AMD socket AM3 processors to work in AM2 boards - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 20th Jul 2007, 19:03

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/07...n_am2_boards/1

Sources close to AMD have suggested that the company's future 45nm socket AM3 CPUs will work in current socket AM2 motherboards.

DougEdey · 20th Jul 2007, 19:11

This has been known about for ages, it's called AM2+.
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3169

Tim S · 20th Jul 2007, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougEdey

This has been known about for ages, it's called AM2+.

AM2+ is a bridge between AM2 and AM3... AM2+ has HT3.0 and improved power management (as stated in the article) and AM3 adds DDR3. However, the good thing is that AMD isn't changing the power requirements for AM2+ or AM3, which ultimately means there should be no physical issue preventing AM3 chips running in AM2 boards.

DougEdey · 20th Jul 2007, 19:15

But as I say, it's been known about since June 2006!

DarkLord7854 · 20th Jul 2007, 19:56

I'd rather have a faster/more efficient CPU then a CPU which I can drop into older motherboards and stuff. I'm still skeptical bout AMD's upcoming lineups, especially given the arrival of Penryn not too far from now

cpemma · 20th Jul 2007, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkLord7854

I'd rather have a faster/more efficient CPU then a CPU which I can drop into older motherboards...

So would everybody, but the point is, when, in the not-too-distant future, you can't buy a new AM2 processor for your "old" AM2 motherboard you can drop in an AM3. Sure, you'll be crippling it, but you won't be lashing out on a new mobo and new memory. Good for most business and SOHO systems.

DXR_13KE · 20th Jul 2007, 20:36

i am still waiting for this phenom and the Bit-tech review.

devdevil85 · 20th Jul 2007, 20:38

/\ ditto, and how about a few more DX10 games while we're at it....

proxess · 20th Jul 2007, 23:45

Its good if you wanna upgrade your pc slowly (or you have no other option, like me).

Tyinsar · 21st Jul 2007, 03:48

I guess this is good news for me since I just bought an AM2 board but realistically if I later bought an AM3 processor for it what would I do with the old CPU? (Yes, I could sell it IF I found someone who had an AM2 board without a CPU but at that time I suspect those will be like finding a new 754/940/939 board is now.) I find it best to just upgrade the MB & CPU at the same time.

Still, to me it shows AMD is thinking of it's customers (because sometimes changing the board causes way too many hassles - especially in a business)

kickarse · 21st Jul 2007, 08:57

So I guess the idea is that an AM2 chip isn't forward compatible to AM2+ nor AM3 but any chip from AM2+ and AM3 is backwards compatible, it'll just be slower. So it's not really a new socket just a new specing for the chips.

BUFF · 21st Jul 2007, 21:09

afaik an AM2 CPU should be usable in an AM2+ board & in theory would also be in an AM3 board except that an AM3 board is unlikely to have DDR2 sockets for RAM (mind you someone like Asrock may make a combo).
Of course an AM2 CPU wouldn't be able to use the extra features (split power planes etc.) that the future sockets will offer.

Cthippo · 22nd Jul 2007, 05:40

Granted this may be of questionable value, but it feels good to see a company NOT trying to shaft their customers by making them buy hardware they don't really need. It's stuff like this that keeps me an AMD fanboi!

roadie · 24th Jul 2007, 11:29

I upgraded to AM2 specifically for this reason when DDR2 hit its lowest price point. Ended up getting a X2 3600 (now at 2.8Ghz), an abit KN9 Ultra and 4Gb of cas4 DDR2 for just over £200. When the new AMD CPUs are released, it should offer a decent upgrade path.

