Motherboard compatibility questions

Larry Bailey94 said:My bad, my bad—I grabbed the wrong motherboard specs earlier... he actually said it’s an ASRock N68-GE3 UCC, featuring GeForce 7025 / nForce 630a, DDR3, audio, VGA, G-LAN, S-ATA, RAID, PCI-E, mATX, socket AM3.

That won't work either; that Phenom isn't even on his CPU support list.
Support up to 95W Socket AM3 processors

When dealing with those Phenom chips, I highly recommend picking up a decent board (something north of $100)—even if cheaper ones technically "support" them, there is a very real risk of frying your components.

It would be much smarter to just pivot to the FM2 platform with an Athlon II x4 740/750 K. Those perform about the same as a Phenom in gaming, and you'll end up saving quite a bit of cash in the process.

@Larry Bailey94/">@@Larry Bailey94, looks like they were right—that CPU isn't going to work with that motherboard (it's pretty low-end), and honestly, that power supply is kind of weak too. You'd be better off building it differently. Where are you shopping, and what's your budget looking like?

fadedorca66 said:@Larry Bailey94—just so you know—that CPU isn't compatible with that motherboard (it’s pretty low-end), and that power supply is nothing special either. You really ought to build this better. Where are you shopping, and what's your actual budget?

Aside from the GPU, I'll probably grab everything in the link—maybe an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti OC with 2GB GDDR5 (DVI/DP) or perhaps a 7850, depending on what's left. My budget is roughly $250 right now, but if I sell my current rig for about $80, I'll have closer to $350 total. With that, you could probably include a case, a hard drive, and some extra peripherals.

If you can, steer clear of those links because they're overpriced. Your best bet is probably the FM2 AMD Athlon II x4 740 paired with that ASRock FM2A75 PRO4-M motherboard you mentioned on the last page.

As for the GPU, maybe try to stretch your budget for a 7850 if possible; it's actually stronger than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650.

So, while I was saving up, I did some digging and talked to several people—at least 20 folks who actually know their hardware—and they all said the same thing: the Athlon is junk compared to the Phenom. Based on that, I managed to sell my old rig and decided to pull the trigger this Monday on a full build consisting of:

-Motherboard: MSI 970 A-G46, AM3+, DDR3—specifically built for Phenom processors

-Processor: AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition, AM3 socket, 3.2GHz, 8MB cache, Quad-core

-Graphics Card: ASUS Radeon HD 7770

-Power Supply: 600W, LC Power Pro Line Series, ATX, v2.3, 135mm fan, black

-Memory: PC-10666, 4 GB, MUSHKIN SilverLine Stiletto, 996768, DDR3 1333MHz, 3x2GB kit—people say RAM performs better when you use two or more sticks to balance the load...

-Hard Drive: 750.0 GB, Western Digital WD7500AZEX, SATA3, 64MB cache, 7200 RPM, desktop class

-DVD±RW: ASUS DRW-24B5ST/BLK/B/AS, 24x, SATA, Dual Layer, black, bulk

-And finally, the case: Thermaltake Commander MS-I

All in, it comes out to roughly $4,000-$4,200—which I think is a pretty solid configuration😉 what are your thoughts?

Larry Bailey94 said:So, while I was saving up, I did some digging and asked around. Honestly, everyone—at least 20 people who actually know their stuff—told me the Athlon is junk compared to the Phenom. So, I managed to sell my old rig and decided to pull the trigger this Monday on a full build. Here’s the lineup:

-Motherboard: MSI 970 A-G46, AM3+, DDR3, built specifically for Phenom processors

-Processor: AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition, s. AM3, 3.2GHz, 8MB cache, Quad-core

-Graphics Card: ASUS Radeon HD 7770

-Power Supply: 600W, LC Power Pro Line Series, ATX, v2.3, 135mm fan, black

-Memory: PC-10666, 4 GB, MUSHKIN SilverLine Stiletto, 996768, DDR3 1333MHz, 3x2GB kit - People say RAM runs better when you use 2 or more sticks for better distribution...

-Hard Drive: 750.0 GB, Western Digital WD7500AZEX, SATA3, 64MB cache, 7200 RPM, desktop

-DVD±RW: ASUS DRW-24B5ST/BLK/B/AS, 24x, SATA, Dual Layer, black, bulk

- And finally the case: Thermaltake Commander MS-I

Total comes out to roughly $400-$420, and I think it's a pretty decent setup 😉 what do you guys think?

There are better boards out there... that Athlon isn't just slightly weaker; it's a completely different architecture from the K10 Athlon, plus it overclocks like crazy. The HDD isn't a great deal since you can grab a 1TB for just a few bucks more. The PSU is total overkill, and there are cheaper versions of that GPU. For the RAM, you really want dual channel (use 2 or 4 sticks; 3 is a bad idea). The case is just okay...

Do you still think it's as good as ours? 😬

Nah.

First off, it’s Phenom, not Pheanom 😁

Also, that logic applies to older Athlon chips. The Athlon II x4 740/750 K is a newer processor based on the Trinity architecture, so while it might be a tiny bit slower than a Phenom, it's newer, runs cooler, and draws less power. Plus, it's cheaper, and you can find cheaper motherboards for it too.

