Powerful processors for socket am3. Socket AM3, motherboards: description, specifications and reviews

Developed by AMD for high performance, mainstream and budget desktop processors. It is a further development of Socket AM2 +, the differences are in the support of DDR-III memory and a higher speed of the HyperTransport bus. The first processors using this socket - AMD Phenom IIХ4 910, 810, 805 and AMD Phenom IIХЗ 720 and 710 were released in February 2009.

Socket AMZ processors have a memory controller that supports both DDR-II and DDR-III. therefore, they can work in Socket AM2+ boards (the performance of a particular processor in a particular board must be checked from the CPU Support List on the motherboard manufacturer's website), but the reverse situation is impossible. Socket LM2 and Socket AM2+ processors in Socket AMZ boards do not work. It's related to that. that AMZ processors will have a new memory controller that simultaneously supports DDR2 memory. and DDR3 memory, thus providing backward compatibility with AM2 motherboards, but since AM2 processors do not have a new memory controller, they will not work on AM3 motherboards.

Boards with Socket AMZ support only DDR-III memory with frequencies from 800 to 1333 MHz, both unbuffered (regular) and with ECC. The memory organization is the same as in Socket939/940/AM2/1156. That is, it is dual-channel, and to achieve optimal performance, it is necessary to install two or four (preferably identical in pairs) memory modules in accordance with the instructions for the motherboard.

And finally. Socket AMZ+ is a new processor socket that is mechanically and electrically compatible with Socket AMZ (despite a slightly larger number of pins - 942. Socket AMZ may also be called in some sources). but designed to support new AMD processors based on the Zambezi core based on the Bulldozer architecture like AMD FX 8150. All old Socket AMZ processors are also supported by it, and, of course, such boards work only with DDR3 memory and are compatible with the old Socket AM2/AM3 coolers.

AM3+ connector

There are reports that the processors will not be compatible with AMZ Socket boards. primarily due to the larger diameter of the processor legs. A board based on an older chipset that will be able to support Socket AM3+ processors after a BIOS update may differ in the characteristic black color of the socket, but some of the functionality of the processor related to power saving and monitoring may be lost in such boards. This information may be updated in the future.

The next socket AMZ+ is a modification of Socket AMZ. designed for processors codenamed Zambezi', which will use the new Bulldozer micro-architecture.

Some socket AMZ motherboards can be upgraded to use AMZ+ socket processors. Note that there are significant compatibility limitations with previous sockets. So. when using processors AMZ+ on motherboards with AMZ. you may not be able to get data from the temperature sensor on the processor. Also, the power saving mode may not work due to the lack of support for fast core voltage switching in Socket AMZ.

The AMZ+ socket on motherboards is black, while the AMZ socket is white. You can also recognize it by the AMZ+ marking.

The diameter of the holes for the pins of processors with Socket AMZ+ exceeds the diameter of the holes for pins of processors with Socket AM3 - 0.51 mm against the previous 0.45 mm.

Since June 2011, deliveries of serial processors in the Socket AM3 + version began. One of the first motherboards to appear on sale was the 890GM Pro3 K2.0 motherboard from ASRock. which combines the AMD 890GX + SB850″ bundle with the AMZ+ socket processor (Fig. 2). This Micro ATX motherboard is ready to work with 8-core Socket AM3+ (Socket AM3) processors, while maintaining compatibility with existing Socket AM3 processors.

Hello readers of my hardware blog. In this article, I wanted to consider which processors are suitable for socket am3 and am3 +. Despite the fact that this connector from AMD was released more than 7 years ago, it is still in demand in the market, since the release of new chips for AM4 has greatly reduced the prices of FX-8xxx, which, moreover, are also chasing great.

If you want to know which processors are suitable for 1151 - , and here we will consider supported products that can be put in socket am3+. We will also briefly touch on some characteristics of the chips, such as the maximum performance FX-9590 and the popular FX-8300.

List of supported chips

Looking at the official stats, AM3+ is in theory not compatible with AM3, but older chips work fine on the newer socket without any hardware limitations in terms of overclocking. The table will include both new and old CPU models, among which you will surely find the best processor for gaming.

Vishera (32 nm):

Bulldozer (32 nm):
As you can see, the FX generation has 2 incarnations, which include 2 architectures, with Vishera being a modified and improved version of Bulldozer. Both options will run smoothly on any motherboard.

