AMD X2 to AMD X4

I had a complete system built a couple of years ago and put the Athalon X2 processor in it. Been considering upgrading the memory, graphics, and processor. I just noticed on the box the MB came in it says that it supports the AMD X2 and it raised a question... Will I have to get a new MB that supports X4 or is that just a marketing push for the MB?

 

Also just noticed while checking into memory and all I am seeing is DDR3 and above. The MB box says Dual-Channel DDR2... Is that going to be an issue also?

 

What is your MOBO. All of the new AMD Athlon/Phenom series have support in their intergrated memory controllers for DDR2/DDR3. I have a AMD Phenom II 965 on an ASUS M3N72-D, which has DDR2.

 

Its a Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4. I was thinking about getting the Phenom 965, 4GB DDR3 G.Skill Ripjaw, and an ATI 5770 grsphics card. I hate to add the MOBO to that, I can install all the other stuff myself, but when it gets into the wiring and configuration of the MOBO Im lost and I don't care to get my "tech guy" involved in it.

 

I actually have that motherboard so I can advise your properly. The motherboard is an AMD AM2 socket, but it will accept any AM2/AM2+/AM3 processor, with the note that Any processor over the AM2 will be downclocked to the AM2 bus speed of 2000MT/s rather than 5200MT/s. The Phenom II 965 is an AM3 processor. DDR3 RAM is not supported by this motherboard, as it only supports DDR2. The Graphics card would not be a problem other than the motherboard only supports PCI-E 1.0 not 2.0, which is twice as fast.

So in brief, for these components, you would be better off getting a new motherboard anyway to prevent limitations and incompatibilities.

BTW, what is your current power supply and wattage, as you may have to upgrade if you install all this new equipment.

 

I would also advise a new MOBO. That one is starting to age, and like collinsl said, it might cause limitations.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. I really appreciate your time.
I guess it will be a complete rebuild after all. Theres no sense spending that kind of money if Im not getting the full potential out of the components.

Collinsl, the power supply is a 350w.

 

I'd at least get a 500w

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice.

 

Power supplies are one of the most critical components in a system. Please take the time to read the text below kindly provided for reproduction here by Digerati. It will explain how to calculate the power needed for a given system (approximately, always add in 10% or more for future upgrades), and the high risks involved in getting a "cheap" unit:

 

The wiring isn't so bad, In my last two builds I wired my first usb ports, all i had to do was look at and follow the diagram that came with the board, everything went well. I also wired all my case leds and power and reset button..

 

It's easier than you think!!!