- Apr 8, 2015
- 8
- 0
- 10,510
My PC:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3 ATX AM3 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card
Case: NZXT M59 - 001BK ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
I have a GA-MA770T-UD3P motherboard, revision 1.1, with BIOS version F5. And I am currently using a Phenom II X4 970 processor. According to the gigabyte website, support for this processor wasn't added until BIOS version F12. Seeing as I've been using it for years, I'm wondering what the junk is up with that. Have I been failing to utilize my CPU properly because of my old BIOS? PCpartpicker also says that my board and my CPU are incompatible. So...I don't know what I've been doing for the past few years.
I ask about this because I am considering a CPU upgrade. I know that, given the age of the board and the AM3 socket, my options are limited. But I would rather not rebuild my whole PC just to shave a bit off my CPU upgrade. I just don't have the money to start from the ground up. I am considering an X6 1090T or an X6 1100T, as they seem to be the top of what my board can handle. They can be had for around 175-200 on amazon and I'd sell my 970 to defray the cost. However, since BIOS updates carry a risk with them, I am unsure as to whether or not I should update my BIOS, given that the board seems to support my 970 despite my old BIOS version.
Also, since my heatsink/fan is pretty crap (it's a stock cooler that I didn't put into PartPicker because I honestly have no idea how to identify it), I would like to get something more competent when I upgrade the CPU. But I was kind of hoping I wouldn't have to take the whole computer apart and remove the motherboard to install said cooler. Could anyone recommend a cooler with a simple install process that is at least semi-decent? This may be like going to a fashion board and requesting the best clip-on tie, but I don't overclock and I don't need/probably can't fit a $100 eight foot cooler into my board/case. Thanks. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. Should I consider forgetting the upgrade and becoming one of the cool guys and just getting a better cooler and OCing my current CPU? I can put together a PC, but I'm a total novice when it comes to overclocking. Thanks again.
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3 ATX AM3 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card
Case: NZXT M59 - 001BK ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
I have a GA-MA770T-UD3P motherboard, revision 1.1, with BIOS version F5. And I am currently using a Phenom II X4 970 processor. According to the gigabyte website, support for this processor wasn't added until BIOS version F12. Seeing as I've been using it for years, I'm wondering what the junk is up with that. Have I been failing to utilize my CPU properly because of my old BIOS? PCpartpicker also says that my board and my CPU are incompatible. So...I don't know what I've been doing for the past few years.
I ask about this because I am considering a CPU upgrade. I know that, given the age of the board and the AM3 socket, my options are limited. But I would rather not rebuild my whole PC just to shave a bit off my CPU upgrade. I just don't have the money to start from the ground up. I am considering an X6 1090T or an X6 1100T, as they seem to be the top of what my board can handle. They can be had for around 175-200 on amazon and I'd sell my 970 to defray the cost. However, since BIOS updates carry a risk with them, I am unsure as to whether or not I should update my BIOS, given that the board seems to support my 970 despite my old BIOS version.
Also, since my heatsink/fan is pretty crap (it's a stock cooler that I didn't put into PartPicker because I honestly have no idea how to identify it), I would like to get something more competent when I upgrade the CPU. But I was kind of hoping I wouldn't have to take the whole computer apart and remove the motherboard to install said cooler. Could anyone recommend a cooler with a simple install process that is at least semi-decent? This may be like going to a fashion board and requesting the best clip-on tie, but I don't overclock and I don't need/probably can't fit a $100 eight foot cooler into my board/case. Thanks. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. Should I consider forgetting the upgrade and becoming one of the cool guys and just getting a better cooler and OCing my current CPU? I can put together a PC, but I'm a total novice when it comes to overclocking. Thanks again.
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