AM2 Mobo VS AM3 CPU

[Pyro_X]

Can a AM3 CPU Work on a AM2 Mobo, If so, whats the down side? HMMM?

 

[kurosagi01]

i believe its AM2+ that supports AM3 CPU.

There isn't really that much of an downside apart from you won't be using DDR3 ram which is all i can think of as an disadvantage.
but if you was on tight budget and you want re-use your DDR2 rams you can buy a AM2+ motherboard and a AM3 CPU which will save you money.

 

[Meow9000]

Yes it can, but only selected AM2+ Boards with the correct Bios, no downsides except you will have to use DDR2.

Edit: i was first, i was just distracted !

 

[HossHuge]

AM2 will support AM3 but it depends on what motherboard you have. kurosagi01 is right you will only be able to use ddr2 memory but the bandwith will also be lower.

 

[HossHuge]

This is an example from a AM2 690g Gigabyte board. As you can see the high power CPU's are not supported. Welcome to TPU!

AMD Phenom II X4 955 3200MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X4 945 3000MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C3 95W 4000 F7E
AMD Phenom II X4 945 3000MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 125W 4000 N/A
AMD Phenom II X4 945 3000MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 95W 4000 F7E
AMD Phenom II X4 925 2800MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C3 95W 4000 F7E
AMD Phenom II X4 925 2800MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 95W 4000 F6
AMD Phenom II X4 910 2600MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C2 95W 4000 F6
AMD Phenom II X4 910e 2600MHz 512KBx4 6MB Deneb 45nm C3 95W 4000 F7E

 

[Pyro_X]

Ah! Thanx Guys, well my problem is that i can get this gigabyte AM2 mobo for nothing, dnt have the name/number of the board as yet, but it is a sli board, But if AM2 Mobo dnt accept AM3 CPU... oh well.

 

[Pyro_X]

oh yeah, i got an AthlonII X2 250.

 

[HossHuge]

have a look at this and see if you can find the same board...

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_List.aspx?VenderType=AMD&CPUType=socket+am2

 

[Pyro_X]

Thanx Hoss, checking it out now.

 

[JrRacinFan]

have a look at this and see if you can find the same board...

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_List.aspx?VenderType=AMD&CPUType=socket+am2

Yeah, there isn't many GB boards with an nVidia chipset (OP mentioned SLI). So chances are you could in theory look at each one and come with a conclusion.

I think AM3 cpu's only work on nvidia chipset 6x0a and above. Don't quote me on it though.

 

[Pyro_X]

Ah! i did find it by the looks of things. thanx a mill guys. its the GA-M57SLI-S4, and aparantly it does support AM3, now the Q is, is my Asus M4A78 better than that or will it be trial and error when i try out the Gig Mobo?

 

[JrRacinFan]

M4A78 is ALOT better. If you want to play around with the GB board though give it a shot. Just remember I think its voltage choices in bios is limted.

 

[Pyro_X]

only down side i can see is that the GiG mobo only supports DDR2 800 where mine is ready for DDR2 1066

 

[Pyro_X]

Ah things are looking bleak actually. yeah im thinking my current Mobo is better, i See the HT bus willl drop in speed if i add the AM3 cpu. Bummer!

 

[Pyro_X]

anyway guys, thanx alot, its been the fastest help ive ever gotten. im a newbie to threads.