pinganswer

Distinguished
Sep 18, 2009
7
0
18,510
I have a rig that is working fine, but I would like to bump the processor when I upgrade to Win7 in October. I'd like to stay away from mobo upgrades because of cost.

I am pretty tech savvy, but I'm finding this whole AM/AM2+/AM3 processor situation hard to understand.

My Mobo is a Asus M2R32-MVP (AM2/AM2+) and I am currently using a BE X2 5000+. I would like a processor with:

+more than 2 cores
+native faster than 2.5ghz
+works in the mobo (don't want to upgrade right now because of cost).

The only processor Newegg lists that fits the bill in AM2+ is the AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX. I'm guessing that will work.

But can I use a AM3 processor, like a:

* AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX
* AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX

I don't care if there is a slight performance hit because it will still be faster with more cores than what I currently have. And it will allow me to upgrade my mobo later when I have the money.

Thoughts? Suggestions? What should I buy?
 
Solution
pinganswer you might want to really consider this.
It's a 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

On this AM2+ motherboard which uses DDR2 memory (which you currently use)
many people have reported that they are able to unlock the deactivated cores making it a quad core with nearly the performance of the 3.2 Ghz Phenom II X4 955 BE.Some are even overclocking it as well on those reactivated cores.

This deal is at $162 quite a steal.If the extra cores were reactivated it would outperform the AM2+ Phenom II X4 940 and also a AM2+ motherboard would be included at less cost than...

jj463rd

Distinguished
Apr 9, 2008
1,510
0
19,860
On xaira's list the only CPU's that meets your criteria
+more than 2 cores
+native faster than 2.5ghz
+works in the mobo (don't want to upgrade right now because of cost).


and can sometimes be found is the
2.6 Ghz Phenom X4 9950 BE using a Beta BIOS.
I didn't see it listed at newegg but it might pop up again
I did see the slightly slower 2.5 Ghz Phenom X4 9850 BE listed at Tiger Direct

It could be possible that a AM2+ Phenom II X4 940 BE COULD work
however that's a chancy proposition.That CPU is NOT listed as supported for that motherboard and there is no BIOS update for it.It may work then again it may not work.My guess is that it would probably work however according to the beta BIOS for the 9950BE and 9850BE CPU's OC is not allowed for some reason.
If you purchase the AM2+ Phenom II X4 940 BE and it didn't work you would have to find another AM2+ motherboard for it and build another system.

If I were you I would stick with what you have and plan on building another system
perhaps a budget system with a Phenom II CPU.Maybe something like this would be a nice start.Note this uses DDR3 type memory.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259850
 


Call Asus and have them confirm what CPU/Bios is upgradable on your board......
 

pinganswer

Distinguished
Sep 18, 2009
7
0
18,510


You speak so confidently. All the other people on the site are hedging. This is why I'm confused. I would be happy buying the 940 if it will work, so help me understand why you are confident when Asus doesn't list it.
 

pinganswer

Distinguished
Sep 18, 2009
7
0
18,510


You hit the nail on the head. Buying the 940 and not having it work is a disaster cause who wants to buy another AM2+ mobo, but going to AM3 mean $80 more for DDR3. If I conclude the 940 is out, then I am probably just going to wait.

 

jj463rd

Distinguished
Apr 9, 2008
1,510
0
19,860
pinganswer you might want to really consider this.
It's a 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

On this AM2+ motherboard which uses DDR2 memory (which you currently use)
many people have reported that they are able to unlock the deactivated cores making it a quad core with nearly the performance of the 3.2 Ghz Phenom II X4 955 BE.Some are even overclocking it as well on those reactivated cores.

This deal is at $162 quite a steal.If the extra cores were reactivated it would outperform the AM2+ Phenom II X4 940 and also a AM2+ motherboard would be included at less cost than the Phenom II X4 940
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254101

On another note one could also get this quad core CPU
Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W
for $99 and then get a cheap AM2+ motherboard that uses DDR2 RAM like that one shown earlier (GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H) which is inexpensive.

I would say that the combo deal is perhaps the best option for you.
If you're not able to unlock the extra 2 cores that Phenom II 550 BE is quite a powerful CPU and can overclock quite well with an aftermarket cooler.
 
Solution

MrMeth

Distinguished
Sep 11, 2007
160
0
18,710
I personally wouldnt bank unlocking the magical cores or X2 550 or hoping that the 940 works in my mobo. If i was in the posters shoes i would do 1 of these 3 things . Get the fastest available Phenom cpu being the 9950 for his current motherboard or upgrade and Get one of the new Phenom 2 (AM3) cpus that work with DDR2 and a new motherboard that is also DDR2 , this way when he wants to move to DDR 3 he will already have a cpu that supports it and will only have to get ram and mobo down later down the line . I think the idea of getting a cpu that isnt supported and hoping it works and if it doesnt having to upgrade after isnt the best idea . And AMD has 100$ quads now so its a beautiful thang !! :) Hope this helps.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131368

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706
 

jrauti

Distinguished
Oct 1, 2009
1
0
18,510


I tried with M2R32-MVP with Athlon II X4 620 and it booted fine (it's not on the list). I had to try because M2N32 WS PRO wasn't working at the time with that processor (required BIOS 1802, two later ones for that didn't work). So you may get lucky too. Anyway Asus BIOS support for newer processors is really lacking although MB's could support them.