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Gamer, developer, creator, or even a writer, you need a perfect high-performing computer to carry out all the tasks efficiently. How can you make sure of that?
A high functioning motherboard can help you achieve that; a motherboard is considered to be the skeleton of a system, and all the important parts of the system units are attached to it.
For this reason, its quality is going to determine the performance you get.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Am3+ Motherboard
- OUR TOP PICK: Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3 R2
- RUNNER-UP: MSI 970
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: ASUS M5A78L-M Plus
Comparison of the Best Am3+ Motherboards
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What is Am3+, and What is it Used For?
AM3+ is an upgrade of AM3 socket; it became available in mid-2011. CPUs that use the AMD Bulldozer microarchitecture and are easily compatible with AM3 processors have especially designed AM3+ sockets. In addition to this, this is also compatible with the piledriver architecture. The primary reason for getting an AM3+ processor and socket is to increase the performance of your computer by several degrees. Multiple tech industries are paying special attention to the design of the motherboards to keep it from getting heated when used for a longer period and various other overall changes that will increase the life of the motherboard and your PC as well.
What Makes a Great Motherboard?
When you are looking to upgrade your motherboard or even exploring your options while customizing your computer, you should keep certain factors in mind that make up a good motherboard. Some of those factors are given below:
Form Factor
You can easily get your hands on any size of a motherboard you please, but you must pay attention to the form factor as well. In case you are looking for a model for a small computer, a small form factor would be the best choice, like something around 9.6-inch square micro-ATX.
Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3 R2
Connectors
A good motherboard would have space for a variety of connectors. It must have a USB header, external USB ports, advanced technology attachment ports for some of the drivers, and connectors.
Features
A great motherboard would also have this feature of possessing a couple of additional or complementary features. Some might even come with the ability to configure two different hard disks together. Even a great motherboard would come with a basic input and output system to mold the system’s settings and would enable overclocking to make sure that the performance of the motherboard or a particular computer is increased.
Review of the Best Am3+ Motherboards
We have made a list of some of the very best Am3+ motherboards. Have a look at their main features and pros and cons and choose the very best one:
Best Overall:
Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3 R2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
One of the recent buyers said that he is a professional PC technician, and this is easily his most favorite motherboard of all times. Another buyer said that he was reluctant at first to spend money on this, but after going through its features and infinite perks, it was easy to set his heart on this one.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This motherboard stands out to us for various reasons. One of those reasons is that it is extremely durable, and it does not bend that easily. In addition to this, the ports on it are pretty much standard. Furthermore, the bios are very easy to place and play around with.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are an avid music listener, or a gamer or even a designer, you will take advantage of the remarkable perks of this stellar state-of-the-art motherboard. If you are generally looking to improve the performance of your computer, then this is the one you need to opt for.
Bottom Line
This best overall motherboard is titled the best overall motherboard for a reason. It is compatible with multiple processors, is solidly built, easy to use, and easy to install and manipulate. And in addition to all of this, it is not that expensive. In a nutshell, it is a fair deal to take your computing experience to the next level.
Runner-up:
MSI 970
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are glad and highly satisfied with this robust piece of technology. One of the many recent buyers reported that at first, he was a bit hesitant to lay hands on this device, but once he got it, he acknowledged that this is very easy to use and install. Overall, this motherboard is successful in satisfying nearly all its users.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because of its high-quality sound as it is powered by Nahimic Sound Technology. This allows you to enjoy and zone out into breathtaking and crystal clear sound and music through headphones even. This is one of the many reasons it stands out to us.
Who Will Use This Most
Hardcore gamers who find it hard to leave their PC and let it rest for a couple of hours would find this very useful. It is equipped with an MSI gaming dragon, and it provides the best thermal transfer and heat dissipation. With this technology, you can easily leave your computer running for 24 hours without experiencing any lag in its performance.
Bottom Line
With the long list of features that this one has, we think we have convinced you to take your gaming to the next level by spending some money and time on this one. To enable your PC with the very best technology, opt for this motherboard, and change your entire game literally and figuratively.
Best for the Money:
ASUS M5A78L-M Plus
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Almost every recent buyers of this ASUS motherboard reports having a good time with this one. One of the recent buyers said that he was even able to carry out some major alterations and function on Linux just because of the high performance of this motherboard. So overall, users talk about a smooth experience with this one.
Why it Stands Out to Us
As its title says, it is the best for the money, so that is the very reason it stands out to us. Even though you don’t have to spend a lot of money on this one, its remarkable features promise the user to have a nice and fine experience. In addition to this, this board is equipped with this stellar energy-saving mode.
Who Will Use This Most
Computer enthusiasts who want to experience the glory of a high-functioning motherboard without spending a lot of money would be excited and satisfied with this Asus model. In addition to this, those gamers who are looking for an energy-saving board won’t have to look more than this one.
Bottom Line
This board is easily compatible with most of the processors and is equipped with plenty of slots, environment-friendly, easy to install, and most importantly, it is affordable. All of these features ensure that you will get to enjoy the best performance.
