AM3 (socket): description, comparative characteristics

In 2009, AMD replaced AM3 with the main processor socket AM2 +. This socket received a number of significant changes, which in practice allowed the products on its basis to obtain a significant increase in performance. Another important nuance is the support of 6-nuclear models of the CPU.

History of appearance

At the beginning of 2009, the AM2 socket and its further modification of AM2 + completely exhausted itself. They were focused on installing obsolete RAM, supported by only 4-core CPU models. As a result, their level of performance did not allow them to solve the most resource-intensive tasks. Therefore, the company AMD and released an updated processor socket, which received the name AM3. Something revolutionary in this case was not released, and it became a logical evolutionary development of the previous processor connectors. In 2012 AM3 came to replace AM3. The last processor socket continues to be still relevant at the current time. It is the most productive platform for this manufacturer of semiconductor solutions.

Predecessors and subsequent products. Key differences

The first significant difference from the sockets of the previous generation in the person AM2 and AM2 + in AM3 was that it was aimed at installing RAM modules of the DDR3 standard. Also, in this case, as noted earlier, the CPU could already contain 6 cores and 3-level caches. It was also possible to install AM2 + chips in this processor socket. But the AM3 processors can, in turn, be installed in the AM3 + motherboard. Among other features of the AM3 platform, it should be noted that it essentially became the basis for AMD chips with an integrated graphics accelerator. That is, from this processor socket came out more computing platforms, such as FM1 and then came to replace the socket FM2. The processor components of these platforms did not differ significantly. They were just identical. The key difference is the presence of integrated graphics on a single silicon chip together with the processor part.

Processor solutions

An impressive list of models of CPUs could be installed in the AM3 connector. The socket was oriented on such of them:

• The most affordable products in this case were the Septron family chips. They included only one computational module, had operating frequencies from 2.6GHz to 2.9GHz and a two-level cache (L1 = 128kb / L2 = 1Mb). These semiconductor products were produced at 45nm. These were excellent solutions for office systems in combination with an integrated graphics card.

• To build mid-level PCs, Athlon II chips were intended. They could include 1, 2, 3 or even 4 computational units. All of them were presented in 2009 and were based on the K10 architecture. The range of operating frequencies in this case began from 1.6 GHz and ended at 3.4 GHz. The technological process was exactly the same as the younger models - 45 nm. Also, the cache memory structure in this case did not undergo significant changes and remained 2-level.

• An even higher level of performance was provided by the Phenom II processors for this socket. This was provided by higher clock speeds (up to 3.7 GHz), an increase in the number of code processing units (up to 6) and cache memory with 3 levels. Such PCs could be reliably attributed to the premium segment.

• Also on the basis of the processor socket AM3 it was possible to assemble servers of the initial level. For this market segment, the Opteron chips of the 1381 family were released (the operating frequency in this case was 2.5 GHz), 1385 (2.7 GHz) and 1389 (2.9 GHz). All of them included 4 cores and had an increased cache size of the 3rd level. In the rest, they were an exact copy of the 4-model Phenom II X4.

Models of chipsets

A series of 8XX-series chipsets was released simultaneously with the presentation of the AM3 processor connector. The socket for installing the chips essentially did not undergo significant changes, it could be installed, as mentioned earlier, and the earlier CPU of the AM2 + family. The key innovation of AM3 is the support for new RAM at that time - DDR3. But also in the chipsets were implemented advanced at the time technology. The flagship set of system logic is 890FX. In comparison with the predecessor in the person of 790FX internal bus A - Link Express could work with the bandwidth in GB / s. This, in turn, allowed the chipset to support the technology for connecting SATA III drives. In this case, there were 6 such ports. Like its predecessor, this set of system logic allowed to install video cards in the amount of 1 (16X mode), 2 (16X + 16X modes) or 4 (8X + 8X + 8X + 8X modes). At mid-level solutions, the 890GX and 880G chipsets were targeted. They differed from the previous chipset in that the graphics card was integrated in them, and also discrete graphics accelerators could operate in the modes for the first product 1 (16X) or 2 (8X + 8X) or for the second only one video card in 16X mode. Based on the 870 logic set, the least functional motherboard in this case was obtained. The AM3 socket in this case allowed to supplement the CPU with only one discrete video card, which could only work in 16X mode. The integrated graphics subsystem did not complete such products.

RAM. Memory Controller

The AMD AM3 socket received one important innovation compared to its predecessors: it is an integrated two-channel microcontroller of RAM. In addition, he could work in a two-channel mode. The only limitation in this case is the operating frequencies of the modules, which are limited to only two possible values in 1066 MHz or 1333 MHz. In practice, higher speed RAM slots can be installed in these same slots, but in this case their frequency will be automatically reduced to the maximum possible 1333 MHz.

Relevance for today. Prospects

AM3, like the AM2 socket, has become obsolete both morally and physically. Of course, both components for it, and fully assembled PCs on their basis can still be found on sale. And these are absolutely new products from warehouse stocks. Their undeniable advantages include an acceptable level of performance for an entry-level platform and a very democratic value. But there is nothing more to expect from such personal computers. More profitable in this regard are the most recent solutions from AMD: the socket is FM2 + and AM3 +. In this case, the price does not increase significantly, but the level of performance dramatically increases. Also, at the last processor connector, all CPUs come with an unlocked multiplier, this allows, if properly equipped, to obtain an impressive increase in performance by simply increasing the multiplier of the chip clock frequency.

Results

Of course, now it is already a thing of the past and the AM3 processor socket is completely out of date. This socket is outdated both morally and physically and allows in most cases only to solve only tasks of the initial or intermediate level. Something more from these computers is sure to get will not work.