BEST AM2 CPU?

[H0R53]

I've got a perfectly good AM2 motherboard that supports DDR3 just sitting in a corner collecting dust. I want to give it some new life, and my google-fu isn't the best.

 

I don't know what motherboard it is, but it came out of a Dell Inspiron 531. I do not believe this was the original board as there is an Intel^TM Pentium® Inside sticker on the front of the case. I have sold another completely different system in the case (client wanted a 'sleeper' with an i7 in an OEM case from 2008...).

 

Since it supports DDR3 it can't be THAT bad.

 

Any idea what a good AM2 CPU would be that can still game?

[Ordinarily_Greater]

Athlon XP is the same as Pentium 4

 

now what is the same as Core 2 Quad Q6600?

[Ground]

Given that it supports DDR3, is it possible that it is an AM2+ motherboard? That would give you a much broader selection of CPUs, including some first generation Phenoms.

Edit: I think I might be wrong here - AM2+ is supposedly somewhat backwards compatible with AM2, so the Phenoms might be possible

[Guest]

I used to have an Asus M2n Sli deluxe motherboard. AM2 socket. I could even fit some AM3 CPU's.

 

To improve your google-fu skills, find the name + model of your motherboard. (should be listed somewhere on the board...) Then google that name. You should find the manufacturers website. Those manufacturers usually have an "supported CPU list" on their web page. See which of them CPU's is the best for the board.

 

If it's a really good motherboard, you might also want to look for overclockers.net search results. My old board used to have an own overclockers group, and they listed even moar "compatible" CPU's.

[H0R53]

37 minutes ago, Ordinarily_Greater said:

Athlon XP is the same as Pentium 4

 

now what is the same as Core 2 Quad Q6600?

 

31 minutes ago, Ground said:

Given that it supports DDR3, is it possible that it is an AM2+ motherboard? That would give you a much broader selection of CPUs, including some first generation Phenoms.

Edit: I think I might be wrong here - AM2+ is supposedly somewhat backwards compatible with AM2, so the Phenoms might be possible

Meant DDR2...ew.

 

 

[david cassar]

1 minute ago, H0R53 said:

 

Meant DDR2...ew.

 

 

I'm pretty sure that there are some old phenom x4s which are on the am2 socket. Something like a phenom x4 9950. Not sure though I'll check again.

[Guest]

@david cassar He would really need the motherboard name, because some motherboards would have a limited TDP. (or whatever) Like, some motherboards would only support up to 100 watt CPU's, while others might support 125 watt CPU's. With the same socket.

[david cassar]

Just now, Dutch-stoner said:

@david cassar He would really need the motherboard name, because some motherboards would have a limited TDP. (or whatever) Like, some motherboards would only support up to 100 watt CPU's, while others might support 125 watt CPU's. With the same socket.

You are correct. There is very limited backwards compatibility from am2+ to am2 and it depends on the motherboard.

[Guest]

@david cassar Just for fun, look at the list of "compatible CPU's" for my old motherboard, the Asus M2n SLI Deluxe. (and example page for topic starter)

 

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M2NSLI_Deluxe/HelpDesk_CPU/

 

It's an old AM2 motherboard, not even the + is there. But you could put in a Phenom IIX4 945 CPU. Official Beta BIOS is provided. And a bit moar unofficial, people on overclockers.net managed to get the Phenom IIX4 965 Black to work in that motherboard.

 

*Gave that old hardware to my GF, she uses it to watch YT/movies/series on her tv with an Athlon X2 4200+ CPU in it*

[H0R53]

10 minutes ago, Dutch-stoner said:

@david cassar He would really need the motherboard name, because some motherboards would have a limited TDP. (or whatever) Like, some motherboards would only support up to 100 watt CPU's, while others might support 125 watt CPU's. With the same socket.

 

9 minutes ago, david cassar said:

You are correct. There is very limited backwards compatibility from am2+ to am2 and it depends on the motherboard.

 

bios-mods.com usually has what I'm looking for. If I can find a good CPU for this thing, maybe I'll get a hacked BIOS for better support.

 

AN old Inspiron 545 I had used to have a Q9400, wasn't enough, so I hacked the BIOS and put an X5460 in.

 

1 minute ago, Dutch-stoner said:

@david cassar Just for fun, look at the list of "compatible CPU's" for my old motherboard, the Asus M2n SLI Deluxe. (and example page for topic starter)

 

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M2NSLI_Deluxe/HelpDesk_CPU/

 

It's an old AM2 motherboard, not even the + is there. But you could put in a Phenom IIX4 945 CPU. Official Beta BIOS is provided. And a bit moar unofficial, people on overclockers.net managed to get the Phenom IIX4 965 Black to work in that motherboard.

 

*Gave that old hardware to my GF, she uses it to watch YT/movies/series on her tv with an Athlon X2 4200+ CPU in it*

Hmmm.