AM3 and AM2+

TSouthey

February 28, 2013 8:06:50 PM

I've been the proud owner of an MSI K9N2 Platinum motherboard with an AM2+ socket for a while now, and I'm in the process of upgrading.
Will an AMD Phenom II X4 965 processor work with my motherboard?

The reason I ask is I've read from less credible sources that AM3 socket processors can be used (in DDR2 mode) with motherboards with a AM2+ socket. I understand that a quad core 3.4 GHz is slightly overkill in a DDR2 system, but I'm just slowly upgrading. My BIOS is at the latest version.

Before I buy it, it'll work, right?

More about : am3 am2

| E-mail me updates
| Report abuse

Reply to TSouthey

BeastLeeX

February 28, 2013 8:40:19 PM

It should work together, and I might suggest upgrading to an AM3+ board after a little while, then getting a Steamroller chip. Unless you want to swap to Intel, then you have different choices to make.

| Report abuse

Reply to BeastLeeX

popatim

CPUs Master

Motherboard Authority

February 28, 2013 8:41:25 PM

Normally am3 is backwards compatible with AM2+ socket but there is also a motherbd bios component to consider. Without bios support a processor will probably not work so even if you had an AM3 socket you would still check the motherbds supported CPU's list. In your case I've checked and yes it supports the 965.
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/K9N2-SLI-Platinum---K9N2-...

| Report abuse

Reply to popatim

clutchc

CPUs Master

Motherboard Master

February 28, 2013 8:51:10 PM

+1^
Definitely check on getting a BIOS upgrade before installing the newer processor. Otherwise the board may not recognize it.

| Report abuse

Reply to clutchc

bgunner

CPUs Expert

February 28, 2013 9:07:50 PM

I am running an AM2+ socket right now with the Phenom II x4 965 OCed to 4.0 on ddr2 1066 ram. It will work but like "popatim" said make sure you have the latest bios update and you will be fine. The 965 only supports speeds up to 1066MHz for DDR2 ram though. Every time I have tried to go over that my system would become choppy so figure for max of 1066Mhz and if your really lucky you may get more.

update the bios before installing the 965 just to be sure it will boot right away.

Happy Building

| Report abuse

Reply to bgunner

Wisecracker

CPUs Master

Motherboard Expert

February 28, 2013 9:24:54 PM

You likely have one of the greatest motherboards, ever :lol:

I've got a MSI K9A2 Platinum that runs any of 226 processors

Here's a link to the latest BIOS (7376v1B.zip) for the K9N2 SLI Platinum ... BUT please verify that it is your specific board !!

For tips and tweaks, join the MSI forums. They've got some great support.

| Report abuse

Reply to Wisecracker