GIGABYTE First to Market with AM3+ ''Black Socket'' Motherboards

[btarunr]

GIGABYTE INC., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards today announced a new line of 16 "Black Socket" motherboards previously unveiled at CeBIT 2011 that offer support for AMD's next generation , 32nm AM3+ CPUs and are based on current generation AMD 800/700 series chipset-based motherboards.

Wanting to ensure users their motherboard is able to take advantage of all the performance enhancements that AMD's upcoming AM3+ CPUs have to offer, GIGABYTE has equipped their entire line of AM3+ CPU ready motherboards with a new black colored socket, making it easy to spot for AM3+ support. In addition, GIGABYTE "Black Socket" series offer full backwards compatibility with AMD's current generation AM3 socket CPUs, allowing for painless migration to the AM3+ CPUs when they become available. To learn more about the GIGBYTE AM3+ ready "Black Socket" motherboards, please visit this page.



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[JrRacinFan]

Thanks for the official announcement!!! This will help many when looking for the newer revisions. I wonder if Gigabyte will allow RMA with an older revision for the newer socket?

 

[slyfox2151]

i guess this confirms my UD5 doesnt support the new socket :*(... rev 2.1

 

[CDdude55]

This is great news!!

Glad to see AM3+ being implemented onto existing chipsets.

 

[STCNE]

hmm, I just sent my UD5 in for RMA, wish me luck.

 

[stinger608]

One this is for sure, it will be easy to spot the AM3+ motherboard using the black socket.

 

[@RaXxaa@]

so whats the use though? u still have to buy a new one anyway instead of the bios update.... . so why not just buy the actual new upcoming board itself rather than this? or am i missing out on something?

 

[OneCool]

The Black Socket plastic will be good for 20% more speed.

 

[Loosenut]

Is the black socket the only component that was changed from the regular AM3 board?

 

[CDdude55]

so whats the use though? u still have to buy a new one anyway instead of the bios update.... . so why not just buy the actual new upcoming board itself rather than this? or am i missing out on something?

These boards should be cheaper then the upcoming 9 series chipsets, so for those that don't want to spend alot or don't need newer features on-board can stick with existing chipsets while still having the capacity to move up to a bulldozer CPU.

 

[NC37]

The Black Socket plastic will be good for 20% more speed.

Well you know, good motherboards always socket in black ;D

Because they are the...Motherboards In Black!!

 

[cheesy999]

was hoping they'd give away information on the cpu support list.

 

[WarEagleAU]

Good of them and Asus to offer backwards compatibility (I guess you can call it that) personally I am looking forward to the 9 series chipset and hope they have native USB 3.0 on some form or fashion.

 

[Thefumigator]

was hoping they'd give away information on the cpu support list.

visit the link, choose an AM3+ mobo model, click on CPU support list, rockout!

 

[Kitkat]

Unlike ASUS they are going to try and recycle some boards same thing from 790-890FX (and yes that's the EXACT same board with some kinks and tweeks since 790), but it works. Sux u cant upgrade like others, I'm sure u can but they want money so they put a black socket on it. I do want to see there G1 990FXs already but I'm sure we will in the next month.

I however am more looking forward to a Crosshair V at this point. I sold mine and I know they stopped making Crosshair IV in Jan?? Newegg still gets a trickle few every 2 or so weeks before they sell out again. But i think its cool ppl who got them could actual upgrade. People say good old AMD but its all ASUS doing not AMD.

Is the black socket the only component that was changed from the regular AM3 board?

on this perticular board for the most part yes.

 

[nINJAkECIL]

I'm sure the new chipset will be better than the old ones, but I'll wait for the new chipset's review before buying this one.

Oh, and...do the STILL sells 7xx-based Mobo? I thought they already extinc

 

[A Cheese Danish]

16 boards? Oh dear...
I'ma have to see what other company's have to offer.

 

[Yellow&Nerdy?]

So basically they are revising the old chips, so that they can fill up the "mid-range" section of the market for mobos for Bulldozer? Interested to see if this affects the performance. Otherwise a good concept.

 

[caleb]

I'm a bit skeptic about the actual performance of a chipset that's few years old and a new gen CPU. Makes you think the "new gen cpu" wont be as new gen as we think.

 

[Deleted member 67555]

Is the black socket the only component that was changed from the regular AM3 board?

No they also removed the AM3 decals and replaced the with an AM3+ decal....LOL
I know Ive looked at these boards and all I can come up with is they have a socket that has 1 extra pin hole..and afaik the first run of BD will not use that pin.

 

[Kitkat]

I'm a bit skeptic about the actual performance of a chipset that's few years old and a new gen CPU. Makes you think the "new gen cpu" wont be as new gen as we think.

no its as new gen as we think. a bit late but yeah new. Chipset compatibility is a short story.
Chip-set speed features, and enhancements is what we look for gen to gen.

So basically they are revising the old chips, so that they can fill up the "mid-range" section of the market for mobos for Bulldozer? Interested to see if this affects the performance. Otherwise a good concept.

Maybe but this is nothing new other makers do it and have been a long time. (its just like u said) They are getting rid of old chips.. the end. ASROCK is doing it too. Others that aren't can sell to other makers.

But investment wise yes we need to wait to see what 990X (or whatever base 990) does also cause this could be a waste of money when buying mid-range when u could just get something new supported ,designed alongside that caters your new chip. Price wise they may even be too close to the same at the lower end. (new lower end/old high end) Id go with the newer in any case.

This is more for people who already have everything else who may want to go up to bulldozer later. But when you think of that even that's stupid to have to sell a board then buy another or even "upgrade" which u probably still aren't (really) doing when u buy it. I still think think ASUS had a better plan for previous owners. (at least on the high-end)

If you were smart and informed (which allot of people aren't) you'd wait till u saw "real blacksockets" (990) and they are basically banking that you aren't or are axious. People will see AM3+ behind the counter and ask "is that the new one?" they will say "yep" and make a sell.

The same strong suit with backwards compatibility or allowing vendors to be creative and mix and mach or even make freak motherboards which we've seen allot of last 3 years is also confusing for alot of people too. Of course one could argue you'd know whats what if you were REALLY into this stuff or you'd ask someone first. (and i get allot of questions from friends about stuff like this and if they should wait about stuff like this)

Sometimes I do just want to see the new boards minus having to shift threw a bunch of preliminary stuff like this lol. Its a good board though, I can tell you preemptively because it was rated great by most all the reviews I've read the last 2 times they released (recycled) it. The good part about that is its proven ... i guess lol