So, what chipset does BD really require?

[Magic Carpet]

8 months ago... everybody was saying, get a 9xx motherboard. Now I am seeing cheap boards w/ ancient chips flooding the market. Such as this for example.

AMD is definitely on par with Intel's shaddy tactics

 

[lifeblood]

8 months ago... everybody was saying, get a 9xx motherboard. Now I am seeing cheap boards w/ ancient chips flooding the market. Such as this for example.

AMD is definitely on par with Intel's shaddy tactics

A 900 is a tweaked 800 series chipset, therefore either of those is good. Yea, AMD says only the 900 series is officially supported, but I think that was more marketing than anything.

The motherboard manufactorer may do some BIOS (or is it UEFI?) magic to make a 700 series chipset work as well, but I would be cautious as to how well it works with BD. It may work as an office productivity PC, but I wouldn't trust it for anything serious. Overclocking would definitely be off the table in my opinion.

As an aside, if a 700 series chipset is ancient, then I must be beyond prehistoric. I still remember feeling giddy when reading about Intels 440BX chipset for the Pentium.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

I'm pretty sure any chipset that could run AM3 could run AM3+ as there really isn't much difference between the sockets.

The only reason AMD only officially supports the 900 series and bulldozer is because they want to sell more motherboards.

 

[Vesku]

A new physical socket is required for BD, the non-900 series boards that are AM3+ rated all have the black FX socket. I'd look for actual user feedback regarding any 700 and 800 series AM3+ compatible boards as you are relying on how well the motherboard maker back-ported FX support.

 

[blckgrffn]

The 870 boards I bought recently from Gigabyte have black sockets (AM3+ indication) and support for BD processors. I'd agree that sticking to 8xx+ is a good idea.

 

[blckgrffn]

8 months ago... everybody was saying, get a 9xx motherboard. Now I am seeing cheap boards w/ ancient chips flooding the market. Such as this for example.

AMD is definitely on par with Intel's shaddy tactics

I guess I don't follow your reasoning here - that board has BD support. Are you complaining you can buy cheap motherboards?

9xx boards have all the bells and whistles and AMD told us it would work with BD.

If you asked me what Intel mobo to buy right now, I'd say Z68 for IVB. You could buy H61, H67, P67 and not have IVB compatibility unless the board makers make it work somehow. Same deal.

 

[BD231]

The only thing the 990fx chipset is good for is SLi support and native USB 3.0. If your motherboard has a bulldozer bios update like the one in the link you supplied it will work, as the bios options for bulldozer are identical to phenom II's, nothing has changed. Just be sure and check the CPU support list on any board you purchase, if you see the cpu in the support list you're fine it'll work just like any 990 board.

 

[nyker96]

I remember before BD release, AMD rep said due to electrical differences, the AM3 boards won't support AM3+ cpus like BD, but from what I can see the 800s boards many are just one BIOS update away from BD support.

 

[Magic Carpet]

A new physical socket is required for BD, the non-900 series boards that are AM3+ rated all have the black FX socket.

I beg to differ, sir. There are a number of premium quality AM3 "white socket" mobos with BD support. As far as I know, they are working fine.

I guess I don't follow your reasoning here - that board has BD support. Are you complaining you can buy cheap motherboards?

9xx boards have all the bells and whistles and AMD told us it would work with BD.

Reasoning is simple... I feel cheated. AMD and motherboard makers pre-BD days have been telling left and right that you would need a new motherboard to get support and that some of the premium 8xx board will probably be compatible. I bought a few decent ones and still they don't support it. Yet... months later, MSI/ASUS come up with some cheap 760G and decide to make it compatible. It just pisses me off, really.

Than you for contacting MSI Technical Support.

Sorry, 785GM-E65 board is not in the list for motherboars which supports AM3+ processors for the moment. When we finish the bios updates for these newer motherboards in the list, we may also update 785GM-E65. Thanks!

Best regards,
MSI Technical Support Team

I remember before BD release, AMD rep said due to electrical differences, the AM3 boards won't support AM3+ cpus like BD, but from what I can see the 800s boards many are just one BIOS update away from BD support.

Yes, I remember that too. Yet.. again, there are some AM3 boards that do support it.

Shaddy business tactic. Shame on you, AMD :thumbsdown:

 

[BD231]

Probably just a safety measure for AMD being that these cpu's are all multiplyer unlocked and draw considerably more power than their predecessors above stock clocks. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough but I've yet to find a 990 board with anything less than an 8 power phase VRM and six pin 12v connection.

