Difference between AM3+ White and Black Sockets

[box o rocks]

I see AMD motherboards with white AM3+ sockets and motherboards with black AM3+ sockets. Is there any difference between them?

 

[DroKing]

I dont believe colors matter. As long as the boards state what socket they are then that is what it is.

 

[GhislainG]

It looks like there's a difference: http://starredreviews.com/difference-between-am3-and-am3-socket/7651/

 

[box o rocks]

It looks like there's a difference: http://starredreviews.com/difference-between-am3-and-am3-socket/7651/

That short article seems to differentiate between AM3 Wht sockets and AM3+ Blk sockets. I already understood those differences. I was wondering about the AM3+ sockets that come in both blk and wht.
If you scroll thru these AM3+ boards I looked at on Newegg's site, most do come in blk but some have wht sockets.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625+600138080+600007977+600026696&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=22&description=&hisInDesc=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=

 

[GhislainG]

I just compared 2 Biostar motherboards (A960G+ and A880GZ) and the sockets are not the same. The black socket has one more pin and the holes are larger.

 

[box o rocks]

I just compared 2 Biostar motherboards (A960G+ and A880GZ) and the sockets are not the same. The black socket has one more pin and the holes are larger.

OK... good to know. But what does that tell me? The larger pins of the Buldozer CPUs won't fit AM3 sockets?

 

[holdingholder]

AM3 and AM3+ are two different sockets, while AM3+ sockets are backwards compatible and can use AM3 processors. AM3+ processors are not guaranteed to work on old AM3 socket motherboards. but if they are both designated as AM3+ then they are the same.

 

[box o rocks]

AM3 and AM3+ are two different sockets, while AM3+ sockets are backwards compatible and can use AM3 processors. AM3+ processors are not guaranteed to work on old AM3 socket motherboards. but if they are both designated as AM3+ then they are the same.

So there's no difference between boards with blk and wht AM3+ sockets except the color?

 

[GhislainG]

So there's no difference between boards with blk and wht AM3+ sockets except the color?

If a new CPU with the extra pin is released, then it will only be compatible with the black socket (AM3b). Why would one buy a white socket motherboard over the newer black socket? Most AMD motherboards now have the black socket along with a newer chipset.

A good explanation of why AM3b is better: http://whatswithjeff.com/amd-black-am3b-socket/

 

[box o rocks]

If a new CPU with the extra pin is released, then it will only be compatible with the black socket (AM3b). Why would one buy a white socket motherboard over the newer black socket? Most AMD motherboards now have the black socket along with a newer chipset.

A good explanation of why AM3b is better: http://whatswithjeff.com/amd-black-am3b-socket/

So white sockets are not AM3+ sockets even though they are advertised as being AM3+?

 

[GhislainG]

Since they support current AM3+ processors, they can be called AM3+. I'd still recommend buying a motherboard with the AM3b socket.

 

[box o rocks]

Best answer selected by box o rocks.

 

[box o rocks]

Since they support current AM3+ processors, they can be called AM3+. I'd still recommend buying a motherboard with the AM3b socket.

I see. Now I begin to understand. Marketing. OK, black (AM3b) AM3+ it is. Thanks.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr