AMD's Socket AM2 to support Socket AM3 CPUs

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AMD has released details of its next-generation desktop CPU interface, Socket AM3, to its OEM partners. In a mildly surprising move, AMD has revealed that AM2 will accept AM2 or AM3 CPU packages. Additionally, recent roadmaps have confirmed that AM3, AMD's upcoming desktop CPU socket, will not be backwards compatible with AM2-package CPUs. Roadmaps and memos have also confirmed that this AM3 package will be for AMD's "K8L" architecture, and not for the upcoming 65nm AM2 Brisbane CPUs scheduled for launch this December.

The most recent AMD roadmap is also very clear to state AM3 "supports either DDR2 SDRAM or DDR3 SDRAM, but not on the same motherboard." This is great news for upgraders, as there is a very clear upgrade path: CPU, motherboard, and then memory. This also infers that AM3 CPUs will have both DDR2 and DDR3 support on the integrated memory controller. DDR3, like DDR2, has 240-pin, but the two formats are not pin-compatible.

View: The full story

News source: The Reg

(1 reply) #1 AkFuttySeben on 06 Jul 2006 - 11:35

Theres an AM3? I've been living under a rock

#1.1 lylesback2 on 07 Jul 2006 - 20:35

i feel the sameway.. don't worry :rofl:

(3 replies) #2 Fr@nKy on 06 Jul 2006 - 11:53

Well let's see if this can beat Conroe. If so I'll get one of this instead on H2 2007

I think it's better to wait just to make sure we get the best one. Well just because Intel is making a great update to their product line-up it doesn't mean we nned to run to get one of the CPU's and since my AMD Athlon 64 3800+ still can handle itself ok for now it's better to wait to see AMD response. Don't you think that for people with 1 year old computers it's better to wait till one more year (or atleast till AMD Socket AM3) like I'm thinking to do?

#2.1 Chugworth on 06 Jul 2006 - 13:26

Sure. I expect that an Athlon 64 3800 should handle fine until the K8L is released. Right now I'm running an Athlon 64 3500, which I have had for about a year and half now. I'm waiting for K8L, but I'm thinking about picking up an Athlon 64 X2 later this month when AMD drops their prices since it would be compatible with my current mobo.

#2.2 SillyHalfMexican on 06 Jul 2006 - 13:43

Yep, picking up an X2 as well, either that or an Opteron. Not sure which one yet.

Also running a 3500+ as well, it holds its own.

I'll be upgrading early next year anyways, so hopefully this will be just in time to upgrade to an AM3. Can't wait to see what it has to offer!

#2.3 Kushan on 06 Jul 2006 - 18:34

I'm still on a 3400+ (and a clawhammer too!

and I'm happy as larry, plus I'm a gamer too.

#3 Tim Wong on 06 Jul 2006 - 14:31

So how exactly are those different sockets if they run the same.

#4 Elite_graphix on 06 Jul 2006 - 15:24

^whats with the retarded pic?

#5 hardgiant on 06 Jul 2006 - 23:26

So buying a AM2 board will be a good investment.

#6 lfLASHl on 07 Jul 2006 - 06:20

man ive enought on all the new sockets every 6months or so, why cant they just have the one type for say i dont know 1 -1/5 years to 2 years

#7 Tungsten T on 07 Jul 2006 - 09:49

what advantage will am3 offer over AM2?

#8 sanshairo on 08 Jul 2006 - 07:46

DDR3 ha? When will that appear in the market? next year?

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