AM3 models are also suitable for AM3+.

Their lineup looks like this:
What processor for your PC? Try to look for the most "fresh" solution, i.e. AMDFX. Let's say right away that the 4-core FX-4100 is not the best choice for building a system, since there are more progressive FX-8xxx, in particular the 8300, which chases up to 4.8 GHz on a 970 chipset without problems using a Zalman CNPS10 level cooling Optima or Deepcool Gammaxx 300.

You can still find new chips on sale at very attractive prices, and we recommend purchasing OEM versions, since they are cheaper than BOX, and in no way inferior in performance. you can read about the main differences between BOX and OEM.

A few words about AM4

In 2016, a completely new processor socket for AMD Ryzen processors, AM4, was introduced to the market. Unlike the previous versions (AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2), this socket is completely new and is not backward compatible with obsolete red processors. However, it supports much more interesting chips that are relevant at the time of 2018:
The list includes Zen and Zen+ models that are backward compatible with each other and work perfectly on motherboards with A320, B350, B450, X370 and X470 chipsets.

Optimal Models

If you need the most balanced processor of the AM3 + family, then we recommend that you take a closer look at the already mentioned FX-8320 with a base frequency of 3.5 GHz, which can be raised to 4 in Turbo Boost without any problems, or manually wound up to 4.5, with good cooling.

Do you have a motherboard based on the top 990FX chipset? Try the FX-9590, which runs stock at 4.7 GHz and can push up to 5 GHz, but on one condition - a 220 W TDP. And this speaks of a very "hot" nature of the chip.

And now with regard to modern models on AM4. The best solution for an entry-level multimedia system would be Ryzen 5 2400G with integrated Vega 11 video core, whose performance is comparable to the GeForce 1030 GT
As a universal solution, we would like to offer Ryzen 5 1600, which has 6 cores and 12 threads, as well as a low heat pack of 65 W and an excellent performance margin. This stone will provide maximum immersion in any game or program.

They appeared in 2009, and differed from their predecessor, Socket AM2+, in support of DDR3 memory and a higher speed of the HyperTransport bus. Processors with this socket, in order to ensure compatibility with previous generation motherboards, also supported DDR2 memory. See concise

In 2011, AM3 + appeared, the main difference of which was support for the new AMD Bulldozer microarchitecture. compatible with AM3 processors, while vice versa, that is, it cannot be installed, with very rare exceptions. This is due to the fact that the diameter of the holes for the pins exceeds the diameter of the holes for the pins of processors with Socket AM3 - 0.51 mm against the previous 0.45 mm.

Let's compare the characteristics of the cores of older processors on this socket. They are Vishera for Socket AM3+ and Thuban for Socket AM3.

Unlike most other processors with different sockets, AMD solutions usually work with the same chipsets. For example, they work great with AMD 760G, 880G and 990G chipsets. For this reason, it makes no sense to compare them. Here are the characteristics of the latest generation chipsets.

Let's compare the performance of older models (AMD Phenom II X6 1100T) and AM3+ (AMD FX-9590). To measure performance, we used our standard methodology. Results in the table:

As usual, the new processor shows noticeably better results in all tests. This is predictable, as the processor has more cores, higher frequency, and more L2 and L3 caches. The only oddity is the Linpack test, during which a system of 1000 linear equations is solved. After the discovery of this strange result, three repeated measurements were taken, but the results remained approximately the same. Based on this, we conclude that if the computer will be used for mathematical calculations, then the transition from AM3 to AM3 + processors does not make sense. For all other tasks, a more modern processor is suitable.

Let's turn to the power consumption of these processors. And already on viewing the specifications, it becomes clear that a processor with an AM3 socket will be much more economical. The Phenom II X6 1100T has a TDP of 125W, while the FX-9590 has a TDP of 220W. Yes, we were not mistaken, it is 220W. In practice, the power consumption of the stand, at maximum load on the processor, and almost complete inactivity of the video card, is as follows:

As you can see, there is a price to pay for the high performance of fast processors, and it's not only, or even not so much electricity bills, but more expensive cooling systems and motherboards that can power these processors. Of course, not all have such a high power consumption, most of them require power similar to the previous generation. True, the performance is still higher than that of older CPUs.