 

[Vesku]

I beg to differ, sir. There are a number of premium quality AM3 "white socket" mobos with BD support. As far as I know, they are working fine.

Do you have any links to manufacturer sites where they list official support for FX processors on a white socket board? Keep in mind some boards have a later revision that adds the black FX compatible socket.

 

[Magic Carpet]

For example this or that. As you can see, that was all marketing bullshit that you could not use BD in existing AM3 boards.

MSI has post the BIOS of corresponding mainboards with support for the new AMD AM3+ processors for consumers to upgrade their MSI AM3 mainboards in order to meet their demands for system upgrade and experiencing the powerful performance of the next-generation AMD processors.

Probably just a safety measure for AMD being that these cpu's are all multiplyer unlocked and draw considerably more power than their predecessors above stock clocks. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough but I've yet to find a 990 board with anything less than an 8 power phase VRM and six pin 12v connection.

Look harder, next time

At first glance we see a nice black PCB with black and blue accents. Surrounding the black AM3+ socket we have your 4+1 power phase design and four dual-channel DDR3 DIMM slots.

 

[frostedflakes]

To be fair this was known months before BD was even released, only AM3+ was officially supported by AMD but board makers were free to release Bulldozer compatible BIOS for their AM3 boards. AMD just wouldn't provide support it if a user was having problems with Bulldozer on an AM3 board that BD isn't officially compatible with.

 

[Magic Carpet]

To be fair this was known months before BD was even released, only AM3+ was officially supported by AMD but board makers were free to release Bulldozer compatible BIOS for their AM3 boards. AMD just wouldn't provide support it if a user was having problems with Bulldozer on an AM3 board that BD isn't officially compatible with.

But telling, what they were telling was a blatant lie.

 

[blckgrffn]

For example this or that. As you can see, that was all marketing bullshit that you could not use BD in existing AM3 boards.


Look harder, next time

Do you have a white socket board in your hands (or in someones hands) that supports BD? Plenty of boards online have pictures of previous board editions, and I'd expect that would be easy enough to let slip by on their website. And BTW, while you busy being a dick, I'll point out that is a 970 board and he specifically mentioned 990. Read harder, next time

But telling, what they were telling was a blatant lie.

You know this? All AM3 boards could be BD compatible with a bios update?

Reasoning is simple... I feel cheated. AMD and motherboard makers pre-BD days have been telling left and right that you would need a new motherboard to get support and that some of the premium 8xx board will probably be compatible. I bought a few decent ones and still they don't support it. Yet... months later, MSI/ASUS come up with some cheap 760G and decide to make it compatible. It just pisses me off, really.

I see. So, if would have bought the chipset AMD promised would work, you'd be fine?

I just don't understand the anger towards AMD here - I was just happy when my old AM2 boards supported AM3 processors that were never guaranteed to work. It was a bonus.

Furthermore, we don't know what, if anything, AMD changed in the spec that might have made the 9xx chipset the best to have with BD. For example, Barcelona on AM2+ was supposed to run its unclock portion of its CPU at 2200mhz versus 2000mhz and hence AM2+ was going to be better. AMD didn't deliver that and really, the situation was pretty much the same as AM3 and AM3+ - except you didn't need the socket change as required with BD. It was a BIOS support issue - and plenty of boards were left behind by partners who didn't want to bother updating their old boards.

Rage if you want, but AMD was guaranteeing that 9xx would work with BD before the processors launched, buying a different board and hoping for support was your own risk at that point. Now you have a lot more options

That said, are you really looking to build a new setup with BD? (I kid, I kid )

Anyway, yeah, I get it, you feel burned. I felt burned several times in the LGA775 days - I have an epic 955x chipset board that will support all sorts of goodies like CF and Firewire B but not freaking Core 2 Duo? That said, in both cases, AMD and Intel have told us what would work. Hoping for broader support is just that - hoping.

 

[IonusX]

personnaly speaking im waiting on the 1100fx chipset's debut. it has alot of socket fixes over 990x. it could be very useful to BD.

 

[Vesku]

From a recent Newegg purchaser of the 890GXM-G65 (says his AM3+ ready version has a black socket):

Pros: One of the only AM3+ Micro ATX boards with two PCIe 2.0 slots for Xfire. Fairly priced. Some simplistic overclocking features.

