Difference between socket AM2+ and AM3?

jim5000 · 13 May 2009 at 09:04

Is it just that AM3 uses DDR3 memory? Was thinking of getting this motherboard -

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-180-GI

But the main thing I want out of my mobo is futureproofability (had my current one for 5 years or so). Am I going to be able to drop in AM3 cpus into that?

Art · 13 May 2009 at 09:16

It depends: AMD built a bit of flexibility into their new CPUs to make the switch a little less traumatic for some people.

AM3 only motherboards will only take AM3 CPUs and DDR3 RAM.

However, AM3 CPUs are backwards compatible with a lot of AM2+ motherboards. These will usually take any AM3 CPU, but will only take DDR2 RAM. The easiest way to find out what it does is check out the specs on the item page, or go to the manufacturers website.

That board says it'll only take DDR2. If you look at the manufacturers CPU compatibility list here though it seems to like most/all AM3 CPUs if you've got the right BIOS.

So you should be grand for AM3 CPUs, but not DDR3.

misterPK · 13 May 2009 at 09:21

Yes. You can use AM3 in AM2+ sockets, but you can't use AM2 in AM3.

I've ordered that motherboard along with an AM3 720BE, so I hope it works! I've heard I'll need to flash the BIOS to the latest version, but that's it. It should be here in a few hours...

PK!

jim5000 · 13 May 2009 at 09:22

Ah ok, thanks. Think I might hold off until I can get a quadcore+ddr3 system (cpu\mobo\ram) with a futureproof motherboard for around £300. Seems at the moment the new sockets are out but still a little bit pricey.

misterPK · 13 May 2009 at 09:24

I think this backwards compatability option is a great idea, it allows for a more gradual upgrade process, which is good for people on a budget like me!

PK!

jim5000 · 13 May 2009 at 09:26

Is there much difference between DDR2 & DDR3? I'm going to be upgrading from an Athlonx2 4200 with 4gb generic DDR1 memory...

Art · 13 May 2009 at 09:28

jim5000 said:
Is there much difference between DDR2 & DDR3? I'm going to be upgrading from an Athlonx2 4200 with 4gb generic DDR1 memory...

Not really, as far as I know. The big difference used to be price but that's come down a lot now for DDR3.

You could almost get a quad rig now, but you'd be settling for a lower spec CPU.

.

And you'd also have to wait for everything to come into stock! Probably best to wait for a bit !

jim5000 · 13 May 2009 at 09:32

Was thinking about picking this up, £200 in total -
Your basket

AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 710 2.6GHz (Socket AM3) - OEM £89.99

Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AMD 770 (Socket AM3/AM2+) £64.49

OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 Dual Channel £34.99

Sub Total : £164.76
Total : £200.40

To replace my current sk939 setup, and getting a new graphics card in a month or so. It seems pretty nice for £200, what do you think?

Art · 13 May 2009 at 10:57

jim5000 said:
Was thinking about picking this up, £200 in total -

AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 710 2.6GHz (Socket AM3) - OEM £89.99
Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AMD 770 (Socket AM3/AM2+) £64.49
OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 Dual Channel £34.99

Total : £200.40

To replace my current sk939 setup, and getting a new graphics card in a month or so. It seems pretty nice for £200, what do you think?

It seems decent, but it really depends on what you're going to use it for.

Also, that CPU is B-grade OEM. There's a fair chance it won't come with the stock cooler, so you might need to get a separate one.