Socket AM4 explained

Socket AM4 is a PGA microprocessor socket used by AMD's central processing units (CPUs) built on the Zen (including Zen+, Zen 2 and Zen 3) and Excavator microarchitectures.[1] [2]

AM4 was launched in September 2016 and was designed to replace the sockets AM3+, FM2+ and FS1b as a single platform. It has 1331 pin slots and is the first from AMD to support DDR4 memory as well as achieve unified compatibility between high-end CPUs (previously using Socket AM3+) and AMD's lower-end APUs (on various other sockets).[3] [4] In 2017, AMD made a commitment to using the AM4 platform with socket 1331 until 2020.[5] [6] [7] AM5 succeeded the AM4 platform in late 2022 with the introduction of the Ryzen 7000 series, however, AMD has continued to release new CPUs for AM4 even after the release of AM5.[8] [9] [10] [11]

Features

Heatsink

The AM4 socket specifies the 4 holes for fastening the heatsink to the motherboard to be placed in the corners of a rectangle with a lateral length of 54×90 mm. Previous sockets have 48×96 mm.

Some heat sinks for older sockets are not compatible.[14] [15] Some cooler manufacturers, however, are reported to be offering brackets allowing previously manufactured coolers to work with AM4,[16] while other coolers will be redesigned.[17] [18] Alternatively, some motherboard makers are including both AM3 and AM4 cooler mounting holes, allowing previous generation coolers to be used.[19] AM4 coolers that use a two-pronged bracket approach (such as the AMD Wraith Prism) to mount the cooler will work with AM4 and all the way back to Socket 754/939.

Chipsets

Socket AM4 is currently a base for 8 chipset models. While the processors for this socket have been designed as systems in a package (SiP), with the traditional northbridge and southbridge on board the processor, the motherboard chipset will increase the number of PCI Express lanes and other connectivity options. These connectivity options include: NVMe, SATA, and USB 3.2 Gen 2.[2] [18] [20] There also exists chipset-less variations of A320 and X370, called A300 and X300 respectively, that rely solely on the I/O die integrated into the CPU; these platforms are designed solely for small form factor (SFF) systems where there is a possibility that there is not enough space on the board to fit an actual chipset; these 'chipsets' are also solely available for OEM use only and are not available for purchase with SFF boards.[21]

Compatibility

In 2020, AMD faced some criticism when it was announced on May 7 that its Zen 3-based Ryzen 5000 microprocessors would only be compatible with newer 500-series chipset AM4 motherboards.[22] [23] [24] This was explained as motherboard BIOS's sizes not being large enough to support the full range of AM4 socket processors.[22] [24] This had upset some of the user base as, described by AnandTech, they "...had assumed that this meant any AM4 platform based motherboard would be able to accept all processor made from 2016 to 2020, including the new Zen 3...".[24] After the announcement some motherboard manufacturers announced they were planning to add in support for Zen 3 processors via BIOS updates.[22] [25]

On 19 May 2020, however, AMD changed its position and stated that Zen 3 would be coming to selected older X470 and B450 motherboards via a BIOS update.[26] This would be achieved by disabling support for some older AM4 processors in the BIOS ROM in order to allocate space to support the newer processors.[26] [27] [24]

