Member Avatar for attitude_speaks

i gt latest amd phenom2 ..940 blck edition...3.0 ghz

and gigabyte GA-MA69VM-S2...

the prblm is ....

now its displayin

amd processor model unknown wid 2.3 ghz.... in device manger....

i chked on web abt supported CPUs for this model....

they hvnt mentioned this processor.....

will the processor deliver to its level..??shud i chng ma mthrboard......

  • 3 Contributors
  • 3 Replies
  • 493 Views
  • 9 Hours Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by jbennet

Dani AI

Generated

A new motherboard is rarely required. The symptom reported by — Device Manager showing “AMD Processor model unknown” and a lower clock reading — is commonly caused by the board’s BIOS not knowing the Phenom II’s CPUID/microcode rather than a bad CPU. The Phenom II X4 940 is a 3.0 GHz AM2+/Deneb quad-core (6 MB L3); it will boot in many AM2 boards but needs the right BIOS/AGESA to be identified and fully configured. (techpowerup.com)

Practical checks and verification steps (fast):

  • Check the current BIOS version on POST or in Setup (or run msinfo32 / CPU‑Z from Windows to read BIOS and what the board reports). If CPU‑Z shows the correct model and clocks under load the chip is working even if Device Manager is generic. (cpuid.com)
  • Compare the installed BIOS to the GA‑MA69VM‑S2 support page and CPU support list; Gigabyte’s F10E BIOS explicitly mentions updating the CPU ID / AGESA to add support for newer Phenom steppings. (gigabyte.com)

Safe BIOS update workflow (concise):

  • Download the exact GA‑MA69VM‑S2 BIOS file from Gigabyte and extract it to a FAT32 USB stick.
  • Use Gigabyte’s Q‑Flash (or @BIOS if preferred) to flash the file from the BIOS/POST environment; do not interrupt power during the flash. After flashing, load optimized defaults and reboot. Gigabyte documents the Q‑Flash procedure and the usual cautions. (gigabyte.com)
  • Recheck with CPU‑Z and Device Manager. If the BIOS adds the CPUID/microcode the “unknown” label and incorrect idle clock should disappear.

If no official BIOS lists that exact CPU/stepping or the board can’t supply the CPU’s TDP, replacement is an option but a last resort. Some advanced users have used modded BIOSes to add microcode for older Gigabyte boards — that can work but carries a real brick risk and should only be attempted with backups and clear instructions. Start with the BIOS version/CPU‑Z checks (as suggested); vendor changelogs show BIOS fixes usually resolve the “model unknown” behavior (so ’s hotfix idea is less commonly the actual cure). (winraid.level1techs.com)

Recommended Answers

All 3 Replies

Member Avatar for loki_

well the first thing you need to do is update your bios, because if you bios does not know what cpu it is then windows wont aswell!and this motherboad supports the am2 cpus and the phenom is AM2+, this means that youre board will be able to start the cpu but it wont know what type it is until you update the bios, if your bios detects the cpu as the correct one then you need to update the driver for the cpu in windows, i had the same thing with my asus board and all i did was update the bios and it worked fine!So you will need to contact gigabyte and ask for a bios update or just have a look on their website

Member Avatar for loki_

This is also posted on gigabytes site for your motherboard

*Note: If you install AMD AM2+ CPU on AM2 motherbord, the system bus speed will downgrade from HT3.0(5200MHz) to HT1.0(2000 MT/s) spec; however, the frequency of AM2+ CPU will not be impacted. Please refer "CPU Support List" for more information.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Thats normal. Windows doesnt detect the phenom as it wasnt invented when it came out. You need to install a hotfix.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.