Can AM2+/AM3 CPU run on AM2 mobo?

action2288 · Jul 29, 2014

I have an ASUS CROSSHAIR that I purchased in January 2008 (yeah, it's old). First link from Newegg (where I bought it) shows that it's AM2. Second link is from ASUS itself and shows that it's AM2/AM2+. The conflicting designation confuses me. Perhaps the 2nd link is not the same as the 1st?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131593

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/CROSSHAIR/

I want to buy an AM2+/AM3 CPU and run it on this motherboard. Will it work? Compabitility matrices like the one in the following link lead me to believe that it will work with a BIOS update.

http://www.10stripe.com/articles/socket-am2-am2plus-am3-compatibility.php

Danbuscus25 · Jul 29, 2014

check the cpu support list of the motherboard.

ak47jar3d · Jul 29, 2014

Appears to be just am2. The best processor you can put on that board is phenom II x4 9950.
http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-ASUS/CROSSHAIR.html

beefy · Jul 29, 2014

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_AM2

If I`m reading correctly then yes but may need a bios update if supported

action2288 · Jul 29, 2014

ak47jar3d :

Isn't that a contradiction? The CPU you mentioned is AM2+.

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/CROSSHAIR/specifications/

CPU
AMD Socket AM2+ / AM2 Processors
Support AMD® Socket AM2+/ AM2 Phenom FX(2000MT/s)/Phenom(2000MT/s)/ Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64/ Sempron

ak47jar3d · Jul 29, 2014

Correct. My mistake.

action2288 · Jul 29, 2014

Is it still worthwhile to keep my AM2 mobo and upgrade the CPU to an AM2+ CPU, like the AMD Phenom X4 9950 mentioned above? Is it a big enough jump in strength to warrant the upgrade?

I have a AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor Dual-Core 3.2GHz Socket AM2 125W Processor. Link provided for further details.

ak47jar3d · Jul 29, 2014

It's still good enough to handle mid tier video cards if gaming is the goal. If not, you maximum capacity for handling workloads would be much better. In general, yes, as long as you do some task that demand high cpu power.

action2288 · Jul 29, 2014

What heatsink would go well with that CPU? Do I look for an AM2+ heatsink to match the new CPU, or an AM2 heatsink to match the mobo?

ak47jar3d · Jul 30, 2014

I personally like Vigor Monsoon III LT.

Link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vigor-Monsoon-III-LT-Dual-120mm-High-Speed-Gaming-CPU-Cooler-1366-AM3-/111417565566?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item19f101217e

action2288 · Jul 30, 2014

Thanks, but I saw your heatsink suggestion too late. I ordered this:

Noctua NH-U12 S for Intel LGA 2011,1156,1155,1150 and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3/3+,FM1/2 Sockets, U Type, 5 Heatpipe,120mm CPU Cooler Cooling https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C9EYVGY/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_9Fo2tb1QQZJ73PBR

ak47jar3d · Jul 30, 2014

action2288 :

No problem, that's a good air cooler anyways, good pick!

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