Socket AM3: Difference between revisions
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commonscat|Socket AM3}} |
{{Commonscat|Socket AM3}} |
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* [http://support.amd.com/us/Processor_TechDocs/40523.pdf Socket AM3 design specification (1.5 MiB PDF)] |
* [http://support.amd.com/us/Processor_TechDocs/40523.pdf Socket AM3 design specification (rev 1.06) (1.5 MiB PDF)] |
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* [http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3169 DailyTech post about Socket AM3] |
* [http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3169 DailyTech post about Socket AM3] |
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* [http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-phenom-ii-x4_3.html#sect0 List of first bunch of Socket AM3 CPUs] |
* [http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-phenom-ii-x4_3.html#sect0 List of first bunch of Socket AM3 CPUs] |
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Revision as of 21:47, 23 September 2010
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| Type | PGA-ZIF |
|---|---|
| Chip form factors | PGA |
| Contacts | 941[1][2] |
| FSB protocol | HyperTransport 3.x |
| FSB frequency | 200 MHz System clock HyperTransport up to 3.2 GHz |
| Processors | Phenom II (AM3 models only) Athlon II Sempron Opteron (single-CPU) |
This article is part of the CPU socket series | |
Socket AM3 is a CPU socket for AMD processors. It follows directly from Socket AM2+. AM3 was launched on February 9, 2009, alongside the initial grouping of Phenom II processors designed for it.[3] The sole principal change from AM2+ to AM3 is support for the AM3 processors' integrated memory controller, which now supports DDR3 in addition to DDR2.
Like the previous AMD processor socket, the "AM3 Processor Functional Data Sheet" (AMD document number 40778) has not been made publicly available.
Compatibility
Socket AM3 breaks compatibility with AM2/AM2+ processors due to a subtle change in key placement. The AM3 socket has 941 pin contacts[1] while current AM3 processors have only 938 pins. Tom's Hardware removed the two obstructing key pins from an AM2+ Phenom processor in order to fit it into an AM3 socket. The processor did not work in the AM3 socket, but still worked in an AM2+ socket, suggesting that compatibility issues run deeper than merely the key pins.[4] It is likely due to the fact that the built-in memory controller in AM2/AM2+ processors only support DDR2 (unlike AM3 processors, which supports both DDR2 & DDR3 memory).[5]
As AM3 processors also support DDR2, they are backwards-compatible with Socket AM2/AM2+, contingent upon a BIOS update for the motherboard. Manufacturers including Asus,[6] Gigabyte,[7] and others have labeled existing AM2/AM2+ boards as being "AM3 Ready" or similar, indicating that BIOS support is provided for the specified boards. This allows existing AM2/AM2+ systems to upgrade the CPU without having to upgrade any other components.
See also
References
- ^ a b MSI Releases AM3 Gaming Series Motherboards
- ^ Some compatible processors are designed with a smaller number of pins.
- ^ AnandTech: The Phenom II X4 810 & X3 720: AMD Gets DDR3 But Doesn't Need It
- ^ http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/socket-am3-phenom,2148-4.html
- ^ http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1782/amd_phenom_ii_ddr2_vs_ddr3_performance/index.html
- ^ http://event.asus.com/mb/AM3%5FCPU%5FSupport/
- ^ "Gigabyte: Products: Motherboard". Gigabyte Technology.
External links
