Download the Tom's Hardware App from the App Store
The reference for current tech news
Yes No
Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > NICs > [Solved] Will a AM3 CPU in a AM2+ socket and DDR2 Memory slow my computer down?

[Solved] Will a AM3 CPU in a AM2+ socket and DDR2 Memory slow my computer down?

Forum CPU & Components : NICs [Solved] Will a AM3 CPU in a AM2+ socket and DDR2 Memory slow my computer down?

Best answer from Brett928S2.

Word :    Username :           
 

I currently have a Athlon 64 x2 5200+(2.7Ghz) CPU in a AM2+ socket with 4GB or DDR2 667 RAM. If I upgraded my CPU to a Phenom II X4 2.8Ghz CPU, would my computer slow down, speed up, or stay the same?

Other Info:
I am asking this because I hear that using a AM3 CPU in a AM2+ socket with DDR2 RAM will bottleneck the RAM, but what I cant find is that the bottle-necking of the RAM lower the computers performance lower than it originally was. I plan on buying the Phenom II X4 soon, unless its a bad idea.
My motherboard Supports AM3 socket CPU's
I cannot upgrade anything else but the CPU.(Limited Money)
I have a aftermarket Heat-sink that will keep almost any CPU I get cool.

If you need the exact names or specs for any of my components, please ask. :)

Reply to Pepto
Register or log in to remove.

you'd get a huge performance boost.

------------------------------ sllaw eht no nettirw gnihtemos saw ecno ereht
Reply to esrever

lol the ram might end up being the bottleneck, but really, you wouldnt see the difference im sure.

Reply to guavasauce

I got two opposite answers... not sure what to do yet...


Message edited by Pepto on 01-13-2012 at 02:35:48 AM
Reply to Pepto
Best answer

Hi :)

You didnt get two answers, they just didnt explain it well....

When you go from a dual core to a quad core you WILL see a massive increase in speed, the ram may run a litle slower than DDR3 but the massive increase from the 2 extra cores will be so big you wont notice the small decrease from the ram..

All the best Brett :)

Reply to Brett928S2

clarification: the processor you have now is junk. Upgrading will give a huge boost in performance. make sure the BIOS supports it before you install new processor. ( update BIOS while old processor is in the board if needed ).

Reply to swifty_morgan

Good, those answer my questions perfectly. Thanks for help :)
The Bios was updated with current drivers yesterday :)

Reply to Pepto

you will never see the true performance of that cpu because the ht link speed is less than half what it would be on an am3+ board. also the ram is slllloooooow... upgrading to a new cheap am3+ board and ram with 1066 or even 1333 will show a huge boost in performance. well at least 50% over just banging it into your current board.

oh i almost forgot not all am2 boards will support am3 cpu's as the manufacturers of the boards tend not to upgrade there bios's when new arcitecture comes out even if its on a similar socket that would generally work. i had this issue with both asus and gigabyte when i had my old amd 6000x2 and wanted to upgrade to phenom. so make sure it is fully supported b4 you buy or you will have to upgrade the mobo, which i suggest you do as soon as you can.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by HEXiT on 01-13-2012 at 04:54:45 PM
------------------------------ |i7 920 D0@3.6 |CNPS10 flex |ex58-ud5 |6Gig 1333 C7 |HD 5870
|G11 keyboard|X-fi Xtreme |G930 |3x1tb SpinPoint f3's raid 0 |thermaltake tp 850watt |antec 902
|Rat 7 contagion |Razer Destructor mat |bamboo pen'N'touch | 3d pro stick |nitro wheel |360 pad
Reply to HEXiT

HEXiT wrote :

you will never see the true performance of that cpu because the ht link speed is less than half what it would be on an am3+ board. also the ram is slllloooooow... upgrading to a new cheap am3+ board and ram with 1066 or even 1333 will show a huge boost in performance. well at least 50% over just banging it into your current board.

oh i almost forgot not all am2 boards will support am3 cpu's as the manufacturers of the boards tend not to upgrade there bios's when new arcitecture comes out even if its on a similar socket that would generally work. i had this issue with both asus and gigabyte when i had my old amd 6000x2 and wanted to upgrade to phenom. so make sure it is fully supported b4 you buy or you will have to upgrade the mobo, which i suggest you do as soon as you can.


The motherboard I have now says it supports Phenom II X4 right on the cover of the box, This motherboard isn't to old either, less than 6 months. I bought it because I could put my RAM and CPU in it without upgrading them because I didn't have the money too. at the moment I don't have a job, because of school, so when ever I get money, I get what I can before the money is gone.... Even though its a bad habit. The moment I get a job, I plan on saving $2,000+ and buying the best parts I can.

Reply to Pepto

cool, hope you find work soon m8...

------------------------------ |i7 920 D0@3.6 |CNPS10 flex |ex58-ud5 |6Gig 1333 C7 |HD 5870
|G11 keyboard|X-fi Xtreme |G930 |3x1tb SpinPoint f3's raid 0 |thermaltake tp 850watt |antec 902
|Rat 7 contagion |Razer Destructor mat |bamboo pen'N'touch | 3d pro stick |nitro wheel |360 pad
Reply to HEXiT
Register or log in to remove.
Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > NICs > [Solved] Will a AM3 CPU in a AM2+ socket and DDR2 Memory slow my computer down?
Go to:

There are 696 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Latest best answer
Battery Compatibility issues in Windows XP on Gateway
By hang-the-9, 61 days ago:

If this is a 3rd party battery, issues like this are pretty much to be expected. If it's...

They won a badge
Join us in greeting them