Do I need a new motherboard for DDR3 RAM (upgrading from DDR2)?

Hello,

I'm trying to figure out if my motherboard will be able to run 8-12GB of DDR3 RAM. The PC came pre-built from 2008 with 2GB of DDR2.

Here is the information on the motherboard from Everest:

Motherboard Properties
Motherboard ID 03/12/2008-Bearlake-6A79OM4BC-00
Motherboard Name MSI MS-7502 (Medion OEM)

Front Side Bus Properties
Bus Type Intel AGTL+
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 267 MHz (QDR)
Effective Clock 1067 MHz
Bandwidth 8533 MB/s

Chipset Bus Properties
Bus Type Intel Direct Media Interface

Motherboard Manufacturer
Company Name Micro-Star Int'l Co.,Ltd.
Product Information http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=prodpage1&maincat_no=1
BIOS Download http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=downloadindex
Driver Update http://www.aida64.com/driver-updates
BIOS Upgrades http://www.aida64.com/bios-updates

I'm not sure if this is also relevant, but I found the information on the chipset said it could support up to 1333MHz DDR3:

North Bridge Properties
North Bridge Intel Bearlake G33
Intel Platform Salt Creek
Supported FSB Speeds FSB800, FSB1066, FSB1333
Supported Memory Types DDR2-667 SDRAM, DDR2-800 SDRAM, DDR3-800 SDRAM, DDR3-1066 SDRAM, DDR3-1333 SDRAM
Maximum Memory Amount 8 GB
Revision / Stepping 02 / A2
Package Type 1226 Pin FC-BGA
Package Size 3.4 cm x 3.4 cm
Core Voltage 1.25 V
In-Order Queue Depth 12

Integrated Graphics Controller
Graphics Controller Type Intel GMA 3100
Graphics Controller Status Enabled

PCI Express Controller
PCI-E 1.0 x16 port #2 In Use @ x16 (High Definition Audio Controller [10DE-0BEB] [NoDB], NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 [10DE-0E22] [NoDB])

Chipset Manufacturer
Company Name Intel Corporation
Product Information http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets
Driver Download http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets
BIOS Upgrades http://www.aida64.com/bios-updates
Driver Update http://www.aida64.com/driver-updates

Here are two 12GB kits of RAM I'm looking at.

This one is 1333MHz
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/36767-kvr1333d3n9k3/12g

This one is 1600MHz
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/40186-cmz12gx3m3a1600c9

Will my motherboard be able to use the 1600MHz RAM? If not, can it use the 1333MHz RAM?

If it can't use either of them, what type of motherboard specs should I be looking for?

If I get a new motherboard, I need to know if I can transfer to current processor across or if I'll need a new one. Here is the information on my current processor:

CPU Properties
CPU Type QuadCore Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, 2400 MHz (9 x 267)
CPU Alias Kentsfield
CPU Stepping G0
Instruction Set x86, x86-64, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3
Original Clock [ TRIAL VERSION ]
Min / Max CPU Multiplier 6x / 9x
Engineering Sample No
L1 Code Cache 32 KB per core
L1 Data Cache [ TRIAL VERSION ]
L2 Cache 2x 4 MB (On-Die, ECC, ASC, Full-Speed)

Multi CPU
Motherboard ID OEM00000 PROD00000000
CPU #1 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz, 2392 MHz
CPU #2 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz, 2392 MHz
CPU #3 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz, 2392 MHz
CPU #4 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz, 2392 MHz

CPU Physical Info
Package Type 775 Contact LGA
Package Size 3.75 cm x 3.75 cm
Transistors [ TRIAL VERSION ] million
Process Technology 8M, 65 nm, CMOS, Cu, Low-K Inter-Layer, 2nd Gen Strained Si
Die Size [ TRIAL VERSION ] mm2
Core Voltage 1.313 V
I/O Voltage 1.313 V
Typical Power 130 W
Maximum Power 168.8 W

CPU Manufacturer
Company Name Intel Corporation
Product Information http://www.intel.com/products/processor

CPU Utilization
CPU #1 / Core #1 12 %
CPU #1 / Core #2 6 %
CPU #1 / Core #3 3 %
CPU #1 / Core #4 9 %

Thanks,
Daniel

 

No, the MSI 7502 supports up to 8Gb of 667 or 800 DDR2 memory only. If you look for a new board your current CPU is a socket LGA775 so look for one with that socket and supports DDR3.

Sam

 

If you're considering replacing both the board and memory, I'd also consider either a faster CPU or a total new system build.

Although the Q6600 is no slouch, an I7 or six-core AMD will run circles around it. The I7 1366 socket also uses triple channel (not dual channel) memory technology. If you shop around, you should be able to find deals such as an I7 9xx (socket 1366) for around $230 (MicroCenter) or a 6-core AMD at around $200.

If you plan on selling your "old" board, memory and CPU they'll likely fetch a higher price as part of a complete (working) PC. It's still a decent setup for anyone from a novice user to an intermediate gamer.