ga-ma69g-s3h with phenom II x4 955 cpu

[jornt]

Hi,

I recently installed a Phenom II x4 955 cpu in my ga-ma69g-s3h motherboard, which according to the supported cpu list should work. It does run, but according to cpu-z the cores are only running at 800 too 900 Mhz, instead of the 3200 they should be at. I compared my cpu-z with screenshots found in reviews of the cpu, and the difference is that the Vcore is running at 1.050 instead of the 1.344 it should be at, and my multiplier is set at 4x, instead of 16x.

I tried to remedy this in the bios, but the vcore is greyed out. As soon as I stick in my old cpu (x2 6000) the Vcore sets itself to the required 1.344 and it runs at its maximum speed.

Any thoughts how I can solve this?

Thanks heaps

 

[absic]

Hi and welcome to the forum,

First thing I have to ask is do you know which version of the Phenom ii X4 955 you have?
The CPU support list shows that only the 95 watt C3 Stepping is actually supported and if you have one of the other versions that could be the problem.

[jornt]

Thanks for the welcome, and for posing a very good question...

the version I have, according to cpuworld is the 125watt c3, the 95 watt version of the x4 is the 945.
( http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom%20II%20X4%20955%20Black%20Edition%20-%20HDZ955FBK4DGM%20%28HDZ955FBGMBOX%29.html )

According to the supported cpu list on the website, the 125 watt version is supported, it is the third from the top from the am3 header.

I am getting more confused than I was now

[absic]

Bad news I'm afraid Jornt,

Just double checked the CPU Support list and it is the 95W version that is supported not the 125W that you have.

[jornt]

ah, right I hadn't noticed the n/a behind it, I just figured everything in the list would be supported

Kind of odd though, that the amd website makes no mention of the 95watt version ( http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/processors/phenom-ii/pages/phenom-ii-model-number-comparison.aspx )

So I guess I'll have to buy a new mobo and memory then :-/

Thanks for clearing this up for me!

[absic]

Sorry I couldn't give you good news.

If you post your RAM specs I might be able to point you to a suitable motherboard so you don't have to replace those too!

[jornt]

I got 8gb of DDR2 - 800 MHz / PC2-6400 in there... there's not a lot of socket am3 ddr2 boards out there that look tempting though :-/

[Dark Mantis]

I got 8gb of DDR2 - 800 MHz / PC2-6400 in there... there's not a lot of socket am3 ddr2 boards out there that look tempting though :-/

Would it not be easier to sell the processor and replace that rather than the motherboard and memory?

[absic]

Here are a few boards to look at. They will all take your RAM and also the 955CPU.


http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3396&dl=1#ov This board is one that I have used quite a bit and it is actually very good. It has Integrated graphics and I have found it to be a very solid and reliable Mobo.

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3097&dl=1#ov
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3107&dl=1#ov
These two will both need a Graphics Card but again, they will take your RAM and CPU OK.

[jornt]

@Dark Mantis
That would be the easiest way to go about it, yeah. For now I stuck my old cpu back in there (the x2 6000). Right now the cpu is the slowest bit in my pc, so I would prefer to upgrade that. To get a significant upgrade I would like to get a fairly speedy socket am3 processor, and the board I have now doesn't seem to support anything more than 3000Mhz, except for the elusive 95watt model of the proc I just bought the 125watt version of.

@absic115
Thanks for the links, if I am going for any of these boards I would probably go for one of the 2 without integrated graphics. I am now debating if I should just bite the bullet now and upgrade to a new ddr3 board and spend a bit (lot) more than I originally planned or if I am going to postpone that until a future upgrade...

Thanks for al the help (and the very very speedy response)!

[Dark Mantis]

Yes that makes sense to me now. To be honest I didn't read the full thread only the last few posts.
Go for it now as there is always something better on the horizon! 

[absic]

The temptation of going to an AM3 socket can be very strong but, to be totally honest, in the real world there isn't really that much difference between the two unless you want to spend LOTS of money.

The benchmarking figures do show improvements but I have actually found that performance versus cost of upgrading to DDR3 Memory and AM3 board are not totally justified. I have an AM2+ System running with 8 gig of 1333Mhz RAM and a Phenom ii AM3 X4 965 CPU (I built this for my brother from my old kit) and there isn't much difference at all. Yes mine is a bit faster in some areas but I would expect that from a Phenom X6 CPU.

If cost is a factor then just staying with an AM2+ Mobo, with the X4 955 and your other components will be a more sensible option and I think, in your circumstances, that it might be better to wait a while before switching to AM3 or even AM3+ when it comes along. It will also give the technology a chance to catch up as although the newer AM3 boards offer SATA3 and USB3 there is very little in the way of compatible hardware actually available to benefit from this.

[jornt]

I think you might be right there, if I stick in a good am2+ board, with the 8gb I already have, I should be able to to hold out for year or 2, for an upgrade-friendly am3+ board. I am going to order the GA-MA790X-UD3P board.

Thanks again so much for your help!

[absic]

Hi Jornt,

I do feel, that for you this is really the best option and I'm confident that you will be pleased with the GA-790X-UD3P board. Personally, I have been to eager in the past of jumping on board the new technology band-wagon and have empty pockets to prove it!

Hope everything works out OK for you and don't forget to let us know how you get on.

[jornt]

I just placed an order, I will let you know how everything works out in a few days I hope.

Thanks again.