Socket AM2
Encyclopedia
The Socket AM2, renamed from Socket M2 (to prevent using the same name as Cyrix
MII processors), is a CPU socket
designed by AMD for desktop processors, including the performance, mainstream and value segments. It was released on May 23, 2006, as a replacement for Socket 939
& Socket 754
.
. Socket AM2 supports DDR2 SDRAM
memory but not DDR
memory, which the previous Socket 939
supported. AnandTech
reported that Socket AM2 system performance was up to 7% faster than Socket 939 equivalents, with most applications about 2% faster , despite having over 30% greater memory bandwidth due to DDR2 support.
The first processor cores to support socket AM2 are the single-core Orleans (Athlon 64
) and Manila (Sempron
), and the dual-core Windsor (Athlon 64 X2
and Athlon 64 FX). Most processors on Socket AM2 include SSE3
instructions and were developed with 90 nanometer technology. Recent models feature 65 nanometer technology (to compete with Intel and their 65 nm CPUs).
Socket AM2 supports AMD Phenom
processors but some motherboard manufacturers did not supply newer BIOS files required to operate a Phenom processor.
Socket AM2 is a part of AMD's current generation of CPU sockets, along with Socket F
for servers and Socket S1
for mobile computing.
There are also single-socket Opteron
processors available for AM2.
The AM2 Processor Functional Data Sheet (AMD document number 31117) has been made publicly available at http://www.datasheetarchive.com/AM2%20Processor%20Functional%20Data%20Sheet-datasheet.html
Socket AM2+
Socket AM2+ is an intermediate successor to socket AM2, which features split power planes, and HyperTransport
3.0. Socket AM2+ chips can plug into a socket AM2 motherboard (although certain motherboard manufacturers do not support this), but operate only with HyperTransport
2.0. AM2 CPUs are no longer manufactured, and are usually only available second hand.
Socket AM3
Socket AM3 processors are able to run on Socket AM2 and AM2+ motherboards with appropriate bios updates, but not vice-versa. AM3 processors have a new memory controller supporting both DDR2
and DDR3 SDRAM
, allowing backwards compatibility with AM2 and AM2+ motherboards. Since AM2 and AM2+ processors lack the new memory controller, they will not work on AM3 motherboards.
Cyrix
Cyrix Corporation was a microprocessor developer that was founded in 1988 in Richardson, Texas as a specialist supplier of high-performance math coprocessors for 286 and 386 microprocessors. The company was founded by former Texas Instruments staff members and had a long but troubled relationship...
MII processors), is a CPU socket
CPU socket
A CPU socket or CPU slot is a mechanical component that provides mechanical and electrical connections between a microprocessor and a printed circuit board . This allows the CPU to be replaced without soldering....
designed by AMD for desktop processors, including the performance, mainstream and value segments. It was released on May 23, 2006, as a replacement for Socket 939
Socket 939
Socket 939 is a CPU socket released by AMD in June 2004 to supersede the previous Socket 754 for Athlon 64 processors. Socket 939 was succeeded by Socket AM2 in May 2006. It is the second socket designed for AMD's AMD64 range of processors.-Availability:...
& Socket 754
Socket 754
Socket 754 is a CPU socket originally developed by AMD to succeed its Athlon XP platform . Socket 754 was the first socket developed by AMD to support their new consumer version of the 64 bit microprocessor family known as AMD64.-Technical specifications:Socket 754 was the original socket for...
.
Technical specifications
AM2 processors are incompatible with 939 motherboards and vice versa, and although it has 940 pins, it is incompatible with Socket 940Socket 940
Socket 940 is a 940-pin socket for 64-bit AMD server processors. This socket is entirely square in shape and pins are arranged in a grid with the exception of four key pins used to align the processor and the corners...
. Socket AM2 supports DDR2 SDRAM
DDR2 SDRAM
DDR2 SDRAM is a double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory interface. It supersedes the original DDR SDRAM specification and has itself been superseded by DDR3 SDRAM...
memory but not DDR
DDR SDRAM
Double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory is a class of memory integrated circuits used in computers. DDR SDRAM has been superseded by DDR2 SDRAM and DDR3 SDRAM, neither of which are either forward or backward compatible with DDR SDRAM, meaning that DDR2 or DDR3 memory modules...
memory, which the previous Socket 939
Socket 939
Socket 939 is a CPU socket released by AMD in June 2004 to supersede the previous Socket 754 for Athlon 64 processors. Socket 939 was succeeded by Socket AM2 in May 2006. It is the second socket designed for AMD's AMD64 range of processors.-Availability:...
supported. AnandTech
AnandTech
AnandTech is an online computer hardware magazine. It was founded in 1997 by then 15-year-old Anand Lal Shimpi, who is the current editor-in-chief and CEO. The web site is recommended as a good resource of hardware reviews for off-the-shelf components addressed to computer building enthusiasts...
reported that Socket AM2 system performance was up to 7% faster than Socket 939 equivalents, with most applications about 2% faster , despite having over 30% greater memory bandwidth due to DDR2 support.
The first processor cores to support socket AM2 are the single-core Orleans (Athlon 64
Athlon 64
The Athlon 64 is an eighth-generation, AMD64-architecture microprocessor produced by AMD, released on September 23, 2003. It is the third processor to bear the name Athlon, and the immediate successor to the Athlon XP...