I received a AM3+ socket (black socket) board ready for the Hex cores. I assume they updated these boards with the new socket and bios. . .makes sense.

Cons: Well its MSI so I'm always a bit skeptical on the quality in the long run. So we will see. This is my third MSI board the first one that has actually worked. . .Third time is a charm i guess?

Other Thoughts: Not AM3 . . . AM3+ Don't let the picture or title trick you. Maybe Newegg should update that huh?

For example this or that. As you can see, that was all marketing bullshit that you could not use BD in existing AM3 boards.

 

[denev2004]

Wondering about the HT....once heard BD uses HT3.1. Do 8xx and 7xx support it?

 

[BD231]

Look harder, next time

That's not a 990 brother.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Do you have a white socket board in your hands (or in someones hands) that supports BD? Plenty of boards online have pictures of previous board editions, and I'd expect that would be easy enough to let slip by on their website.

Unfortunately, I do not own any of the mentioned motherboards. It's quite possible that they have been restocked since their original launches to include the black socket. But as they were initially, they had the white socket and their "home pages" clearly show that. Furthermore, the BIOS section does offer an upgrade path to BD, white or black, it's irrelevant at this point.

And BTW, while you busy being a dick, I'll point out that is a 970 board and he specifically mentioned 990. Read harder, next time

It doesn't make a day and night difference. All these 990 boards feature a 4 + 4 + 2 design, not a true 8 anyway. If properly implemented and kept cool, the regular 4 + 1 is just as good. Certainly enough for moderate clocks. So your argument that 4 + 1 can't power BD is a fail. Think harder next time.

You know this? All AM3 boards could be BD compatible with a bios update?

Certainly, yes. This is up to my motherboard manufacturer though. I am fine with that.

I see. So, if would have bought the chipset AMD promised would work, you'd be fine?

I would be fine in any case. I am just uncomfortable how AMD's PR department have handled these important matters. Since enough time has passed now, I can assess these things in a sober fashion. I do have a right to be a little vocal since I bought more than a few AMD mobos and last I checked this is not against the rules of this forum.

I just don't understand the anger towards AMD here - I was just happy when my old AM2 boards supported AM3 processors that were never guaranteed to work. It was a bonus.

I don't need bonuses, I expect people to make valid statements instead. When AMD says a 900 chipset is needed to make run their next tech and then a few months later a 700 chipset comes out with the BD support, you question their motives. At the very least I would expect an explanation as to why is this and what (if any) features are dropped if it's used with an officially unsupported chipset (such as 760G in this case). Shaddy business tactic, that is... if you ask me.

Rage if you want, but AMD was guaranteeing that 9xx would work with BD before the processors launched, buying a different board and hoping for support was your own risk at that point. Now you have a lot more options

Ah... so that's how AMD treats their customers? Run at your own risk. Okkaaay... I get your point. Duly noted.

That said, are you really looking to build a new setup with BD? (I kid, I kid )

I need to build 25 computers with a possibility to upgrade to Piledriver, hence was my increasing interest. In the meantime, I would be re-using the existing AM3 chips.

Anyway, yeah, I get it, you feel burned. I felt burned several times in the LGA775 days - I have an epic 955x chipset board that will support all sorts of goodies like CF and Firewire B but not freaking Core 2 Duo? That said, in both cases, AMD and Intel have told us what would work. Hoping for broader support is just that - hoping.

hehe, you could have just written that minus everything else

personnaly speaking im waiting on the 1100fx chipset's debut. it has alot of socket fixes over 990x. it could be very useful to BD.

The only google search has brought me here. You know something, we don't? Share it, if you don't mind.

Vesku,
Yes, Newegg has updated stock. Only blacks are shipping now.

Wondering about the HT....once heard BD uses HT3.1. Do 8xx and 7xx support it?

Probably not, but I would imagine at worst they are slightly more bandwidth-limited / slower ?

 

[Vesku]

From underneath the picture of the white socket motherboard on MSI's product page - "The product picture may differ from the actual product. Only for your reference."

If you have evidence of a white socket motherboard running a FX especially an 8120 or 8150 I'd love to see it. And it does matter, if you had a white socket board you'd still need to get a black socket board to run FX. Is it really that frustrating that the new board you have to buy has a 900 series chip instead of an 800 series chip?