20th Jul 2007, 19:03	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	AMD socket AM3 processors to work in AM2 boards http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/07...n_am2_boards/1 Sources close to AMD have suggested that the company's future 45nm socket AM3 CPUs will work in current socket AM2 motherboards. __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

20th Jul 2007, 19:11	#2
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	This has been known about for ages, it's called AM2+. http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3169 __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

20th Jul 2007, 19:15	#4
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	But as I say, it's been known about since June 2006! __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

20th Jul 2007, 19:56	#5
DarkLord7854 Web Developer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 3,822	I'd rather have a faster/more efficient CPU then a CPU which I can drop into older motherboards and stuff. I'm still skeptical bout AMD's upcoming lineups, especially given the arrival of Penryn not too far from now __________________ Current Computer: eVGA 780i Motherboard \| Q6600 Core2Quad \| eVGA GTX260 896Mbs 216-core \| 2x Seagate 500Gbs \| 8Gbs OCZ Platinum DDR2 800 \| Creative XtremeGamer X-Fi \| Thermaltake Armor Case Custom WordPress, ZenCart, Joomla, vBulletin, etc installs and skinning, PM/E-Mail for a quote

20th Jul 2007, 20:36	#7
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,461	i am still waiting for this phenom and the Bit-tech review. __________________ *Renegade X - 0.40 Release!* <---- CLICK!

20th Jul 2007, 20:38	#8
devdevil85 Hypermodder Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US of A Posts: 884	/\ ditto, and how about a few more DX10 games while we're at it....

20th Jul 2007, 23:45	#9
proxess Victim of AdvancedModernCapitalism Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The town of Love, Funchal Posts: 597	Its good if you wanna upgrade your pc slowly (or you have no other option, like me). __________________ Netbook: Asus eeePC 901; 12Gb SDD; Custom Ubuntu 9.04 Minimal Compiz Standalone. Laptop: Intel Centrino Duo T5500 1.66ghz; 2048mb RAM; ATI Mobility Radeon x2300; Hitachi 120gb iPod Classic 120GB; Maxtor 160GB External; Ubuntu 9.10 x64 and Windows 7 x64.

21st Jul 2007, 03:48	#10
Tyinsar 6 screens / 1 card Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: AB.CA Posts: 2,005	I guess this is good news for me since I just bought an AM2 board but realistically if I later bought an AM3 processor for it what would I do with the old CPU? (Yes, I could sell it IF I found someone who had an AM2 board without a CPU but at that time I suspect those will be like finding a new 754/940/939 board is now.) I find it best to just upgrade the MB & CPU at the same time. Still, to me it shows AMD is thinking of it's customers (because sometimes changing the board causes way too many hassles - especially in a business) __________________ It's not about how life treats you, it's about how you treat life.

21st Jul 2007, 08:57	#11
kickarse Ultramodder Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Holyoke, MA Posts: 1,281	So I guess the idea is that an AM2 chip isn't forward compatible to AM2+ nor AM3 but any chip from AM2+ and AM3 is backwards compatible, it'll just be slower. So it's not really a new socket just a new specing for the chips. __________________ Top 5 Listening to Now - A Second To Last - Dying Against Your Will Rock Kills Kid - Paralyzed Zero State Reflex - I'm Splintering Hot Hot Heat - Middle of No Where - www.nerges.net

21st Jul 2007, 21:09	#12
BUFF Hypermodder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Glasgow Posts: 912	afaik an AM2 CPU should be usable in an AM2+ board & in theory would also be in an AM3 board except that an AM3 board is unlikely to have DDR2 sockets for RAM (mind you someone like Asrock may make a combo). Of course an AM2 CPU wouldn't be able to use the extra features (split power planes etc.) that the future sockets will offer.

22nd Jul 2007, 05:40	#13
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,456	Granted this may be of questionable value, but it feels good to see a company NOT trying to shaft their customers by making them buy hardware they don't really need. It's stuff like this that keeps me an AMD fanboi! __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

24th Jul 2007, 11:29	#14
roadie Minimodder Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 25	I upgraded to AM2 specifically for this reason when DDR2 hit its lowest price point. Ended up getting a X2 3600 (now at 2.8Ghz), an abit KN9 Ultra and 4Gb of cas4 DDR2 for just over £200. When the new AMD CPUs are released, it should offer a decent upgrade path.