Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > [Solved] Do AM2 socket boards work with AM3 CPUs.

[Solved] Do AM2 socket boards work with AM3 CPUs.

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - [Solved] Do AM2 socket boards work with AM3 CPUs.

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Best answer from megamanx00.

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scrotes   08-30-2009 at 06:46:06 AM

[url=http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5077946&csid=_22][/url]

This MOBO and CPU don't match. The Board is Socket AM2 and the CPU is AM3.

Are AM2 boards compatible with AM3 CPUS.

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Best answer from megamanx00
AM3 CPUs are designed to be compatible with AM2+/AM2 boards (though to a lesser extent on the latter), but it really just depends on if the motherboard maker has an adequate BIOS for an AM3 CPU. As marco suggests though, you really should get a combo with a better motherboard.
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megamanx00   08-30-2009 at 10:39:36 AM
Best answer

AM3 CPUs are designed to be compatible with AM2+/AM2 boards (though to a lesser extent on the latter), but it really just depends on if the motherboard maker has an adequate BIOS for an AM3 CPU. As marco suggests though, you really should get a combo with a better motherboard.

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dokk2   08-30-2009 at 11:27:30 AM

I think that the board has to be at least AM2+ to support the AM3..AM2 boards will support AM2+ but not AM3..:)

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 Reply to dokk2
jj463rd   08-30-2009 at 11:58:52 AM

Here is a really good combo deal for cheap and $30 off.It uses DDR2 memory which is dirt cheap right now.

It's the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor with a
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard for under $150

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.240747

Reply to jj463rd
Devastator_uk   08-30-2009 at 01:31:22 PM

AM2 boards can support AM3 CPUs as long a the BIOS is new enough, but you really shouldn't bother buying a brand new AM2, buy either AM2+ or AM3.

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 Reply to Devastator_uk
4ryan6   08-30-2009 at 03:57:31 PM

The following quote is from the AMD website, so I would target getting an AM2+ M/B if I intended to drop an AM3 into it.

 
Quote :

Although Socket AM3 processors can be used on Socket AM2+ motherboards

 

And this from Wikpedia.

 
Quote :

Compatibility

 

Socket AM3 breaks compatibility with AM2/AM2+ processors due to a subtle change in key placement. The AM3 socket has 941 pin contacts[1] while current AM3 processors have only 938 pins. Tom's Hardware removed the two obstructing key pins from an AM2+ Phenom processor in order to fit it into an AM3 socket. The processor did not work in the AM3 socket, but still worked in an AM2+ socket, suggesting that compatibility issues run deeper than merely the key pins.[4]

 

However, AM3 processors are backwards-compatible with Socket AM2+, contingent upon a BIOS update for the motherboard. Manufacturers including Asus,[5] Gigabyte,[6] and others have labeled existing AM2/AM2+ boards as being "AM3 Ready" or similar, indicating that BIOS support is provided for the specified boards. This allows existing AM2/AM2+ systems to upgrade the CPU without having to upgrade any other components.


Message edited by 4ryan6 on 08-30-2009 at 04:01:36 PM
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