Upgrades from AMD Phenom X4 9850BE

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ssj4david

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Feb 10, 2009
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Hi guys,

I know this is quite a lame post, but I am just wondering if an AM3 CPU (like a Phenom II 955) would fit in my motherboard.

Very old computer being about 4 years old now, and I've been trying to give it a new lease on life, forever being a 2 monitor computer as a HTPC, and video streamer which my parents will use until the end of time.

I still use it for some occasional gaming.

The motherboard is a Foxconn A7DA-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX.

I have read somewhere that you might need to flash the motherboard to have it support AM3 chips, or maybe that is only if I want to use DDR3 RAM.


System specs as follows:

CPU: AMD Phenom X4 9850BE
MOBO: Foxconn A7DA-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX
RAM: 4GB DDR2 800mhz OCZ
SSD: 128GB
HD: 120GB
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon 6850 (Originally Radeon HD4830)
PSU: Antec EA500
O/S: Windows 7

Thanks!
 
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It might work. If it were on the list of supported CPUs for the board, then it would be easier to say for certain. Since it's not on the list, the only way to know is to try it out.
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immortalpenguin9

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Nov 27, 2012
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All CPUs based on K10 before AM3 was released were socket AM2+, most of these were labeled as Phenom I processors, a couple Phenom II models, and a few Athlon models that were die harvested from Phenom I. AM2+ had a faster hypertransport and support for higher memory speeds than AM2, it was a tweaked AM2 socket designed for Phenom I. Most AM2+ motherboards have BIOS support for AM2/AM2+/AM3 processors. The pin layout between AM2/AM2+ was identical too.

AM3 changed the pin layout so that AM2/AM2+ processors couldn't physically fit, and that is because AM3 added support for DDR3 memory. AM3 processors had a DDR2 and DDR3 memory controller so they could work in a new AM3 board or be used as an upgrade for AM2+.

Than AM3+ changed the pin layout again because FX isn't backwards compatible with AM3.

So.
AM2 supports AM2/AM2+(with BIOS updates)/AM3(with BIOS updates but few boards have them)
AM2+ supports AM2/AM2+/AM3(with BIOS updates)
AM3 supports AM3(a few AM3 boards used the AM3+ socket before AM3+ was officially released so they do support AM3+ processors)
AM3+ supports AM3/AM3+
 
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ssj4david

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Hey, can I get away with sticking in an AM3 CPU without reflashing the BIOS?

Reflashing it would also give me AM3+ and DDR3 compatibility right?

I couldn't find the BIOS file anywhere, but I know that the BIOS can be re-flashed easily
 
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guraldunix

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Nov 7, 2013
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The CPU upgrade could work if you've updated to the latest BIOS and your board supports 125 watt CPUs, but no guarantees. Phenom II 955 is not on Foxconn's list of supported CPUs for that board.

As an alternative, you can find a new AM3+ motherboard priced around $40, if you're in the U.S.
 
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ssj4david

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Ok, so I think I've just done a BIOS reflash.

BIOS ID is now : 81BF1P06 on my Foxconn A7DA-S 790gx.

I heard there is DDR3 RAM support for this motherboard as well.

Can any1 here confirm whether if I can just stick an AM3 Chip and some DDR3 RAM (not sure which kind) and rest easy?

Haven't done this sort of stuff in years, thanks for bearing with me.
 
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ssj4david

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Feb 10, 2009
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Ok, so I think I've just done a BIOS reflash.

BIOS ID is now : 81BF1P06 on my Foxconn A7DA-S 790gx.

I heard there is DDR3 RAM support for this motherboard as well.

Can any1 here confirm whether if I can just stick an AM3 Chip and some DDR3 RAM (not sure which kind) and rest easy?

Haven't done this sort of stuff in years, thanks for bearing with me.
 
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guraldunix

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Nov 7, 2013
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The latest BIOS for your motherboard is 81BF1P08, so that's the one you should flash. The board is DDR2 and not DDR3.

My suggestion is, if you want to upgrade both CPU and RAM, you really should just get a new motherboard.
 
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ssj4david

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Lol I sure got more than enough coin for another rig, but that would just take up unnecessary space.

I just happen to want to max out this old rig (emotionally attached), and I spend 90% of my time on a laptop.

A friend of mine is asking me if I want to buy his AM3 Phenom II 965 for dirt cheap.

Anyways, I just reflashed again to 81BF1P09. Somebody please let me know if that CPU or any AM3 CPU should work in my mobo now.
 
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guraldunix

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It might work. If it were on the list of supported CPUs for the board, then it would be easier to say for certain. Since it's not on the list, the only way to know is to try it out.
 
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