in this months PCWorld, they pair the Athlon II 240 with an AM2+ motherboard (Asus M2n68-AM PLUS, cheapest on pricespy is 74.96). The AM3 motherboard I had tentatively selected is the Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P, cheapest is $153 on pricespy. I'm wanting to keep upgrade options open (for example if I use AM3, there is always the option to upgrade to a high end phenom in a few years time) + DDR3 |
utopian201 (6245) | ||
| 824094 | 2009-10-25 10:20:00 | Here's a list of ASUS AM3 mobos (event.asus.com). Altho, if you buy one, you have to make sure the BIOS on it supports an AM3 CPU. Otherwise, you'll have to go back to the shop, get them to flash the BIOS, then install the CPU, so it'll work And if you want to save money, most AMD mobos do come with VGA / DVI, and HDMI onboard. Which would probably be cheaper, than buying a separate card (if you want a low cost system) The ASUS M4N78, ($140), M4N78-AM ($117), M4N78 SE ($111-112), GIGABYTE GA-M61PME-S2P ($110), look like they all support AM2/AM3 and Phenom processors |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 824095 | 2009-10-25 11:13:00 | And if you want to save money, most AMD mobos do come with VGA / DVI, and HDMI onboard. Which would probably be cheaper, than buying a separate card (if you want a low cost system) Well the main use will be gaming...so I don't think that would be a viable option:p IMO You should get the Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P Its really good value for the performance it brings Blam |
Blam (54) | ||
| 824096 | 2009-10-25 21:40:00 | Not much point in a huge selection of AM3 boards when they all use the same chipsets anyway... Pick one from a good brand (Asus/Gigabyte/MSI) and make sure the layout works for you and it has the features you need. other than that, the only difference is the support for DDR3 which is more expensive than DDR2 still |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 824097 | 2009-10-25 22:45:00 | So ultimately it would be best to get AM3 rather than an AM2+ which supports AM3 processors? I'd want to keep some semblance of an upgrade path and AM3 would be best for that wouldn't it? Thanks |
utopian201 (6245) | ||
| 824098 | 2009-10-26 00:03:00 | AM3 CPUs work in AM2/AM2+ boards but AM2/AM2+ CPUs don't work in AM3 boards. The only difference between AM2+ and AM3 is DDR3 support As for upgrades, when Orochi comes out, they will drop DDR2 support so if you already have some DDR3 that's a bonus. I'm not sure if it will use the same socket though. A new version of Deneb in 32nm might come before that, and would be AM3 compatible. |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
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