Socket AM3

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This article contains information about scheduled or expected future computer chips. It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final specification of the product.

Socket AM3
Specifications
Type	PGA-ZIF
Chip form factors	PGA
Contacts	940
Bus Protocol
FSB	200 MHz System clock 2 GHz HyperTransport 3.0
Voltage range	Split CPU/Memory controller voltages
Processors	DDR3 capable Phenom series, Athlon X2, Sempron LE Opteron (for 1P servers)
This article is part of the CPU socket series

The Socket AM3, is a CPU socket designed by AMD for desktop processors, including the performance, mainstream and value segments. It has an expected release in late 2008, as a replacement for Socket AM2/AM2+. AM3 should be able to run either DDR2 or DDR3 SDRAM memory, but not both on the same motherboard; DDR3 runs at higher clock frequencies while drawing less power than DDR2 memory, however it is currently much more expensive.

Socket AM3 is a part of AMD's next generation of CPU sockets.

AMD has confirmed that AM3 processors will work in AM2 motherboards; however, AM2 processors will not be compatible with AM3 motherboards. This is because AM2 chips lack the proper memory controller for DDR3 memory (since current generation AMD chips have the memory controller directly on the processor itself, instead of on the Northbridge), and AM3 processors will have a memory controller that supports both DDR2 and DDR3 (though it lacks the capability of running both at the same time). This has the benefit that buyers of current Socket AM2 motherboards will be able to upgrade to AM3 processors, without replacing the motherboard. They will not enjoy DDR3 memory without an AM3/DDR3 board, but they can take advantage of other features of faster processors, ensuring AM2 boards a longer life than without the compatibility. Revealed from official presentations ^[1], Socket AM3 will also include DDR2 SDRAM support, and, depending on the adoption rate of DDR3 SDRAM, there is also the possibility to support both SDRAM standards.

Socket AM3 is assumed to be introduced with AMD's next generation processors based on the 45 nm fabrication process.

[edit] See also

• List of AMD Athlon 64 microprocessors
• List of AMD Sempron microprocessors

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• AMD website
• DailyTech post about Socket AM3

v • d • e AMD • List of AMD CPU Slots and Sockets Desktop sockets Super Socket 7 • Slot A • Socket A • Socket 754 • Socket 939 • Socket 940 • Socket AM2 • Socket F • Socket AM2+ • Socket F+ • Socket AM3 Mobile sockets Socket A • Socket 563 • Socket 754 • Socket S1 • Socket FS1 Server sockets Socket A • Socket 940 • Socket F • Socket F+ • Socket G3