How Can I Tell What Motherboard To Buy?

[truest]

I purchased a Phenom II x 4 955 Black Edition. It is an AM3 Socket.

What category of motherboards do I look at? Am I only looking for AM3 socket compatibility?

Or does the motherboard have to say "CPU Type: Phenom II x4"? (shopping around at newegg).


Another way of asking the same question :
Can my processor work on a motherboard that has an AM3 socket, but it says
"CPU Type: Phenom II / Athlon II / Sempron 100 Series"

-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128398&Tpk=ga-ma790gpt-ud3h

 

[technuttso]

All these tipes of motherboard are Am3 Socket Motherboards:

1 CPU Socket Type : AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200022%201070946178&name=AM3
2CPU Socket Type : AM2+/AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200022%201070946434&name=AM2%2b%2fAM3
3CPU Socket Type : AM2/AM2+/AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200022%201070947010&name=AM3%2fAM2%2b%2fAM2
But for an Am3 Phenom II x 4 955 Black Edition to work with with one of this boards is necessary do know the TDP of this processor, because not all boards support the highest TDP of an AMD processor.
Phenom II x 4 955 Black Edition have 125W so u have to buy a board that supports a minimum of 125 TDP,but it will be a waste because these processor is build for overclock(Black Edition)...so u better get one with some higher TDP "coverage" and learn how to overclock.
Good luck.

 

[truest]

When Im looking around for a motherboard on newegg, what will say the TDP coverage?

Im still confused. Am I supposed to be looking at CPU Socket Type AND/OR CPU Type??

 

[Proximon]

See my guide, linked in my sig, and the other guides stickied at the top of the homebuilt section.

Any MB that is NOT backwards compatible with older CPUS is a safe bet. Those listed on newegg as just AM3 would be best... those are also DDR3 boards.

Additionally you want an AMD chipset, and there are several. See my guide once again for a complete list of these.

 

[truest]

I understand chipset, but im still confused.

Does CPU Type have to match my processor or can it say something else?

Let me restate the question because im lost.
When buying an am3 socket motherboard, does the CPU TYPE matter at all? Or must it say 'Phenom II x4"

 

[technuttso]

WHAT?

Thermal Design Power :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_design_power

http://www.cpu-world.com/Glossary/T/Thermal_Design_Power_(TDP).html

Good reading on the Proximon guides...u have allot of good info there.
+10 for Proximon

 

[Proximon]

Let me restate the question because im lost.
When buying an am3 socket motherboard, does the CPU TYPE matter at all? Or must it say 'Phenom II x4"

Manufacturers supply that info that newegg then turns into search parameters. It's not useful info at all, just ignore that search option.

Any board that says AM3 and runs DDR3 will be compatible with your CPU. I can't think of one that would not, at least as far as AMD chipsets go.

Here, every single board on this list is compatible with your CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200022%201070946178%20107191003&name=AMD

 

[truest]

Thank you. And thanks for taking the time for powersearching it =P