AM2+ advice

[Kenrou]

Got a friend who is looking to make a budget upgrade, namely a new motherboard (sticking with the Phenom so assuming it has to be AM2/AM2+) and/or a new GPU/PSU. Specs as follows :

Foxconn A7GMX-K/S
Phenom II X2 Black Edition 550, 3400 MHz (17 x 200)
4 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz)
Radeon HD 6670
Realtek ALC662 @ ATI SB700
WD Green WD7500AADS 750GB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
WD My Passport Ultra 1TB USB 3.0
PSU 3amp 350w (?)

Windows 7 Professional 64bit

 

[caddi daddi]

don't forget about adding an ssd, this makes the rig snappy and everybody happy.

 

[Kenrou]

Aie got a 64gb ready to send with a few new case fans. Motherboard is showing signs of age though, and anything better would be much appreciated

 

[Mr.Scott]

DDR2 board is going to be hard to find.
I would suggest this
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php/767881-Asus-M4A79T-Deluxe
And some DDR3.

 

[Kenrou]

Any am3 compatible or are they ddr3 only ?

 

[caddi daddi]

it's going to found used.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm thinking am3 and am3+ are ddr3 only and am2+ is ddr2 or ddr3.

 

[Kenrou]

Mkay this website says the 550 fits in a am3 board, if it's right that broadens our choices a bit, also have spare ddr3 I can send him.

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom II X2 550 - HDZ550WFK2DGI (HDZ550WFGIBOX).html

 

[Johan45]

Yes the 550 would work in any current AM3+ board and wouldn't need anything too robust to run it being a dual core.

 

[Kenrou]

So can anyone point out a decent budget am3 board/PSU pretty please with sugar on top ? I'm assuming he won't overclock much but at least 6 phases would be nice for stability

 

[Johan45]

IS he sticking with the same GFX card?

 

[Kenrou]

Unless I can get a better one dirt cheap, at least for now he's sticking to it.

 

[Johan45]

Just wanted to know what the PSU is powering.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128651 board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094 PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226691 RAM

Should be under $200

 

[Kenrou]

Giga rev 1 or 2 ? And out of curiosity, does it have core unlocker ? You never know if he's X2 can turn into an X4

 

[Johan45]

It says it's a REV1 as for core unlock ??? Do some reading

 

[Kenrou]

I know what it says, i meant is the rev 2 better or do i stick with the one you linked ? some rev2+ are actually worse. Manual says it has core unlock, cool thanks.

 

[Johan45]

Haven't heard much about that model and revs. I know it really matters on the UD3. While you have the manual handy check BIOS for APM/HPC

 

[Kenrou]

DDR2 board is going to be hard to find.
I would suggest this
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php/767881-Asus-M4A79T-Deluxe
And some DDR3.

Sorry just now saw your link will PM him

 

[caddi daddi]

nothing wrong with that kit of parts.