Bought an Athlon II 631 and FM1 m/b

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doron1

Junior Member
Jul 1, 2011
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Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you can put your Asus DX card inside the x8 PCIe (the unused blue one) and it'll simply use less lanes. If it's true, that should effectively eliminate any need for a serious platform upgrade given your basic computing habits.

You can then use your gift card for an SSD upgrade.
 

blckgrffn

Diamond Member
May 1, 2003
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www.teamjuchems.com
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you can put your Asus DX card inside the x8 PCIe (the unused blue one) and it'll simply use less lanes. If it's true, that should effectively eliminate any need for a serious platform upgrade given your basic computing habits.

You can then use your gift card for an SSD upgrade.

I have 4x PCIe network cards in PCIe x16 slots in a couple motherboards...

In theory that is precisely how the standard is supposed to work. Not only can you stick a x16 video card in a 16x\8x\4x\1x slot, the opposite is also true. Actually, easier as you don't have to hope for a slot with no "back" or modify it in any way.
 

doron1

Junior Member
Jul 1, 2011
14
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I have 4x PCIe network cards in PCIe x16 slots in a couple motherboards...

In theory that is precisely how the standard is supposed to work. Not only can you stick a x16 video card in a 16x\8x\4x\1x slot, the opposite is also true. Actually, easier as you don't have to hope for a slot with no "back" or modify it in any way.

I guess that's good news for the OP.
 

pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
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I wasn't aware you could do that. I'll try it out when I get home. If that is the case then maybe I should just buy a new cpu and ssd instead. Though it would be nice to have a 990 m/b. I am not sure if the 790x board will correctly support a SSD.
Another thing to think about.

Thanks for all your input, folks....
 

doron1

Junior Member
Jul 1, 2011
14
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I realize that a computer upgrade is very tempting, especially at such low prices, however, aside from usb 3 or the current gen fx-xxxx AMD processor you honestly don't have any reason to upgrade your motherboard.

There's also no such thing as "future-proof'ing" your computer. Given the fact that computer parts are getting replaced / refreshed every 6-12 months, last-gen parts will be cheap and next-gen parts will be faster and more power efficient, generally speaking. So even if you buy, lets say, a phenom II x6, in a couple of months be sure that there will be something better in all respects (including price) and by the time it does you'll realize you haven't used half of this new cpu and if you kept your older one you wouldn't know the difference.

Given your computing needs, a new cpu, gpu and not to mention motherboard will hardly be noticable. A new SSD, however, will definitely make your computer noticeably faster.
My advice to you is basically to upgrade when you need it, and not when you see a shiny new product at a bargain.

It's just me though.
 

pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
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Actually, my current m/b I purchased when F--'s was having a clearance sell on them ($40-45). My cpu was on sale with a low end m/b. I think they were clearing those out too. Had to drive out to the coast because all the other F--'s were sold out of the combo. What was ironic was what F--'s was advertising and actually on sale in the store were two different CPU's so they had to give me a $10 discount. They were advertising the 435 for around $80 with same m/b but when I got the print out it was the 425 at $80. Which in fact the 425 sold for $10 less than the 435.

I guess it would be nice to be at the beginning of some new tech but the reality is I usually buy when they are being cleared out or I wait for a really good sale.

It has been awhile since I have upgraded my computer and all the hype about the new cpu's and m/b's have got me to thinking it is time.

Thanks Doron1 and blckgffn, your advice worked.:thumbsup:


Though I probably should replace my monitor since it is about 5 years old.
 

pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
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Checked Amazon tracking and it looks like I might get my parts today or Monday.
Still thinking about what to do.
 

pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
0
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ooops, it is on its way so it is still marked as in transit so I will either get it Monday or Tuesday.
Am3+ vs FM1 m/b

It would be nice if AMD would indicate if the next generation of cpu's (FMx) will be backwards compatable like the AM3.
 

pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
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I will be getting my parts tomorrow. While looking for reviews on the 631, I found someone stating they had overclocked it to 3.54 Ghz and wondering why it wouldn't oc for more. Some where else it was clocked to 4 Ghz.
AMD is supposed to release a 651 which is rated at 3.0 Ghz for about $10 more than 631. I wonder if that is being released the same day as the A8-3870K.
I realize that anandtech is focusing on Intel but it would be nice to know if the advertising for the Llano is all hype or true or ????:hmm:
 

Magic Carpet

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2011
3,477
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a Llano box would beat any other AMD 4C+ solution from a power point of view, especially under lower loads. Native USB 3.0 support also factors in lower power use, if your going to rely on that standard. Clock for clock, it beats other AMD platforms. That 651 looks decent to build a box based on.