What's the price on that GPU? I have a feeling it's only pricier than the others because it's an ASUS.

A 600W PSU is overkill. That setup will probably pull maybe 200W.

A 3x2GB kit? No. Those kits are meant for platforms that actually support triple channel. You need dual channel, though if you're looking at 4GB, it might be better to just grab a single stick to make future upgrades easier.

And finally, Thermaltake cases don't really give you much bang for your buck.

fadedorca66 said:No.

First off—it’s Phenom, not Pheanom. 😁

Furthermore, that logic applies to the older Athlon models, not the current ones. The Athlon II x4 740/750 K is a newer chip based on the Trinity architecture—meaning it's slightly slower than a Phenom, sure, but it's newer, more efficient, and runs cooler. Plus, it's cheaper, and you'll find the motherboards are easier on the wallet too.

And what's the price on that GPU? Something tells me it's only pricier than the rest simply because it's an ASUS.

A 600W PSU is overkill. This build will barely pull 200W.

A 3x2 kit? No. Those kits are meant for platforms that actually support triple channel. You need dual channel. Honestly, if you're looking at 4GB, you're better off grabbing a single stick just to make future upgrades less of a headache.

Finally—Thermaltake cases generally offer poor value for the money.

Well, I can live with 4GB of RAM for now, and since this Thermaltake case is on sale $90-a, it's a good deal for me. As for that ASUS card, prices jump between $100 and $120 depending on the shop; I grabbed mine from the cheapest one available. Look, you guys keep insisting Athlons are superior, but the guy told me they're fine—though for those $27-a, he said I could get a Phenom which is faster, even if it uses the older AM3 socket... I'm not losing sleep over heat issues. If I save up enough by the end of summer, I'll just upgrade to liquid cooling anyway; even with four fans, I don't think it'll be that much of a furnace...

Regarding the drives—as far as I know, Western Digital has Green, Blue, and Black versions. I don't have the budget for a Black drive, but I don't need more than 500GB, and Blue is decent enough speed-wise. Green is way too slow, and even though I could get 1TB for a little more, it would still be the Green version, so...

As for the power supply and everything else... I'm planning so that if I decide to upgrade "tomorrow," I won't have to replace the whole rig—just the specific part I need. There are certain things you just shouldn't skimp on.

I’d suggest steering clear of MSI motherboards for AMD builds. From what I’ve read, quite a few people have reported them burning out—basically letting off white smoke. They’re a solid company otherwise, but in this specific niche, just skip them. You're better off looking at something from ASRock, ASUS, or Gigabyte within that same price range.
Regarding RAM—whatever you do, don't settle for those 2GB sticks...
You're swinging between extremes when it comes to power supplies. 😬You definitely don't need a 600W Pro Line unit; you can save some cash there...

And stay far away from "green" drives. Go with a Western Digital Caviar Blue, or maybe a Toshiba if you can find one...

EDIT-
As for the power supply—none of the options most of us suggested are actually "just enough." They all leave plenty of headroom for future upgrades. Honestly, you probably won't even need a beast like that down the road because technology is constantly evolving toward lower power consumption and less heat. In the long run, we'll likely need weaker power supplies rather than stronger ones. That said, if you're planning on pairing up two graphics cards from $1333 one day 😬

But I just checked the price on that link—it’s actually not quite as pricey as I initially thought...

Timothy Kim60 said:Personally, I’d steer clear of MSI motherboards for AMD builds. From what I’ve read—and there's quite a bit out there—they have a reputation for just giving up the ghost. They’re a solid company otherwise, but in this specific niche, just skip them. Stick to something from ASRock, ASUS, or Gigabyte within that same budget range...
Regarding RAM—whatever you do, don't settle for those 2GB sticks...
You're swinging between extremes with these power supplies 😬 You definitely don't need the LC Power Pro Line 600w—you can save some cash there...

And please, stay away from "Green" drives. Go with a Western Digital Caviar Blue, or maybe a Toshiba if you can find one...

Can someone at least tell me I'm right about the hard drive? 😁 ... I was thinking about picking up this processor if it's decent for $250—I could grab it here:
AMD A8 x4 5500 BOX, s. FM2, 3.2GHz, 4MB cache, GPU 7560D, Quad-core
But I'd need a different motherboard to go with it—any suggestions?
I was looking at this one: ASRock FM2A75 PRO4-M

That's a solid motherboard choice if you're sticking with the FM2 platform.
As for the CPU—honestly, I wouldn't bother. You know why? It’s basically just an AMD Athlon II x4 740/750 K with a built-in 7560D graphics chip slapped onto it. Since you're already planning on picking up a decent dedicated GPU, that integrated graphics part is just wasted silicon for your build.
Those A-series processors are really meant for people who don't game much, play very light titles, or plan on adding a real graphics card down the road.

Bottom line: you're better off grabbing one of those Athlons instead. Don't throw extra money away on features you won't even use.

