What is the AM3 socket?

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imadoctorjim

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Jun 8, 2013
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I've been exclusively using Intel for years, but I'm trying to branch out and get good at building/prescribing parts for AMD systems as well.

My friend has a tower with an AMD Athlon II X2 220 in an AM3 socket. I don't really know much about AMD sockets, so I was hoping someone could summarize the relevant sockets for me.

The Intel sockets I'm familiar with are LGA 775, 1156, 1155, 2011, and 1150. I'm aware of AMD's AM3 and FM2 sockets, but I have no idea of their relevance or what other sockets I might need to know.

And yes, I'm already Googling them, naturally; but there's no substitute for words from someone with experience.





 
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lazyboy947

lazyboy947

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The AM3 socket was used for the Phenom II X2/3/4/6 and Athlon II X2/3/4 cpus that were released around 2009-2011, and is not compatible with AM2/AM2+ cpus like the first gen Phenom I or Athon 64 X2 cpus. Matters on the motherboards chipset and manufacturer but some higher end AM3 motherboards have the ability to use AM3+ Cpus as i know my 890FX AM3 Asus Crosshair IV can use All FX Cpus at the moment

AM3 cpus like the Phenom II and Athlon II are compatible with AM3+ motherboards and as said only a few am3 boards work with Am3+ cpus, and also am3 cpus are backwards compatible with AM2+ motherboards that have the bios update.

AMD Sockets AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, and FM2 all use the same stock cooling bracket and backplate

Sockets FM1 and FM2 are not compatible with each other so no FM1 apu in FM2 or the other way around

Upcoming Steamroller FX cpus will still be on AM3+, and i think next gen apus may use FM2+ that is compatible with FM2 but dont quote me on that lol

Edit: Am2 and AM2+ use DDR2 and AM3 uses DDR3 on the boards unless specified and AM3 cpus have DDR2 andDDR3 memory controllers Am2/am2+ only have DDR2 and AM3+ only have DDR3
 
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jaguarskx

jaguarskx

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I have not touched an AMD CPU since the Barton series Athlon XP CPUs. However, I will try to give you some information.

Socket AM3 is the previous generation socket used by AMD for CPUs to the Athlon II and Phenom I & II series. Socket AM3+ is the current generation socket and is backwards compatible with all AM3 CPUs. AMD's FX series (Bulldozer and Piledriver) are AM3+ CPUs and are not compatible with the older socket.

There are basically 2 types of socket AM3; 95w TDP and 125w TDP. While all Phenom II series CPUs are socket AM3, the higher end models like the Phenom II X4 965 BE and the Phenom II X6 1090T BE are 125w TDP CPU and they will only work properly with a 125w TDP socket AM3 motherboard. Sticking a 125w TDP CPU in a motherboard that can only support a 95w TDP socket AM3 CPU will result in lower performance if the PC will boot up.

I believe there are a few socket AM3 motherboards that can support a socket AM3+ CPU (Bulldozer only) with a BIOS upgrade. But I am not 100% certain if that is in fact true or just a rumor that I've read somewhere.
 
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nbrikha

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AM3 was the last generation of socket from AMD. The updated socket is the AM3+. All new FX processors sit on this socket. The 990FX north bridge on the higher end motherboards accompany this socket and allow for x16 by x16 PCIe interface for much cheaper than intel mobos. The FM2, on the other hand, is the newest of the APU sockets. APUs are meant for super discreet graphics. Much like the new i7s with built in graphics, but these are slightly more graphically intuitively, but processing power lacking.
Any specific questions?
 
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imadoctorjim

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Thank you, that's very helpful! I wasn't even aware there were "+" variants out there.

What is the primary difference between the AM and FM sockets? Is FM just the specific socket for APUs?

And with that in mind, both AM3+ and FM2 are relevant sockets now, but regular AM3 is not; similar to how Intel's 1156 has cycled out, correct?
 
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nbrikha

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AM3 is similar to 1155. It's cycled out but they still sell AM3 CPUs, just because they had so many already made and they are still affective CPUs and much cheaper now that the FX processors are out. (1150 is the newest socket from intel right now)

AM and FM are exactly that. AM3+ is FX CPUs. FM2 is for Trinity APUs, the newest line of APU architecture from AMD. The new Trinity processors range from dual core to quad core and from ATI HD7480 to HD7660 graphics. These are for discreet or budget systems. They will play basic games and handle average video tasks. There is some more real power when you crossfire with a compatible ATI card like the 6670.

The FX line cards are where AMD's power processors are. The 8350 clocking close to the i7 3770s in CPUMark
 
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lazyboy947

lazyboy947

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FM1/2 are just not for APUS AMD did release Athlon dual and quad cores on FM1/2 platform that do not have the igpu of the apus and is just a cpu

Amd adds the + to keep the socket and have backwards compatibility along with updating as i said i think there making FM2+ to have next gen apus on and AM3+ is still going to be in use for the next gen fx cpus. The Plus is the mid transfer period from an old socket to a new socket, as starting with AM2 they did am2+ to make new cpus and head way for am3 and so on

Edit: AM2 and AM2+ were used during LGA 775 and intro to 1156/1366, and am3 was used with 1155/1156, and am3+ with 1150/1155
 
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