Socket AM3 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit
Socket AM3 is the AMD pin grid socket for Phenom II, Athlon II and Sempron processors. It carries 941 contacts while the CPU package seats 938 pins, with key placement that blocks AM2 and AM2+ chips. The processor package measures 40 × 40 mm. AMD launched the socket on February 9, 2009 alongside the first Phenom II processors, as the successor to Socket AM2+.
Quick facts
| Maker | AMD |
|---|---|
| Package type | PGA |
| Contacts | 941 |
| Package size | 40 × 40 mm |
| Introduced | February 2009 |
| Status | Legacy |
| Memory | DDR2 up to PC2-8500 and DDR3 up to PC3-10600 |
| PCIe from the CPU | HyperTransport 3.x link up to 2.6 GHz; PCIe slots from 7 and 8 series chipsets |
| Cooler mounting holes | 48 × 96 mm |
| Replaces | Socket AM2+ |
| Replaced by | Socket AM3+ |
Overview
The socket exists for budget to midrange DDR3 transitions around 2009 to 2013. Its sole principal change from AM2+ is DDR3 SDRAM support, while AM3 processors keep DDR2 compatibility for older boards after a BIOS update. Athlon II dual cores such as Regor run two cores with 2 × 1 MB of L2 cache and no L3 at up to 3.6 GHz within 65 W. HyperTransport 3.x links tie the CPU to 7 and 8 series chipsets at up to 2.6 GHz, with PCIe slots off the chipset.
Because AM3 processors support both DDR2 and DDR3 memory controllers, makers labeled many AM2+ boards AM3 Ready with firmware updates. The reverse never works: AM2 and AM2+ processors lack DDR3 support and stay out of AM3 boards. Successor AM3+ adds one contact for Bulldozer parts and drops DDR2, so AM3+ chips never fit AM3 while AM3 chips fit AM3+ boards.
Processor generations
| Codename | Marketing name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regor | Athlon II X2 dual cores | 2009 to 2013 | Dual core K10 parts with 2 × 1 MB of L2 cache and no L3, including the 3.6 GHz Athlon II X2 280 from February 2013. |
| Propus | Athlon II X4 quad cores | 2009 to 2011 | Quad K10 parts with 4 × 512 KB of L2 cache and no L3 for budget towers. |
| Rana | Athlon II X3 triple cores | 2009 to 2011 | Triple K10 parts harvested from quad dies for value desktops. |
| Sargas | Sempron Sargas single cores | 2009 to 2011 | Single core K10 parts with 512 KB of L2 cache and no L3 for value desktops, including the Sempron 130. |
| Deneb | Phenom II X4 Deneb quads | 2009 to 2011 | Quad K10 parts with 6 MB shared L3 for performance desktops, including unlocked Black Edition models. |
| Zosma | Phenom II X4 Zosma quads | 2010 to 2011 | Thuban-harvest quad K10 parts with Turbo Core and 4 MB shared L3 for OEM desktops, including the 650T. |
| Callisto | Phenom II X2 Callisto duals | 2009 to 2011 | Dual K10 parts harvested from Deneb dies with 2 by 512 KB of L2 cache and 6 MB shared L3 for performance desktops, including unlocked Black Edition models from 545 to 570 BE. |
| Heka | Phenom II X3 Heka triples | 2009 to 2010 | Triple K10 parts with 3 by 512 KB of L2 cache and 6 MB shared L3 for performance desktops, including the 3.2 GHz B77 and the 2.8 GHz 720. |
| Thuban | Phenom II X6 Thuban six cores | 2010 | Six K10 cores with 6 by 512 KB of L2 cache and 6 MB shared L3 plus Turbo Core to 3.7 GHz, including the 3.3 GHz 1100T Black Edition from December 2010. |
Chipsets for Socket AM3
7 and 8 series
Boards contemporary with Phenom II and Athlon II on Socket AM3.
| Chipset | Segment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7-Series | Mainstream | Boards from the Phenom II launch era with DDR2 and DDR3 options. |
| 8-Series | Mainstream | Later boards with DDR3 and updated southbridges. |
Who Socket AM3 serves
Socket AM3 fits budget home and office towers from 2009 to 2013 where DDR3 prices fell and dual cores ruled. The Athlon II X2 280 at 3.6 GHz closes the Regor line for basic desktops with SSD upgrades. Propus quads suit light multitasking rigs that need four threads without L3 cost. Pair with 7 series boards for period builds or 8 series boards for newer SATA and USB.
Within the socket the choice is cores against clocks at fixed 65 W for most Athlon II. The X2 280 leads dual cores on frequency while Propus quads trade clocks for threads. Both share DDR3 memory and the 48 × 96 mm cooler mount, so cases and coolers carry across builds.