Timothy Kim60 said:That’s a solid motherboard—if you're sticking with FM2, anyway.
But skip the processor. You know why—it’s essentially just an FM2 Athlon II x4 740/750 K with integrated graphics (the 7560D) baked in. Since you're already planning on a decent dedicated card, that extra feature is useless to you...
Those A-series chips are really meant for people who don't game much—or play light titles—or plan to pick up a real GPU later down the road.

Basically, you'd be better off grabbing one of those Athlons instead—paying the premium for the other one is just throwing money away.

So, are we 100% certain then? I should go with that Athlon 750 K and the FM2 motherboard I listed?

If you're asking me, then it's a definite yes. My only concern is whether you'll actually manage to snag an Athlon 750 K; those things fly off the shelves the second they hit the market because they're such a steal. That said, looking at the link, it seems they have some in stock, though they're charging a bit more there.

Where are you planning to buy from eventually, and what kind of prices are we talking about?

EDIT: Just look at how cheap this motherboard is at this new shop.

If you're paying cash, I’d seriously consider using one of those budget retailers—you'll just need to find someone to handle the assembly, but the savings are massive. Their shipping is $10 I believe, and they likely offer COD—I'm just not sure how long the wait would be...

Timothy Kim60 said:If you're asking me—definitely. I just don't know if you'll actually track down an Athlon 750 K; those good, cheap ones tend to vanish the second they hit the shelves. Though, looking at the link, there might be some left since they're priced quite high over there.

Where are you planning to shop, anyway? And what kind of prices are we talking about?

I usually grab most things from Best Buy*, then hit up Newegg for graphics cards and stuff—so, what's the better move: hunting down an Athlon 750 K via the link or just settling for the 740?
I could also pick up a 7850 right now if I can find a decent model under $150.
Regarding payment—I'll just use my Chase card for 12 interest-free installments. As for the build, my cousin is an IT guy, so he's handling that—no sweat there. Most places offer free shipping on orders over $150, too. Plus, I've already got Windows 7 ready to go, so all I need is the hardware.😁

Those two are basically identical chips—the only real difference is that the K version is unlocked for overclocking. In most retail stores, you'll see a price gap of about 30$17 bucks between them. If the K model is available, grab it; otherwise, just stick with the 740.

Exactly. That way, you can put more money toward a better graphics card, which is where you'll actually feel the performance boost in gaming, regardless of whether you're running an Athlon or a Phenom.

Timothy Kim60 said:Those two are essentially identical—except the K version is built for overclocking. Honestly, at standard retail prices, the gap is usually only about $30--$17. So, if there's a K model available, grab it; otherwise, just go with the 740
.
Even if that's the logic—being able to slot in a better GPU later (which you'll actually feel while gaming, regardless of whether you're running an Athlon or a Phenom)...

Hmm, regarding what you mentioned... 😁 I have to admit, I've learned a massive amount from this entire thread 😁 specifically regarding the "is it worth choosing one over the other" dilemma, and how much of a difference it makes in-game:
GPU 1: PCI-E XFX AMD Radeon HD 7850, 1GB DDR5, Dual DVI, HDMI, 2x miniDP
GPU 2: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti

In reality, when you look at them, the first one comes out to be more of a $100 than the 7850—but is it truly worth those extra $100?
And is this motherboard worth it: ASUS Prime A520M-K, Intel Core i3, DDR3/1866, VGA (D-Sub/DVI-D/HDMI), PCIe, NVIDIA SLI, S-ATAII, RAID, G-LAN, 8 ch., Micro-ATX, which works out to be $177
?

You’d definitely notice the jump in performance, since the 7850 sits in a completely different league than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti.

As long as you're running Windows 7 64-bit, you can just toss any of them in there and grab the latest drivers online to get everything up and running...

What kind of power supply would you recommend for this motherboard:
ASUS Prime A520M-K, Intel Core i3, DDR3/1866, VGA (D-Sub/DVI-D/HDMI), PCIe, NVIDIA SLI, S-ATAII, RAID, G-LAN, 8 ch., Micro-ATX
running Athlon TIM 740s and an HD 7850?

The motherboard shouldn't be an issue here—power supplies follow a universal standard.

Here is what I suggest:

So, this is what the final configuration should look like—does this look alright to you now?
-->PC-10666 Memory, 4GB MUSHKIN Silverline Stiletto, 991770, DDR3 1333MHz

-->750.0 GB Hard Drive, WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar Blue, WD7500AZEX, SATA3, 64MB cache, 7200 RPM, desktop

-->Thermaltake Commander MS-I Case

-->LG GH24NS95 DVD+-RW, 24x, SATA, Dual layer, black, bulk

-->Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 S. FM2 Motherboard, AMD A55, DDR3/1866, VGA (D-Sub/DVI-D/HDMI), PCIe, AMD dual Graphics Technology, S-ATAII, RAID, G-LAN, 8 ch., mATX

-->AMD Athlon ii x4 740 box Processor, s. FM2, 3.2GHz, 4MB cache, quad Core

-->Asus HD7770-DCT-1GD5 Graphics Card

-->SILVERSTONE Strider ST50F-230 Power Supply, 500 W