Motherboard for AMD A6-7400K Dual-Core 3.5
I am planning to build a computer soon. The requirements are to run older apps, such as Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008, Adobe InDesign CS6, the current version of VM Workstation, Windows 10 and Access 2010. I expect to run Windows 7 and the numerous older apps in a VM. I am considering the following:
AMD A6-7400K Dual-Core 3.5
Do you have any recommendations for a motherboard? Are the more expensive motherboards faster than the lower-priced motherboards?
AMD A6-7400K Dual-Core 3.5
Do you have any recommendations for a motherboard? Are the more expensive motherboards faster than the lower-priced motherboards?
First, you need to make sure it's a motherboard that supports socket FM2+, which is required for that processor.
If you're running all that you need a good bit of RAM and storage space, so you'll want one with enough room for both. There's tons of options out there. You may want to do something that supports a RAID config for the amount of storage you'll use.
If you're running all that you need a good bit of RAM and storage space, so you'll want one with enough room for both. There's tons of options out there. You may want to do something that supports a RAID config for the amount of storage you'll use.
ASKER
I have two older Dells that run all of the apps fine, including Dragon NaturallySpeaking (current version Individul 15). One has an Intel i5-2320 with 6G RAM and the other has an Intel i7-930 with 6G of RAM.
@John Hurst: The price of a new AMD A6-7400K Dual-Core 3.5 on Amazon is $50 and the price on Amazon for a used i7-930 is more than $50.
@William Fulks: If you search Amazon for a FM2+ motherboard, you will see many in the $50 to $75 price range. The ASUS ATX DDR3 2600 FM2 Motherboard CROSSBLADE RANGER is more expensive than many of the FM2+ motherboards that I have found on Amazon. Is it worth paying $120 more than many of the other motherboards?
Link to Asus:
https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/CROSSBLADE_RANGER/
@John Hurst: The price of a new AMD A6-7400K Dual-Core 3.5 on Amazon is $50 and the price on Amazon for a used i7-930 is more than $50.
@William Fulks: If you search Amazon for a FM2+ motherboard, you will see many in the $50 to $75 price range. The ASUS ATX DDR3 2600 FM2 Motherboard CROSSBLADE RANGER is more expensive than many of the FM2+ motherboards that I have found on Amazon. Is it worth paying $120 more than many of the other motherboards?
Link to Asus:
https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/CROSSBLADE_RANGER/
The latter one is for gaming. Do you need that?
On the other hand, investing in the better one now may save upgrades later.
On the other hand, investing in the better one now may save upgrades later.
ASKER
I don't play any games, only business apps and some Adobe work. My impression is that the CROSSBLADE RANGER is a better quality board than many of the others. I read a comment on Amazon that Asus has a better quality BIOS than other MB brands. Does anyone know of (or have experience with) a good quality FM2+ MB?
The money difference appears small enough to me to go with the better product.
ASKER
CROSSBLADE RANGER is no longer available from Amazon, where the price ranged from $156 to $190. According to a Google search, the price ranges from $164 from other sellers.
https://www.google.com/search?ei=a0CYWsO5KoaisAX3i5awDQ&q=crossblade+ranger+price&oq=crossblade+ranger+price&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i22i30k1l9.3310.4492.0.4699.6.6.0.0.0.0.90.425.6.6.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.6.422...0j35i39k1.0.aFYO70OAOdM
Here is a lower-Priced Asus MB ($62), but I don't think it supports FM2+:
https://www.amazon.com/PRIME-A320M-C-R2-0-Micro-ATX-Motherboard/dp/B071WS2F1Q#customerReviews
https://www.google.com/search?ei=a0CYWsO5KoaisAX3i5awDQ&q=crossblade+ranger+price&oq=crossblade+ranger+price&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i22i30k1l9.3310.4492.0.4699.6.6.0.0.0.0.90.425.6.6.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.6.422...0j35i39k1.0.aFYO70OAOdM
Here is a lower-Priced Asus MB ($62), but I don't think it supports FM2+:
https://www.amazon.com/PRIME-A320M-C-R2-0-Micro-ATX-Motherboard/dp/B071WS2F1Q#customerReviews
Then you would need a CPU that goes in that board.
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@William Fulks: I agree. It looks like the market has shifted from FM2+ to AM4. There are Asus AM4 boards in the $120 range on Amazon. I'll start shopping for a lower end Ryzen CPU and a good quality motherboard.
@John Hurst: I don't know if the CPU or board is more important. AMD is cheaper than Intel and the speed of an AMD should be fine. I want to avoid an inexpensive board if the more expensive ones last longer and are faster.
I read a comment on Amazon last year that only Asus has the best BIOS update method. I don't remember the name of the update method. I'll probably post a question on EE about the BIOS updates.
Thank you, John and William.
@John Hurst: I don't know if the CPU or board is more important. AMD is cheaper than Intel and the speed of an AMD should be fine. I want to avoid an inexpensive board if the more expensive ones last longer and are faster.
I read a comment on Amazon last year that only Asus has the best BIOS update method. I don't remember the name of the update method. I'll probably post a question on EE about the BIOS updates.
Thank you, John and William.
You are very welcome and I was happy to help.
You're welcome, also going with the newer motherboard will make it easier for you to upgrade the processor later on.
http://stablecomputer.com/amd-a6-7400k-apu-review/
Do you need such power? I have an air-cooled Intel i7 CPU in my ThinkPad and it runs VMware Workstation 14, a number of VM's and similar load to what you run.
However, in answer to your question, it should work fine.