Can I put a Phenom x4 into THIS AM2+ MOBO?

[chrisjames61]

pyjujiop said the board should theoretically support an x6 am3 platform processor.

Go back and reread what he said. I got it quite differently.

 

[chusteczka]

HP limits the bios to prevent upgrades. This way, you will have to purchase a new computer sooner. They make more sales.

You are not limited by the CPU or by AMD, you are limited by the HP bios. This is why so many people build their own computers, for the freedom of upgradeability and component interchangeability.

You can put an AM3 CPU in the socket but the bios will not allow the motherboard to recognize it as an AM3 CPU and it will perform no better than the old CPU intended for replacement.

My recommendation is to purchase a new computer. Otherwise, you will waste your money trying to upgrade, only to find the HP-limited bios prevents the motherboard from recognizing the upgraded components. This is true for both the CPU and memory speeds. The only thing not bios limited is memory capacity; such as upgrading from 1GB to 4GB. Yet the motherboard will most likely not recognize a memory speed increase; such as from 333MHz (666) to 400MHz (800).

You will find that even though Asus manufactured that motherboard, it is not supported on Asus' Support site. Thus ensuring you have to go through HP.

Motherboard Model: M2N78-LA
http://support.asus.com/Download/Options.aspx?SLanguage=en&type=1

 

[JumBie]

HP limits the bios to prevent upgrades. This way, you will have to purchase a new computer sooner. They make more sales.

You are not limited by the CPU or by AMD, you are limited by the HP bios. This is why so many people build their own computers, for the freedom of upgradeability and component interchangeability.

You can put an AM3 CPU in the socket but the bios will not allow the motherboard to recognize it as an AM3 CPU and it will perform no better than the old CPU intended for replacement.

My recommendation is to purchase a new computer. Otherwise, you will waste your money trying to upgrade, only to find the HP-limited bios prevents the motherboard from recognizing the upgraded components. This is true for both the CPU and memory speeds. The only thing not bios limited is memory capacity; such as upgrading from 1GB to 4GB. Yet the motherboard will most likely not recognize a memory speed increase; such as from 333MHz (666) to 400MHz (800).

You will find that even though Asus manufactured that motherboard, it is not supported on Asus' Support site. Thus ensuring you have to go through HP.

Motherboard Model: M2N78-LA
http://support.asus.com/Download/Options.aspx?SLanguage=en&type=1

Its not my main system, its just a system I intended on fixing for a few friends to come over and play around with. I guess ill grab a new mobo, cpu, and ram combo and toss it in. No point in me messing around with something that will probably never get any better.

 

[chusteczka]

Its not my main system, its just a system I intended on fixing for a few friends to come over and play around with. I guess ill grab a new mobo, cpu, and ram combo and toss it in. No point in me messing around with something that will probably never get any better.

That is the frustrating part of working on other people's systems, the bios limits upgrade-ability. Especially HP computers. I ran into the same problem with an HP computer belonging to my aunt a couple weeks ago. Make sure your friends are willing to pay for the upgrade.

 

[JumBie]

That is the frustrating part of working on other people's systems, the bios limits upgrade-ability. Especially HP computers. I ran into the same problem with an HP computer belonging to my aunt a couple weeks ago. Make sure your friends are willing to pay for the upgrade.

LOL I'll make sure to collect the upgrade tax that ive been meaning too for the past few years.

 

[coolpurplefan]

If you want to have a laugh, in 2000, I bought an HP Pavilion computer with a 667MHz CPU. I thought it was really cool at the time because it had a CD burner. Later I discovered it had a 90 watt power supply.

 

[chrisjames61]

If you want to have a laugh, in 2000, I bought an HP Pavilion computer with a 667MHz CPU. I thought it was really cool at the time because it had a CD burner. Later I discovered it had a 90 watt power supply.

That psu was pretty much the norm back then for low end systems like that.

 

[TeknoBug]

Yes like others said, if the BIOS has no support, then you can throw the idea of trying an AM3 CPU in that board.

And even back then I had a 400W PSU for a dual Pentium Pro + 6 SCS-U2W array- that machine ran for 12 years straight (aside storm power outtages).

 

[hoorah]

I'm not sure if you made your decision or not but as I have a lot of spare parts lying around and do lots of upgrades for family I'll chime in with my experience.

If its an OEM board, unless it specifically lists compatibility I wouldn't waste any time with it. I've had quite a few HP AM2/AM2+ socket motherboards that couldn't handle the most modest of upgrades with CPUs that I knew worked, and thats even after upgrading the the latest BIOS.

As most of us building our own systems work with retail motherboards, we get a little spoiled in upgradability compared to OEMs and don't realize how much less support they get.

I have a Phenom 9550 (older phenom I)that I've tried to give to 2 people with HP OEM AM2+ systems and it balked at both. I finally got it to work in my HTPC (which has an AM3 board). That said the benchmark on the Phenom I is on par with an E8500 core 2 duo, that produces a lot less heat, and can be had on ebay for $20. Considering I have socket775 motherboards in piles, it makes the core2 path for an older system a much easier option, but I dont know what your part stockpile looks like.