Socket AM2 question

[mercyreaper]

With the new AM2 boards out, I understand it is backwards compatable with 939 socket CPUs. My question is if I get a Operton 165 dual denmark core CPU, since I already have a asus A8R MVP board, am I better off buying a new AM2 board for later processors or should I just stick with the board I have using DDR. If I understand all of this correctly, the opteron should take advantage of the DDR memory controller, but perhaps I am mistaken. Hopefully someone can sort me out

[aidanjt]

I understand it is backwards compatable with 939 socket CPUs.

Incorrect, S939 processors have DDR1 memory controllers, AM2 boards have DDR2 slots and a different pinouts to make sure nobody goofs up by putting a DDR1 CPU into a DDR2 board.

[BigBry]

Just to make it 100% clear an AM2 CPU will not fit on a S939 board (or vice versa).

[nvening]

However there was a motherboard made my asrock which claimed that when am2 was released they would sell an AM2 to 939 adapter for the board but i dont know what ever happened to that tbh

[FatalSaviour]

However there was a motherboard made my asrock which claimed that when am2 was released they would sell an AM2 to 939 adapter for the board but i dont know what ever happened to that tbh

But we'll forget about those to save confusion....
I always wondered whether they'd bother releasing those cards tbh...given the price of the AS-Rock boards anyway....it would probably end up just as expensive to buy the card as it would a new MB...let alone the strain of a CPU heatsink's weight on that PCI(ish) slot.

[aidanjt]

However there was a motherboard made my asrock which claimed that when am2 was released they would sell an AM2 to 939 adapter for the board but i dont know what ever happened to that tbh

They probibly realised that it was one of the dumbest ideas put forth in the last 20 years of technology.

What on earth would be the point of splashing out on a DDR2 motherboard, DDR2 memory, only to bridge DDR2 to a DDR1 memory controller.. the only difference between S939 and AM2 is the memory controller, nothing else :/

[phoney_tech]

It would seem like a silly idea that mobo seeing as basically amd is taking a hit when conroe comes out so the potential to go from 939 to am2 with hardly any performance gain wouldnt be worth it.

BTW just so your certain there is no compatibility with 939 and AM2

[DavidM]

There is a series of Asrock boards which provide a CPU daughter-board slot, which will allow you to plug a board for a different CPU + memory ... clever idea in principal.

[BUFF]

What on earth would be the point of splashing out on a DDR2 motherboard, DDR2 memory, only to bridge DDR2 to a DDR1 memory controller

you misunderstand,as DavidM said it's a 939 board that takes a daughter card with AM2 socket & DDR2 slots.
Afaik the AM2 daughter card is now available.

[kalniel]

Yup - it was the dream 'cheapskate's MB for people like me who wanted to use their AGP card then upgrade to PCIe later, and keep with 939 and then maybe upgrade to AM2 later too

ASRock know about costs - they are a budget(ish) manufacturer anyway, so I doubt they'd release a daughterboard that cost more than a new m/b


http://www.asrock.com/product/AM2CPU%20Board.htm

Edit: yeah, not pricey ($30) http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=AM2...5fb9febc2d3c9e

[tfboy]

OK, the actual CPUs may differ, but is the physical size of the AM2 the same as an S939

In other words, is a S939 HSF compatible with an AM2 socket ?????

[DavidM]

I believe the mounting bracket is different.

[tfboy]

I believe the mounting bracket is different.

Thanks

[FatalSaviour]

Mounting system is indeed different tfboy:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=2688&p=2

You may be able to get a different Retention Module from your Heatsink Manufacturer though, depending upon who that is.

[tfboy]

Mounting system is indeed different tfboy:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=2688&p=2

You may be able to get a different Retention Module from your Heatsink Manufacturer though, depending upon who that is.

Aha, thanks for that. Answered all my questions.

However, it's interesting to note that the now-one-per-side bracket is the same spacing between S939 and AM2. OK, you lose out in the sense that there's only one instead of three and that you no longer have the brackets in the corner into which you latch the springy lever thingy on the HSF is gone.

In the end, I actually bought a retail AM2 to save the hassle. And guess what? The HSF supplied in the box is identical to a S939 HSF, so I can't even lock down the CPU with the lever bracket thingy

Not that it matters though, the two brackets on either side are close enough to the motherboard to ensure the HSF doesn't wobble or have a chance of coming off.

But I do think it's a shame to have a slightly different socket that allows you to almost keep your non-exotic HSF, but not quite. If you're going to change it, I would make the change more obvious so that there aren't any ambiguities