Every time we buy an AMD-based computer, we wonder which processor and socket to choose? Especially now that AMD changes them almost every year. Will there be a prospect of replacing the processor in the future and what is the old processor good for? It is also important to know when there is a bunch of old hardware with different performance. And you need to assemble a computer of tolerable performance from all this. This table shows that the range for creativity is decent. Especially for overclockers and gamers, a large amount of iron accumulates. And it makes sense to rummage on the mezzanine and assemble, for example, a computer to the country house, or to a younger brother / sister.

It is clear from the table that, unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, FM1 and FM2 sockets are absolutely incompatible. Here you need to choose whether to move a more expensive motherboard and a budget processor, or build a powerful PC, but on the previous socket. In my opinion, the decisions are equivalent. For example, you have purchased a powerful computer on an outgoing socket, it doesn't matter that you will use it for several years. Although if you assemble a PC on a new socket, there is a prospect of installing a more powerful and more economical CPU in a year.

Socket AMZ - processor socket, developed by AMD for high-end, mainstream, and budget desktop processors. It is a further development of Socket AM2 +, the differences are in the support of DDR-III memory and a higher speed of the HyperTransport bus. The first processors using this socket - AMD Phenom IIХ4 910, 810, 805 and AMD Phenom IIХЗ 720 and 710 were released in February 2009.

Socket AMZ processors have a memory controller that supports both DDR-II and DDR-III. therefore, they can work in Socket AM2+ boards (the performance of a particular processor in a particular board must be checked from the CPU Support List on the motherboard manufacturer's website), but the reverse situation is impossible. Socket LM2 and Socket AM2+ processors in Socket AMZ boards do not work. It's related to that. that AMZ processors will have a new memory controller that simultaneously supports DDR2 memory. and DDR3 memory, thus providing backward compatibility with AM2 motherboards, but since AM2 processors do not have a new memory controller, they will not work on AM3 motherboards.

Boards with Socket AMZ support only DDR-III memory with frequencies from 800 to 1333 MHz, both unbuffered (normal") and with ECC. The memory organization is the same as in Socket939/940/AM2/1156. to achieve optimal performance, it is necessary to install two or four (preferably identical in pairs) memory modules in accordance with the instructions for the motherboard.

And finally. Socket AMZ+ is a new processor socket for motherboards that is mechanically and electrically compatible with Socket AMZ (despite a slightly higher number of pins - 942. Socket AM3 may also be called in some sources). but designed to support new AMD processors based on the Zambezi core based on the Bulldozer architecture like AMD FX 8150. All old Socket AMZ processors are also supported by it, and, of course, such boards work only with DDR3 memory and are compatible with the old Socket AM2/AM3 coolers.

AM3+ connector

There is information that socket AM3+ processors will not be compatible with Socket AMZ boards. primarily due to the larger diameter of the processor legs. A board based on an older chipset that will be able to support Socket AM3+ processors after a BIOS update may differ in the characteristic black color of the socket, but some of the functionality of the processor related to power saving and monitoring may be lost in such boards. This information may be updated in the future.

The next socket AMZ+ is a modification of Socket AMZ. designed for processors codenamed Zambezi", which will use the new Bulldozer micro-architecture.

Some motherboards with socket AMZ will be able to update BIOS and use processors with socket AMZ+. Note that there are significant compatibility limitations with previous sockets. So. when using processors AMZ+ on motherboards with AMZ. you may not be able to get data from the temperature sensor on the processor. Also, the power saving mode may not work due to the lack of support for fast core voltage switching in Socket AMZ.

The AMZ+ socket on motherboards is black, while the AMZ socket is white. You can also recognize it by the "AMZ+" marking.

The diameter of holes for pins of processors with Socket AMZ+ exceeds the diameter of holes for pins of processors with Socket AM3 - 0.51 mm against the previous 0.45 mm.

Since June 2011, deliveries of serial processors in the Socket AM3 + version began. One of the first motherboards to appear on sale was the 890GM Pro3 K2.0 motherboard from ASRock. which combines the AMD 890GX + SB850" bundle with the Socket AM3 + processor socket (Fig. 2). This Micro ATX format motherboard is ready to work with 8-core processors in the AM3 + Socket (AM3 Socket), while maintaining compatibility with existing processors in the performance of Socket AMZ.