Tuesday, March 15th 2011
AMD FX Zambezi Processors Compatible with ASUS AM3 Motherboards Using BIOS Update
AMD's upcoming FX series "Zambezi" desktop processors based on the "Bulldozer architecture are also expected to bring with them compatible motherboards, as AMD, on a number of occassions, stated that the chips will require a new socket (referred to as AM3+) and compatible chipset, and that the chips will be incompatible with existing AM3 socket and existing chipset. Information available with SweClockers points to the contrary.
According to the source, motherboard major ASUS is planning to provide support to AM3+ processors to some of its existing AM3 motherboards using mere BIOS updates. That's right, Zambezi will indeed be backwards compatible with AM3 and existing chipset, only what remains to be seen is if the processors will perform to their full potential and overclock well on existing platform. Amongst ASUS' Schindler's list are top of the line AM3 models, such as ROG Crosshair IV Formula and Extreme, M4A89TD PRO/USB3, and even AMD 890GX-based motherboards such as M4A89GTD PRO. The list also shows certain AM3+ motherboards that use dated chipsets such as 760G, probably the entry-level of ASUS' M5A series of motherboards.
Source:
SweClockers
According to the source, motherboard major ASUS is planning to provide support to AM3+ processors to some of its existing AM3 motherboards using mere BIOS updates. That's right, Zambezi will indeed be backwards compatible with AM3 and existing chipset, only what remains to be seen is if the processors will perform to their full potential and overclock well on existing platform. Amongst ASUS' Schindler's list are top of the line AM3 models, such as ROG Crosshair IV Formula and Extreme, M4A89TD PRO/USB3, and even AMD 890GX-based motherboards such as M4A89GTD PRO. The list also shows certain AM3+ motherboards that use dated chipsets such as 760G, probably the entry-level of ASUS' M5A series of motherboards.
145 Comments on AMD FX Zambezi Processors Compatible with ASUS AM3 Motherboards Using BIOS Update
ASUS said that, AASUS don t have reasons to lie, bcz if they lie some users like me will strop buying em boards
But either way, we'll have to wait and see for sure, as you said.
Either way though, regardless of if the CPU will fit in the socket or not, ASUS has provent that the CPUs are in fact compatible with older chipsets/motherboards, and AMD is just not allowing it for whatever reason.
Name one intel CPU that is forwards/backwards compatible with any of the other intel skt's?
Least this way you can use your current AM3 CPU and put it into a new AM3+ mobo considering this is going to be a whole new arch, i find that impressive.
SB should of been backwards compatible with the older i7's but it wasnt, i think that's fail. Clearly
as soon as intel integrated more stuff into the CPU, it stopped being so upgradeable. same thing happend with IMC's.
So if needing to RMA one of AM3+ cpu's one of your support questions will be "what motherboard? was it AM3?" Therefore voiding warranties? Correct? Yes we do. Then why did Asus and btarunr post this as news?
we dont know if a BIOS update is all thats needed, or if some board makers knew early on and updated their sockets/board designs to work with the upcoming CPU's on the sly.
i dislike blanket statements such as "AM3+ works on AM3 boards" because its too easy for someone to read that and get the wrong idea. works on SOME boards, is what i want to see.
Sorry if my posts looked bad in context, just horribly worded and looked harsh.
No disrespect.... You're my bud! ;)
Same thing could be said from 939 to AM2, same thing just support for DDR2. Going by what JF-AMD says ( and i believe him over anyone else) this wont happen, but it be nice if it did :D Ether one realy, doesnt matter, it was just a surprise they didnt make them fit into ANY old skt, i felt bad for those i7 owners. Yea i do realize this and that makes sense, and this i think will be the same with Bulldozer and it also makes sense, its all new.
You have 0 evidence that AM3 and AM3+ will be backwards compatible, other than a sketchy release from ASUS, and if it didn't come from AMD the one making the chips and chip sets themselves it's worth less than your opinion. That's your opinion and it's backed up by nothing but hatred, you have 0 incite into the internal specs and if the 1156 bus could have actually supported the Sandy Bridge architecture, which if it couldn't I will grant you kinda sucks and shows a lack of internal coordination on Intel's part, but in no way makes it a fail, given it's nearly double the performance of AMD's best efforts.
Also I would expect you to admit you were wrong if it turns out AM3 and AM3+ aren't compatible, and the nonsensical vitriol you have spewed all over this thread and at others simply expressing their opinions.
All I can say to you is QQ?:ohwell:;)
find me a single shred of proof that sandy bridge has twice the performance of AMD's latest chips (meaning, thuban) and i'll listen to you. otherwise, you're just another fanboi hatin.
I suppose it might have helped if he had purchased an nVidia chipset instead of the latest Intel ones (as well as not be an early-adopter), but I would still say he got screwed pretty badly there. I can guarantee you that AM3 processors will work in AM3+ boards. As for the other way, wait and see. Yup, bringing that northbridge into the CPU forced some changes. Whether or not they are better or worth it is a different question (I haven't used them, so I can't give an opinion). lolwut?