So, what chipset does BD really require?

[Vesku]

The AM3+ 'compatible' revisions use a black AM3+ socket it seems but retain the same model number as the white socket originals (just a new revision number).

 

[BD231]

wtf is all this talk about sockets? this thread was about chipset compatibility , what a circus.

No native USB3.0 yet on the 950 southbridge - my Sabertooth 990FX uses an ASMedia chip to add USB3.0.

Link .. http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3Plus/SABERTOOTH_990FX/#specifications

And yet USB 3.0 was a big selling point AMD PR used on the 900 series, guess it doesn't matter how you get there :sneaky:

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

8 months ago... everybody was saying, get a 9xx motherboard. Now I am seeing cheap boards w/ ancient chips flooding the market. Such as this for example.

AMD is definitely on par with Intel's shaddy tactics

Can't tell if you're trolling, but assuming you are being legit... several motherboard manufacturers announced last year that they would update the BIOSes of select motherboards to support Bulldozer.

I tested an FX-8120 (95w) in an Asus Crosshair IV 890FX, worked fine. I did not try any overclocking. There are at least a couple users over on XS who run their Bulldozers on the CHIV. It's a white socket. http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/Crosshair_IV_Formula/

My g/f's motherboard, MSI 890GXM-G65, also with a white socket, claims official support for FX, although I have not personally tried it. http://www.msi.com/product/mb/890GXM-G65.html#/?div=CPUSupport

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

And yet USB 3.0 was a big selling point AMD PR used on the 900 series, guess it doesn't matter how you get there :sneaky:

AMD did not boast about USB 3.0 as part of SB950. The SB950's claim to fame was the 6x 6Gbps SATA ports.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Hi, 1st post.

How can these two be compatible? If BD has one more pin, it clearly can not be inserted into the white socket mobo.

Old pictures, false advertising, both?

More research needed by you?

 

[eternalone]

I have an asus am3+ board with 760G chipset

 

[Magic Carpet]

Can't tell if you're trolling, but assuming you are being legit... several motherboard manufacturers announced last year that they would update the BIOSes of select motherboards to support Bulldozer.

I tested an FX-8120 (95w) in an Asus Crosshair IV 890FX, worked fine. I did not try any overclocking. There are at least a couple users over on XS who run their Bulldozers on the CHIV. It's a white socket. http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/Crosshair_IV_Formula/

My g/f's motherboard, MSI 890GXM-G65, also with a white socket, claims official support for FX, although I have not personally tried it. http://www.msi.com/product/mb/890GXM-G65.html#/?div=CPUSupport

The keyword here is select. When I contacted MSI, they did not have any information on the subject, so I bought whatever suited best my needs. My board cost twice the price of what (760G) they have now with BD support. Naturally, I feel disappointed, to say the least. Evidently, the 900 series isn't a must to be able run their so-called "next-gen" tech. Anyway, it was in AMD's best interests to clear the clouds around the situation with a valid statement. With Intel, everything is clear albeit more expensive. The devil is in the details, after all.

However, thanks for sharing your experience :thumbsup:

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Many of us who had older 775 mobos were disappointed to find out that quad-cores wouldn't run in them, despite the fact that these non-C2Q mobos were still being marketed.

IIRC, AMD originally said that Bulldozer would run in AM3 boards, if perhaps not quite as optimally as in AM3+. Then, some time later, AMD said sorry, you need an AM3+ mobo for power management features or something. Last Spring/Summer, Asus, MSI, Gigabyte and maybe some others said they would provide BIOS updates for select AM3 (880/890) mobos to run BD.

I could be wrong about this, but I don't recall that AMD said specifically that only 990 motherboards would run AMD; the mobo had to be AM3+, and 990 was the first (and top end) of these, so it makes sense that cheaper derivatives would eventually enter the market.

I didn't know about 760g for AM3+, IMO that's an ultra-sucky tactic by AMD, really confusing. :/

 

[lifeblood]

According to the Anandtech article I read, AMD said they would only officially support BD on 9XX series chipset ( I don't remember sockets being mentioned). Motherboard manufacterers were free to release updated BIOS's for non-900 series chipsets if they desired.

I don't see why anyone could be mad at AMD for this. They stated what they would support, they gave the MB vendors the choice to include BD support on older chipsets if desired, but they made clear what was officially required. They stated it up front.

They never said BD would NOT work on other chipsets. If they had and then it turned out they were wrong, then you have reason to be mad. If they had said it would work on other chipsets and then it turned out they were wrong, then you have reason to be mad. But AMD said what they were officially supporting and that MB manufacturers are free to use BIOS magic to make other stuff work. It really seems AMD was being relatively fair and reasonable to me.

I just don't see what your mad at.

 

[SnooSnoo]

More research needed by you?

Nah, I know about it, but quite a few people might be confused. Also, when you live in a country where the market is of marginal interest (like me) , the new(er) revision boards dont trickle as fast as they should. So, imho, its quite possible for people to get the wrong stuff as the old and new revisions might be in the market at the same time. Idk if Im making any sense...

 

[sm625]

This thread would be a lot more relevant if BD actually outperformed whatever you wanted to replace. Right now you have to commit to higher current draw in order to get higher performance. Why not just overvolt the heck out of your current processor? I was hoping the FX4100 would be a good upgrade for an X2-250. But I dont see what a 4100 offers than an athlon X4 doesnt.

 

[BD231]

AMD did not boast about USB 3.0 as part of SB950. The SB950's claim to fame was the 6x 6Gbps SATA ports.

Not in the context you stated, but yes it was a selling point.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Not in the context you stated, but yes it was a selling point.

Can you show me where? SB950 doesn't support USB 3.0. If AMD claimed so, then shame on them!

 

[veri745]

From my understanding the difference between AM3 and AM3+ socket specification is purely electrical requirements.

AM3+ requires load-line VRMs and higher peak current draw. If your old 7xx-series chipset has load-line VRMs and can support the required peak current, then with a BIOS update, it's good-to-go.

On the other hand, a 8XX-series board without the required VRM and current specifications is SOL on support for BD.

 

[Magic Carpet]

personnaly speaking im waiting on the 1100fx chipset's debut. it has alot of socket fixes over 990x. it could be very useful to BD.

Is this still classified?

 

[IonusX]

Is this still classified?

never was, folks just stopped discussing it. i think their waiting on trinity or vishera before talking more
the 9-series chipsets blows axehandles, thats all i know and this new southbridge is beastly

 

[damric]

Too much bad info in this thread. BD pins are same fit as any AM3 CPU I ever owned. Color of socket does not matter. The only thing that matters is if the vendor updates the BIOS.

I have a white socket MSI 890FXA-GD65 mobo and it runs Bulldozer just fine.

Now if I was in the business of selling mobos, I would much rather sell you a new motherboard than update your older one for free, which isn't "officially" supported by AMD in the first place.