Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > AM2+ vs AM3 sockets
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caggles   05-08-2009 at 08:11:58 PM

Hi all!!

I'm looking at a couple of different CPUs here (all AMD Phenom II X4).

One of them is:
AM2+ socket
3.0Ghz operating frequency
3600Mhz hypertransport


and the other is
AM3 socket
2.6 Ghz. operating frequency
4000Mhz hypertransport

(note that I only listed specs that had differences)

Which one is the better one, and why? They're priced at pretty much the same, but I'm wondering if they actually are the same or if someone is trying to gouge because the socket type is AM3 on the second one. To be honest, I'm not actually sure what the difference between AM2+ and AM3 is.

Thanks in advance!

Caggles

PS: I'm considering a motherboard with socket type AM3... if I choose the first one (the AM2+ CPU) will it work with the AM3 board? Here's the link to the product page on NewEgg. The CPU type obviously fits (Phenom II is listed) but does that mean that ALL Phenom II CPUs will work with it, including AM2+ ones?


Message edited by caggles on 05-08-2009 at 08:27:47 PM
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turboflame   05-08-2009 at 08:56:10 PM
- 0 +

The first CPU you mentioned would be faster, HT speed doesn't have a very big impact on performance while clockspeed does.

The only "benefit" of AM3 is the ability to use DDR3 memory, which is typically more expensive than DDR2.

AM3 CPUs work in AM2+ mobos while AM2+ CPUs won't work in AM3 mobos.

Reply to turboflame
smithereen   05-09-2009 at 08:41:17 AM
- 0 +

What he said.

------------------------------ Phenom II X2 unlocked to four cores @ 3.8gHz,1.45V. 4GB DDR3-1600 Gigabyte 785g ATi Radeon HD4870 1GB
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 Reply to smithereen
Devastator_uk   05-09-2009 at 02:53:45 PM
- 0 +

Given what is out at the moment the AM3 CPU must be an 810 (4MB L3) and the AM2+ a 940 (6MB L3).

Reply to Devastator_uk
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