AMD quad-core chip hits compatibility snag

[Capper]

Advanced Micro Devices' high-end quad-core Phenom chips are facing compatibility issues with select circuit boards as the chipmaker struggles to churn out processors that are competitive with Intel's offerings.

AMD confirmed Monday that high-end quad-core Phenom processors have compatibility problems with some motherboards due to a mismatch with the chipset. (The motherboard is the main circuit board in a PC. The chipset allows the processor to interact with other components, among other functions.)

"What people have done, mistakenly, is paired a 780G (chipset-based) motherboard with the higher frequency Phenom--the 125-watt Phenom," said Jake Whitman, an AMD spokesperson.

Whitman is referring to the fact that the high-end 9750 and 9850 Phenom processors have a Thermal Design Power (TDP or thermal envelope) of 125 watts versus the lower-end 9600 and 9550 models that have a TDP of 95 watts. The higher-watt parts will not work with motherboards that contain the 780G chipset. The lower-end models do not have these TDP issues.
"They've taken an enthusiast-class quad-core part and paired it with a mainstream motherboard," Whitman said. "And not all motherboard manufacturers have tweaked their boards to support a 125-watt TDP." Whitman says that AMD's 790 chipset--not the 780--should be paired with the 9750 and 9850 processors and that a number of motherboard makers are already doing this.

"We've never made claims that 780G motherboards are enthusiast-class motherboards," Whitman said.

AMD quad-core chip hits compatibility snag

[Stormcrow]

That's crap. Its AM2+ all around, right? Then the processors should be compatible regardless. An "enthusiast" Q6600 will work in a cheapo "mainstream" G35 board, what's so hard about actually keeping consumers happy? Way to screw your user base again AMD.

I'm still waiting on that promised Phenom support for the 590 SLI.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

I'm still waiting on that promised Phenom support for the 590 SLI.

That has already happened with the Asus M2N32 SLI running the 590 chipset.
The latest Bios release gave the boards the 95, and 125w support for the Phenoms.

[gvblake22]

Wow, that's pretty lame. Usually lower end chipsets in the same series just sport fewer features, not a shorter processor compatibility list!

[simple_inhibition]

its not the chipsets fault. its the lack of voltage phase regulators on some boards. you need at least a 4 phase vrm to run a phenom 9850 iirc, where most 780G boards only have a 3 phase vrm. so in order to sully their name some more, amd put this out.

[RA1D]

"We've never made claims that 780G motherboards are enthusiast-class motherboards"

that's a lame excuse

[screwballl]

give it a month or two.. the companies will have it all ironed out and this will be a non-issue (we hope)

[Parker]

Lets face it. AMD= || Intel=FTW!!

[screwballl]

Parker, I know you're having fun. For a bit of info, this has been a cat and mouse game between AMD and Intel for at least 2-3 decades. AMD was the best CPU starting late in the AthlonXP days and lasted until the current Core2Duos were released, when Intel took over the lead again.
For all we know AMD may have some secret in the 45nm that will spank the Intels once again... we won't know until they are tested and put to the road.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by screwballl

Parker, I know you're having fun. For a bit of info, this has been a cat and mouse game between AMD and Intel for at least 2-3 decades. AMD was the best CPU starting late in the AthlonXP days and lasted until the current Core2Duos were released, when Intel took over the lead again.
For all we know AMD may have some secret in the 45nm that will spank the Intels once again... we won't know until they are tested and put to the road.

Yes, I've known about the ever lasting game of tag played by AMD and Intel.
And I agree, AMD could come out with some kick-butt 45nm CPU's, but for now we don't know.

I've done my fair share of research, reading on all sorts of forums etc.... and frankly, I've decided to put my foot on the sturdy rock of Intel.
Not that I hate or don't like AMD, I do recommend AMD processors for really low budget systems, and I still build AMD systems for people I know, it's just for me and people who I know want the most out of there system, that I use/recommend Intel.

Just my .00000002