FM2 or AM3+

[newbuyer17]

I already have a AM3+ X2 550BE (unlocked to open all 4 cores)
But I need to get a new motherboard.

I'm unsure whether to upgrade board to FM2 and get an FM2 CPU, or get another AM3+ board to either use with my current CPU or upgrade to a 8 core AM3+ CPU.

Before anyone suggests intel, they are more expensive, dont all support virtualization, and I intend to run multiple virtual machines so am confident the 8 core AMD will perform better for me that it would a gamer running single threaded apps.

So, whats the difference between the AM3+ bulldozer stuff and the FM2 trinity stuff, and also whats coming along for FM2? Is it a better long term bet? Am confused why the 8 core am3+ bulldozer stuff doesn't appear to have equivalents on the newer socket?

As for games, I might do a bit, but will get a dedicated card for this.
Thanks in advance, I'm proper confused now.

 

[Martini1991]

FM2's more for the APU's.
If you're after the 8 core, wait until later this month when the replacement for the AMD 8150 arrives.

So, I'd get a new AM3+ board.

Although who knows what the prices will be, when the FX8150 launched it was more expensive than a 2500k, about 200-220.

 

[OliverDavis]

The newer socket is an APU socket, meaning its for CPU's with built in GPU's.

Bulldozer, or its replacement Piledriver, do not have built in graphics, and as the resources for the chips are already limited, the performance would drop by adding a GPU into the CPU.

APU's (FM1/FM2)are made for Mid market, people who may not buy a dedicated graphics card, but want something that should last a few years.

Bulldozer CPU's (AM3+) are meant for pure performance at a cheap cost, for people who will be adding in a dedicated GPU, like yourself.

Bulldozer is going to be replaced by Piledriver in a week or so, so best of buying yourself a newer AM3+ Board with a 990 chipset (It should say it in the name e.g. 990FX Extreme) and waiting for Piledriver to be released as it should be a good gain of performance over Bulldozer.

Also as above, APU's are for mid market, who wont want a graphics card, so why would they need 8 cores? Simple, they don't, so AMD haven't made one with 8 cores.

 

[newbuyer17]

Thanks, thats made my decision then. And will save me a little cash in the short term by using my existing CPU