GA-890FXA-UD5 rev 2.0 Bulldozer (Zambezi) Compatibility

[schmidtbag]

I apologize if this question has already been asked, but it hasn't shown up in my searches.

So I've noticed that the GA-890FXA-UD5 rev 3.0 and 3.1 boards are both compatible with the new upcomming AM3+ processors.  From what I noticed the only difference between 3.1 to 3.0 is the socket, the difference between 3.0 to 2.1 is strictly CPU compatibility, and 2.1 to 2.0 appeared to only be a missing chip and different RAM settings.  This is based both on visuals and the comparison chart supplied by Gigabyte. http://www.gigabyte.us/products/comparison/list.aspx?ck=2&pids=3519,3755,3417

I can't possibly understand how 2.0, or even 2.1 would be considered incompatible to AM3+ processors with such subtle and seemingly insignificant differences.  I would be THRILLED if AM3+ works in my rev 2.0 board, but according to Gigabyte, it doesn't.  I was just wondering if anyone has proven the reasoning for this, and if it would possibly be acceptable to update to the 3.0 BIOS to "trick" the board into working.

If nobody knows the answer, AM3+ processors are just about to be released and I'd appreciate it if people kept this post alive and commented on whether their rev 2.0 or 2.1 boards function with the new CPU models.

[absic]

Hi there,

if you have a closer look at the difference between revision you will notice that the Rev2.0 & 2.1 have smaller BIOS chips and this is the reason that the AM3+ processors are not officially supported. And no, you won't be able to take the BIOS from the Rev 3.0 motherboard to try and trick you board because of this difference.

However, you could contact Gigayte directly and see if they will write you a bespoke BIOS that will remove certain features and CPU support to allow the AM3+ processors to run on the Rev 2.0

[schmidtbag]

Even the BIOS chip itself being smaller doesn't really make a lot of sense - just because it's smaller it doesn't mean it can't perform the same tasks.  I admit I don't know enough about the architectural differences between BIOS and CMOS chips but they don't really do very much beyond POST.

I do appreciate your answer though, this was something I was unaware of.

[absic]

Hi again,

if you read my reply properly you'll see that I'm not saying it won't support an AM3+ processor, just that it won't be officially supported by a generally released BIOS which is why I also said:

However, you could contact Gigayte directly and see if they will write you a bespoke BIOS that will remove certain features and CPU support to allow the AM3+ processors to run on the Rev 2.0

[autotech]

You will also notice the cpu sockett color difference because the new chips use a pin that the 1090 t six cores and so on dont use. So look closer at the cpu sockett and the hole that is blocked out on the 2.0 boards have a square blocked out so where do they put that extra pin...lol

[absic]

@autotech

The AM3 processors have 938 pins yet the AM3 socket has 941 holes whilst the AM3+ Socket has 942 holes but this doesn't mean that he AM3+ processors will use all of them.

The holes on the AM3+ Socket are also slightly larger, 11% to be precise which could mean the pins on the AM3+ processors could also be slightly thicker.

As there are so many AM3 motherboards that will support the AM3+ CPU's I don't think there is any need to worry about pin assignment or thickness.

[schmidtbag]

Actually, I took a look at the close-up pictures of both boards and they both appear to have the same BIOS chip.

[absic]

Although the pictures look the same the actual size of the chips is different.

Rev 3.0 and 3.1 = 16Mb
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3755#sp
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3781#sp

Rev 2.0 & 2.1 = 8 MB
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3417#sp
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3519#sp

[ht_addict]

I have emailed Gigabyte in the US and according to them they are working on a BIOS for earlier revisions of the board.  If you look at the UD7 board, it has the smaller BIOS chip like the UD5, yet has a BIOS to support the Bulldozer.  So I assume it can be done.

[Dark Mantis]

If it can be done it will require losing certain options to make way for the new fascilities that you are talking about. There is only a fixed amount of space in the BIOS chip that is why they have increased the size now to mak room for the updated code.

[Antikapitalista1]

No, comrades; the main problem is that the revisions 2.0 and 2.1 still have only an AM3 socket.
However, a Bulldozer (Zambezi) processor requires an AM3+ (AM3b) socket.

This is the official word from AMD.

[Dark Mantis]

No, comrades; the main problem is that the revisions 2.0 and 2.1 still have only an AM3 socket.
However, a Bulldozer (Zambezi) processor requires an AM3+ (AM3b) socket.

This is the official word from AMD.

I wouldn't argue about that but the newer revision boards with the AM3+ socket could be a viable proposition.

[darnokos]

Other board manufacturers like asus or msi released bios updates for older boards to support AM3+ so it is possible.

Some of you were sure older gigabyte boards wont support new fx processors cause of smaller bios so tell me why GA-890FXA-UD7 that also has smaller bios supports am3+ ?
 

[Antikapitalista1]

Sorry, comrades, I hear that only revisons 3.0 or 3.1 of these boards have AM3+ (AM3b) sockets. Now, the 3.0 revisions are virtually nonexistent, I have never seen them, only revisions 3.1, and they all have black (or dark grey) sockets, unlike the white (or light beige) AM3 sockets of the previous revisions, including the above-mentioned revision 2.0.

Please note that there is no revision 3.1 (or 3.0) of the GA-890FXA-UD7 mainboard.

[autotech]

It is all really about making money. Motherboard manufactures cant sell new products if they release a bios that fits all boards that are am3. I have this board rev. 2 but as for putting a bulldozier in it no thank you. I see the reviews and really dont want to slow down the 1100t beats the top bulldozier in most benchmarks anyway. I have the 1090t at 3.8 since it came out.

As for buying a new motherboard, faster ram, all sata dvd drives, cpu it isnt worth the cost. If i had to upgrade right now because something was wrong id go intel path this time.