AM3+ Mainboard not supporting all AM3+ CPUs?

[Naldan]

Hello,

I'm a bit confused. I've got this mainboard: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4385#

Before the Zen architecture rolls out, I consider buying an FX 8370. But my mainboard, even though it supports (or has) the AM3+ socket, it only supports a certain CPU of these.

Or am I wrong? For example, it would support an 8370'e', but not an 8370. And if this is the case, does anybody know why? I know it's not listed as supported, but I think this could be just lazy updating.

It's not like I haven't tried to get an answer myself, but this "phenomenon" seems to be so rare that at least Google Germany won't show me results based on my location, whatever.

So please, go easy on me.

 

[mjslakeridge]

If you visit PCPartpicker.com, and select compatibility check, that motherboard and the FX 8370 appear to be compatible. The only difference is the motherboard on PCpartpicker had a "P" after the "DS3". I am not sure what that means. You will need to update the BIOS to use the 8370.

I have seen at least one other instance where Gigabyte's listing of compatible CPUs was incomplete. My FX6300 was not listed on the motherboard page, but it works fine after the BIOS update.

 

[Naldan]

If you visit PCPartpicker.com, and select compatibility check, that motherboard and the FX 8370 appear to be compatible. The only difference is the motherboard on PCpartpicker had a "P" after the "DS3". I am not sure what that means. You will need to update the BIOS to use the 8370.

I have seen at least one other instance where Gigabyte's listing of compatible CPUs was incomplete. My FX6300 was not listed on the motherboard page, but it works fine after the BIOS update.

I really hope that this is the case. It would save me a lot of needed money.

 

[Calvin7]

AMD FX-8370E Vishera 8-Core 3.3GHz (4.3GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W FD837EWMHKBOX Desktop Processor

The 95W refers to the Thermal Design Power (TDP).

The Thermal Design Power (TDP) is the average maximum power a processor can dissipate while running commercially available software. TDP is primarily used as a guideline for manufacturers of thermal solutions (heatsinks/fans, etc) which tells them how much heat their solution should dissipate.

The high end 125 Watt FX CPUs apparently put out to much heat for that motherboard. The motherboard is missing many of the better features available on more expensive Gigabyte AMD 970/ SB950 motherboards, namely heatsinks on VRM and 8+2 phase VRM (voltage regulator modules).

 

[Naldan]

AMD FX-8370E Vishera 8-Core 3.3GHz (4.3GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W FD837EWMHKBOX Desktop Processor

The 95W refers to the Thermal Design Power (TDP).

The Thermal Design Power (TDP) is the average maximum power a processor can dissipate while running commercially available software. TDP is primarily used as a guideline for manufacturers of thermal solutions (heatsinks/fans, etc) which tells them how much heat their solution should dissipate.

The high end 125 Watt FX CPUs apparently put out to much heat for that motherboard. The motherboard is missing many of the better features available on more expensive Gigabyte AMD 970/ SB950 motherboards, namely heatsinks on VRM and 8+2 phase VRM (voltage regulator modules).

I'm currently using a AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition, apparently unrevised (afaik there is a 95w edition), which is running with 125w. Has that changed during the transition to the Bulldozer architecture so that 125w now means something different (in terms of TDP) than before?

Or was I lucky all along that my CPU/Mainboard didn't burn out since I think 4 years? I mean this processor is listed as compatible. Or is it throttled down automatically somehow? CPU-Z lists it with 125w.

 

[chris987]

AMD FX-8370E Vishera 8-Core 3.3GHz (4.3GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W FD837EWMHKBOX Desktop Processor

The 95W refers to the Thermal Design Power (TDP).

The Thermal Design Power (TDP) is the average maximum power a processor can dissipate while running commercially available software. TDP is primarily used as a guideline for manufacturers of thermal solutions (heatsinks/fans, etc) which tells them how much heat their solution should dissipate.

The high end 125 Watt FX CPUs apparently put out to much heat for that motherboard. The motherboard is missing many of the better features available on more expensive Gigabyte AMD 970/ SB950 motherboards, namely heatsinks on VRM and 8+2 phase VRM (voltage regulator modules).

I'm currently using a AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition, apparently unrevised (afaik there is a 95w edition), which is running with 125w. Has that changed during the transition to the Bulldozer architecture so that 125w now means something different (in terms of TDP) than before?

Or was I lucky all along that my CPU/Mainboard didn't burn out since I think 4 years? I mean this processor is listed as compatible. Or is it throttled down automatically somehow? CPU-Z lists it with 125w.

you cannot compare phenom with FX, thats different architecture. there are numerous mobos that offer 125w cpu support but not with FX . vendors in their try to expand life overdo it most of the time by falsely advertising their products. (older chpset mobos in the majority, usually older amd 970 implementations , 760g..) for 125w FX 8core as said you need strong vrm, 8+2 power phase recommended.

 

[Naldan]

you cannot compare phenom with FX, thats different architecture. there are numerous mobos that offer 125w cpu support but not with FX . vendors in their try to expand life overdo it most of the time by falsely advertising their products. (older chpset mobos in the majority, usually older amd 970 implementations , 760g..) for 125w FX 8core as said you need strong vrm, 8+2 power phase recommended.

Well, I guess it's then best so save for the next architectures and upgrade the whole rig with it. Thank you.

edit: Just to be clear; It could work, the compatibility list doesn't seem to be updated, but it is very likely that I would crash my whole system (or 'just' the mainboard and/or CPU) with it. Is this right?

Because quite a lot FX processors seem to be compatible with this mainboard, but the specs seem to not make any sense in terms of supportive capabilities.

 

[CountMike]

"P" on those MBs mean there's digital VRM and "E" in the processor designation is for low power requirements, topically 95W. So you have to choose processor accordingly.
Also keep in mind that processor compatibility list may have been made before a particular processor existed, it's best to check for BIOS upgrade change log for updated data.