Engineering:Socket AM4

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Short description: CPU socket for AMD processors with Zen and Excavator architectures
Socket AM4
Sockel AM4 6936.jpg
TypeμOPGA-ZIF
Chip form factorsFlip-chip
Contacts1331
FSB protocolInfinity Fabric, PCI Express
Voltage range1.3V
ProcessorsRyzen:
Athlon:
  • Raven Ridge
  • Picasso
A-Series, Athlon X4:
  • Bristol Ridge
PredecessorAM3+, FM2+, AM1
SuccessorSocket AM5
Memory supportDDR4
This article is part of the CPU socket series

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]

Features

The X370 chipset supports multiple graphics cards. But the number of available PCIe lanes depends on the CPU/APU.
  • Support for Zen (including Zen+, Zen 2 and Zen 3) based family of CPUs and APUs (Ryzen, Athlon), as well as for some A-Series APUs and Athlon X4 CPUs (Bristol Ridge based on the Excavator microarchitecture)
  • Supports PCIe 3.0[8] and 4.0[9]
  • Supports up to 4 modules of DDR4 SDRAM[8] in dual-channel configuration

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.[10][11] Some cooler manufacturers, however, are reported to be offering brackets allowing previously manufactured coolers to work with AM4,[12] while other coolers will be redesigned.[13][14] Alternatively, some motherboard makers are including both AM3 and AM4 cooler mounting holes, allowing previous generation coolers to be used.[15] 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][14][16] 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.[2][14][17]

Compatibility

In 2020, AMD faced some criticism when it was announced on 7 May that its Zen 3-based Ryzen 5000 microprocessors would only be compatible with newer 500-series chipset AM4 motherboards.[18][19][20] This was explained as motherboard BIOS's sizes not being large enough to support the full range of AM4 socket processors.[18][20] 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...".[20] After the announcement some motherboard manufacturers announced they were planning to add in support for Zen 3 processors via BIOS updates.[18][21]

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.[22] 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.[22][23][20]

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 AMDs 7th Generation A-series and Athlon X4 series (Bristol Ridge) processors.[24][25]