Memory and PCIe
Memory support spans DDR2 up to PC2-8500 and DDR3 up to PC3-10600 on AM3 boards, with DDR3-1066 class on Regor dual cores. AM3 processors in AM2+ boards run DDR2 after a BIOS update. One memory type runs at a time, so mixed populations never apply. Two DIMMs in dual channel cover budget builds.
PCIe slots come from 7 and 8 series chipsets rather than the CPU. HyperTransport 3.x at up to 2.6 GHz carries CPU to chipset traffic. A single x16 slot covers basic graphics where integrated board video falls short. Board manuals list lane sharing with PCI slots.
CPUs on Socket AM3
104 processor pages in the database, newest first.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base / boost | TDP | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Athlon II X2 280 | 2 / 2 | 3.6 GHz | 65 W | Feb 2013 |
| AMD Sempron 130 | 1 / 1 | 2.6 GHz | 45 W | Aug 2011 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 270 | 2 / 2 | 3.4 GHz | 65 W | Jul 2011 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 650T | 4 / 4 | 2.7 / 3.2 GHz | 95 W | Jul 2011 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 850 | 4 / 4 | 3.3 GHz | 95 W | Jun 2011 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 425e | 3 / 3 | 2.7 GHz | 45 W | May 2011 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 460 | 3 / 3 | 3.4 GHz | 95 W | May 2011 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 620e | 4 / 4 | 2.6 GHz | 45 W | May 2011 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 980 BE | 4 / 4 | 3.7 GHz | 125 W | May 2011 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 840 | 4 / 4 | 3.2 GHz | 95 W | Jan 2011 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 975 BE | 4 / 4 | 3.6 GHz | 125 W | Jan 2011 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 455 | 3 / 3 | 3.3 GHz | 95 W | Dec 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 565 BE | 2 / 2 | 3.4 GHz | 80 W | Dec 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X6 1065T | 6 / 6 | 2.9 / 3.4 GHz | 95 W | Dec 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X6 1100T BE | 6 / 6 | 3.3 / 3.7 GHz | 125 W | Dec 2010 |
| AMD Sempron 150 | 1 / 1 | 2.9 GHz | 45 W | Dec 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 210e | 2 / 2 | 2.6 GHz | 45 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 220 | 2 / 2 | 2.8 GHz | 65 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 250e | 2 / 2 | 3.0 GHz | 45 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 265 | 2 / 2 | 3.3 GHz | 65 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 270u | 2 / 2 | 2.0 GHz | 25 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 420e | 3 / 3 | 2.6 GHz | 45 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 450 | 3 / 3 | 3.2 GHz | 95 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 615e | 4 / 4 | 2.5 GHz | 45 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 645 | 4 / 4 | 3.1 GHz | 95 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 560 BE | 2 / 2 | 3.3 GHz | 80 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 840T | 4 / 4 | 2.9 / 3.2 GHz | 95 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 970 BE | 4 / 4 | 3.5 GHz | 125 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X6 1045T | 6 / 6 | 2.7 / 3.2 GHz | 95 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X6 1075T | 6 / 6 | 3.0 / 3.5 GHz | 125 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Sempron 145 | 1 / 1 | 2.8 GHz | 45 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Sempron 180 | 2 / 2 | 2.4 GHz | 45 W | Sep 2010 |
| AMD Athlon X2 5200+ | 2 / 2 | 2.3 GHz | 65 W | Aug 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 960T BE | 4 / 4 | 3.0 / 3.4 GHz | 95 W | Jun 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 245e | 2 / 2 | 2.9 GHz | 45 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 260 | 2 / 2 | 3.2 GHz | 65 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 415e | 3 / 3 | 2.5 GHz | 45 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 445 | 3 / 3 | 3.1 GHz | 95 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 610e | 4 / 4 | 2.4 GHz | 45 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 640 | 4 / 4 | 3.0 GHz | 95 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 570 BE | 2 / 2 | 3.5 GHz | 80 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 B57 | 2 / 2 | 3.2 GHz | 80 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X3 B77 | 3 / 3 | 3.2 GHz | 95 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 B97 | 4 / 4 | 3.2 GHz | 95 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X6 1035T | 6 / 6 | 2.6 / 3.1 GHz | 95 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X6 1055T (95W) | 6 / 6 | 2.8 / 3.3 GHz | 95 W | May 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X6 1055T (125W) | 6 / 6 | 2.8 / 3.3 GHz | 125 W | Apr 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X6 1090T BE | 6 / 6 | 3.2 / 3.6 GHz | 125 W | Apr 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 255 | 2 / 2 | 3.1 GHz | 65 W | Jan 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 440 | 3 / 3 | 3.0 GHz | 95 W | Jan 2010 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 635 | 4 / 4 | 2.9 GHz | 95 W | Jan 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE | 2 / 2 | 3.2 GHz | 80 W | Jan 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X3 