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Can my mobo take the AMD Phenom II X4?

W

WildViper

Senior member
First off, I know that I am living in the past and not with the latest and greatest. I understand. However, due to budget, I have to remain where I am.

Here are the specs for my current mobo and processor:

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H
Processor: AMD X2 5600+ 64bit
RAM: 6Gigs - 3 chips DDR2 800

This is very slow for what I do...multi-tasking (youtube videos while editing high rez photos in CS5 and LR3). I just bought a SSD drive that will be delivered shortly.

I am looking to upgrade my processor and since my mobo is "supposed" be able to take the Phenom II X4 940, I might as well go for that. I know this CPU is not available any more but on Ebay.

Before I plunk down the cash, do you guys think that my mobo will be able to support this? Anyone with experience? The reason I ask is I do not trust the Gigabyte website since it looks like it has been updated and I know this mobo is not sold anymore. So not sure what is going on there.

Here is the Gigabyte Link http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2758#
Compatible CPUs: http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2758

Appreciate your help.
 
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If you update your bios right now to the F12 version it will run any of those CPUs. My MB is an original am3, I had to update it for my x6
 
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Thanx for the help.

Yes, I have a Microcenter around me. I will have to check that out.

Also, can my mobo take the 960?? Since that is certainly not on the supported list.

I will have to find the bios update too.
 
Well I ordered the 960...couldn't resist after seeing that people are "easily" unlocking the 6 cores and that AMD has stopped production of these. 🙂

Thanx...but now I hope I know how to unlock...and it will work with my mobo. 🙂
 
WildViper said:
Well I ordered the 960...couldn't resist after seeing that people are "easily" unlocking the 6 cores and that AMD has stopped production of these. 🙂

Thanx...but now I hope I know how to unlock...and it will work with my mobo. 🙂
Click to expand...

That 960 is supported, you have to scroll down the "cpus supported" page. Make sure you update your bios before putting the new chip in. Chances the MB won allow unlocking, mine dosent. Not sure if there is another way to unlock though?
 
As others have said, make sure you update your bios first. I would do that before your order ships because if you brick your mobo you might want to start over with something else entirely. 😉 I'm just sayin....

You're lucky you have a gigabyte an not an asus. I have updated the bios on a couple 690G gigabyte boards and had no problem putting in an AM3 chip. Yours is even newer so I would think there should be no issue at all. I even used the windows bios flash tool. Worked fine twice and it was as easy as running cpuz.
 
Thanx all. I will update the bios tonight. Even if I can't unlock...I think it is a big jump from where I am currently. right?

Anyways...it is very odd to hear that Gigabyte is better than Asus...I thought Asus was the best company for mobos. (Thats what I get for being under a rock for few years)
 
It would be great if you report back on how things work out with the bios upgrade and the new cpu. I have the same motherboard with an le-40 cpu (single core, 3.0 ghz) and I've been trying to decide what would be the best upgrade, and this thread caught my eye.

Thanks, and good luck with the upgrade.
 
I have a different board (MSI K9A2 Plat.) that is AM2+, I am able to run an x6 without a problem. I have gotten considerable life out of this socket/board, hopefully the new chip works out well for you as well.
 
Ok...just FYI....I was able to upgrade to the 960. I did the Bios update as suggested here. Put more memory and voila...it is working. obviously I did do a clean win 7 install.

just fyi cparker!
 
If you are comfortable OCing you should try to hit at least 3.6+GHz and 2400 or 2600 NB. If you are stuck using the stock cooler might have to settle for 3.3-3.4GHz, as I am guessing they ship it with their dinky 60mm fan aluminum cooler.
 
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