AM2 processor in a AM2+ or AM3 motherboard

[billybob123]

I have a motherboard that recently died, but I believe that the CPU is still good (AMD Athlon X2 4000+ CPU). The CPU is a AM2 socket CPU. I am going to replace the motherboard, but was hoping to use the CPU (at least for now). I don't really want to buy a AM2 motherboard since that would kill future upgrading. I was hoping to get a motherboard that can take AM2+ (or maybe even a AM3). I have seen that a AM2+ processor can run in a AM2 slot (with some minor performance hits), but I haven't seen anything about the other way around. For what its worth, wikipedia seems to say its possible:

Socket AM2+ is a mid-migration from Socket AM2 to Socket AM3 and is fully compatible with Socket AM2, so that processors designed for Socket AM2 work on Socket AM2+ motherboards and vice versa.

I wanted to check with some experts though before trusting wikipedia implicitly... Is this possible? (AM2 processor in an AM2+ board)

I was looking at a AM2+ motherboard, which says it is also AM3 ready. (ECS BLACK SERIES GF8200A) From wikipedia, it looks like AM2 processors can't run in AM3 boards because they lack the memory controller. I am guessing that I need to get a AM2+/AM3 board for best upgrade-ability (since a straight AM3 board may be out)

 

[jj463rd]

AM3 is out.But to know if a motherboard is compatible just go to the manufacturers website which will usually list the CPU's that are compatible.
Here is the ECS GF8200A

http://www.ecsusa.com/ECSWebSite/Support/CPU_Support_Model.aspx?detailid=873&MenuID=69&LanID=9

 

[warmon6]

I have a motherboard that recently died, but I believe that the CPU is still good (AMD Athlon X2 4000+ CPU). The CPU is a AM2 socket CPU. I am going to replace the motherboard, but was hoping to use the CPU (at least for now). I don't really want to buy a AM2 motherboard since that would kill future upgrading. I was hoping to get a motherboard that can take AM2+ (or maybe even a AM3). I have seen that a AM2+ processor can run in a AM2 slot (with some minor performance hits), but I haven't seen anything about the other way around. For what its worth, wikipedia seems to say its possible:

Socket AM2+ is a mid-migration from Socket AM2 to Socket AM3 and is fully compatible with Socket AM2, so that processors designed for Socket AM2 work on Socket AM2+ motherboards and vice versa.

I wanted to check with some experts though before trusting wikipedia implicitly... Is this possible? (AM2 processor in an AM2+ board)

I was looking at a AM2+ motherboard, which says it is also AM3 ready. (ECS BLACK SERIES GF8200A) From wikipedia, it looks like AM2 processors can't run in AM3 boards because they lack the memory controller. I am guessing that I need to get a AM2+/AM3 board for best upgrade-ability (since a straight AM3 board may be out)

To answer 1 of your questions about AM2 cpu's in AM2+ and AM3 sockets.

AM2 cpus can work in AM2+ sockets but not AM3 sockets

AM3 cpus can work in AM2+ sockets but not AM2 sockets

As your quote said, The AM2+ is a mid migration socket. This just means that if you have AM2 cpu but want the ability to upgrade to the AM3 cpus when the time comes. You'll have that ability and yes you are correct about the memory controller being the main issue of why AM2's cant run in AM3 ect.

 

[Onus]

^+1.

 

[saint19]

Short answer:

AM2+: YES

AM3: NOT

 

[MrMeth]

A good mobo that will do what you want is Asus M4A78-E it , i have one with a Phenom 945 , using 8 gigs of DDR2 800 KVR and i have had no problem with it and the board is pretty cheap right now .