AM2+ processor in a socket AM3+ mobo - does it work???

[pentax9380]

OK, I have found literally THOUSANDS of forum articles out there (Google is your friend ), but none that quite get what I am asking. My power went out the other day and in the process surged my mobo. I am looking to get the GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3 mobo to replace it. I have a Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition AM2+ proc. The question is, will the 940 work in the GA-970A?

Newegg links:

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3
Proc: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition AM2+

I've been doing computer work for years so I am no dummy, I just want some confirmation before I go spending ~$200 for a mobo that wont work with my proc! ($99 for the mobo, $75 for the 8gb DDR3 mem, and ~$25 for the tube of Arctic Silver (i ran out of my old tube )).

 

[rolli59]

No it will not you will have to have a AM3 CPU! First of all it does not have DDR3 support only DDR2!

 

[popatim]

Its not on the supported CPU listing but I dont know why.
http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3908
I beleive there may be a typo or they never got one in to be tested. I don't see why it would not work myself esp since the 955 and up are on there. Perhaps a call inito Gigabyte support would get you an answer or maybe a free motherbd to test with for them.

Ps - 8gb of Ripjaws 1600 is on newegg's eggblaster today for $40 shipped...

 

[pentax9380]

The problem is that the 955 and up are AM3 CPUs, while the 940 is an AM2+. What I am wondering is if an AM2+ works in an AM3+ mobo.

 

[Fliksan]

No it won't work, like Rolli said. You'd need an AM3 processor. So unless you want to upgrade your processor as well, you'll need to get an AM2+ mobo, and just stick with your old stuff.

 

[rolli59]

AM2+ does not work with DDR3, only has DDR2 memory controller! AM3 CPU's have both DDR2 and DDR3 memory controllers therefore work in many AM2+ boards which are all DDR2!

 

[beenthere]

Gigabyte lists the CPUs that are supported for each mobo model on it's website.

 

[geekapproved]

The problem is that the 955 and up are AM3 CPUs, while the 940 is an AM2+. What I am wondering is if an AM2+ works in an AM3+ mobo.

A 940 will not work with DDR3. AM3+ is DDR3. I'm not sure how after reading literally THOUSANDS of articles you were unable to figure that out.

 

[pentax9380]

Last I checked AM2+ procs have BOTH DDR2 and DDR3 controllers, cause they will work in AM3 mobos.

 

[rolli59]

They do not! unless it is a board like this with DDR2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138294

 

[rolli59]

Here supports up to DDR2 1066MHz http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/amd_phenom_2_940_performance/page3.asp

 

[deadric8]

old debate but ended with an incorrect answer i am currently running a phenom2 940 on an am3 mob...with 1600mhz ddr3 ram...i wanna know if the same will work on an am3+ board