Question Phenom II and AMD Chipsets ( PCMech Forums Processors, RAM, Motherboards, and Overclocking )
Updated: 2009-06-04 05:20:13 (25) |
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
Hi all,
After not having built a computer for several years (I believe my last one was built in 2003), I'm tentatively planning to built a budget workstation system (not a gamer) this summer (~$750). To get a lot of bang for the buck, I have been considering the AMD Phenom II X4 CPU's and corresponding AMD chipsets. However, since I have been out of the loop for several years, I was hoping that someone could explain to me the difference between the AMD 700/SB700 and 790FX/SB750 chipsets. The price difference (when looking at Asus boards) is substantial, but I couldn't immediately see a lot of distinguishing features. Also, what is the current recommendation of going with AM3 over AM2+?
Thanks in advance for your help.
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| Answers: Phenom II and AMD Chipsets ( PCMech Forums Processors, RAM, Motherboards, and Overclocking ) |
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
As far as I know, the 790GX has better overclocking and better graphics as most have ATI Integrated.
As for the AM3/AM2+ debate, I don't know. However AM3 is B.C with AM2+.
tomtoon
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
the newer chipsets are more stable with the Phenom IIs....any board with a SB750 is good...
they even have a budget 760/SB750 board that is real nice...
if you arent going to overclock there is really no reason to get a 790GX/FX board....
just look for one with the SB750 or newer that has the options you want...the onboard 3200/3300 video is really good...
If you plan to use the onboard video get the one with the highest amount of Sideport memory...
MaxRat
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
If you want, I'll put together a list for a PC based around the Phenom II 955 and 790GX motherboard. Shouldn't be too hard, especially since a high-end GPU isn't needed.
USA? I'll probably pick from Newegg.com.
Icyman23
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
Thanks guys, really appreciate it.
Icyman, sure, go ahead -- and Newegg is fine. My only main requirements would be DVI availability for video, Asus motherboard, decently fast I/O, and a quiet case.
Thanks again.
Floppyman
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MaxRat
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Is this just a USB 2.0 issue or USB in general? Otherwise how is a USB keyboard/mouse supposed to work to install windows/get the fix?
Thanks again.
Floppyman
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
it's a software issue within the Asus software....
the USB ports work fine until you install the software at which time they quit working....
if you have a USB keyboard/mouse you have to revert to PS/2 to get the fix...
I would be inclined to just get teh driver from AMD and Not install the AMD filter if possible...with the Asus CD it inst possible...the filter installs with the drivers...
MaxRat
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
ASRock is a subsidary of ASUS.
ASUS quality at lower prices. And the same BIOS dept.? And I own an XFX board. Dead bottom of everything? For the last two-three years all XFX boards are rebadged EVGA/Foxconn boards.
And the board is outfitted with solid capacitors. Oh well, there are other boards just as good as that one for about that price.
Alternate motherboard:
Foxconn A7DA-S $105
Used by overclockers to get the AMD Phenom II 940 to 6.3 Ghz with liquid nitrogen.
Icyman23
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
Liquid nitrogen, never seen that before?
tomtoon
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
AMD used Liquid Helium to get theirs...the AMD competition was all on Liquid Helium at the Vegas show in January....
MaxRat
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Icyman23
ASRock is a subsidary of ASUS.
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That is true, but AsRock boards are built by ECS for Asus. Asus is not building them, and we all know ECS quality is terrible.
Alaron
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
Thanks guys -- much appreciated.
Can someone tell me what the difference between AM2+ and AM3 sockets is? Also, does it make sense to go with DDR3 at this point? And finally,what would you recommend for a nice 22" or 24" LCD (IPS or S-IPS panel is preferred).
Thanks again.
Floppyman
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
The Phenom II AM3 isnt backwards compatable....AMD has it listed on their site NOT to put a AM3 CPU in a AM2+ board....
I thought they were going to be but turns out they are not....
with DDR3 prices being down pretty low right now I would definitely check into the AM3/DDR3 stuff...a 2x2 kit of ram isnt much more (if any) than ddr2....
as for monitors the 22inch seems to be at a nice price point....
Lately I have been getting teh Acer units and they have been really nice....
MaxRat
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MaxRat
The Phenom II AM3 isnt backwards compatable....AMD has it listed on their site NOT to put a AM3 CPU in a AM2+ board....
I thought they were going to be but turns out they are not....
with DDR3 prices being down pretty low right now I would definitely check into the AM3/DDR3 stuff...a 2x2 kit of ram isnt much more (if any) than ddr2....
as for monitors the 22inch seems to be at a nice price point....
Lately I have been getting teh Acer units and they have been really nice....
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Yes they are. The AM3 CPU's have both a DDR2 and DDR3 memory controller.
AM2+ CPU's can't go into AM3 boards. But if you are right, could you show me the link?
DDR3+ AMD isn't much better than high-end DDR2. DDR3 1333 is the highest supported, and the latencies are so loose that you are better off with cas 5 DDR2.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Alaron
That is true, but AsRock boards are built by ECS for Asus. Asus is not building them, and we all know ECS quality is terrible.
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Thanks for clearing that up, I never knew that.
Icyman23
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
I do not recommend ECS or Foxconn with AMD builds.
Khalil
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
I just built my first machine after years of frustration with factory builds. I started with the MSI 790FX-GD70 AMD 790 Socket AM3 Mobo, and am very happy i did. 4 DDR3 slots made 8GB of RAM a feasible and (relatively) cheap goal. 6 SATA headers and IDE connecter inside and 7 USB ports, 1 firewire, 1 eSATA and onboard audio made this a no-brainer for me. Why is noone on these forums suggesting MSI? Are there a ton of problems around the corner that i should beware of?
Kidd
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
Because when an MSI product fails, you will have a hell of a time getting support, that is if you get any. We recommend Asus mainly on this forum because they make the best products and offer the best support over all. No company is perfect and Asus rarely drops the ball.
Good luck with your MSI rig.
Khalil
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
ouch. Thanks for the heads-up. This first build was so easy tho, that I'm considering starting another one and giving the last one to a family member. Sounds like Asus would be a better starting point. I've noticed alot of threads on PCMECH are people who are having problems with their machine that has been overclocked. My motherboard was designed for OC (according to product literature from MSI), but would this be ASKING for trouble if i give it a shot? The computer has barely been used thus far, but is running fast (even with Vista x64). When I start noticing performance loss, would i really get that much more out of my computer by overclocking?
Kidd
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
Overclocking will involve a risk, and is not recommended unless you are aware of the potential danger and can accept that.
My advice is to not overclock a critical computer, and to have backups if you do. If it's running fast enough for you now, then leave it alone.
shadowpr
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
MSI boards aren't bad.
The main problem seems to be quality control,if you get one that works,you should be okay.
MSI is pretty good on rma procedures,once you get through and in fact found their rma easier than Asus.
As far as overclocking,you'll probably find minimal increase in performance,as you're not pushing the cpu to extremes,but still feel free to experiment.
Just nudge it a little,research on how to do it and remember if it fails(no boot screen),you can reset the bios,some motherboards have a key on the keyboard to push to do so.
Overclocking was fun when you could get a 600mhz cpu and push it to a gig.
AMD still holds the crown,when their 20mhz cpu was pushed to 100mhz,but that was a while ago
Alfie
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Phenom II and AMD Chipsets
The Foxconn board I mentioned is not at all bad...
If you go with ASUS you may need to update the BIOS. Some of their AM2+ boards have been flaky with the 955.
I, personally would go with DFI. The M2RS boards are top of the line.
3rd Board recommendation: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136058
Icyman23
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