AMD 3 Mobo and DDR 3 1600 memory

[Brewster0101]

I am looking at upgrading to a AM3 mobo, probably either the
Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P
or
MSI 790GX-G65

I am also looking at getting some OCZ DDR3 1600Mhz but will this speed work on
these motherboards. I don't really understand the limitations on this chipset.

CPU I intend to buy is the X3 720BE

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I am looking at upgrading to a AM3 mobo, probably either the
Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P
or
MSI 790GX-G65

I am also looking at getting some OCZ DDR3 1600Mhz but will this speed work on
these motherboards. I don't really understand the limitations on this chipset.

CPU I intend to buy is the X3 720BE

The memory controller for the Phenom is in the actual chip. IIRC DDR3 1333mhz is currently the fastest RAM supported by the AM3 Phenoms.

The MSI motherboard has got good reviews although the Gigabyte motherboard can run two graphics cards at PCI-E 16x whereas the MSI can only do so at PCI-E 8x.This is because the MSI motherboard has the 790GX chipset whereas the Gigabyte has the 790X chipset.

[Brewster0101]

The memory controller for the Phenom is in the actual chip. IIRC DDR3 1333mhz is currently the fastest RAM supported by the AM3 Phenoms.

The MSI motherboard has got good reviews although the Gigabyte motherboard can run two graphics cards at PCI-E 16x whereas the MSI can only do so at PCI-E 8x.This is because the MSI motherboard has the 790GX chipset whereas the Gigabyte has the 790X chipset.

I have good reviews for the MSI board but only a couple for the Gigabyte board which indicates problems with the Bios.

I see on the Gigabyte site the board works with 1600Mhz memory over clockers. Could I do this?

[scaryjim]

Possibly - I've seen some AM3 mobos advertise DDR3-1600 on overclocked settings - although as CAT says the highest default speed supported by current AM3 CPUs is 1333 - and then only 2 sticks (i.e. one per channel). I couldn't swear to it though - your best bet is to try to download the user manuals for the respective boards and have a good read through.!

Of course, if you overclock the CPU by pushing up the FSB the memory will overclock anyway, so it might be worth getting 1600 just for the OC headroom, if that's what you're interested in...

[Brewster0101]

Possibly - I've seen some AM3 mobos advertise DDR3-1600 on overclocked settings - although as CAT says the highest default speed supported by current AM3 CPUs is 1333 - and then only 2 sticks (i.e. one per channel). I couldn't swear to it though - your best bet is to try to download the user manuals for the respective boards and have a good read through.!

Of course, if you overclock the CPU by pushing up the FSB the memory will overclock anyway, so it might be worth getting 1600 just for the OC headroom, if that's what you're interested in...

Have every intention of over clocking this puppy. If the memory is 1600mhz by default it shoudl clock down if it has too.

My Asus board clocks my DDR2 OCZ reaper down from 1200 to 1000.

[Brewster0101]

The MSI motherboard has got good reviews although the Gigabyte motherboard can run two graphics cards at PCI-E 16x whereas the MSI can only do so at PCI-E 8x.This is because the MSI motherboard has the 790GX chipset whereas the Gigabyte has the 790X chipset.

I've just double checked this about the Gigabyte board and can't find any facts stating it can run two lanes at 16 speed. Is this correct!

[Brewster0101]

I guess the next question is : Is it worth not even bothering with a AM3 board. If I get a AM2+ board I can still use my existing DDR2 memory...

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would probably get an AM2+ motherboard and re-use your old RAM.

[Brewster0101]

I would probably get an AM2+ motherboard and re-use your old RAM.

This is what I thinking. The same Gigabyte board in AM2+ is £20 cheaper and then I would save on having to buy memory. I don't want to spend £90 on a new motherboard though if 2 months down the line AM3 bios gets updated and runs better and faster.

[scaryjim]

The safe option is to get the AM2+ board, use your existing memory, and you'll find you still have a spankingly good new PC. You can then look at AM3 boards in 6 - 12 months time when there will be a lot more choice and probably a new 800-series of AMD chipsets. At that point you could either build something entirely new, or transfer your processor / hard disks / etc and sell your old mobo and RAM to allay some of the cost.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

TBH,you can put the £60 saved towards a better processor TBH.

For an hour or two more Scan have the Phenom II X4 940BE for only £144 delivered on Today Only:

http://www.scan.co.uk/TodayOnly/Index.aspx

It is only a AM2+ processor with no DDR3 integrated memory controller but TBH it is a great processor and has unlocked multiplier.

[Brewster0101]

I wouldn't buy a AM2+ processor if I was looking at a new motherboard, it doesn't seem prudent considering its now replaced by a newer and improved model, regardless of the cost.

The way I see it. AM3 set up will cost me
£115 for Gigabyte motherboard
£115 for 720BE CPU
£70 for OCZ DDR3 1600mhz Reaper

AM2+
£95 for Gigabyte motherboard
£115 for 720BE CPU
Use current OCZ DDR2 1200mhz Reaper

AM3 set up is more but would be more future proof!

But also if I went with AM2+ set up I could afford a new 4770 too, replace my 3850..

Decisions decisions.....

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would go for the second setup as it would be mean more real worold performance.

Remember that the HD4850 and GTS250 512mb are under £90 too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/512MB...VI-XXX-EDITION

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...e.html?NOV-250

[TheChamp1000]

I wouldn't buy a AM2+ processor if I was looking at a new motherboard, it doesn't seem prudent considering its now replaced by a newer and improved model, regardless of the cost.

The way I see it. AM3 set up will cost me
£115 for Gigabyte motherboard
£115 for 720BE CPU
£70 for OCZ DDR3 1600mhz Reaper

AM2+
£95 for Gigabyte motherboard
£115 for 720BE CPU
Use current OCZ DDR2 1200mhz Reaper

AM3 set up is more but would be more future proof!

But also if I went with AM2+ set up I could afford a new 4770 too, replace my 3850..

Decisions decisions.....

I have just had a similar situation on deciding which system to build.
In the end I opted for the X4 940 £143 (scan deal of the day) and a AM2+ Mobo over the AM3 set up.
I decided the ddr3 over ddr2 performance was not that significant for my own set up and the prices are pretty cheap just now so when I upgrade I will probably do a whole new system in 2-3 years time rather than upgrade my processor only in the AM3 set up.

Really a quad core pc with a multiplier unlocked 4gb of ddr2 ram is sufficent for the things I will be using the pc for. I don't know what your situation is in terms of useage, maybe you need the ddr 3 memory. The x720 BE overclocks well so that should give you good performance from the cpu side.

[Brewster0101]

Well got my 720BE with OCZ DDR3 1600mhx Platinum and Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P

Been a right pain getting the memory timings right and over clocking the CPU is a challenge on this board.

Biggest issue is the high pitch noise coming from the LAN port when its active. Sending Gigabyte an email now to see if its a common problem. Googled the problem and it does happen with Lan ports... Go figure.