However, a discrete video card will probably neglect some of the platform advantages. For a performance gaming computer, I'd choose something else. Either, a 6C+ AMD or 4C+ Intel.
 
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pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
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That's the thing I am not using my computer as a perfomance gaming machine, at best I using it as HTPC with some casual gaming. So when I read reviews on Anandtech and Tom's Hardware Guide, I keep in mind what audience the reviews are slanted at.
So sometimes it is hard to figure out what will work as a budget mainstream/htpc set up. What is the best balance of power/reliability/money spent for someone in my shoes.
Someone who plays bejeweled twist or zuma or spider solitaire or Hoyle Board Games and records/watches tv shows (anime mostly) and watches shows from Hulu. Surfs the web, occasionally works on an Office Document. Though that may change as I am deciding on working towards a MA and I may need to use Adobe Illustrator in the future.
I am not really interested in playing skyrim or WoW or whatever. Just having a good, solid and reliable computer is enough for me. Though it would be nice to have bragging rights at times but my budget doesn't really allow that.
 

Magic Carpet

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2011
3,477
232
106
What bragging rights?

That computer right in your sig should be OK for casual gaming. If money burns your pocket, make a short-term deposit and shop around Spring 2012 instead.

When the right time comes, you feel it ;-)
 

pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
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The parts have arrived and I'm staring at the box wondering if I should dare rip it open and go to town, putting together a new rig.:whiste:
Updated the bios of my current m/b and now my fans make a lot of noise. I really want to upgrade the m/b and cpu.

Ugh I sometimes hate new technology...
 

BD231

Lifer
Feb 26, 2001
10,568
138
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The parts have arrived and I'm staring at the box wondering if I should dare rip it open and go to town, putting together a new rig.:whiste:
Updated the bios of my current m/b and now my fans make a lot of noise. I really want to upgrade the m/b and cpu.

Ugh I sometimes hate new technology...

Sell your old stuff or return the new stuff, either way you've accomplished nothing .
 

pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
0
0
I guess tomorrow I should just send it back to TN and wait for the credit to go back on my Amazon Gift Card. By then it might be as early as the day after Christmas and who knows what might be on sale for that day.
 

nenforcer

Golden Member
Aug 26, 2008
1,767
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Does anyone know if the 631 actually physically lacks the APU or is it just an A6-3650 with the APU disabled?
 

pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
0
0
The package is on its way back to Amazon. So hopefully in a week or two I will get my credit back and make some new selections at that point.
 

formulav8

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2000
7,004
522
126
Does anyone know if the 631 actually physically lacks the APU or is it just an A6-3650 with the APU disabled?

The GPU is disabled. But the new transistors in 32nm allows AMD to disable the gpu and it not use up hardly any power (power gating). But the gpu transistors are still with the cpu.
 

blckgrffn

Diamond Member
May 1, 2003
9,198
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www.teamjuchems.com
The package is on its way back to Amazon. So hopefully in a week or two I will get my credit back and make some new selections at that point.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-20147125-L05A :awe:

Unfortunately, the Amazon gift card won't help you there.

I think that the new "K" llano mentioned on the Anandtech front page could be pretty interesting. A modest FSB clock increase and the 5x multiplier freedom should net decent gains. If only it was ~$100 it would be absolute no brainer in the value/I just want my PC to work segment. Alas, it is not...
 
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pcsavvy

Senior member
Jan 27, 2006
298
0
0
OOOps was in rush when I dropped my package off at the USPS and today I find it once again at my door. Damn, I guess I should call Amazon and get clarification on return procedures on stuff that was never opened. I don't want to be zapped with any fees.
Or maybe I should take this as a hint and just spend the weekend throwing this stuff together. Probably not, especially since the unlocked Llanos will be released Monday.:whiste:
 
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