Best CPU for MSI 890FXA-GD70?

[vertigoelectric]

I'm currently running an AMD Phenom II X4 955 on a MSI 890FXA-GD70 motherboard. I set this up about two years ago.

I know the MSI website has a processor compatibility list for this motherboard, but there doesn't seem to be any particular order to it.

Would someone mind suggesting what they think the best processor(s) would be for this motherboard?

Thanks!

 

[thomann061]

that is a great processor. what kind of computing were you looking to do?

 

[vertigoelectric]

that is a great processor. what kind of computing were you looking to do?

Oh. Well thanks!

I hadn't really thought about it, to be honest. I was just curious what the best cpu would be in case I decided to upgrade.

I recently upgraded to 64 bit Windows, so now I'm in the market for upgrading my RAM. In the process of researching that, I've discovered that this entire time (since I set up this system 2 years ago), my RAM doesn't seem to working at the advertised potential (I have a separate thread here about that). Someone told me it's because the CPU I'm using won't recognize the RAM's speed properly without me "telling it to" and while I should be able to force it in the BIOS, it got me curious about the possibilities of upgrading the CPU as well.

If I were to give a nutshell answer about the type of PC i want, it would need to be used for gaming and video processing.

 

[thomann061]

You're motherboard uses the am3+ socket. Most amd cpus will fit with exception of their line of apus. If you are looking for raw power the amd fx-8350 is the "best."

 

[thomann061]

yes, you would need to go into your bios settings and change the speed of your ram. im assuming you want it to run at 1600mhz? if so, it would be an option under advanced settings in your bios. im not familiar with that motherboard, but im sure it has the option to do so.

does that make sense?

also what video card do you have?

 

[vertigoelectric]

yes, you would need to go into your bios settings and change the speed of your ram. im assuming you want it to run at 1600mhz? if so, it would be an option under advanced settings in your bios. im not familiar with that motherboard, but im sure it has the option to do so.

does that make sense?

also what video card do you have?

Well, the thing is... there are quite a few settings in the BIOS related to RAM as well as CPU speed/timings/etc. I'm not quite sure what to change safely.

Technically I'm running two video cards. My primary card is a Vapor-X Radeon HD 6870 1GB. I'm also using an old nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS just so I can have more screens (haven't yet been able to find a way to get more than 2 displays at a time using just the Radeon).

 

[8350rocks]

yes, you would need to go into your bios settings and change the speed of your ram. im assuming you want it to run at 1600mhz? if so, it would be an option under advanced settings in your bios. im not familiar with that motherboard, but im sure it has the option to do so.

does that make sense?

also what video card do you have?

Well, the thing is... there are quite a few settings in the BIOS related to RAM as well as CPU speed/timings/etc. I'm not quite sure what to change safely.

Technically I'm running two video cards. My primary card is a Vapor-X Radeon HD 6870 1GB. I'm also using an old nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS just so I can have more screens (haven't yet been able to find a way to get more than 2 displays at a time using just the Radeon).

You would simply need to get a Radeon card that supports eyefinity...that one may not...but something like a HD 7850 could if you bought the right one...you should be able to check the features on the card and see if it supports eyefinity or not...if it does then you can run 2-3 monitors off of one card.

 

[logainofhades]

With a bios update, the fastest chip you can go is an FX 8350. With any luck, you will get a steamroller bios update at the end of this year/ early next year.

 

[thomann061]

okay under the bios click on "cell menu"

then scroll down to where it says, "FSB/DRAM Ratio"

click that and set the ratio to 1:4 or whatever will give you 1600mhz.

im assuming there is no overclocking done and your memory is running currently at 1333mhz.

 

[vertigoelectric]

yes, you would need to go into your bios settings and change the speed of your ram. im assuming you want it to run at 1600mhz? if so, it would be an option under advanced settings in your bios. im not familiar with that motherboard, but im sure it has the option to do so.

does that make sense?

also what video card do you have?

Well, the thing is... there are quite a few settings in the BIOS related to RAM as well as CPU speed/timings/etc. I'm not quite sure what to change safely.

Technically I'm running two video cards. My primary card is a Vapor-X Radeon HD 6870 1GB. I'm also using an old nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS just so I can have more screens (haven't yet been able to find a way to get more than 2 displays at a time using just the Radeon).

You would simply need to get a Radeon card that supports eyefinity...that one may not...but something like a HD 7850 could if you bought the right one...you should be able to check the features on the card and see if it supports eyefinity or not...if it does then you can run 2-3 monitors off of one card.

