Socket AM3+
 | |
| Release date | October 2011 |
|---|---|
| Type | PGA-ZIF |
| Chip form factors | PGA |
| Contacts | 942 (Socket) 938 (Socket AM3 CPU) 940 (Bulldozer Based CPU) |
| FSB protocol | HyperTransport 3.1 |
| FSB frequency | 200 MHz System clock HyperTransport up to 3.2 GHz |
| Processors | Phenom II Athlon II FX Opteron |
| Predecessor | AM3 |
| Successor | AM4 |
| Memory support | DDR3 |
This article is part of the CPU socket series | |
Socket AM3+ is a modification of Socket AM3, which was released on February 9, 2009. AM3+ was released in mid-2011[1] designed for CPUs which use the AMD Bulldozer microarchitecture and retains compatibility with processors made for AM3.[2] The Vishera line of AMD CPUs also all use Socket AM3+. It is the last AMD socket for which Windows XP support officially exists.
Technical specifications
[edit]The AM3+ Socket specification contains a few noteworthy design changes over its AM3 predecessor. The 942 pin count for the AM3+ is an increase of one compared to the AM3 Socket layout.[3] The AM3+ Socket has larger pin socket diameter of 0.51 mm compared to 0.45 mm with the AM3 Socket. There is a faster serial link of 3400 kHz from the CPU to the power controller, compared to 400 kHz. The AM3+ Socket offers improved power regulation and power quality specifications, including an increased maximum current support of 145 A versus 110 A. There is also a redesigned CPU cooler retention harness allowing for slightly better airflow for CPU cooling, while retaining cooler backward compatibility.[4]
Compatibility
[edit]Processors accepted by the AM3+ socket
[edit]The 942-contact AM3+ socket accepts both the 940-pin AM3+ CPU and the 938-pin AM3 CPU. This backward compatibility is intentional.
Motherboards that can accept the AM3+ processor
[edit]AM3+ CPUs are not mechanically compatible with AM3 sockets as AM3+ CPUs have an additional pin that the AM3 socket can not accommodate. However, some manufacturers have found success in retrofitting AM3-technology motherboards for AM3+ processors by replacing the AM3 socket with AM3+ and providing a BIOS upgrade. This is called "AM3+ Ready".[5] Potential incompatibilities with new AM3+ features include:
- Sideband temperature sensor interface for reading the temperature from the CPU. Without knowing the temperature, CPU PWM fan headers may only run at full speed.
- Certain power-saving features may not work, due to lack of support for rapid VCORE switching.[6]
While AM3+ CPUs can be inserted into AM2 or AM2+ sockets, AM3+ CPUs could not operate in motherboards designed for AM2+ or AM2 CPUs. These motherboards are designed for DDR2 memory but AM3+ CPUs only have a DDR3 memory controller.
Heatsink
[edit]The 4 holes for fastening the heatsink to the motherboard are placed in a rectangle with lateral lengths of 48 mm and 96 mm for AMD's sockets Socket AM2, Socket AM2+, Socket AM3, Socket AM3+, Socket AM4, Socket AM5, Socket FM2, Socket FM2+, Socket FM1 and Socket AM1. Cooling solutions should therefore be interchangeable.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "AMD looks to standardise sockets after AM3+ and FM2". Hexus. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
in fact, a portion of users running AMD computers are likely to already have AM3+ motherboards, as the socket has been available since mid-2011.
- ^ "AMD Bulldozer CPUs get early motherboard support – News – PC & Tech Authority". Pcauthority.com.au. 4 April 2011. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "AMD FX-8150 3.60 GHz with Windows patches". TechPowerUp. 13 February 2012. Archived from the original on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "ASRock AMD Real AM3+ motherboards". www.asrock.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
- ^ "ASUS First to Provide AM3+ CPU Ready Solution for Current AM3 and Future AM3+ Motherboards". event.asus.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011.
- ^ "Cebit: ASRock zeigt eine Reihe an AM3+ Mainboards mit alten Chipsätzen". PCTreiber.Net. 2011. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