This is coming from someone who is disappointed in the current FX chips and has a 1090T in my 990FX board. I didn't pay any sort of price premium compared to an 890FX board with similar features before the 990FX showed up, so I'm not at all angry or disappointed with the motherboard itself.

Edit: After fully reading your last post Magic Carpet, so your angry that AMD doesn't officially acknowledge the earlier chips as compatible? If you are happy with relying on the motherboard maker for compatibility then shouldn't you be mad at them for not spelling out if any features are missing compared to the 900 series boards with official FX support instead of AMD? If you are trying to find out about Piledriver support than your best option is to contact the motherboard manufacturers. They are the ones selling you the final product and servicing your warranty.

Unfortunately, I do not own any of the mentioned motherboards. It's quite possible that they have been restocked since their original launches to include the black socket. But as they were initially, they had the white socket and their "home pages" clearly show that. Furthermore, the BIOS section does offer an upgrade path to BD, white or black, it's irrelevant at this point.

 

[IonusX]

Unfortunately, I do not own any of the mentioned motherboards. It's quite possible that they have been restocked since their original launches to include the black socket. But as they were initially, they had the white socket and their "home pages" clearly show that. Furthermore, the BIOS section does offer an upgrade path to BD, white or black, it's irrelevant at this point.


It doesn't make a day and night difference. All these 990 boards feature a 4 + 4 + 2 design, not a true 8 anyway. If properly implemented and kept cool, the regular 4 + 1 is just as good. Certainly enough for moderate clocks. So your argument that 4 + 1 can't power BD is a fail. Think harder next time.


Certainly, yes. This is up to my motherboard manufacturer though. I am fine with that.


I would be fine in any case. I am just uncomfortable how AMD's PR department have handled these important matters. Since enough time has passed now, I can assess these things in a sober fashion. I do have a right to be a little vocal since I bought more than a few AMD mobos and last I checked this is not against the rules of this forum.

I don't need bonuses, I expect people to make valid statements instead. When AMD says a 900 chipset is needed to make run their next tech and then a few months later a 700 chipset comes out with the BD support, you question their motives. At the very least I would expect an explanation as to why is this and what (if any) features are dropped if it's used with an officially unsupported chipset (such as 760G in this case). Shaddy business tactic, that is... if you ask me.

Ah... so that's how AMD treats their customers? Run at your own risk. Okkaaay... I get your point. Duly noted.

I need to build 25 computers with a possibility to upgrade to Piledriver, hence was my increasing interest. In the meantime, I would be re-using the existing AM3 chips.

hehe, you could have just written that minus everything else


The only google search has brought me here. You know something, we don't? Share it, if you don't mind.

Vesku,
Yes, Newegg has updated stock. Only blacks are shipping now.


Probably not, but I would imagine at worst they are slightly more bandwidth-limited / slower ?

sure amd is arming a new mobo architecture to replace the 9 series the 1090fx is a brand new chipset it also has a lesser 1070 sister. both of which have a bunch of nice new features. alot of things become standard such as true x16/x16 CFX southbridge is also a getting a complete overhaul and is better than anything on socket 1155 or 2011 atm so folks who like USB 3.0 in good supply and sata ports will luv amd.
i knew about this months ago.. where has anand been?
http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/28930813/my-ninjas-bear-fruit-behold-amds-next-chipset

yes im sourcing myself..
http://www.techpowerup.com/154796/AMD-1090FX-and-1070-Chipsets-Disclosed-No-PCI-Express-3.0.html
and yes, i do have ninja's..

 

[sequoia464]

The only thing the 990fx chipset is good for is SLi support and native USB 3.0.

No native USB3.0 yet on the 950 southbridge - my Sabertooth 990FX uses an ASMedia chip to add USB3.0.

Link .. http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3Plus/SABERTOOTH_990FX/#specifications

 

[nenforcer]

Considering AMD just launched PCI-E 3.0 Radeon HD 7000 series graphics cards if there next generation chipsets, 1090FX and 1070, don't support PCI-E 3.0, I will be seriously disappointed.

That doesn't make any sense, essentially forcing customers to an Intel X79 / Socket 2011 platform if they want PCI-E 3.0 for their shiny new Radeon HD 7970 graphics card.

 

[SnooSnoo]

Hi, 1st post.

How can these two be compatible? If BD has one more pin, it clearly can not be inserted into the white socket mobo.

Old pictures, false advertising, both?

1#

2#

EDIT: can't be too hard for them to post updated images...