Hi folks. I'm looking for some help upgrading my MB. I'm basically a Luddite with no comprehension of specs and such so all the comparisons leave me glassy-eyed and confused. I'm looking for the best, fastest, all-around CPU. Phenom? Athlon? I'm running a Phenom X3 8650 2.3GHz 1800 MHz at present and would like to power up. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
'Best' CPU for Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2HP/rev.2.0
- Thread starter Saul Good
- Start date
Solution
AMD AM3 processors have an "integrated memory controller" (or, IMC) which will use either DDR2 (your motherboard) or DDR3. When 
you find a CPU for your motherboard, you will be able to move it over to a new AM3+ motherboard.
AMD looks out for YOU -- the consumer :lol:
The stepping is identified in the part number - for a C3 stepping you want to look for the "M" ... like HDZ965FBGMBOX
The 'C3' processors run cooler with less voltage, and will over-clock higher. The six-core processors have their own 'EO' stepping.
If you boogie over to the Gigabyte web site and look up your motherboard, you will find a list of all the supported CPUs. There are a bunch of them ...
as an example ... the AMD Athlon II...
you find a CPU for your motherboard, you will be able to move it over to a new AM3+ motherboard.AMD looks out for YOU -- the consumer :lol:
The stepping is identified in the part number - for a C3 stepping you want to look for the "M" ... like HDZ965FBGMBOX
The 'C3' processors run cooler with less voltage, and will over-clock higher. The six-core processors have their own 'EO' stepping.
If you boogie over to the Gigabyte web site and look up your motherboard, you will find a list of all the supported CPUs. There are a bunch of them ...
as an example ... the AMD Athlon II...
Wisecracker
Splendid
- Jan 15, 2007
- 8,106
- 17
- 31,965
You are likely 2-3 months too late.
Your board will take any AM3 processor -- your issue is in prying them out of the hands of those of us who are hoarding them
Look for a 'C3' stepping PhII 965BE or a six-core 'Thuban' with unlocked CPU multiplier (like the 1100T). Your best bet might be eBay.
Good luck!
edit: Most modern AM3 processors will be much faster than your current chip! (I'm assuming you know this)
Your board will take any AM3 processor -- your issue is in prying them out of the hands of those of us who are hoarding them
Look for a 'C3' stepping PhII 965BE or a six-core 'Thuban' with unlocked CPU multiplier (like the 1100T). Your best bet might be eBay.
Good luck!
edit: Most modern AM3 processors will be much faster than your current chip! (I'm assuming you know this)
Look for a 'C3' stepping PhII 965BE or a six-core 'Thuban' with unlocked CPU multiplier (like the 1100T). Your best bet might be eBay.
Good luck!
edit: Most modern AM3 processors will be much faster than your current chip! (I'm assuming you know this)
Wisecracker: Thanks much for your reply and thanks for your assumption re: AM3 processors although your assumption could not be further from the truth. I am now somewhat more enlightened in that regard but still glassy-eyed. Are you saying that I'm not limited to AM2 processors as my manual says? That would be good since it would provide more options for an upgrade, but I'm still in the dark. When you say "Look for a 'C3' stepping PhII 965BE or a six-core 'Thuban' with unlocked CPU multiplier (like the 1100T).", it's very much akin to telling a monkey to simply turn the key. The look you'd get from me would be very similar. Regardless, I'll do some googling for a six-core Thuban.
Hopefully I wo't end up buying a monkey....
Thanks again.
-Saul Good-
(edit: Most modern AM3 processors will be much faster than your current chip! (I'm assuming you know this))
Good luck!
edit: Most modern AM3 processors will be much faster than your current chip! (I'm assuming you know this)
Wisecracker: Thanks much for your reply and thanks for your assumption re: AM3 processors although your assumption could not be further from the truth. I am now somewhat more enlightened in that regard but still glassy-eyed. Are you saying that I'm not limited to AM2 processors as my manual says? That would be good since it would provide more options for an upgrade, but I'm still in the dark. When you say "Look for a 'C3' stepping PhII 965BE or a six-core 'Thuban' with unlocked CPU multiplier (like the 1100T).", it's very much akin to telling a monkey to simply turn the key. The look you'd get from me would be very similar. Regardless, I'll do some googling for a six-core Thuban.
Hopefully I wo't end up buying a monkey....
Thanks again.-Saul Good-
(edit: Most modern AM3 processors will be much faster than your current chip! (I'm assuming you know this))
Wisecracker
Splendid
- Jan 15, 2007
- 8,106
- 17
- 31,965
AMD AM3 processors have an "integrated memory controller" (or, IMC) which will use either DDR2 (your motherboard) or DDR3. When you find a CPU for your motherboard, you will be able to move it over to a new AM3+ motherboard.
AMD looks out for YOU -- the consumer :lol:
The stepping is identified in the part number - for a C3 stepping you want to look for the "M" ... like HDZ965FBGMBOX
The 'C3' processors run cooler with less voltage, and will over-clock higher. The six-core processors have their own 'EO' stepping.
If you boogie over to the Gigabyte web site and look up your motherboard, you will find a list of all the supported CPUs. There are a bunch of them ...
as an example ... the AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX455WFGMBOX 'out of stock'
A few months ago, that processor was selling 'new' for $60-$70, but now they are nearly sold-out --- everywhere!
BUT you can still find some ... here is a new AMD Athlon II X3 445 3.1GHz CPU
For $140
you find a CPU for your motherboard, you will be able to move it over to a new AM3+ motherboard.AMD looks out for YOU -- the consumer :lol:
The stepping is identified in the part number - for a C3 stepping you want to look for the "M" ... like HDZ965FBGMBOX
The 'C3' processors run cooler with less voltage, and will over-clock higher. The six-core processors have their own 'EO' stepping.
If you boogie over to the Gigabyte web site and look up your motherboard, you will find a list of all the supported CPUs. There are a bunch of them ...
as an example ... the AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX455WFGMBOX 'out of stock'
A few months ago, that processor was selling 'new' for $60-$70, but now they are nearly sold-out --- everywhere!
BUT you can still find some ... here is a new AMD Athlon II X3 445 3.1GHz CPU
For $140
Thanks again, Wisecracker. My knowledge level is increasing by leaps and bounds and I really appreciate your taking the time to educate this old fart. Or attempting to. There's still a lot of fog inside the ol' skull...
I'll be doing some searching around and will post an update. Thanks again.
-Saul-
[/quotemsg]
I'll be doing some searching around and will post an update. Thanks again.
-Saul-
[/quotemsg]
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