890GX Pro 3 AM3+ Fast Processors?

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   OK, I'm asking you to reach way back into the wayback machine to find an answer, hopefully. Then again, maybe it won't be all that big of a deal. Eh, one can hope.
My main system is running an AsRock 890GX Pro 3 with an AMD AM3 processor -- an 840-something quadcore.  It's about six years old now, I suppose, but I tell you what, I've enjoyed this mobo/processor combination like no other in recent memory. It is still a very fast machine, but I would just like to have a bit more (read a LOT more) horsepower, and I'd like to see if I can squeeze out a little more pop from the mobo before I have to retire it. Tell ya what, my next mobo is almost certainly gonna be an AsRock -- I like this one that much.

I've read where 890 GX Pro 3 will accept AM3+ processors and I see that there are some pretty fast AM3+ processors out there. But when I went to AsRock's website to check on which ones actually will work with my mobo, the list was for several older AM3+ processors, none of which are in production anymore. 

So I have a real simple question: what is the likelihood that a newer and faster AM3+ processor will work in this old board of mine, even though it is not specifically listed in the compatibility charts? I know, for example, that with other 'puter related items, just because something isn't shown as being compatible doesn't mean it won't work. And I guess I'm kinda wondering if this can hold true for processors as well.

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cooltouch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 Nov 2017 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote cooltouch Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 890GX Pro 3 AM3+ Fast Processors? Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 2:11pm
	OK, I'm asking you to reach way back into the wayback machine to find an answer, hopefully. Then again, maybe it won't be all that big of a deal. Eh, one can hope. My main system is running an AsRock 890GX Pro 3 with an AMD AM3 processor -- an 840-something quadcore. It's about six years old now, I suppose, but I tell you what, I've enjoyed this mobo/processor combination like no other in recent memory. It is still a very fast machine, but I would just like to have a bit more (read a LOT more) horsepower, and I'd like to see if I can squeeze out a little more pop from the mobo before I have to retire it. Tell ya what, my next mobo is almost certainly gonna be an AsRock -- I like this one that much. I've read where 890 GX Pro 3 will accept AM3+ processors and I see that there are some pretty fast AM3+ processors out there. But when I went to AsRock's website to check on which ones actually will work with my mobo, the list was for several older AM3+ processors, none of which are in production anymore. So I have a real simple question: what is the likelihood that a newer and faster AM3+ processor will work in this old board of mine, even though it is not specifically listed in the compatibility charts? I know, for example, that with other 'puter related items, just because something isn't shown as being compatible doesn't mean it won't work. And I guess I'm kinda wondering if this can hold true for processors as well.
	Best, Michael

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 26933	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 2:20pm
	Honestly, I would look for a second hand "Phenom II x6". In gaming it is faster than the FX 6XXX series and you won't have as many compatibility issues. I still have my old Phenom II x4 in a spare build and it runs most games fine. You should be able to pick up a hexacore Phenom for not much at all and performance wise it is more or less comparable to a Sandybridge i5 (in gaming benchmarks and cinebench). Whatever CPU you pick, make sure it is on your supported CPU list and that you have your BIOS up to date before installing it


Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 26933	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 2:21pm
	It looks like your board supports all the Phenom II x6 CPUs, I would look for a 95w model and overclock it a bit


datonyb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Apr 2017 Location: London U.K. Status: Offline Points: 3154	Post Options Post Reply Quote datonyb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 7:40pm
	agreed my other rig is a phenom x4 (965) runs 3.8 ghz please note on the cpu support page it advises downdraught coolers for 125w+ cpus this will be to force air over the vrm heatsinks at the higher wattage
	[url=https://valid.x86.fr/jpg250][/url] 3800X, powercolor reddevil vega64, gskill tridentz3866, taichix370, evga750watt gold

cooltouch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 Nov 2017 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote cooltouch Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 10:25pm
	Thanks for the feedback. I was hoping to upgrade to an 8-core, I guess. This machine isn't used for gaming, btw. It is a DAW, a Digital Audio Workstation. I use it for recording and producing music. There are a couple of pieces of software I run that really put a load on the processor though, which is why I've been thinking about an upgrade. So you guys think an X6 would be a better way to go than an X8?
	Best, Michael

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 26933	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 11:19pm
	On that board, hands down. The only 8 core CPUs supported on that board are the original 8 core Zambezi FX range and they are: a. Hard to find b. The least powerful variants of the FX range c. Run very hot and could damage your board/system (true of all FX 8 cores) They may have a little more CPU grunt (2 extra cores) but it isn't worth the risk of damage, on top of that they are not "full" cores. It is broken up into 4 modules, each with 2 cores and 1 FPU (Math coprocessor). With audio applications your performance would be crippled by the shared FPUs, in essence making performance little better than a quad core with FPUs for each core. The Phenom II x6s can be had on the cheap used and will be a huge upgrade over an old quad core Athlon II. Then you can save the little bit extra over the FX and put it toward a Ryzen 5 1600 or Ryzen 7 1700 system later on. Either of these would be ideal for your usage scenario with the 1700 being the best but the 1600 coming in cheaper albeit with 2 less cores. Both CPUs are hyperthreaded so you would get 12 threads on the 1600 and 16 threads on the 1700.


datonyb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Apr 2017 Location: London U.K. Status: Offline Points: 3154	Post Options Post Reply Quote datonyb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Dec 2017 at 8:51pm
	at the state of tech this year the real answer would be to put a ryzen 1600 and a sub $100 dollar b350 motherboard on your christmas pressie list (bear in mind you will need ddr4 ram as well) this will satisfy your needs for at least another 5 yrs by the sounds of it but if you like many find the cash is tight at christmas due to the kids etc etc then yes i suggest looking around at ebay/craigslist/amazon etc for a cheap phenom please take note of my advice above though and use a downdraft air cooler to blow air over the chipsets and vrms not these common sidedraft aftermarket coolers
	[url=https://valid.x86.fr/jpg250][/url] 3800X, powercolor reddevil vega64, gskill tridentz3866, taichix370, evga750watt gold