Any good AM2 CPUs with on board graphics?

[kyle2kxx]

My brother just Got a oldish PC and he's looking for miner upgrades, I've picked out some RAM for him. He currently has a 1.8Ghz CPU, I found some cheap 2.5Ghz ones but they're lacking graphics. Are they any that have somewhat decent on board graphics that will at least run minecraft? Thanks

 

[pasow]

if the motherboard has a PCI express slot, i would just buy a cheep discreet GPU. AM2 boards don't have graphics on the CPU like AMD's FM2+ and Intel's i series. but they do normally have a integrated gpu on the motherboard. however the performance of those were anemic even when they were new.

edit...
even the old Nvidia GeForce 210 is faster than the on-board graphics you will find on old motherboards.

edit...
incorrectly identified AMD's APU socket, this has been corrected. thanks Eximo for pointing that out.

 

[Eximo]

I tend to agree. I don't think AM2 socket CPUs included graphics. Back then graphics was provided by a motherboard integrated chipset.

You do have to be careful around AM2 vs AM2+ CPUs. Make sure the CPU you select is on the boards supported list.

There is no FM3 socket. That line is still current with FM2+, soon to be supplanted by AM4 which will handle next gen APUs and CPUs.

 

[kyle2kxx]

So he can use any AM2 CPU? Or should we still check compatability?

 

[Eximo]

Absolutely check compatibility when selecting CPUs. AMD tends to make their sockets moderately cross-compatible, but there are always limitations. On cheaper boards it is maximum power, meaning you can't install a 125W chip in a 95W board. But even an AM2+ chip that is compatible with an AM2 board will run with less bandwidth in the socket. Not really a big deal, but something to look out for.

 

[kyle2kxx]

Yeah I knew the max wattage, not entirely sure what motherboard he's using, I'll find out