Phenom 2 x6 performance on AM3/AM2+/AM2

[Cheesegod]

Hello, I was wondering if there is a performance difference using an AMD Phenom 2 x6 with a AM3/AM2+/AM2 motherboard vs just an AM3 motherboard. Was thinking about the AM3 one so I can use DDR3 as well.

 

[dogman_1234]

Hello, and welcome to THG.

Phenom II x6 works well with AM3 sockets. I would recommend this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131655

 

[Cheesegod]

I have an AM3/AM2+/AM2 that supports the Phenom 2 x6, but the question is, is there a significant performance difference between an AM3/AM2+/AM2 motherboard and just an AM3 one?

 

[dogman_1234]

What is the motherboard specifically?

 

[Cheesegod]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

 

[dalauder]

That motherboard does not have the Phenom II x6 listed as supported. I recommend the ASRock 870 Extreme 3 for $90 on Newegg.

 

[Cheesegod]

On the manufacturer's website, it says Phenom 2 x6 support. And yes, I did update the BIOS to support it.
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3038#ov

 

[dalauder]

So what's wrong with the ASRock 870 Extreme 3? I suppose that if you ran dual 5970's you might saturate the 8x bandwidth?

But really your board should do fine with the Phenom II x6 since you already own it. The performance difference will be negligible since that runs at full AM3 HT speed.

That's what I think--but I'd try to check some benchmarks if I were buying.

 

[enzo matrix]

Hello, I was wondering if there is a performance difference using an AMD Phenom 2 x6 with a AM3/AM2+/AM2 motherboard vs just an AM3 motherboard. Was thinking about the AM3 one so I can use DDR3 as well.

There will be no appreciable difference.

As Malmental noted though, if you do get an AM3 board and DDR3 memory, you will be able to keep the DDR3 memory for a future upgrade in motherboard and CPU. And DDR3 prices are very low right now.