Installing a Phenom II X4 925 on an am2 board (m61p-s3)

[CGBS]

Hello, I am wondering if anyone here has ever put in an am3 or even am2+ cpu in an am2 board. I have the Gigabyte m61p-s3, which is AM2, but the CPU compatibility list does include the Phenom II X4 925 (AM3, 95w)..

The only thing I am really concerned about is this note:

If you install AMD AM2+ CPU on AM2 motherbord, the system bus speed will downgrade from HT3.0(5200MHz) to HT1.0(2000 MT/s) spec; however, the frequency of AM2+ CPU will not be impacted.

Do you think this will make a significant difference? For reference, I currently have an X2 4000+ (2.1ghz). It's an aging processor, and I'm thinking even with the HT going to 1.0, it will still be a fairly large upgrade for me, but again, I'm not sure.

Here's the CPU support list for my board: http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=2434&ver=#anchor_os

 

[C00lIT]

If you install AMD AM2+ CPU on AM2 motherbord, the system bus speed will downgrade from HT3.0(5200MHz) to HT1.0(2000 MT/s) spec; however, the frequency of AM2+ CPU will not be impacted.


I put an AM2+ CPU (9950BE) into an AM2 Mobo (M2N-E (HT1))

Later one I got myself an M3A78-EM HT2


In conclusion the performance gain with the Phenom9950 From the Athlon5200 was glorious... 2 extra cores and better clock per clock (They both run at 2.7) made a great difference and even today I support the 965 but I don't really need it yet.


In short, I benchmarked with both mobos and... the performance gain was insignificant.

Keep in minde that I use DDR-800 and not 1066 in case that makes a difference.

If you run the 925 on your board... you will see a great difference.

 

[nexusflame31]

Hello,

5 years later, I am interested in this thread !
I bought long time ago the m61p-s3 with Athlon x2 4200+, and I now I would like to improve the machine performance by upgrading CPU (and maybe adding some memory).
The compatibility list is available in gigabyte website, and I would like to buy the "Phenom II X4 945" (C2 stepping, 95W), which is the best CPU (according to benchmarks) that is supported by this motherboard with latest BIOS (F7I).

but I have a doubt :
- Motherboard says "Supports dual channel DDR2 800/667/533/400 DIMMs"
- Phenom II X4 945 : "Supported memory: DDR2-1066, DDR3-1333"

I already have 2x1Gb DDR2 800 memory, will I have to change with DDR2 1066 ?

Thank you in advance !

Regards