Confirming The Bulldozer Socket Type?

[Ben3991]

Hi,

Can anyone defintely say that the bulldozer will work on am3 boards, more specifically the crosshair formula 890fx?

I ask as they dont look like they will be much more expensive than the 1090t x6.

Thanks

 

[eddiew]

Unless I've misread something, BD only works on AM3+, which is the 990 chipset only...

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/Crosshair_IV_Formula/#CPUS does not list bulldozer on the support list either You might get lucky and get a bios update later, but right now it looks unlikely.

 

[seandog]

Well there is speculation that BD will work with some AM3 boards if the manufacturers release a BIOS update for the board

 

[chaotic_uk]

Unless I've misread something, BD only works on AM3+, which is the 990 chipset only...

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/Crosshair_IV_Formula/#CPUS does not list bulldozer on the support list either You might get lucky and get a bios update later, but right now it looks unlikely.

there is a beta bios to add support for bulldozer for the mentioned mobo , i have the same mobo and have not tried it as it says only use for the new cpu

 

[Ben3991]

This might sounds pretty stupid but I am new to all of this!

How would you install that bios update without a cpu that works in the mobo.

For instance, if all I had was a bulldozer and a 890fx how would i get the bios update installed?

 

[eddiew]

For instance, if all I had was a bulldozer and a 890fx how would i get the bios update installed?

My suspicion is that it's more a case that the update is for BD support only and has no other enhancements - so don't do it unless you want BD. I would be amazed if it removed support for older chips!

...however if it is beta, and BD is not yet out... just wait? There may well be a proper bios out in due time without this worrying caveat.

 

[Ben3991]

Thanks for reply,

I mean that if the bulldozer was the only cpu I had, how would i boot up, download and install the bios update?

 

[Orcvader]

You can't. You need an older AM3 CPU to flash the BIOS.

 

[Martini1991]

Thanks for reply,

I mean that if the bulldozer was the only cpu I had, how would i boot up, download and install the bios update?

You wouldn't.

 

[paulc25]

If you don't have a am3 cpu why would you buy an am3 mobo instead of an am3+ mobo?

 

[zoomee]

He may have got one second hand cheap

Not sure yet mate to be honest. I'm sure there's already some users out there that have flashed the new BD bios onto their CHIV's and are still working ok, but not the other way round as obviously there are no BD chips available yet.

Bear with it and all shall be revealed - unless u want to tide yourself over with a cheapo AM3 chip.....

And yeah - Anyone buying a brand new AMD motherboard should not be buying less than a 990 series AM3+ one. Its really only an option for existing AM3 users to hang fire.

 

[Martini1991]

Regardless, he's still going to need a chip to flash his board.
Doesn't the CH IV have removeable BIOS's?

He could buy a pre-flashed one.

 

[gareth170]

to make this clear.

BD is am3+

BD will work in some am3 boards but with some impacts,

"will work" just means that.... at what performance / features it brings is a different story.

the impact could be any of 3 things, overclocking, features, performance...

but at this moment we don't know.....

 

[Swampster]

Crosshair IV Formula 3017 Test BIOS
For use with AM3+ CPUs only. Not recommended for use with AM3 or earlier CPUs.

It says not recommended.. not that you can't use it, so you'd flash with your old chip.. and replace with the BD once complete IMO.

I'm gonna be interested to see how this pans out, I been contemplating a GTX580, but thought my 1090T might bottleneck it in games like Rift. Knowing that I'm going to be able to drop a BD chip in later is a bonus if it works pretty well on this board..