CPU compatibility (AM2+ board) + (AM3 CPU)

[JohnnyPC]

OK, so the board I'm working with is an ECS GeForce6100PM-M2 V2.0A Bios version 6.0. I found a website that is telling me it can support a AMD Athlon II X4 640 AM3 CPU. Here's a link http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-ECS/GeForce6100PM-M2(V2.0).html

The ECS website doesn't show the board supporting any AM3 socket CPU's and I'm confused cause I thought that was the whole purpose of the AM2+ socket. Manufacturer CPU list Link http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Support.aspx?DetailID=857&CategoryID=1&DetailName=Feature&MenuID=20&LanID=0

If anyone could help me clear this up, I mean I know the best course of action is to follow the motherboard manufacturer's CPU list, but ECS isn't exactly known for their customer support. The CPU is compatible with the nForce430 chipset on the board so I'm not sure what the compatibility issue would be.

Is there any harm in plugging the CPU in and seeing if it will post?

 

[heavyartillary9]

i dont have any experience with doing a setup like that, but according to pcpartpicker am2+ works on that athlon x4 640!

 

[elbert]

The motherboard only supports upto 65w. The AMD Athlon II X4 640 AM3 CPU is a 95W unfortuanatly. Maybe you should get the AMD Phenom™ II X4 Quad-Core 905e (C2).
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_SPEC.aspx?DetailID=1036&CategoryID=1&DetailName=Feature&MenuID=24&LanID=9

 

[JohnnyPC]

The motherboard only supports upto 65w. The AMD Athlon II X4 640 AM3 CPU is a 95W unfortuanatly. Maybe you should get the AMD Phenom™ II X4 Quad-Core 905e (C2).
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_SPEC.aspx?DetailID=1036&CategoryID=1&DetailName=Feature&MenuID=24&LanID=9

Actually this is one of the problems I'm having, because ECS made several versions of this board, and the one I have does not seem to be any of the ones listed. I wrote that I had the v2.0A board cause that's what my manual says. If that were the case though I should have the AMI Bios but I have the Award Bios. The two are not compatible in that you can't flash from award to ami or vice versa. This is an old board and I think I flashed the bios at one time though I cant remember why. The point is is that if this is the 2.0 board it supports TDP up to 95w. I'll see if theres a way I can find out for sure my version.

Update: So I gotta laugh to myself here, the writing on the mobo itself says v2.0 the manual says v2.0a . The difference is huge considering one supports 65w tdp the other supports 95w tdp. I don't know how to figure out exactly what I have better just stick with the 65w dual core that is in the machine and working fine. Probably will not buy another board from ECS based on this alone not to mention if you visit their website it wont take you long to find things that are broken. I do have to say I bought this board 8 years ago new and it has run all that time without issues.

 

[JohnnyPC]

The motherboard only supports upto 65w. The AMD Athlon II X4 640 AM3 CPU is a 95W unfortuanatly. Maybe you should get the AMD Phenom™ II X4 Quad-Core 905e (C2).
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_SPEC.aspx?DetailID=1036&CategoryID=1&DetailName=Feature&MenuID=24&LanID=9

I'll pick yours as solved since I cant tell if I have the 65w or 95w supported board and it's just not safe to go forward.

 

[elbert]

Often company create a manual to use for several boards. To know for sure you have to check your bios.

 

[JohnnyPC]

Often company create a manual to use for several boards. To know for sure you have to check your bios.

I'm sure this is good advice for the majority of people out there but unfortunately my BIOS doesn't even mention that it is a GeForce6100PM-M2 let alone what version it is.

I would like to mention ECS has actually responded to a request for some help in this matter. I have sent them some serial numbers from my board and hopefully they can identify it as 2.0 or 2.0A . If I find a solution I'll post it here in case there's ever an interested party.