See also

Weblinks

References

  1. ↑ Tyson, Mark (5 September 2016). "7th Generation AMD A-Series desktop PC systems start to ship". Hexus. http://hexus.net/tech/news/cpu/96565-7th-generation-amd-a-series-desktop-pc-systems-start-ship/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mah Ung, Gordon (5 September 2016). "AMD's new Bristol Ridge processor is faster and more power efficient". PC World. http://www.pcworld.com/article/3115764/hardware/amds-new-bristol-ridge-processor-is-faster-and-more-power-efficient.html. 
  3. ↑ "AMD's 2016-2017 x86 Roadmap: Zen Is In, Skybridge Is Out". Anandtech.com. http://www.anandtech.com/show/9231/amds-20162017-x86-roadmap-zen-is-in. 
  4. ↑ MujtabaHassan, Hassan (2015-05-07). "AMD Confirms x86 Zen Based Enthusiast FX CPUs and 7th Generation APUs in 2016 - Compatible With AM4 Socket" (in en-US). http://wccftech.com/amd-confirms-x86-zen-based-enthsiuast-fx-cpus-7th-generation-apus-2016-compatible-am4-socket/. 
  5. ↑ Bright, Peter (2 March 2017). "AMD's moment of Zen: Finally, an architecture that can compete" (in en-us). Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/03/amds-moment-of-zen-finally-an-architecture-that-can-compete/4/. 
  6. ↑ Leather, Antony (9 March 2018). "More AMD CPU Leaks Revealed: Ryzen 2nd Gen Details Plus AM4 And TR4 Socket Life Confirmed?" (in en). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/antonyleather/2018/03/09/more-amd-cpu-leaks-revealed-ryzen-2nd-gen-details-plus-am4-and-tr4-socket-life-confirmed/. 
  7. ↑ "AMD reaffirms commitment to AM4 socket until 2020". www.overclock3d.net. 21 April 2018. https://www.overclock3d.net/news/cpu_mainboard/amd_reaffirms_commitment_to_am4_socket_until_2020/1. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Moammer, Khalid (16 September 2016). "AMD Zen CPU & AM4 Socket Pictured – PGA Design With 1331 Pins Confirmed". http://wccftech.com/amd-am4-socket-zen-bristol-bridge-soc-package-pictured/. 
  9. ↑ "The Industry Leading AMD AM4 X570 Chipset". 2019-05-26. https://community.amd.com/community/gaming/blog/2019/05/26/the-industry-leading-amd-am4-x570-chipset. 
  10. ↑ Peak, Sebastian (19 September 2016). "AMD's Upcoming Socket AM4 Pictured with 1331 Pins". PC Perspective. https://www.pcper.com/news/Processors/AMDs-Upcoming-Socket-AM4-Pictured-1331-Pins. 
  11. ↑ "Report: AMD Socket AM4 Compatible with Existing AM2/AM3 Coolers | PC Perspective". https://www.pcper.com/news/Cases-and-Cooling/Report-AMD-Socket-AM4-Compatible-Existing-AM2AM3-Coolers. 
  12. ↑ Killian, Zak (25 January 2017). "CPU heatsink makers ready up Socket AM4 mounting kits". Tech Report. https://techreport.com/news/31329/cpu-heatsink-makers-ready-up-socket-am4-mounting-kits. 
  13. ↑ Chacos, Brad (4 January 2016). "AMD reveals an army of Ryzen PCs and AM4 motherboards". PC World. http://www.pcworld.com/article/3154720/computers/amd-reveals-an-army-of-ryzen-pcs-and-am4-motherboards.html. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Walrath, Josh (7 January 2016). "AMD Details AM4 Chipsets and Upcoming Motherboards". PC Perspective. https://www.pcper.com/reviews/Motherboards/AMD-Details-AM4-Chipsets-and-Upcoming-Motherboards. 
  15. ↑ Cutress, Ian (2 March 2017). "The AMD Zen and Ryzen 7 Review". Anandtech. http://www.anandtech.com/show/11170/the-amd-zen-and-ryzen-7-review-a-deep-dive-on-1800x-1700x-and-1700. 
  16. ↑ Cutress, Ian (13 December 2016). "AMD Gives More Zen Details". Anandtech. http://www.anandtech.com/show/10907/amd-gives-more-zen-details-ryzen-34-ghz-nvme-neural-net-prediction-25-mhz-boost-steps. 
  17. ↑ "Socket AM4 Chipset". https://www.amd.com/en/products/chipsets-am4. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Mujtaba, Hassan (7 May 2020). "AMD Ryzen 4000 'Zen 3' CPUs Compatible With X570 & B550 Chipset". Wccftech. https://wccftech.com/amd-confirms-ryzen-4000-zen-3-cpu-compatibility-x570-b550-chipset-motherboards/. 
  19. ↑ Hallock, Robert (7 May 2020). "The Exciting Future of AMD Socket AM4 | Community". community.amd.com (AMD). https://community.amd.com/community/gaming/blog/2020/05/07/the-exciting-future-of-amd-socket-am4. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Cutress, Ian (19 May 2020). "AMD to Support Zen 3 and Ryzen 4000 CPUs on B450 and X470 Motherboards". www.anandtech.com (Anandtech). https://www.anandtech.com/show/15807/amd-to-support-zen-3-and-ryzen-4000-cpus-on-b450-and-x470-motherboards. 
  21. ↑ Mujtaba, Hassan (16 April 2020). "AMD Zen 3 Ryzen 4000 'Vermeer' Desktop CPUs Will Be Compatible With Existing AM4 Boards". Wccftech. https://wccftech.com/amd-ryzen-4000-zen-3-vermeer-desktop-cpus-compatible-existing-am4-motherboards/. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "r/Amd - The "Zen 3" Architecture is Coming to AMD X470 and B450" (in en-US). 19 May 2020. https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/gmp45o/the_zen_3_architecture_is_coming_to_amd_x470_and/. 
  23. ↑ "AMD "decided to change course" with Zen 3 B450/X470 support". HEXUS (Nexus). 19 May 2020. https://hexus.net/tech/news/mainboard/142726-amd-decided-change-course-zen-3-b450x470-support/. 
  24. ↑ AleksandarK Discuss. "ASUS and GIGABYTE Enable AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Processor Support on A320 Chipsets" (in en-US). https://www.techpowerup.com/288911/asus-and-gigabyte-enable-amd-ryzen-5000-series-processor-support-on-a320-chipsets. 
  25. ↑ Liu, