 | |
| Release date | October 2011 |
|---|---|
| Type | PGA-ZIF |
| Chip form factors | PGA |
| Contacts | 942 (Socket) 938 (Socket AM3 CPU) 940 (Bulldozer Based CPU) |
| FSB protocol | HyperTransport 3.1 |
| FSB frequency | 200 MHz System clock HyperTransport up to 3.2 GHz |
| Processor dimensions | 40 mm × 40 mm 1,600 mm² |
| Processors | Phenom II Athlon II FX Opteron |
| Predecessor | AM3 |
| Successor | AM4 |
| Memory support | DDR3 |
This article is part of theCPU socket series | |
Socket AM3+ is a modification ofSocket AM3, which was released on February 9, 2009. AM3+ was released in mid-2011[1] designed for CPUs which use theAMDBulldozermicroarchitecture and retains compatibility with processors made for AM3.[2] TheVishera line of AMD CPUs also all use Socket AM3+. It is the last AMD socket for whichWindows XP support officially exists.
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 0.51mm compared to 0.45 mm with the AM3 Socket. There is a fasterserial 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 145A versus 110 A. There is also a redesigned CPU cooler retention harness allowing for slightly better airflow for CPU cooling, while retaining coolerbackward compatibility.[4]
The 942-contact AM3+ socket accepts both the 940-pin AM3+ CPU and the 938-pin AM3 CPU. This backward compatibility is intentional.
AM3+ CPUs are not mechanically compatible with AM3 sockets as AM3+ CPUs have an additional pin that the AM3 socket can not accommodate. However, some manufacturers have found success in retrofitting AM3-technology motherboards for AM3+ processors by replacing the AM3 socket with AM3+ and providing aBIOS upgrade. This is called "AM3+ Ready".[5] Potential incompatibilities with new AM3+ features include:
While AM3+ CPUs can be inserted into AM2 or AM2+ sockets, AM3+ CPUs could not operate in motherboards designed for AM2+ or AM2 CPUs. These motherboards are designed for DDR2 memory but AM3+ CPUs only have a DDR3 memory controller.
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 socketsSocket AM2,Socket AM2+,Socket AM3, Socket AM3+,Socket FM2,Socket FM2+,Socket FM1 andSocket AM1. Cooling solutions should therefore be interchangeable.
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.
