Phenom II X6 support for ASUSTeK M3A78-T

[fastleo63]

With MMTool V3.22 I compared the P6 Micro Code modules (ID 11) present in the latest BIOS releases of these two mainboards:
M3A78-T v1801 (not present in AMD Phenom II X6 compatible list, available HERE
M2N68-AM PLUS v1401 (declared "Thuban-ready", as it's already present in the above list)
The modules are identical byte-by-byte!
Maybe the M3A78-T is already Phenom II X6 compatible...
Do I have to further investigate in other ROM modules? If yes, what?

[TheWiz]

The major thing that would need to be upgraded is the AGESA ROM, which can be tricky in AMI bioses. The module is located @ the 1B module, but it isn't as simple to integrate as it is with CBROM.Your X6 should boot with the right settings, but it may show up as Unknown CPU.

TheWiz (I'm thinking of ideas)

[fastleo63]

Thaks a lot for the reply!
In the meantime I was WINHEXing the 1B modules...
The AGESA version differs between the two BIOSes.
I'll wait a little more to see if ASUSTeK will release a new BIOS, then I'll buy a new Phenny X6 (maybe next Christmas...).

[TheWiz]

If you tell me the version # then I can tell you if it will work or not

TheWiz

[fastleo63]

The AGESA module contained in M3A78-T latest BIOS doesn't contain any occurrence related to X6 Phenoms.
The M2N68-AM Plus BIOS AGESA module contains the following string:
Phenom™ II X6 1AMD
I'm at work now, I can't read the AGESA version number of the two BIOSes.
I'm wondering if it is possible to grab the latest AGESA module from a similar mainboard (M4A series with SB750 southbridges) and import it into the M3A78-T BIOS... But without a spare ROM it's a risky business!

[1234s282]

Well ive figured that the AGESA in AMI bioses is integrated into the 1B module , i now have to work out how to swap it over. Whats also interesting is no AGESA less than v3.7.0.0 supports phenom X6's but the AGESA in the "Thuban Ready" M2N68-AM-Plus-1402 is only v3.13.65

Just discovered , all the boards on the X6 ready page do not have Phenom X6 in their "Supported CPU" list!

Looking at the latest M4A78T-E bios for you now! - Even this only has AGESA 3.3.2.7 :S

And yes , the method of importing microcode from supported boards is how we do it!

Il have to investigate this further!

[fastleo63]

Fortunately I was working on a new PC containing a M2N68-AM PLUS board, BIOS 1402.
The AGESA version reported is 3.6.9.0, the CPU module is version 13.65.
When I'll go home I'll search these info on my M3A78-T BIOS.

[1234s282]

Fortunately I was working on a new PC containing a M2N68-AM PLUS board, BIOS 1402.
The AGESA version reported is 3.6.9.0, the CPU module is version 13.65.
When I'll go home I'll search these info on my M3A78-T BIOS.

Bingo! I was looking at the wrong reference

However , there seem to be 2 strings that say AMD AGESA v3.6.9.0 and im still not too confident about replacing it!

Admin

[fastleo63]

I agree with you. I'm not so confident, too.
By the way, I noticed a strange thing.
If you look at the ASUSTeK's "Phenom II X6 ready" list HERE you will see several boards and the corresponding BIOS levels.
For example, the M4A78-E SE model (very similar to my M3A78-T) and its BIOS v1407... But the latest available is version 0807!
And several other boards in that list are "featuring" a BIOS that isn't available yet!
I suspect that the only boards with "true" Thuban support in their current BIOSes are the ROG Crosshair IV Formula and the M4A89TD series...
For example, if you look at the M4A89TD PRO/USB3 0207 BIOS, you will find the latest CPU module and AGESA table (13.76 and 3.7.0.0).

[1234s282]

I think all we can do is sit back and wait for Asus to release these new X6 ready bioses , then we could risk taking the entire 1B module and replacing it in your existing bios. Or , we could try and work out how big the AGESA is , then replace it within the 1b module

Admin