Quick question. am2+ vs am3

BogEyes · 29 Dec 2009 at 18:48

Going to be ordering some a new cpu/mobo/gfx/ram tonight/tommorow. Basicallly, I'm going to be getting an AMD Phenom II X2 Dual Core 550BE. Would be great if I could unlock it to 4 cores, if not, no bother.

Anyway, I was sort of set on getting this board for it. Which would mean I need to get some new ddr3 ram.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-198-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1481

However, I've just been thinking about getting an am2+ board. As it means I could just keep my existing ddr2 ram, and its also slightly cheaper. Was looking at this board because it seems to be the am2+ equivelent of the board above.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-180-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1482

Essentially what I'm asking is, is there any downside to getting an am2+ board. I suppose the only one I can see is running ddr2 instead of ddr3, and I don't know how that would affect me for gaming. Maybe I should have posted this in the memory board?!

Cheers for any help, borgia.

pieman109 · 29 Dec 2009 at 20:35

If you're gonna go for the "AM2+" gigabyte MA770-UD3 mboo the main thing is to ensure that its a revision "rev2" which has the SB710 southbridge which is needed to unlock the dormant cores, otherwise it'll be an SB700 southbridge so unlocking the other cores will not be possible apparently.
"Big wayne" knows a lot about these mobos and hes where I got the ino from, also confirmed by a coupla reviews I read.

The AM3 mobo you've chosen has the SB710 so should unlock the other cores, but it only supports DDR3 so youi'll have get some of that, so increasing cost.

I've just bought this one
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-212-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1482

Its AM2+, supports DDR2, and has the SB710 chipset so if all goes well, I'll have an X4 Phenom II

bees · 30 Dec 2009 at 08:05

Go for AM3 I supposed because it future proof as well.

jeckulz · 30 Dec 2009 at 13:07

Suppose it depends on your current budget.

AM3 will give you some future-proofing, and as youre upgrading your board now, it is an Ideal upgrade oportunity.
Otherwise you buy a newer DDR2 board now to re-use your RAM, and then there will come a day when you want DDR3 for extra performance, and you will have to splash the cash again.

If it were me, I'd just save my pennies a little longer.
(Its just like quitting smoking on nicotine patches- Will-power may be required)