GA-MA790X-DS4 phenom ii X6 1055T BIOS support

[Dark Mantis]

As you said absic115 there is no reason why the 790 chipset shouldn't support the processor but it is quite possible that the problem lies elsewhere.

[M84AB1]

Exactly my thoughts too absic115. I know of many other DDR2 motherboards that do have BIOS support for the new 6 core CPUs and I did point that out to the tech. Still waiting for a reply.

I have also noticed that the south bridge chipsets are different but then again the south bridge has nothing to do with RAM. RAM used to be handled by the north bridge but ever since the Athlon 64s the memory controller has been moved from the north bridge onto the CPU itself. That is why I am finding Gigabyte's explanations a bit dodgy. Had he mentioned a lack and/or difference of power control circuitry to the new CPUs I would have bought it.

[M84AB1]

Ok I just got another reply from GGTS and it is confirmed that the GA-MA790X-DS4 motherboard does NOT support the new AMD Phenom ii X6 processors.

This is the official reply I received from the tech:

Sorry for mistaken. However, it's confirmed that GA-MA790X-DS4(rev. 1.x) does not support 6 core CPU due to hardware limitation, if there's any mainboard support 6 core by BIOS, we would release BIOS, however, the board GA-MA790X-DS4(rev. 1.x) can't support 6 core CPU by BIOS update.

This kinda su**s for me but doesn't matter.

Once again thanks for the help and support guys.

[Dark Mantis]

Well at least the matter is cleared up and you know where you stand now.

[runn3R]

Hi M84AB1

I have checked for you what is the exact reason of this "hardware limitation". It's limited BIOS chip size (4M).
There is just no more space to add new AGESA code to support 6 core CPU's.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi M84AB1

I have checked for you what is the exact reason of this "hardware limitation". It's limited BIOS chip size (4M).
There is just no more space to add new AGESA code to support 6 core CPU's.

Thanks for that runn3r, it's always nice to know the exact reason for these limitations rather than just a "it wont work". That makes a lot more sense.

[absic]

Hi M84AB1

I have checked for you what is the exact reason of this "hardware limitation". It's limited BIOS chip size (4M).
There is just no more space to add new AGESA code to support 6 core CPU's.

Thanks for that runn3r, it's always nice to know the exact reason for these limitations rather than just a "it wont work". That makes a lot more sense.

So true. I wonder if the Tech people that supply these answers think that we do not have the intelligence to understand if they supply a full reason. A bit like their vague summation of BIOS Updates!

[Dark Mantis]

Yes, so true! It's kind of a "guess what this one will do".

As far as the tech guys goes I think often they are just relaying a message from someone who does understand the problem.

[M84AB1]

Hi M84AB1

I have checked for you what is the exact reason of this "hardware limitation". It's limited BIOS chip size (4M).
There is just no more space to add new AGESA code to support 6 core CPU's.

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation regarding this issue. I was hoping that the tech guy was going to say what you said instead of the "hardware limitation" dialogue that I received. It kind of su**s that the only reason six core CPUs are not supported is the BIOS memory size. Had it been the power control circuitry or something along those lines it would have been easier to accept. It makes me wonder why they cannot delete the AGESA code for those very old and out of date CPUs (that barely anyone is using anymore) and make room for the new six core  CPUs. Or at least give me an option to choose between BIOS versions, those that support newer CPUs and those that support older.

Better luck next time I guess.

[dnecro]

Hımm this mean I cant buy X6 . Then I can ask GA-MA790X-DS4 v1.x support phenom II X4 965 Black edition ? I saw it is in supported list but normal version ( which have 6MB Cache ) Black edition has 8 MB cache. Still can I use this ? I want to buy new cpu but I cant sure it is supported 

[absic]

Hi the X4 965 Black Edition is supported so you don't need to worry. Just check that the version you get is the C3 125W NOT the 140W C2 version as that is not supported.

EDIT: you also need to make sure that you have the F10A BIOS to run this CPU.

[colin]

I do have a custom BIOS for this board (DS4), supporting X6 CPUs. Old CPUs were removed from BIOS, but I don't know exactly which models. BIOS is F10c. I'll send it to you, if you need it. Thanks.

[perche]

can send me that bios if you still have it?

[absic]

Hi,

you can download the latest version of BIOS for this motherboard here: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2695&dl=1#bios

Use QFlash to update the BIOS before you try running with newer CPU.

[Henninges]

i have updated the bios to version 10d, can anybody confirm the support of the x6-1075 ?