Socket C32 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit
Socket C32 is the AMD server socket for Opteron 4000 series processors in energy efficient and cost optimized racks. It carries 1,207 contacts in a land grid array for lidded packages measuring 40 by 40 mm. AMD introduced it in June 2010 with Lisbon, followed by Valencia in November 2011 and Seoul in December 2012.
Quick facts
| Maker | AMD |
|---|---|
| Package type | LGA |
| Contacts | 1,207 |
| Package size | 40 × 40 mm |
| Introduced | June 2010 |
| Status | Legacy |
| Memory | DDR3 ECC, two channels |
| PCIe from the CPU | No PCIe lanes from the CPU. HyperTransport links tie sockets, while PCIe Gen 2 slots hang off the chipset |
| Cooler mounting holes | Board specific (server heatsink) |
| Replaces | Socket F |
| Replaced by | SP3 |
Overview
The socket serves single die processors with four to eight cores, HyperTransport 3.1 links and a dual channel DDR3 ECC memory controller. Boards run one or two sockets, which suits uniprocessor and dual processor uses from edge boxes to small clouds. There are no integrated graphics on these dies.
Socket C32 was superseded by Socket SP3 for EPYC with DDR4 memory. Because the keying differs from Socket F despite the shared land count, explicit board support decides every pairing. C32 boards are used or old stock.
Processor generations
| Codename | Marketing name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Opteron 4100 series | 2010 to 2011 | K10 based six and twelve core parts at 35 W to 95 W, launched in June 2010 for efficient 1S and 2S clouds. |
| Valencia | Opteron 4200 series | 2011 to 2012 | Bulldozer based four to eight core parts with up to 8 MB of L3 cache, launched in November 2011, including the 4276 HE and 4240. |
| Seoul | Opteron 4300 series | 2012 | Piledriver based four to eight core parts with 8 MB of L3 cache, launched in December 2012, including the 4310 EE through 4386. |
Chipsets for Socket C32
SR5600 series
Server chipsets for single die Opteron 4000 processors with DDR3 ECC.
| Chipset | Segment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SR5690 | Workstation | Flagship chipset with IOMMU and HyperTransport 3 links for dual socket boards. |
| SR5670 | Workstation | |
| SR5650 | Workstation |
Socketed server package
Socket C32 uses a 1,207-contact land grid array with a load plate and retention bracket. The processor has flat lands instead of pins and drops into the socket before the plate closes. The package shares dimensions with Socket F at 40 by 40 mm, but the keying notches sit in different positions so F parts cannot be inserted.
In practice compatibility depends on the board generation and the BIOS age. Lisbon boots on any C32 board, while Valencia and Seoul need a BIOS of the right age. A board that lists the exact model is the safe choice.
Memory and I/O
Socket C32 designs use DDR3 ECC memory in two channels per socket, up to 1866 MT/s on Valencia and Seoul. Registered DIMMs allow large populations for virtualization hosts, while unbuffered ECC suits small edge boxes. Balance DIMMs across both sockets for NUMA fairness.
PCI Express comes from the SR5600 series chipset, not from the Opteron die. HyperTransport 3.1 links at 3.2 GHz tie the sockets together and feed the chipset. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers the platform rules.
Platform lifecycle
Socket C32 covers Lisbon from June 2010, Valencia from November 2011 and Seoul from December 2012. AMD moved entry servers to EPYC on Socket SP3 with DDR4 memory. No new C32 parts followed, so boards and chips are used or old stock.
For a working C32 system the practical path is maintenance: fresh thermal paste, clean fans, and a memory population that matches. A platform move means a new socket with DDR4 or DDR5. The How to find your CPU socket type guide explains how to confirm the socket before ordering parts.
CPUs on Socket C32
19 processor pages in the database, newest first.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base / boost | TDP | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Opteron 4310 EE | 4 / 4 | 2.2 / 3.0 GHz | 35 W | Dec 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 4332 HE | 6 / 6 | 3.0 / 3.7 GHz | 65 W | Dec 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 4334 | 6 / 6 | 3.1 / 3.5 GHz | 95 W | Dec 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 4340 | 6 / 6 | 3.5 / 3.8 GHz | 95 W | Dec 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 4376 HE | 8 / 8 | 2.6 / 3.6 GHz | 65 W | Dec 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 4386 | 8 / 8 | 3.1 / 3.8 GHz | 95 W | Dec 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 43CX EE | 4 / 4 | 2.2 / 3.0 GHz | 35 W | Dec 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 43GK HE | 8 / 8 | 2.6 / 3.6 GHz | 65 W | Dec 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 4240 | 6 / 6 | 3.4 / 3.8 GHz | 95 W | Jun 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 4276 HE | 8 / 8 | 2.6 / 3.6 GHz | 65 W | Jun 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 4230 HE | 6 / 6 | 2.9 / 3.7 GHz | 65 W | May 2012 |
| AMD Opteron 4226 | 6 / 6 | 2.7 / 3.1 GHz | 95 W | Nov 2011 |
| AMD Opteron 4228 HE | 6 / 6 | 2.8 / 3.6 GHz | 65 W | Nov 2011 |
| AMD Opteron 4234 | 6 / 6 | 3.1 / 3.5 GHz | 95 W | Nov 2011 |
| AMD Opteron 4238 | 6 / 6 | 3.3 / 3.7 GHz | 95 W | Nov 2011 |
| AMD Opteron 4256 EE | 8 / 8 | 1.6 / 2.8 GHz | 35 W | Nov 2011 |
| AMD Opteron 4274 HE | 8 / 8 | 2.5 / 3.5 GHz | 65 W | Nov 2011 |
| AMD Opteron 4280 | 8 / 8 | 2.8 / 3.5 GHz | 95 W | Nov 2011 |
| AMD Opteron 4284 | 8 / 8 | 3.0 / 3.7 GHz | 95 W | Nov 2011 |
Frequently asked questions
Which processors fit Socket C32?
Opteron 4000 series server parts including Lisbon, Valencia and Seoul generations. Opteron 6000 parts need Socket G34 and desktop FX parts need AM3+. The platforms never interchange.
Is Socket C32 the same as Socket F?
No. C32 is LGA 1207 keyed for DDR3 while Socket F is LGA 1207 keyed for DDR2. The keying notches differ and the parts do not interchange.
What memory does Socket C32 use?
DDR3 ECC over two channels per socket, up to 1866 MT/s on Valencia and Seoul. Registered DIMMs allow large populations for virtualization hosts. Balance DIMMs across both sockets for NUMA fairness.
How many PCIe lanes does Socket C32 provide?
No PCIe lanes come from the CPU. HyperTransport 3.1 links connect sockets, while PCIe Gen 2 slots hang off the SR5600 series chipset.
Sources and verification
- Socket C32 package (WikiChip, LGA-1207, 1207 contacts, 40x40mm)
- Opteron 4300 series family (CPU-World, Seoul, Socket C32)
- Dual Opteron 4376 HE review (ServeTheHome, Seoul C32 platform)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .