Asus M4A78 plus CPU upgrade?

Jason_130

Commendable
May 14, 2016
8
0
1,510
I am running quad screens and a Asus M4A78 plus with an AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.0 ghz! Along with 2 invidia GeForce 9600gt bridged and I want to upgrade to the best CPU I can for this mother board, this MB has given me no problems and I want to learn how to upgrade the CPU anyways, but I am having problems understanding what CPU can be used or which one is the best. It says AM3 CPU support on the MB but I thought it was an AMD 2 socket. so does that mean I can run AM3? Don't laugh I wanting to learn. I like gaming and I do some web design with video editing/ graphics. I am not looking to switch out Everything to update to a more current set up, just want to upgrade CPU. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
 


What about a amd quad? I can't be maxed out with this current CPU, right?
 

Just give me some suggestions if you would please. I don't have a budget, if I see something that I like and think it's a good idea I go with it. I don't want to upgrade the entire system at this this time tho. Thanks again.
 
np. and here, https://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-adx640wfgmbox looks like the best upgrade for that socket, although i would suggest just saving up some $$$ and getting a mobo + cpu combo with a newer socket. like this PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $164.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-05-14 20:51 EDT-0400
 



Thanks, so this would be the best upgrade? Or say the top dog of CPU's for this MB? Would I have to upgrade my ram or could I run the 4 sticks with a total of 8gb @ 800mhz?

 
with this motherboard/cpu i showed you, you would have to upgrade your ram, although there are more options as far as motherboards and cpus. and i would say definetly save some $$$ and buy a motherboard and cpu, a cpu upgrade with that motherboard is like sinking money into an old motherboard, and if you ever want any more power, you have to upgrade anyways.
 


Thanks, What CPU can I upgrade to currently without upgrading the ram?
 


Plus if I buy a new MB and CPU then I have to buy 2 new Graphics cards, new ram, etc to much $$$$$. Really just want to upgrade CPU if possible that's it using everything I currently have.... If that can't be done than it is what it is. Every thing works good now, I was just looking to get a little boost out of this old girl!
 

it depends on what cpu/mobo you go with, you may not need to upgrade ram, and you shouldnt have to upgrade your gpus for anything, unless you want to, pcie 3.0 16(8)x is backwards compatible.