Socket AM3 is a CPU interface that supports some AMD processor models and was introduced in 2009. It supports DDR3 SDRAM and allows for faster system performance. It has a similar pin configuration to older sockets and can use older CPU coolers. It supports the AMD Athlon II and Phenom II CPUs and a modified version, AM3+, is expected to support higher performance CPUs.
Socket AM3 is a hardware standard for installing central processing units (CPUs) in desktop computers. More specifically, it is a type of CPU interface that supports some AMD processor models. The 3-hole AM941 CPU socket was introduced by AMD in February 2009 to take advantage of newer memory types and enable higher performance CPUs.
As of 2011, socket AM3 is the newest CPU socket for AMD desktop processors, replacing the previous generation sockets AM2 and AM2+. The newer processor interface is intended to support double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR3 SDRAM), a memory standard that has at least double the bandwidth of previous types for moving and store data, resulting in the potential for a faster system. Socket AM3 also allows AMD to further increase CPU bus speed, the speed at which the processor can handle data internally, compared to older sockets.
While socket AM3 is a newer design than sockets AM2 and AM2+, the pin configuration between CPUs for the different sockets is nearly identical: 938 pins versus 940 on older chips. A CPU designed for socket AM2 or AM2+ cannot be used on a socket AM3 motherboard, but an AM3-based CPU can be used on a socket AM2 or AM2+ motherboard. This usage carries two caveats: first, it assumes that the computer’s motherboard will be updated with the latest updates to ensure that the new AM3 CPU is supported. Secondly, performance with the AM3 processor will be degraded on the older chipset. AM2 or AM2+ based motherboard will cause the AM3 CPU bus speed to be limited to the maximum speed supported by the previous board.
The similar arrangement of the newer socket to the AM2 socket and the AM2+ socket brings two more advantages. First, like previous designs, the AM3 socket uses a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) protocol, which means the chip will simply fall into place once placed correctly on the motherboard, reducing the chance of the CPU being damaged during installation. . Second, the socket designs are so similar that CPU coolers designed for older chipsets can be used on AM3 motherboards and vice versa.
Socket AM3 platform supports two AMD processor lines. The AMD Athlon II has speeds between 1.6 gigahertz (GHz) and 3.4 GHz, with two to four cores per processor. The high-performance AMD Phenom II CPUs are also based on AM3 and contain two to six cores with speeds ranging from 2.5 GHz to 3.7 GHz. All of these processors are desktop-only and manufactured on a 45-nanometer process.
As of June 2011, AMD planned to release a slightly modified socket AM3+. This new processor layout is intended to support the transition to a higher performance platform codenamed “Bulldozer”. Socket AM3+ was expected to support existing AM3 CPUs.
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