Phenom X4 Socket AM2+ 9850 Quad Core support for Asus M2N68-AM PLUS MB

[Nitross]

When I boot with my new CPU, the BIOS prompts me "This CPU is not supported by this model. Please check CPU QVL on ASUS website. To Continue, please press F1." I hit F1 and the computer boots and functions normally and the Windows 7 "computer properties" shows my new CPU and speed properly listed.

According to the Asus site, my AMD Socket AM2+ 9850 / 2.5GHz CPU, I thought, was supported for the new BIOS version 1802 that I have installed on my M2N68-AM PLUS motherboard, but apparently it's not.

Asus tech support responded..."looking at the processor that you have the opn tray number does not match that which is on our support site which would indicate the version you have is different then what the board can run with. Unfortunately we do not have any bios versions to support that processor currently only a different processor would be able to get you through this , or a different board model possibly."

Do I have any recourse to make my CPU comparable with my motherboard?

Specifics of my setup is as follows...

[Product Information]
*Product Type : Motherboard
*Product Model : M2N68-AM PLUS

[Motherboard Specification]
*Motherboard Revision : 2.01G
*Motherboard BIOS Revision : M2N68-AM-Plus-1802.ROM

[VGA Card Specification]
*VGA Card Vendor : XFX / ATI
*VGA Card Model : Radeon HD 5770
*VGA Card Chipset : 5700
*VGA Card Driver : 8.771.0.0 from 08/25/2010

[CPU Specification]
*CPU Vendor : AMD
*CPU Type : Phenom X4 Socket AM2+ 9850 Quad Core
*CPU Speed : 2.50GHz

[Memory Specification]
*Memory Vendor : Crucial
*Memory Model : 4GB (2x2GB) 240 Pin DDR2 DIMM UNBUFF PC2 6400CL6
*Memory Capacity : 4GB

[HDD Specification]
HDD Vendor : Segate
HDD Capacity : 1TB

*Operating System : Windows 7 64bit

[Problem Description]
Additional information from the BIOS setup screen and AMD CPU product card that might help diagnose why the BIOS prompts me to hit F1 to boot:

From the BIOS Setup Screen:
Module Version: 13.69
AGESA Version: 3.7.0.1
AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor
Revision: B3
Cache L1: 512KB
Cache L2: 2048KB
Cache L3: 2MB
Speed 2500MHz NB CLK 2000MHz
HT Frquency: 1000MHz
Able to Change Freq: Yes
uCode Patch Level: 0x1000095

From the AMD CPU product card:
Socket AM2+ 9850 / 2.50GHz
AMD Phenom X4 9850 Quad Core Processor
HD9850XAJ4BGH - 2.50GHz, 4MB Cache,
2000MHz (4000 MT/s) FSB, Agena, Quad-Core,
OEM, Socket AM2+, Processor
SKU: A79-9851

[1234s282]

As Asus correctly said , using their CPU support tool shows that there are 3 different variations of the Phenom X4 9850:-

HD9850WCJ4BGH - Supported in Bios v1802
HD9850XAJ4BGH
HD985ZXAJ4BGH

However , the bioses which support these other revisions of the processor have identical CPU microcode patches in them to the 1802 bios!

Sorry but im not sure on this one

Admin

[Nitross]

Would the wattage value of the CPUs have something to do with it? I believe some are valued at 95W while others are valued at 125W.

If so, since my CPU is rated at 125W, and the BIOS reflects a 95W value, is there any inherant danger/issue to either the MB or CPU if I continue to run this CPU? I have yet to find a way to up the wattage within the BIOS settings.

I came across this issue after posting my thread.

Thanks for the clarification!!!

[fastleo63]

I want to inform you that a more recent BIOS is available:
1804
But the Phenom X4 9850 support is still limited to the 95W TDP version.
However, I think that the above limitation is not really a TDP issue, because the CPU list includes the Phenom II X6 1075T (it's a 125W TDP processor).

[1234s282]

Each motherboard has a TDP limitation , if the 125W X6 is supported then it must be another issues - AGESA or microcode or something else related

Admin