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General Category => Technology and Programming => Topic started by: something bizarre and impractical on July 16, 2009, 07:10:05 am

Title: Looking for AM2+ Mobo
Post by: something bizarre and impractical on July 16, 2009, 07:10:05 am

I've decided my next computer will be a Phenom II build (mixing it up), but I'm unsure on which motherboard to select. I'd like to cannibalize certain parts of this computer even if temporarily. I'm unsatisfied with performance gains from DDR3 memory, so I'm going to stick with the 4GB DDR2 I have now (hence the AM2+ socket as opposed to AM3). I currently have an 8800GT which I will be using until I replace it with either a 4770CF setup or a higher end ATI card, either way I'd like to have the option to crossfire open to me. I will be purchasing the Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition CPU.

Title: Looking for AM2+ Mobo
Post by: Frisky SKeleton on July 16, 2009, 08:21:57 am

i'd really recommend anything with the 780g chipset, it's pretty much awesome. i've got a m3a78-em in this and it's fantastic value for money, though i think there's like a 790g chipset or something now which is better.

Title: Looking for AM2+ Mobo
Post by: Jeff on July 16, 2009, 12:16:12 pm

I second the ASUS recommendation from climbtree; I pretty much only use their boards. You will probably want a 790FX rather than the GX that he suggested if you are going to Crossfire as the GX limits PCIe bandwidth to dual 8x or 16x/8x (depending on the board) when running two cards, while the FX keeps them both at 16x.

Here is Newegg's lines of 790FX chipsets:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200022%20107191003%201071933047&name=AMD%20790FX
Of those, I own the M4A79T Deluxe, and I highly recommend it, but that is DDR3, so you will want to go with the M4A79 Deluxe instead for AM2+/DDR2. If you are not looking to Crossfire, the GX would likely be significantly cheaper and will allow Hybrid Crossfire with your integrated GPU.

You will want to also be sure that you get the SB750 southbridge, which allows unlocking of your other cores in less than X4 Phenom IIs. Go here (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/unlock-phenom-ii,2273.html) for more info on that.

Aside from ASUS, the other most recommended are Gigabyte and DFI. You can see the AMD Dragon Club (http://www.overclock.net/amd-general/523498-amd-dragon.html) at Overclockers and see what everyone is using if you want more suggestions.

Title: Looking for AM2+ Mobo
Post by: Frisky SKeleton on July 17, 2009, 05:10:40 am

yeah the integrated graphics and the ability to crossfire with it is really awesome, but it looks like the FX doesn't have anything integrated? i should have said in my original post that that's what really sells them for me. i'm a sucker for single chip solutions