Best ASUS AM3+ Motherboard:
ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the recent buyers of this remarkable and high-performing motherboard state that this model has changed their entire experience of computing. One of the recent buyers reported that he has been using it for the past three months, and because of this, he has noticed a significant improvement in his work as he is a graphic designer. Overall, all users have more or less reported the same great experience.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This board comes with a number of exceptional features that make it stand out. It is light in weight, but not that light that will make you think that it is not significant. It is easy to install, and it comes with multiple ports. In addition to this, this board is designed to do multiple things at once, so whatever high-performance task you will throw at it, it will respond in real-time.
Who Will Use This Most
If there is a gamer hidden inside of you, then that gamers would be very excited to know about the existence of this motherboard. If you want to bring out the life of your studio or you want to play your video games the way they are supposed to be played with HD graphics, then this one is made for you.
Bottom Line
It is easily compatible with a lot of processors, so what are you waiting for? Take advantage of the perks and stellar main features of this motherboard and experience fast, efficient, stable, and secure computing. Plus, why do you want to miss out on its deadly digital and analog combination?
Best AMD AM3+ Motherboard:
ASRock MB-970EX4
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the recent buyers of this motherboard are gamers, and they are very satisfied with the high performance of this design. One of the many recent buyers said that he had been using it for at least three weeks now, and the operation remained smooth. For users, even the temperature of his system is normal.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This AMD motherboard is designed on all-in-one tuning software, which is the very reason it stands out to us. It allows different features such as hardware monitor, fan control, overclocking, and many more to work in synchronization, to fine-tune multiple features on a user-friendly model.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are a gamer and have your heart set on high and defined graphics, then consider this motherboard as a must-have. This marvelous design is equipped with ATI CrossFireX technology that allows a pair of graphics cards to be used in a single computer so that the user can enjoy HD graphics.
Bottom Line
With all these remarkable features, why do you still want to stick with your old board; isn’t it time for a glow-up? Just invest in this board, and get ready to experience gaming how it was supposed to be with advanced and improved graphics and speed.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Buying an AM3+ motherboard is no different than buying any other accessory of your computer. As the motherboard is no less than the brain of your computer, you must not overlook some aspects that are necessary to consider before buying one.
Price
The price tag on a standard motherboard starts at fifty dollars, and as you move up and add on more features, the price goes up to at least five hundred dollars. If you are tackling the price range of more than two hundred dollars, then you would notice a difference in a sleek and premium design. And it usually comes with overclocking features, so have a rough idea about the price and choose the one depending on how much power and how many features you need.
MSI 970
Socket
If the socket on your motherboard is not compatible with your processor, then it is not of any use. The market is full of a variety of CPUs from multiple brands, so you have to make sure that you and your processor newly purchased motherboard’s socket complement each other.
Size
Generally, a motherboard comes in three different sizes: ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX. You choose the size of the motherboard depending on how much space you need for plugs, expansion slots, and add-ons such as graphic cards, etc.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
Buying a motherboard is an important and key step towards improving the performance of your computer. If you think you are on that journey, it is important to keep the following points in mind so that your computer would respond to you in real-time.
CPU Socket and Chipset
Certain motherboards require a particular CPU socket and chipset; it is important to consider compatibility as an important factor. Processors from AMD or Intel require a different type of a chipset; for example, if you have an Intel motherboard and an AMD processor, then this pairing won’t work. So it is important to pay attention to factors such as these because a perfect socket and a remarkable chipset will enable your computer to run efficiently and dig up all the memory and power it requires.
Multiple Slots
Another important consideration to keep in mind regarding motherboards is that most of them come with usually three slots: one is for inserting regular expansion slots, the other one is called a memory slot, which allows you to insert-in RAM modules, and the last one is called high-speed PCI Express slots. The key point here is that the more slots you have, the more space you have for the memory.
Conclusion
Now that you have the very best AM3+ motherboards in front of you, we hope that it is easy for you to decide on the one that would help you provide more graphics or the one that has more space to add on the extra expansion or storage slots. So choose wisely.
People Also Ask
Here we have tried our very best to answer some of the important questions that most of the potential buyers of motherboards have, so go through these questions, get rid of your confusion, and choose the best motherboard for your computer or your processor.
Do AM3+ Processors Work on AM3?
If one is talking on the technical and mechanical grounds, then one can easily use an AM3+ processor on an AM3 socket – both are easily compatible with each other. In addition to this, am3+ processors are pin-compatible with the AM2 motherboards and socket. Still, due to the lack of some key features, it does not work perfectly well.
Is AM3+ Compatible With AM4?
In some cases, am3+ shows some compatibility with am4. One can have a brief idea regarding this fact as some of the prominent motherboard designers and makers include both am3 and am4 mounting holes in their boards and sockets, this shows that they are considerate about its compatibility factor.
Is AM4 Backward Compatible With AM3+?
To give a one-word answer to your question, am4 backward is very easily compatible with am3+. The designer and manufacturer of this motherboard, processor, and socket wanted to make sure that this chip lasted longer than usual, so it was crafted in a way that it is easily compatible with all the current processors.
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