BleepingComputer.com: mobo question

I have an aspire with a scoket am2 motherboard. My question is can I use a socket am2+ or does it have to be am2 only?

Your Acer has very limited CPU upgrade options as do most brand name computers.

You should talk to Acer support and see what they recommend for a CPU upgrade.
It isn't just the socket, Any CPU upgrade also has to have Bios support.

AM2 and AM2+ are different, Think about it this way if they were the same why change the name.

My cpu is fine. Its the mobo thats fried. I am using this as a computer at my office. I was looking at the asus M4A78 as a replacement mobo. That gives me some cpu upgrade options in the future. The power supply is 500w so That should be good since it is not graphics intensive.

Oh, that's OK then I just assumed you were looking for more performance.

Make sure that the Motherboard you are looking at can take your CPU. Pick the exact model from this ASUS CPU support page. http://support.asus.com/Download/ModelList.aspx?SLanguage=en&keyword=M4A78&type=5
Also look at the size to be sure it will work.

The other problem is your windows may not work with the new motherboard and Acer eRecovery will not work.

Thank you sir. I'm not using the acer recovery (it was only vista basic). I am going to do a clean install with a new copy of windows 7. The mobo I asked about is supported. I can also go to an AM3 cpu later and not kill my windows install. I think it will be durable as an office computer for several years.

It looks like you have done your research and should be good to go. I like ASUS motherboards, That is what I've used in my home desktops for years, I Am using a I7 w/ASUS and used a ASUS w/I7 for the build I did for my brother.

Don't forget to set AHCI in the bios before the windows install for better performance and in case you decide to go SSD for your boot drive. removing the 5400RPM drives and going Intel SSD (5 years warranty 320 series) since they are laptops gave a huge performance increase in startup and shutdown times and program loading times. Raw computing power no, performance perception yes.

Good info. I may go that route. I just don't want to be out a lot of $ so close to the holidays.

I hear that $$$$, color me broke!

Decided to do it right the first time. M4A88T-M motherboard and Phenom ll x6 1090t black edition. Parts should be here tuesday.

Often times am2+ CPUs are backwards compatible with am2 boards, many am3 CPUs are as well, they are physically, the same socket. however, like rotor has mentioned, the BIOS has to support them. With aftermarket boards, often times the manufacturer releases new BIOSes that allow such upgrades, many OEM manufacturers do not in most cases. However, on occasion they will-especially if its a popular model-it doesnt hurt to contact acer customer support and get a full CPU upgrade list and see if they have BIOS updates to run newer model CPUs. However, to be warned-many am3 CPUs will work on a lot of am2/am2+ boards, but am2/am2+ CPUS will NOT run on a AM3 motherboard, do to the fact that am2/am2+ CPUs do not have a DDR3 memory controller.

This post has been edited by the_patriot11: 02 January 2012 - 12:15 AM