Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 questions

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dan_plus_o

New Member
Hey guys.. So I am building a PC for my dad and he is chea.... on a budget :P

I haven't really done much research yet but I think I am going to go with the following CPU:
-AMD Phenom II X3 720 / 2.8 GHz - Socket AM3 - L3 6 MB

It sounds like a good CPU for $130 CAN which is really the max he wants to spend on a CPU. I'm thinking the Intels for around the same price (such as Intel Core 2 Duo E7500) won't perform as good as the AMD.

The motherboard that I think I will go with is the Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 (Rev. 2.0). Found for $70 CAN

My question is, will that CPU work right out of the box on that motherboard? On the Gigabyte site it says it needs the FA BIOS to support that CPU. Is the FA BIOS the BIOS that the mobo ships with? I don't want to buy all this stuff and then find out I have to get a cheaper CPU just to flash the BIOS to FA or pay a computer store to update the BIOS on the mobo.

Also does the AM2+ socket fit the AM3 CPU without any other needed hardware?

We already have the RAM, HDD, DVD, and a 8800GTS 320MB that we are pulling out of his current computer. Just need to get a good PSU. Any recommendations? I'm thinking a 500W PSU would be enough...
 
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The board will be fine. Since the 720 has been out for awhile, unless the board has been setting on the self for 6 months, it should have a newer bios. Plus it has the 710 Southbridge, so you might have the (chance) to unlock the extra core.

Since DDR2 is as high as DDR3, if you could find the AM3 DDR3 GA MA770T UD3P, its a better board and just get DDR3 memory.
 
I thought DDR3 wasn't all that great and amazing compared to DDR2.

Trust me, if it was my computer I would definitely go with DDR3 and probably get an Intel i7. Because its my dad's computer he doesn't want to spend much. If it is going to be a big jump in performance then I may be able to talk him into it but seeing as how its going to cost an extra $100 for 2GB of DDR3 ram I don't think he will want to.

He was wanting to buy an AMD CPU for $60 (forget which one) and I had to talk him into spending more to get the AMD Phenom II X3 720, so I am sure you can get an idea of how little he wants to spend.. Hes going to buy a 42" Plasma tv soon for like $800.. To me it doesn't make sense. I would spend more money on my computer any day and watch tv on a 5" black and white tv for all I care. I only watch tv when I am eating so I guess that's why.
 
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If your just using 2GB. of memory.

Newegg ca
DDR2 = $56.00
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144
DDR3 = $58.00
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231185

GA MA770 UD3 = $90.00
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376
GA MA770T UD3P = $90.00
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

Only $2 difference between DDR2 and DDR3 memory and board. But if you already have DDR2 memory I see why your getting a DDR2 board.
 
:eek: that's a good price. I guess I wasn't looking hard enough..

The ram we already have is: 2X1GB Patriot Extreme Performance DDR2 PC2-6400 (800MHz)

That's why I was asking how much of a performance increase it would be. Not sure if he would really care about DDR3 vs DDR2 considering he would have to pay $50 for it when he already has DDR2 ram.

Off to do some googling...
 
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