On 12 November 2021, according to TechPowerUp, ASUS and Gigabyte were the few vendors that allowed Ryzen 5000 on A320 motherboard, and according to Tom's Hardware, it was done by removing support for AMD's 7th Generation A-series and Athlon X4 series (Bristol Ridge) processors.[28] [29] AMD later officially expanded Ryzen 5000 support to 300-series motherboards in March 2022.[30] [31]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Tyson . Mark . September 5, 2016 . 7th Generation AMD A-Series desktop PC systems start to ship . Hexus . September 5, 2016.
  2. News: Ung . Gordon . September 5, 2016 . AMD's new Bristol Ridge processor is faster and more power efficient . PCWorld . en-US . September 5, 2016.
  3. Web site: Smith . Ryan . May 6, 2015 . AMD's 2016-2017 x86 Roadmap: Zen Is In, Skybridge Is Out . AnandTech . June 19, 2015.
  4. Web site: Mujtaba . Hassan . May 7, 2015 . AMD Confirms x86 Zen Based Enthusiast FX CPUs and 7th Generation APUs in 2016 - Compatible With AM4 Socket . Wccftech . en-US . September 16, 2016.
  5. News: Bright . Peter . March 2, 2017 . AMD's moment of Zen: Finally, an architecture that can compete . Ars Technica . en-US . May 18, 2020.
  6. News: Leather . Antony . March 9, 2018 . More AMD CPU Leaks Revealed: Ryzen 2nd Gen Details Plus AM4 And TR4 Socket Life Confirmed? . Forbes . en-US . May 18, 2020.
  7. News: Campbell . Mark . April 21, 2018 . AMD reaffirms commitment to AM4 socket until 2020 . Overclock3D . en-GB . May 19, 2020.
  8. Web site: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D Review . 2024-01-08 . PCMAG . en.
  9. Web site: Cunningham . Andrew . 2024-01-08 . AMD releases even more Ryzen 5000 CPUs, keeps its last-gen AM4 platform alive . 2024-01-08 . Ars Technica . en-us.
  10. Web site: Bonshor . Gavin . AMD Announces New Desktop Zen 3 Chips With 2 New APUs and the Ryzen 7 5700X3D . 2024-01-08 . www.anandtech.com.
  11. Web site: Crider . Michael . AMD talks AM5 APUs and AM4 longevity . 2024-01-23 . PCWorld . en.
  12. Web site: Moammer . Khalid . September 16, 2016 . AMD Zen CPU & AM4 Socket Pictured – PGA Design With 1331 Pins Confirmed . Wccftech . September 16, 2016.
  13. Web site: Maiorino . Erin . May 26, 2019 . The Industry Leading AMD AM4 X570 Chipset . AMD . en-US . June 10, 2019.
  14. News: Peak . Sebastian . September 19, 2016 . AMD's Upcoming Socket AM4 Pictured with 1331 Pins . PC Perspective . September 21, 2016.
  15. Web site: Peak . Sebastian . May 25, 2016 . Report: AMD Socket AM4 Compatible with Existing AM2/AM3 Coolers . PC Perspective . en-US . November 10, 2022.
  16. News: Killian . Zak . January 25, 2017 . CPU heatsink makers ready up Socket AM4 mounting kits . Tech Report . en-US . 25 January 2017.
  17. News: Chacos . Brad . January 4, 2016 . AMD reveals an army of Ryzen PCs and AM4 motherboards . PCWorld . January 10, 2017.
  18. News: Walrath . Josh . January 7, 2016 . AMD Details AM4 Chipsets and Upcoming Motherboards . PC Perspective . en-US . 10 January 2017.
  19. News: Cutress . Ian . March 2, 2017 . The AMD Zen and Ryzen 7 Review . AnandTech . March 2, 2017.
  20. News: Cutress . Ian . December 13, 2016 . AMD Gives More Zen Details . AnandTech . en-US . 13 December 2016.
  21. Web site: Socket AM4 Chipset . AMD . en-US . March 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230107054257/https://www.amd.com/en/products/chipsets-am4 . 2023-01-07 . live.
  22. News: Mujtaba . Hassan . May 7, 2020 . AMD Ryzen 4000 'Zen 3' CPUs Compatible With X570 & B550 Chipset . Wccftech . en-US . May 18, 2020.
  23. News: Hallock . Robert . May 7, 2020 . The Exciting Future of AMD Socket AM4 Community . AMD . en-US . 19 May 2020.
  24. News: Cutress . Ian . May 19, 2020 . AMD to Support Zen 3 and Ryzen 4000 CPUs on B450 and X470 Motherboards . AnandTech . en-US . May 19, 2020.
  25. News: Mujtaba . Hassan . April 16, 2020 . AMD Zen 3 Ryzen 4000 'Vermeer' Desktop CPUs Will Be Compatible With Existing AM4 Boards . Wccftech . en-US . May 18, 2020.
  26. Web site: u/AMDOfficial . May 19, 2020 . The "Zen 3" Architecture is Coming to AMD X470 and B450 . Reddit . en-US . May 19, 2020.
  27. News: Tyson . Mark . May 19, 2020 . AMD "decided to change course" with Zen 3 B450/X470 support . Hexus . en-US . May 19, 2020.
  28. Web site: AleksandarK Discuss . November 12, 2021 . ASUS and GIGABYTE Enable AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Processor Support on A320 Chipsets . TechPowerUp . en-US . November 16, 2021.
  29. Web site: Liu . Zhiye . November 12, 2021 . Ryzen 5000 Support Finally Enabled On A320 Motherboards . Tom's Hardware . en-US . November 16, 2021.
  30. Web site: Subramaniam . Vaidyanathan . AMD bids adieu to socket AM4 by extending Ryzen 5000 Zen 3 support to all 300-series AM4 motherboards including the A320 chipset . notebookcheck.net . 26 April 2024 . 15 March 2022.
  31. Web site: Sen . Sayan . Long live Socket AM4! AMD officially expands Ryzen 5000 CPU support to 300 series boards . Neowin . 26 April 2024 . en . 15 March 2022.

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