Upgrade motherboard GA-MA770-UD3 Rev 1.0 to...?

[geekyadz]

Ive had the above board since May 2009, and just wondering is it worth getting a new board?

Ive had no problems with it, but Im just wondering with the AMD 3+ processors coming soon^TM, is it worth changing the board now or waiting a little while longer?

I currently use a 970 BE and DRR2 (800Mhz) memory.

Obviously I would be sticking by the AMD processors

[Dark Mantis]

Personally I would have thought that as you are having no problems with this one to hang on to it for now until Bulldozer comes along.

[geekyadz]

Had a feeling someone would say that, after reading some of the recent topics about the new AM3+ socket

Any ideas on how long they would take to arrive?

[Dark Mantis]

Well not really my area but I seem to remember that absic said they should be available by summer.

[absic]

Hi,

the rev 3.1 boards with socket AM3+ will be coming along fairly soon (next few weeks). Still no indication as to when the new 9 series boards will be coming along but I did see some more information today that would indicate that they are in the pipeline.

As DM says, if your system is running fine (like mine) I wouldn't upgrade just yet. Wait until the AM3+ Processors come along which is possibly late June/July as best as I can tell and make a decision then.

[geekyadz]

Just in time for my birthday then :lol:

Ok, is there any tech news about the 9 series that state what processors they support (if any AM3 ones - hoping my 970 BE will be supported )? It takes me a while to save up some money

Whilst I can get PNY 2Gb of DDR3 memory running at 1333 mhz at about £30 at the moment, that wont be a problem. Buying a brand spanking new board at about £200 and (maybe) a new processor to fit it (costing about the same) is not something I could save up for in weeks, more like months.

[geekyadz]

Actually do tell a lie lol the only problem I have is my mate thinks that a Hiper 530W power supply isnt really enough for my HAF 932 case (with all fans plugged in). Any chances on being recommended a better power supply?

[absic]

If your 530 is working OK then you have proved your mate wrong! However, I would be looking at something with a bit more grunt to ensure reliability and enough power for future upgrades to the system.

I run a Corsair modular PSU with a single rail and I would recommend looking into something along these lines for an upgrade when your finances allow.

Details for the next Series 9 Chipsets are pretty vague at the present and despite a lot of digging it is hard to come up with any hard facts. However, it does appear that the new AM3+ (AM3b) Sockets are backwards compatible with socket AM3 CPU's so it will be down to the motherboard manufacturer's BIOS whether your processor will work or not. On the current rev 3.1 Black Socket (AM3+) motherboards from Gigabyte it is supported, so I guess the same will hold true when the 9 Series come along.

[geekyadz]

If your 530 is working OK then you have proved your mate wrong! However, I would be looking at something with a bit more grunt to ensure reliability and enough power for future upgrades to the system.

I run a Corsair modular PSU with a single rail and I would recommend looking into something along these lines for an upgrade when your finances allow.

Lets put it this way: she seems stable. Not cutting out or anything like that after a couple of hours on COD:BO or COD4:MW.

Bit lost as whats the difference between Modular and Non-modular PSUs (according to the Corsair site - http://www.corsair.com/power-supplies.html ) and also what sort of wattage I might need. As I have said its a HAF 932 case with the standard three 230 mm fans and an extra 120 mm fan (with 4 leds in), two DVD-RW drives (one sata. one pata but I might ditch the PATA one) and two sata hdd. I might add more leds later to make it "pretty" but not fully made my mind up.

Details for the next Series 9 Chipsets are pretty vague at the present and despite a lot of digging it is hard to come up with any hard facts. However, it does appear that the new AM3+ (AM3b) Sockets are backwards compatible with socket AM3 CPU's so it will be down to the motherboard manufacturer's BIOS whether your processor will work or not. On the current rev 3.1 Black Socket (AM3+) motherboards from Gigabyte it is supported, so I guess the same will hold true when the 9 Series come along.

Thankyou for digging for me, but if theres little known info then I will just have to wait

[absic]

Basically the difference between Modular and Non-Modular PSU's is to do with cable management. With a Modular PSU you only attach the power leads you really need to the unit rather than having all the redundant cables laying in your PC case.

Looking at what you're doing with your rig I don't think you need to worry too much about the power draw. Personally I would be looking at something of at last 650 Watts, to allow a little more headroom than you currently have but, as always, it comes down to costs and if you have the money available. Before you upgrade your Mobo and CPU though (whenever that may be) I would suggest that you consider upgrading your PSU.

[geekyadz]

I see. Well modular looks to be out of my price range from my "usual" computer shop so thats ruled that one out I think.

Seems I have the choice of two realistically:

http://www.corsair.com/power-supplies/non-modular-psus/gaming-series-1/gs700w.html

http://www.corsair.com/power-supplies/non-modular-psus/enthusiast-series-1/enthusiast-series-tx650-v2-80-plus-bronze-certified-650-watt-high-performance-power-supply.html

Though the enthusiast series one is looking more tempting as its the cheapest one. However the difference is literally £5 so for an extra fiver I might as well get the 700 one.

[Dark Mantis]

To be honest there is nothing much to choose between them. The 650 has a five year warranty and is only 3 amps less output on the 12v line. They both are single 12v line PSUs and the 700w only has a three year warranty. So nothing much in it either way unless you need the pretty lighting!

[geekyadz]

I might decide in a couple of weeks by flipping a coin then

[Dark Mantis]

Yes they are both pretty good PSUs and either would be enough to power your system unless you are planning to do some major upgrades like crossfires 6990s or something. 

[geekyadz]

Oh I dont know now. You plant an idea into my head like that and Im gonna get carried away with what I can get

Actually Absic might be able to answer this one better:

Is it true that the AMD chipset works better if theres an ATi graphics card used instead of a Nvidia one? (I currently own a GT240 1GB). Im pretty certain I read that somewhere around here but couldnt quite remember