Help: running a Phenom II x4 955 on a Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H MOBO

[ruslruslrusl]

Hi all,

I just bought some upgrade parts on an extremely limited budget and I'm looking for some help getting my Phenom II X4 955 3.2 GHz CPU running optimally on my Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H MOBO given its inherent limitations (downgraded performance on the CPU and SSD). I also got a Kingston Hyper X SSD 120 gb. I knew I would be losing some of the Phenom's performance (bus speed) due to my MOBO limitations, and losing some SSD performance because my MOBO is SATAII and the SSD is SATAIII, but I was hoping to still get it running optimized for the time being until I can afford to upgrade the MOBO and RAM.

System Specs:
- Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H motherboard, BIOS F7E
- AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2 GHz AM3 quad-core HDZ955FBK4DGM 125watt
- 6 gb DDR2 RAM
- Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (couldn't find chipset drivers anywhere; AMD's site only had chipset drivers for 700 series MOBOs and above; mine is a 690G)
- ZOTAC Synergy ZT-60403-10L GeForce GT 630 2GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
- Thermaltake TR2 TR-600 600W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply

When I ran the WEI, I got the following scores:
Processor: 3.7
RAM: 5.5
Graphics: 6.7
Gaming Graphics: 6.7
HD: 7.7

I have Cool and Quiet disabled in BIOS. SATA>AHCI mode enabled. Also have Windows set on High Performance Power Mode. I'm not home right now, but I think CPU-Z showed each core of my CPU running at 833 MHz. My RAM is operating in unganged mode. I just read about hitting Ctrl+F1 to get to an advanced menu in BIOS to make some tweaks. Any suggestions on getting the processor working better? Should I switch the RAM to ganged mode? All input welcomed and appreciated. Thanks.

[EDIT] I also just realized that I have the Phenom HDZ955FBK4DGM 125watt model, which, according to Gigabyte's website, is not supported by my MOBO. Hmmm... I didn't have any issues getting it running initially.

 

[logainofhades]

Did you save the changes when you disabled Cool and Quiet? It seems like it is still on.

 

[ruslruslrusl]

Yep, hit F10 to Save & Exit, hit Y, hit Enter. Went back in and checked and it's disabled.

 

[logainofhades]

What does your bus speed and multiplier say on CPU-Z?

 

[ruslruslrusl]

Bus Speed: 200.45 MHz
Multiplier: x 4.0

 

[ruslruslrusl]

I reset my CMOS today just to give that a try. Reset all BIOS settings. But nothing changed. I also notice that in System Properties it lists my CPU as 1.60 GHz.

 

[satyamdubey]

you are exceeding the cpu tdp envelope that your mobo can support. you mobo socket and VRM will have a tough time pushing peak current and voltages (power= VxI) for your cpu and this is probably the reason your cpu performance is taking a hit.

and this is likely 4+1 phase power design which can magnify the issue when a tdp violation happens

 

[simon12]

The board supports 125W CPUs, is your bios version the latest?

 

[satyamdubey]

^ agreed. OP you should rather go for an AM3 mobo.
And Belial thanks for pointing out my mistake. I know its a 3 phase design. missed a "not" in that sentence. good thing you caught that. thanks again.

 

[logainofhades]

It was given AM3 support with Bios updates. After looking at it more, I see he has the 125w 955 which is a C2 stepping. His board only has bios support for C3 stepping chips that are 95w. The only 125w CPU's that it supports are the old AM2 K8 chips. I don't see how AM3+ boards are crap. Bulldozer, I agree was fail. Vishera/Piledriver was at least a bit of an improvement. lol

 

[ruslruslrusl]

Unfortunately, as stated, I'm on an extremely limited budget at the moment and can't afford to upgrade the MOBO and RAM at the moment. Yesterday a friend of mine gave me his old AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core. I shouldn't run into any problems getting that running normally. So I guess I might just stash the Phenom until I can buy a new board and RAM.

 

[ruslruslrusl]

Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[ruslruslrusl]

Best answer selected by ruslruslrusl.