Need help choosing a motherboard and RAM

geekyadz

geekyadz

geekyadz

Associate
Joined
19 Apr 2009
Posts
417
Hi there. I need some advice about which motherboard I should go for. Ive narrowed it down to two boards:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-188-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=805 (Gigabyte GA-M720-US3)

Or

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-180-GI (Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3)

Im looking at putting a AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 7750+ processor in which ever board I choose.

Im also concerned about the RAM. The memory Im currently thinking about is supported by both boards, but the GA-MA770-UD3 says "Note: Due to AMD AM3/ AM2+ CPU limitation, memory module of DDR2 1066 or above speed is only supported by 1 dimm per channel." on the Memory Support List on the Gigabyte website. So does that mean that only one stick of memory will be able to go into that board, or am I just being daft?
 
Id recomend the second one, its the newer 770 chipset rather than the 720 so should be quite a bit better. iirc that means that having more than one DIMM will mean it will run at 800MHz, which shouldnt really be noticable anyway
 
I just built a rig with the same motherboard (2nd in your list) cpu and 4 gig of Kingston Hyper X 1066, runs fine but you do need to up the voltage and speed in the bios as the default is 900mhz.
 
swanseajack said:
I just built a rig with the same motherboard (2nd in your list) cpu and 4 gig of Kingston Hyper X 1066, runs fine but you do need to up the voltage and speed in the bios as the default is 900mhz.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info :)

I saw your signature (which is a similar spec I hope to build), and tried searching to see what type of memory youre using. I think you used http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-039-KS

Silly question: but did the processor work "straight out of the box" on the motherboard, or did you have to flash the BIOS first?
 
Last edited:
Yeah that's the memory, I meant to say it defaults at 800mhz not 900, silly typo.

The cpu worked out of the box as even with the first bios release it was supported, mine came with a bios that's not listed on their website, I flashed to the latest one just to get the latest one on the board but as I said it works right out of the box.

Hope that helps :)
 
Slight update: Ive asked overclockers (by web note) on what revisions/BIOS versions the current boards have.

They said:
Thank you for your webnote. We cannot guarrantee revisions as we sometimes have mixed stock. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Regards,
Click to expand...
Im still deciding on what memory on what to install on this system (if anyone wants to advice me, please feel free: I want 2gb to start off with, and get the same type of memory at a later date if I feel that I havent got enough)
 
Unless your thinking of getting a different cpu then any bios will do, the 7750+ is supported even with the first bios they made for the board.

As for memory I'd stick with Kingston Hyper X, why do you only want 2gig? it's cheap enough go for 4gig, it works fine with this board, and they come in 2 x 2gig sticks, if you only want 2 gigs then your gonna be stuck in future as I don't think they sell just one 2 gigs stick you would have to get 2 x 1gig.
 
The BIOS query: its cos in the CPU supported list according to the gigabyte website (http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=2982) its not supported until version F5 (thats on revision 1.0: on revision 2.0 all the CPUs are listed as FA. Anyway, this will be the last thing I will buy due to the above post regarding the webnote)

As for the memory: its a budgeting problem. Im on a low income, and I want everything to work from the minute I put it all together with minimum "tweaks" (preferably: none. Im not a "fan" of overclocking, and knowing what my recent luck has been with CPUs on this old board Im currently using: I think I might kill the new board before Ive even used it). As with the CPU supported list, the memory supported list is just as bad: http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/MemorySupport/motherboard_memory_ga-ma770-ud3.pdf

However, granted that 4gb is better than 2gb: but right now I dont have a 64bit OS (unless I download a 64 bit version of ubuntu) to utilise all of the RAM (something like a 3.5Gb cut off point in windows XP 32bit, which Im currently dual booting with ubuntu on my current rig). But then again the extra RAM will come very useful if I run windows in a "virtual box" under ubuntu, which then brings me back to the supported memory list, then its what speed/PC2 rating do I go for.

Now I realise that I might be sounding like a parrot: but thats how confused I am. If you think I sound bad now: you should have seen the posts I created elsewhere about the
(Note) If you install AMD AM2+ CPU on AM2 motherboard, 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
Click to expand...
problem I had before I decided to just get a different board (ie the one Im looking at now) as it was too confusing (and still is)
 
Ahh right, thats odd I could have sworn it was supported with the first bios, but according to that list it's F4, odd well mine came with bios F3.5 even though it's not listed on their website, but the CPU worked out of the box, Booted fine etc I just flashed it to the latest one a bit later.

As for your memory didn't realise you were using windows xp, so 2gig will be enough, I would still stick to kingston ram http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-041-KS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813

The only problem is that it will only run at 800 unless you go for http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-119-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=817

That will run at the full 1066 but I don't know how that runs on this mobo, and your paying quite a lot for a few extra mhz.

Edit: Just looked at the cpu list again and its the revision 2 board that takes the 7750+ with the first bios, mine was a revision 1 board.
 
CPU/board support: so the later I leave it, the better chances of getting a new board (rev 2 and/or latest BIOS)? ;) (if its a yes, dont reply :D )

Memory: I will probably go for the kingston (much cheaper as you say): and I assume that if I do decide to "up the memory" to 4gb, just buy the same sticks again?

I thank you for your patience (I know Im pushing it)
 
Last edited:
I can't tell you what revision it will be, might be worth sending a webnote and asking them, but I would imagine they all will be revision 1 boards with the present stock they have.

Yes you can buy the same ram again to upgrade to 4gb, this board supports 800 and 1066, to be honest if you decide to go to 4gb it will be better to buy a matching pair of 2gig sticks as some motherboards don't like running ram in all 4 slots at the same time, and 1066 ram is cheapish and will give your system a small boost.
 
Im not too sure: I noticed that it was offer of the week about a week or two ago, and at about the same time: they got hold of the AM3 boards and also thats when gigabyte released rev 2. And Ive already asked them by webnote (hence the first quote of todays posts: if they didnt send that as a reply I would have brought the board today)

If I do 4gb it: the first lot of RAM (the kingston that you have) should be ok in it?
 
Sorry, got a pounding headache lol

Yes the Kingston ram that I have runs fine on it, just need to set the voltage and up the speed in the bios, simple to do. This board is also AM3 as well as being AM2+, yeah it was on offer last week, just after I bought one for full price grrrr ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom