Socket AM3

CPU socket
name = Socket AM3


formfactors = PGA
type = PGA-ZIF
contacts = 940
protocol =
fsb = 200 MHz System clock
2 GHz HyperTransport 3.0
voltage = Split CPU/Memory controller voltages
processors = DDR3 capable Phenom series, Athlon X2, Sempron LE
Opteron (for 1P servers)

Socket AM3, which will be used in future AMD CPU releases, 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+.

AMD has confirmed that AM3 processors will work on AM2 motherboards. However, AM2 processors will not work on AM3 motherboards because AM2 processors lack the DDR3 memory controller. Socket AM3 will be able to run either DDR2 or DDR3 SDRAM memory [PDFlink| [http://download.amd.com/Corporate/SpiderPlatformPresentationv3.pdf AMD "Spider" platform launch presentation] , pp 45, retrieved November 27, 2007|7.76 MiB ] , 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. Therefore, users of Socket AM2 motherboards will be able to upgrade to AM3 processors, without replacing the motherboard or memory.

Socket AM3 is assumed to be introduced with AMD's next generation processors based on the 45 nm fabrication process that will be release in December 2008 (processor only), and the full AM3 platform (processor & motherboards) on January 11, 2009. [ [http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/display/20080828133738_AMD_to_Start_Transition_to_New_Platform_Form_Factor_in_March_2009.html AMD to Start Transition to New Platform Form-Factor in March, 2009] ] .

ee also

*List of AMD Athlon 64 microprocessors
*List of AMD Sempron microprocessors

References

External links

* [http://www.amd.com/ AMD website]
* [http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3169 DailyTech post about Socket AM3]