AMD Socket AM2+??

[prism]

I'm looking at getting a Phenom II 940 BE as Newegg has it for $190 right now. However, I notice it is Socket AM2+ as opposed to AM3. I haven't followed computer tech for some time, and was wondering if I would be better off with something along the lines of a slower Phenom II with the AM3 socket. Any thoughts?

 

[agawtrip]

Phenom II 940 BE is AM2+, it has 940 pins. you can't put it on AM3 boards because of the additional pins. AM3 only has 938 pins.
but AM3 cpus will fit on AM2+ motherboards, you only need to update the bios. if you dont want to do that or you don't know how to do that, get the 940 BE together with an AM2+ motherboard, or get an AM3 cpu with AM3 motherboard.

 

[jandlecack]

Whatever you do, avoid AM2+ at this point if you can.

 

[prism]

I'm just wondering if I should buy the 720 BE (as seen in the budget buyer's guide) or the 940 BE for $50 more. Is the additional core worth it?

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: Prism
I'm just wondering if I should buy the 720 BE (as seen in the budget buyer's guide) or the 940 BE for $50 more. Is the additional core worth it?

Depends on what you do with your computer. If you're looking for a nice, cheap system, then it's a good choice. And you can upgrade to AM3 CPU's.

But as jandlecack implied, AM3 is the way to go, if you are going AMD. AM3-based systems will use less power, have slightly faster performance, and are more forward-looking than AM2+.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: jandlecack
Whatever you do, avoid AM2+ at this point if you can.

I don't agree. If the board, RAM and CPU are a significant savings over the AM3 and you plan to stick with the system for several years or more without a upgrade, then the AM2+ processors can be a great upgrade to a old system.

If you upgrade or think you may upgrade more frequently, then yes your advice is spot on.

 

[lopri]

AM2 CPU: K8 w/ DDR2 controller
AM2+ CPU: K10 w/ DDR2 controller
AM3 CPU: K10 w/ DDR2 & DDR3 controller (w/ focus on DDR3 going forward)

AM2 board: Supports AM2/AM2+ CPUs (DDR2, lacks split power plane for AM2+)
AM2+ board: Supports AM2/AM2+/AM3 CPUs (DDR2)
AM3 board: Supports AM3 CPUs (DDR3)

 

[prism]

Originally posted by: lopri
AM2 CPU: K8 w/ DDR2 controller
AM2+ CPU: K10 w/ DDR2 controller
AM3 CPU: K10 w/ DDR2 & DDR3 controller (w/ focus on DDR3 going forward)

AM2 board: Supports AM2/AM2+ CPUs (DDR2, lacks split power plane for AM2+)
AM2+ board: Supports AM2/AM2+/AM3 CPUs (DDR2)
AM3 board: Supports AM3 CPUs (DDR3)

Does this mean that an AM2+ board doesn't utilize the additional benefits of an AM3 CPU with DDR3?

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: Prism

Originally posted by: lopri
AM2 CPU: K8 w/ DDR2 controller
AM2+ CPU: K10 w/ DDR2 controller
AM3 CPU: K10 w/ DDR2 & DDR3 controller (w/ focus on DDR3 going forward)

AM2 board: Supports AM2/AM2+ CPUs (DDR2, lacks split power plane for AM2+)
AM2+ board: Supports AM2/AM2+/AM3 CPUs (DDR2)
AM3 board: Supports AM3 CPUs (DDR3)

Does this mean that an AM2+ board doesn't utilize the additional benefits of an AM3 CPU with DDR3?

Yes. AM2+ does not support DDR3.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Prism

Originally posted by: lopri
AM2 CPU: K8 w/ DDR2 controller
AM2+ CPU: K10 w/ DDR2 controller
AM3 CPU: K10 w/ DDR2 & DDR3 controller (w/ focus on DDR3 going forward)

AM2 board: Supports AM2/AM2+ CPUs (DDR2, lacks split power plane for AM2+)
AM2+ board: Supports AM2/AM2+/AM3 CPUs (DDR2)
AM3 board: Supports AM3 CPUs (DDR3)

Does this mean that an AM2+ board doesn't utilize the additional benefits of an AM3 CPU with DDR3?

No.

The AM2+ motherboard can take advantage of the increased AM3 performance from higher Northbridge speeds (which is a greater factor than DDR2---->DDR3).

Stock speed is 10% higher, and from what I have seen when OC'ing doesn't care whether it's in an AM3 or AM2+ motherboard.

 

[richierich1212]

I thought with AMD systems + DDR3 memory there isn't much performance gain over DDR2?

 

[jandlecack]

Originally posted by: soonerproud

Originally posted by: jandlecack
Whatever you do, avoid AM2+ at this point if you can.

I don't agree. If the board, RAM and CPU are a significant savings over the AM3 and you plan to stick with the system for several years or more without a upgrade, then the AM2+ processors can be a great upgrade to a old system.

If you upgrade or think you may upgrade more frequently, then yes your advice is spot on.

Why not have the option to upgrade in several years and buy AM3 now, instead of buying AM2 and having to upgrade _everything_ at that point?

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: richierich1212
I thought with AMD systems + DDR3 memory there isn't much performance gain over DDR2?

There's isn't much, now, but what about later?

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: richierich1212
I thought with AMD systems + DDR3 memory there isn't much performance gain over DDR2?

Yes, but since the price isn't significantly different there's no reason not to go with DDR3.

 

[prism]

I decided to keep it cheap and since I wanted Micro-ATX, I went with an AM2+ board, but I opted for the 720 BE AM3 CPU. I figured that this memory would be better than current DDR3 memory in the same price range. Also, the only Micro-ATX mobo on newegg that supported DDR3 was Jetway, and I've never heard of the brand 🙂

 

[Lark888]

MaximumPC recently tested DDR2/DDR3 and if my memory serves me (no pun intended), there was little difference between DDR2 and DDR3 with AMD CPUs. I went cheap and picked up an AMD and Gigabyte combo. It will be plenty fast for now with the ATI Video card I own. If I get back to gaming, then I'll go for more CPU. 🙂 I had plenty of DDR2 memory from the various "after rebate" deals. Going Core i7 was going to cost another $500 and I just couldn't pull the trigger.