It does support Eyefinity, but all of the online research I have done says that I can't use more than 2 ports at a time. However, I just grabbed the box and it says:

AMD Eyfinity Multi - Display
Now with Display Port version 1.2! Daisy chain up to three DP 1.2 monitors per port and get the ultimate immersive gaming experience innovative 'wrap around' multi-display capabilities.

I realize this is getting off topic, but I'm not sure how I would 'daisy chain' the displays. I'll have to look into that.

 

[vertigoelectric]

okay under the bios click on "cell menu"

then scroll down to where it says, "FSB/DRAM Ratio"

click that and set the ratio to 1:4 or whatever will give you 1600mhz.

im assuming there is no overclocking done and your memory is running currently at 1333mhz.

I will try this right now. Thanks!

 

[8350rocks]

yes, you would need to go into your bios settings and change the speed of your ram. im assuming you want it to run at 1600mhz? if so, it would be an option under advanced settings in your bios. im not familiar with that motherboard, but im sure it has the option to do so.

does that make sense?

also what video card do you have?

Well, the thing is... there are quite a few settings in the BIOS related to RAM as well as CPU speed/timings/etc. I'm not quite sure what to change safely.

Technically I'm running two video cards. My primary card is a Vapor-X Radeon HD 6870 1GB. I'm also using an old nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS just so I can have more screens (haven't yet been able to find a way to get more than 2 displays at a time using just the Radeon).

You would simply need to get a Radeon card that supports eyefinity...that one may not...but something like a HD 7850 could if you bought the right one...you should be able to check the features on the card and see if it supports eyefinity or not...if it does then you can run 2-3 monitors off of one card.

It does support Eyefinity, but all of the online research I have done says that I can't use more than 2 ports at a time. However, I just grabbed the box and it says:

AMD Eyfinity Multi - Display
Now with Display Port version 1.2! Daisy chain up to three DP 1.2 monitors per port and get the ultimate immersive gaming experience innovative 'wrap around' multi-display capabilities.

I realize this is getting off topic, but I'm not sure how I would 'daisy chain' the displays. I'll have to look into that.

You should have multiple ports on the card...the first 2 monitors can connect via any of the ports, VGA, display port, HDMI, etc.

 

[popatim]

you'll need a 3rd monitor with a display port or if you can use an active DP to HDMI/DVI adapter to connect to a more traditional monitor. please note the word ACTIVE. the adapter must be active and there are many non-active (cheap) adapters on the web.

 

[vertigoelectric]

Well, I'm currently using both DVI ports to connect two LED monitors and then I have an HDMI cable connecting the HDMI port to a large HDTV. I then have a smaller HDTV next to my monitors and that is connected to the nVidia card. I'm using the smaller HDTV and both monitors all at the same time. However, whenever I want to activate the big TV on the HDMI connection, I have to deactivate one of the other LED monitors because even though there are more than 2 ports on the card, it won't allow me to use more than 2 at a time.

Also, take another look at my quote of the box. It says I can daisy chain up the 3 displays PER port...

Again, this is off topic. [strike]I'm far more concerned with solving the RAM issue.[/strike] EDIT: Oops. I noticed that this isn't the thread in which I posted the RAM issue. If you can help me with my RAM, could you please visit the right thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1642011/making-ram-performing-potential.html

I'm deleting what I typed here and I'm going to add it to the other thread.

 

[8350rocks]

Well, I'm currently using both DVI ports to connect two LED monitors and then I have an HDMI cable connecting the HDMI port to a large HDTV. I then have a smaller HDTV next to my monitors and that is connected to the nVidia card. I'm using the smaller HDTV and both monitors all at the same time. However, whenever I want to activate the big TV on the HDMI connection, I have to deactivate one of the other LED monitors because even though there are more than 2 ports on the card, it won't allow me to use more than 2 at a time.

Also, take another look at my quote of the box. It says I can daisy chain up the 3 displays PER port...

Again, this is off topic. [strike]I'm far more concerned with solving the RAM issue.[/strike] EDIT: Oops. I noticed that this isn't the thread in which I posted the RAM issue. If you can help me with my RAM, could you please visit the right thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1642011/making-ram-performing-potential.html

I'm deleting what I typed here and I'm going to add it to the other thread.

I've never tried running more than 2 at once, so someone else might know about daisy chaining...I haven't personally investigated the process behind that...so my advice would only be speculation there.