If you're contemplating one of the new AMD Phenom processors for your next PC, it might be worth noting that Sapphire has declared itself as having the most capable configuration.
The Hong Kong-based motherboard manufacturer announced today that AMD's most recent Phenom CPUs, the 125W Phenom X4 9850 BE and Phenom X4 9750, are fully supported across its latest range of motherboards. That'll mean its high-end PURE CrossFireX 790FX, mid-range PURE CrossFireX 770 and microATX Hybrid CrossFire 780G are all 125W-Phenom capable.
It isn't quite as simple as you'd hope mind you. If you're already running one of the aforementioned boards, and you're planning on adding a new Phenom in the near future, you'll require a BIOS update which is available now from sapphiretech.com.
The microATX Hybrid CrossFire 780G, pictured above, is of particular note, Sapphire says. According to Sapphire, the majority of competing 780G designs won't suit the new 125W Phenom X4s. "They have used a far less capable configuration for the power sections and will only be able to support the earlier 95W CPUs", Sapphire claims.
Personally, we'd have thought that Phenom X4 9850 BE users would have opted for the high-end 790FX, primarily for its overclocking functionality. Still, it's nice to know you can cram the latest Phenom into Sapphire's small-but-capable microATX board.
Official press release: SAPPHIRE Mainboard Family Supports Latest Phenom Release
