AM3 vs AM3+ motherboard compatibility with modern CPUs

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myvoicehurts

Mar 11, 2018
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Hi, everyone,

I built my current rig back in 2009 and have upgraded basically everything but the processor/motherboard since that time. I'm happy with how my computer runs--not especially slow and runs most modern games are max or near-max settings. Unfortunately, I'm noticing that some developers aren't support my processor, period (Phenom II). So, I am looking to upgrade, just for gaming compatibility, with the assumption that speed will be important with time (I understand GPU is the primary factor when considering gaming).

Here is my current motherboard:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813128387

My amateur understanding is that the sockets need to match up. I notice here it supports AM3, but when I look at most modern CPUs, I find that they all have AM3+ or FM2+ (for AMD compatible motherboard/processors).

Will an AM3+ CPU work with my current motherboard? I am trying to avoid the hassle of upgrading my motherboard, as well. Is this something where I just have to bite the bullet and upgrade the motherboard? If so, do I have to worry about it's compatibility with my RAM, GPU, etc.?

Finally, if I don't upgrade my motherboard and I can run a new AMD CPU on it, will the motherboard meaningfully hit the processor performance?

Thanks for your help!
 
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COLGeek

COLGeek

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Apr 6, 2009
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Go here for a complete listing of compatible CPUs for your motherboard:

https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/GA-MA790X-UD4P-rev-10#support-cpu

As you are using relatively old (and performance limited) tech, it makes little sense to upgrade your current CPU. You would be better served upgrading your CPU/mobo/memory to a current AMD AM4 or Intel offering. Just something to think about.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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What is your graphics card?
What is the model of your processor?
What kinds of games do you play?
What is your budget?

Fast action games do, indeed depend primarily on the performance of your graphics card.
But, for many others like sims, strategy and mmo types, the single thread performance of the processor can be a limitation.
I do not see any upgrades to your motherboard that would result in anything capable of running current games well.

As a test, Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

If you need more cpu capability, you are looking at not only a motherboard change, but also a processor and ram change.

For starters, $250 or so will buy you a better performing G4600 processor, a lga1151 motherboard and 8gb of ddr4 ram.
 
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M

myvoicehurts

Mar 11, 2018
2
0
10


Thank you both for your quick and helpful responses. Again, I'm an amateur at this stuff.

So, I've been running modern games with near-max settings until now. Now, FFXV won't even run on my system, and I have been told it's because the processor cannot run the "command sets" FFXV. Specifically, I have a AMD Phenom II X4 945. I know this is a dated processor, but, again, I'm able to run all modern games on high or max settings. These include Divinity II: Original Sin, Witcher 3, and Overwatch.

My GPU is NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB.
I have 12 GB RAM.

I would definitely like to spend as little as possible for a reasonably powerful processor/motherboard. I'm not even sure if I HAVE to upgrade, or if it's just another bad S-E port to PC. Many can run, but all with a Phenom II have had problems getting it to even start.

I am not sure I want to spend more than $200 on this. I'm sure there's a powerful processor/motherboard combo out there (or at some point) that will last for several years to come. That's how I got this combo in 2009.

Thanks again for the helpful and quick responses!
 
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