Socket AM3+

Socket AM3+ is a modification of Socket AM3, which was released on February 9, 2009. AM3+ was released in mid-2011[1] designed for CPUs which use the AMD Bulldozer microarchitecture and retains compatibility with processors made for AM3.[2] The Vishera line of AMD CPUs also all use Socket AM3+. It is the last AMD socket for which Windows XP support officially exists.

Socket AM3+
TypePGA-ZIF
Chip form factorsPGA
Contacts942 (Socket)
938 (Socket AM3 CPU)
940 (Bulldozer Based CPU)
FSB protocolHyperTransport 3.1
FSB frequency200 MHz System clock
HyperTransport up to 3.2 GHz
ProcessorsPhenom II
Athlon II
FX
Opteron 3000 Series
PredecessorAM3
SuccessorAM4
This article is part of the CPU socket series

Technical specifications

The AM3+ Socket specification contains a few noteworthy design changes over its AM3 predecessor. The 942 pin count for the AM3+ is an increase of one compared to the AM3 Socket layout.[3] The AM3+ Socket has larger pin socket diameter of 0.51 mm compared to 0.45 mm with the AM3 Socket. There is a faster serial link of 3400 kHz from the CPU to the power controller, compared to 400 kHz. The AM3+ Socket offers improved power regulation and power quality specifications, including an increased maximum current support of 145 A versus 110 A. There is also a redesigned CPU cooler retention harness allowing for slightly better airflow for CPU cooling, while retaining cooler backward compatibility.[4]

Some manufacturers have attempted to bring AM3+ support to some of their AM3 technology motherboards via use of the AM3+ socket and a BIOS upgrade.[5] AM3+ CPUs are not mechanically compatible with AM3 sockets as AM3+ CPUs have an additional pin that the AM3 socket can not accommodate. Another issue is the use of the sideband temperature sensor interface for reading the temperature from the CPU. Therefore, some CPU PWM fan headers may only run at full speed. Also, certain power-saving features may not work, due to lack of support for rapid VCORE switching.[6]

Additionally, AM3+ CPUs could not operate properly in many systems designed for AM3, AM2+ or AM2 CPUs due to the DDR3 memory controller on AM3+ CPUs being incompatible with the DDR2 memory generally used by AM2 and AM2+ and AM3 boards.

Heatsink

The 4 holes for fastening the heatsink to the motherboard are placed in a rectangle with lateral lengths of 48 mm and 96 mm for AMD's sockets Socket AM2, Socket AM2+, Socket AM3, Socket AM3+ and Socket FM2. Cooling solutions should therefore be interchangeable.


See also

References
  1. "AMD looks to standardise sockets after AM3+ and FM2". Hexus. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2019. in fact, a portion of users running AMD computers are likely to already have AM3+ motherboards, as the socket has been available since mid-2011.
  2. AMD Bulldozer CPUs get early motherboard support - News - PC & Tech Authority, Pcauthority.com.au, 4 April 2011, retrieved 6 April 2012
  3. AMD FX-8150 3.60 GHz with Windows patches, TechPowerUp, 13 February 2012, retrieved 6 April 2012
  4. ASRock AMD Real AM3+ motherboards, www.asrock.com, retrieved 6 April 2012
  5. "ASUS First to Provide AM3+ CPU Ready Solution for Current AM3 and Future AM3+ Motherboards". event.asus.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011.
  6. Cebit: ASRock zeigt eine Reihe an AM3+ Mainboards mit alten Chipsätzen, PCTreiber.Net, 2011, retrieved 10 January 2012
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