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Upgrading board from AM2+ to AM3/AM3+

Tags:
  • DDR2
  • DDR3
  • AMD
  • Socket AM3+
  • CPUs
  • Socket AM2
  • Motherboards
  • Memory
Last response: in Components
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September 24, 2014 7:10:20 PM

Hello everyone! I am currently the following setup:

MOBO : Asus M3A78-EM
CPU : AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz
GPU : Newly bought GigaByte GTX 750 Ti 2GB
RAM : 3 x 2GB Corsair DDR2 @ 800 Mhz, 1 x 1GB Lexar DDR2 @ 800 Mhz
PSU : Corsair TX 850W

As you can see from the above, my memory is horrible (and heck, probably not compatible given the many stability issues I've been having in the past months).

Since my CPU is socket AM3, I'm looking to upgrade to an AM3/AM3+ compatible board and buy myself some DDR3 memory (8GB or 16GB total).

Any thoughts on which motherboard model I should get ? I'm not planning on running any SLI/Crossfire builds, and I'm on somewhat of a budget, so I'd like to look at board under 100$ (75$ or so would be awesome, if I can find one).

Thanks for your help!

More about : upgrading board am2 am3 am3

September 25, 2014 12:38:20 PM

Rybo said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
after MIR its 75$
Or:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Both boards give you a nice upgrade path to the FX line.


Thank you very much Rybo for your quick reply! I've had a look at both boards, and they do look pretty good. However, they present a few features that I will not be using, such as multiple PCI-e slots (I don't think I will be going Crossfire with this computer).

I have been looking at a few microATX boards that do have the features I am looking for (5.1+ on board sound, PCI-e 2.0 (or 3.0, but not required), and some 6Gb/s SATA ports).

I've been looking at this one

ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 AM3+ AMD 760G + SB710 HDMI USB 3.0 uATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

It meets all my needs but doesn't have a single 6 Gb/s SATA, which is somewhat of a let down, and also the reviews aren't that great.

Would you have any thoughts as far as microATX solutions go ?


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a c 457 À AMD
a c 1079 à CPUs
a c 1533 V Motherboard
a c 146 } Memory
September 25, 2014 12:45:12 PM

What case do you have?
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a c 457 À AMD
a c 1079 à CPUs
a c 1533 V Motherboard
a c 146 } Memory
September 25, 2014 12:46:25 PM

Micro ATX is a dead end with AM3+ , the boards are all poor , have terrible power and thermal designs.
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September 25, 2014 12:57:16 PM

SR-71 Blackbird said:
What case do you have?


I have an old, old, old, old, OLD crappy Mid-ATX case (old as in 10+ years old). I'm way overdue to replace it, but it never prevented me from building my rigs and be functional, so I overlooked it every time I bought parts.

Does that change anything ?
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a c 457 À AMD
a c 1079 à CPUs
a c 1533 V Motherboard
a c 146 } Memory
September 25, 2014 1:40:15 PM

I would get a newer Mid case , because the micro boards for AM3+ are poor.

Here's a decent ATX board at a great price.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $74.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-25 16:38 EDT-0400
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September 25, 2014 1:58:56 PM

SR-71 Blackbird said:
I would get a newer Mid case , because the micro boards for AM3+ are poor.

Here's a decent ATX board at a great price.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $74.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-25 16:38 EDT-0400


Thank you Blackbird! Rybo had suggested both that GIGABYTE board, and also the ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970 + SB950 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX.

After further reading both boards are very good candidates. Since MicroATX seems to be out of the question by your answers, I will probably be going for the ASRock. If this board will last me for a few years, I like the fact that it has one more PCI-e slot than the GIGABYTE, so it gives me further upgrade options.

Also, I will be looking into getting a new case in the near future, if only to get a better air flow and cooling (not that I need it right now, but will need it in the future if I had more video cards).

Thoughts ?
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Best solution

a c 457 À AMD
a c 1079 à CPUs
a c 1533 V Motherboard
a c 146 } Memory
September 25, 2014 2:00:57 PM

No , get the Gigabyte it's a better board , it has a 8+2 power phase design , making it a god pick for a FX series chip in the future.
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September 25, 2014 3:47:54 PM

SR-71 Blackbird said:
No , get the Gigabyte it's a better board , it has a 8+2 power phase design , making it a god pick for a FX series chip in the future.


After reading up a bit on power phase designs (this was a new concept to me), indeed the 4+1 design of the ASRock seems quite lacking compared to the 8+2, and will most likely not scale well when I replace my Athlon II X4 640.

It seems that the Gigabyte board is a winner here, thanks to both of you!!
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