) and Manila (Sempron
Sempron
Sempron has been the marketing name used by AMD for several different budget desktop CPUs, using several different technologies and CPU socket formats. The Sempron replaced the AMD Duron processor and competes against Intel's Celeron series of processors...
), and the dual-core Windsor (Athlon 64 X2
Athlon 64 X2
The Athlon 64 X2 is the first dual-core desktop CPU designed by AMD. It was designed from scratch as native dual-core by using an already multi-CPU enabled Athlon 64, joining it with another functional core on one die, and connecting both via a shared dual-channel memory controller/north bridge and...
and Athlon 64 FX). Most processors on Socket AM2 include SSE3
SSE3
SSE3, Streaming SIMD Extensions 3, also known by its Intel code name Prescott New Instructions , is the third iteration of the SSE instruction set for the IA-32 architecture. Intel introduced SSE3 in early 2004 with the Prescott revision of their Pentium 4 CPU...
instructions and were developed with 90 nanometer technology. Recent models feature 65 nanometer technology (to compete with Intel and their 65 nm CPUs).
Socket AM2 supports AMD Phenom
Phenom (processor)
Phenom is the 64-bit AMD desktop processor line based on the K10 microarchitecture, in what AMD calls family 10h processors, sometimes incorrectly called "K10h". Triple-core versions belong to the Phenom 8000 series and quad cores to the AMD Phenom X4 9000 series...
processors but some motherboard manufacturers did not supply newer BIOS files required to operate a Phenom processor.
Socket AM2 is a part of AMD's current generation of CPU sockets, along with Socket F
Socket F
Socket F is a CPU socket designed by AMD for its Opteron line of CPUs released on August 15, 2006. In 2010 Socket F was replaced by Socket C32 for entry-level servers and Socket G34 for high-end servers.-Technical specifications:...
for servers and Socket S1
Socket S1
Socket S1 is the CPU socket type used by AMD for their Turion 64, Athlon 64 Mobile and later Sempron processors, which debuted with the dual core Turion 64 X2 CPUs on May 17, 2006.-Technical specifications:...
for mobile computing.
There are also single-socket Opteron
Opteron
Opteron is AMD's x86 server and workstation processor line, and was the first processor which supported the AMD64 instruction set architecture . It was released on April 22, 2003 with the SledgeHammer core and was intended to compete in the server and workstation markets, particularly in the same...
processors available for AM2.
The AM2 Processor Functional Data Sheet (AMD document number 31117) has been made publicly available at http://www.datasheetarchive.com/AM2%20Processor%20Functional%20Data%20Sheet-datasheet.html
Successors
Multiple sockets have been announced which are in theory pin-compatible with socket AM2, but which differ in terms of features.Socket AM2+
Socket AM2+ is an intermediate successor to socket AM2, which features split power planes, and HyperTransport
HyperTransport
HyperTransport , formerly known as Lightning Data Transport , is a technology for interconnection of computer processors. It is a bidirectional serial/parallel high-bandwidth, low-latency point-to-point link that was introduced on April 2, 2001...
3.0. Socket AM2+ chips can plug into a socket AM2 motherboard (although certain motherboard manufacturers do not support this), but operate only with HyperTransport
HyperTransport
HyperTransport , formerly known as Lightning Data Transport , is a technology for interconnection of computer processors. It is a bidirectional serial/parallel high-bandwidth, low-latency point-to-point link that was introduced on April 2, 2001...
2.0. AM2 CPUs are no longer manufactured, and are usually only available second hand.
Socket AM3
Socket AM3 processors are able to run on Socket AM2 and AM2+ motherboards with appropriate bios updates, but not vice-versa. AM3 processors have a new memory controller supporting both DDR2
DDR2 SDRAM
DDR2 SDRAM is a double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory interface. It supersedes the original DDR SDRAM specification and has itself been superseded by DDR3 SDRAM...
and DDR3 SDRAM
DDR3 SDRAM
In computing, DDR3 SDRAM, an abbreviation for double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory, is a modern kind of dynamic random access memory with a high bandwidth interface. It is one of several variants of DRAM and associated interface techniques used since the early 1970s...
, allowing backwards compatibility with AM2 and AM2+ motherboards. Since AM2 and AM2+ processors lack the new memory controller, they will not work on AM3 motherboards.
See also
- List of AMD microprocessors
- List of AMD Sempron microprocessors
- List of AMD Athlon 64 microprocessors
- List of AMD Phenom microprocessors
- List of AMD Opteron microprocessors
External links
- Socket AM2 design specification (rev 3.00)
- AMD FAQ Athlon64 socket AM2
- AM2 launch article (AnandTechAnandTechAnandTech is an online computer hardware magazine. It was founded in 1997 by then 15-year-old Anand Lal Shimpi, who is the current editor-in-chief and CEO. The web site is recommended as a good resource of hardware reviews for off-the-shelf components addressed to computer building enthusiasts...
) - AMD Reinvents itself (Tom's Hardware GuideTom's Hardware GuideTom’s Hardware is an online publication focused on technology that was founded in 1996 by a German medic Dr. Tom Pabst. Tom's Hardware is owned by Bestofmedia Group company, one of the top three online publishers for technology in the world....
)