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Motherboards Which AM3+ chipset?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Duffer, 6 Aug 2011.

  1. Duffer

    Duffer What's a Dremel?

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    When bulldozer is released, i'm planning to commit herracy and rebuild my machine with Phenom ii. Can someone please give me a breakdown of the different AM3+ chipsets?

    I'm not worried about SLI/Crossfire etc, but need SATA 3, and would like USB 3. Would an 8xx series chipset be ok? What are the advantages of a 9xx series over the 8xx?

    Finally, if i am to upgrade to Bulldozer further down the line, which chipset would be most appropriate?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    Duffer, 6 Aug 2011
    #1
  2. jakobfrimmel

    jakobfrimmel What's a Dremel?

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    well the 9xx chipse'st will definatly work for Bulldozer and the 8xx some will work and some wont... Personally i would go get a 9xx mobo because its better down the line and will give me a piece of mind if i were to upgrade...
     
    jakobfrimmel, 6 Aug 2011
    #2
  3. padrejones2001

    padrejones2001 Puppy Love

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    There's only one true AM3+ chipset, and that's that 9XX series. The 8XX series boards that support AM3+ only do so because they have a modified BIOS, not because they were meant to support it to begin with. The 9XX boards also use a different system for power regulation, so if you're planning on overclocking, the 8XX boards may not take kindly to it. The 9XX chipset also features a faster HyperTransport, 3.1 vs 3.0.

    As for a breakdown of the chipset, it goes like this:
    Chipsets with no designation do not supposrt Crosfire or SLI.
    G chipsets have onboard graphics, typically featuring a PCI-e x16 slot.
    M chipsets have onboard graphics, typically featuring a PCI-e x16 slot. These are designed for mobile processors
    GX chipsets have onboard graphics, typically featuring a PCI-e x16 slot. Supports Crossfire by also utilizing onboard graphics.
    X chipsets also have PCI-e x16 slots, but typically feature two of them. Supports Crossfire.
    FX chipsets also have PCI-e x16 slots, but typically feature four of them. Supports Crossfire. Also the only chipset that supports quad graphics.
     
    padrejones2001, 6 Aug 2011
    #3
  4. Duffer

    Duffer What's a Dremel?

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    OK, thanks for the info, chaps. So it looks like i'm after a good old fasioned 9xx series. Any recomendations? I'd like to spend below £100 idealy...

    Edit:

    At this stage, is it possible to tell which ones will and which won't? Or will we have to wait until they've been tested?
     
    Last edited: 7 Aug 2011
    Duffer, 7 Aug 2011
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  5. padrejones2001

    padrejones2001 Puppy Love

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    In the sub-$100 category, this would be my recommendation. Link.
     
    padrejones2001, 7 Aug 2011
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  6. meandmymouth

    meandmymouth Multimodder

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    I'd agree here, good board with plenty of features for decent money.
     
    meandmymouth, 7 Aug 2011
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  7. OCJunkie

    OCJunkie OC your Dremel too

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    This. If you're buying a brand new AMD board there's no reason to go with an old 8xx chipset.
     
    OCJunkie, 9 Aug 2011
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