720 | 3 / 3 | 2.8 GHz | 95 W | Jan 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 910e | 4 / 4 | 2.6 GHz | 65 W | Jan 2010 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 550 | 2 / 2 | 3.1 GHz | 80 W | Nov 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W) | 4 / 4 | 3.4 GHz | 125 W | Nov 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 215 | 2 / 2 | 2.7 GHz | 65 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 235e | 2 / 2 | 2.7 GHz | 45 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 240e | 2 / 2 | 2.8 GHz | 45 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 250u | 2 / 2 | 1.6 GHz | 25 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 260u | 2 / 2 | 1.8 GHz | 25 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 400e | 3 / 3 | 2.2 GHz | 45 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 405e | 3 / 3 | 2.3 GHz | 45 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 425 | 3 / 3 | 2.7 GHz | 95 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X3 435 | 3 / 3 | 2.9 GHz | 95 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 600e | 4 / 4 | 2.2 GHz | 45 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 605e | 4 / 4 | 2.3 GHz | 45 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 B53 | 2 / 2 | 2.8 GHz | 80 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 B55 | 2 / 2 | 3.0 GHz | 80 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X3 B73 | 3 / 3 | 2.8 GHz | 95 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X3 B75 | 3 / 3 | 3.0 GHz | 95 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 B93 | 4 / 4 | 2.8 GHz | 95 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 B95 | 4 / 4 | 3.0 GHz | 95 W | Oct 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 620 | 4 / 4 | 2.6 GHz | 95 W | Sep 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X4 630 | 4 / 4 | 2.8 GHz | 95 W | Sep 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X3 740 BE | 3 / 3 | 3.0 GHz | 95 W | Sep 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 820 | 4 / 4 | 2.8 GHz | 95 W | Sep 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 830 | 4 / 4 | 2.8 GHz | 95 W | Sep 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE (140W) | 4 / 4 | 3.4 GHz | 140 W | Aug 2009 |
| AMD Sempron 140 | 1 / 1 | 2.7 GHz | 45 W | Jul 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 240 | 2 / 2 | 2.8 GHz | 65 W | Jul 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 245 | 2 / 2 | 2.9 GHz | 65 W | Jul 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 945 (95W) | 4 / 4 | 3.0 GHz | 95 W | Jul 2009 |
| AMD Athlon II X2 250 | 2 / 2 | 3.0 GHz | 65 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Opteron 1381 | 4 / 4 | 2.5 GHz | 115 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Opteron 1385 | 4 / 4 | 2.7 GHz | 115 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Opteron 1389 | 4 / 4 | 2.9 GHz | 115 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II 42 TWKR Black Edition | 4 / 4 | 2.0 GHz | 125 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 545 | 2 / 2 | 3.0 GHz | 80 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X2 550 BE | 2 / 2 | 3.1 GHz | 80 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X3 700e | 3 / 3 | 2.4 GHz | 65 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X3 705e | 3 / 3 | 2.5 GHz | 65 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 900e | 4 / 4 | 2.4 GHz | 65 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 905e | 4 / 4 | 2.5 GHz | 65 W | Jun 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 925 | 4 / 4 | 2.8 GHz | 95 W | May 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 945 (125W) | 4 / 4 | 3.0 GHz | 125 W | Apr 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 955 (125W) | 4 / 4 | 3.2 GHz | 125 W | Apr 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 955 (95W) | 4 / 4 | 3.2 GHz | 95 W | Apr 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE | 4 / 4 | 3.2 GHz | 125 W | Apr 2009 |
| AMD Phenom II X3 710 | 3 / 3 | 2.6 GHz | 95 W | Feb 2009 |
Frequently asked questions
Which processors fit Socket AM3?
Phenom II, Athlon II and Sempron processors with 938 pins, including Regor dual cores such as the Athlon II X2 280. AM3+ Bulldozer parts physically differ by key pins and need AM3+. AM2 and AM2+ chips lack DDR3 memory support and do not work here.
Is Socket AM3 the same as Socket AM3+?
No. The AM3 socket has 941 contacts against 942 on AM3+. A 940-pin AM3+ processor does not fit AM3 due to key pin placement, though 938-pin AM3 processors fit AM3+ boards. Check the board CPU list in both directions.
What memory does Socket AM3 use?
DDR2 up to PC2-8500 and DDR3 up to PC3-10600 on AM3 boards, with DDR3-1066 class on Regor dual cores. AM3 processors also work in AM2+ boards with DDR2 after a BIOS update. One memory type runs at a time.
How many PCIe lanes does Socket AM3 provide?
No lanes come from these CPUs. HyperTransport 3.x links tie the CPU to the chipset at up to 2.6 GHz, while PCIe slots hang off the 7 and 8 series chipsets. Board manuals show slot wiring.
Sources and verification
- Socket AM3 (Wikipedia, contacts dimensions chipsets cooler)
- List of AMD Athlon II processors (Wikipedia, Regor X2 280 data)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .