Hello everyone, first off I'm new to the website(Glad to be here, everyone is really informative and helpful) and computer building. I've just put together my first build and decided to go with a micro build because it was within budget. Well, I ended up going with AMD3+ chipset; the FX 4170 4.2GHz 4-core. Apparently my motherboard only supports up to 95watt CPUs? Since its only running at 2.8GHz =/
Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128564
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 AM3+ AMD 760G
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106009
AMD FX-4170 Zambezi 4.2GHz Socket AM3+ 125W
Could someone point me in the right direction a motherboard that supports my processer? Also how to tell that it does? Not sure what to look for, being new I assumed that AM3+ CPU goes into AM3+ MB and there are no questions asked. x.x I thought maybe it had something to do with "FSB" ?
Thanks again to everyone taking the time to read my post and helping me with my problem, if you do go looking for a compatible motherboard for me, I'm trying to maintain a blue theme but beggers can be choosers. :P My case is the Thermaltake A30, so I'm restricted to MicroATX boards.
-Sherwood
It's actually a power issue. The low-end motherboard can't supply enough power for a 125w CPU, as it only takes in a 4pin supplemental power connection from the PSU (most AMD boards use 8pin). Other than that, it can utilize any other FX CPU, including the FX-4150 and FX-8100, both of which are 95w CPUs. It might work if you underclock/undervolt it, but I'd just get another motherboard.
Here is the least expensive mATX AM3+ motherboard that doesn't impose such power restrictions, which coincidentally happens to be blue.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128565
Okay cool! Thanks for the FAST reply Jerm1027, so basicly I want to look for motherboards that have an 8pin power supply? I'll be setting aside the money to purchase the one you linked. Also I've baught everything through Newegg, any other advice for websites? From my understanding Newegg is the best.
Thanks again!
8 pin 12V ATX connection is a decent indication. In this specific case, I doubled checked Gigabyte's website, and the FX-4170 is supported on the board I linked to. Usually, Newegg is pretty good though I use Amazon too since I have free 2 day shipping with them. Sometimes they will have cheaper prices too, but Amazon is a pain to search through. Also, if you need odds and ends like cables and adapters, I use Monoprice.com.
Alright I will have to write them down, you've been a huge help. I'm coming from an FM1 chipset, it was a comptuer we baught at Staples. I thought I would be safe to just.. transfer my harddrive over and it would auto detect new hardware ect.. well lol I learned that changing chipsets.. kinda makes your old settings upset and had to just reinstall windows. As for how its running right now, it just auto underclocked the cpu to 2.8GHz, I'm typing to you now on the computer. Should have the new board within the next few weeks. Other than the cpu I'm happy with how the build turned out. Watched Logan's pc building tutorials a few times, and that was a big help too.