Best motherboard to use the integrated GPU with AMD A6-7400K CPU?

Milk_my_duds

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May 3, 2015
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I purchased a bundle from MicroCenter:
Asus A88XM-A
AMD A6-7400K

However, this build did not post most likely due to the motherboard is not compatible with the newer AMD APUs. Yes, my motherboard serial number ends with 1102 (I think 1601+ has the newer BIOS). Since I don't have access to an old compatible AMD CPU, nor am I willing to spend another $20 bucks to buy an upgraded BIOS unit from ebay, I plan to do an exchange at MicroCenter.

The question is, does anyone have an list of motherboards that work with A6-7400K out of box?

Thanks a ton.

BTW - here is the CPU:

It's this one:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.aspx?sku=331785

AMD A6 7400K Black Edition 3.9GHz Dual-Core Socket FM2+ Boxed Processor
 
Solution
That chip has been supported on that board since April of 2014 in regard to the bios version. Unless you managed to get a board that's been sitting on the shelf for longer than that, which is unlikely but possible, I'd say your issue is elsewhere. If you know for certain you have an older bios revision then understandably you'd need a new board or different cpu. I'd hit up micro center to see if they can update the bios for you. They probably have a compatible CPU they can use to do the update. Otherwise I'd maybe recommend the Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 but make sure it's the build revision 3.2 or 3.3 which should be indicated on the packaging or in the description. That board has supported the 7400k since all bios versions.

That chip has been supported on that board since April of 2014 in regard to the bios version. Unless you managed to get a board that's been sitting on the shelf for longer than that, which is unlikely but possible, I'd say your issue is elsewhere. If you know for certain you have an older bios revision then understandably you'd need a new board or different cpu. I'd hit up micro center to see if they can update the bios for you. They probably have a compatible CPU they can use to do the update. Otherwise I'd maybe recommend the Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3 but make sure it's the build revision 3.2 or 3.3 which should be indicated on the packaging or in the description. That board has supported the 7400k since all bios versions.

 
Solution
Thank you for the input.

The build would power on with all fans running and power light green, but without video from neither VGA nor DVI/HDMI. I googled a bit and found some posts in this forum talking about A88XM-A with old serial number ending with 1103 etc does not support the newer AMD APUs.

The ASUS web site listed A88XM-A must have serial number ending with 3301+ to support A6-7400K. It is a pity that both the box and MicroCenter staff say the A88XM-A supports all APUs.

The devils are in the details.

Here is what the ASUS web site for A88XM-A supported CPU list:
AMD A6-7400K (FM2+, AD740KYBI23JA, rev.A1, 2C, 3.5GHz, L2:1M, GCN Radeon R7, 65W)
BIOS:1301

Unfortunately, the board I got has BIOS 1102. 🙁
 
Then it absolutely isn't supported without an update. You must have version 1301 or higher to support the 7400k.

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/A88XMA/HelpDesk_CPU/


If Micro center is unwilling to have their hardware support section update the bios for you in order to keep the chip, assuming of course that your micro center has an installation and repair department, then I'd insist they return the board and get the one I listed as it's similar in price and quality and does support the A6-7400k since inception. There are other boards that do as well, depending on your budget I can recommend another if you don't like the one I suggested or it for some reason is unsuitable.
 
I went back to MicroCenter and did an exchange for Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-HD3. The one they have in stock is a Rev 3.1, but worked great! I think the BIOS on the Rev 3.1 is F7, which is more recent than the required F6 BIOS posted on Gigabyte's web site for supporting A6-7400K.

Thanks for all the help.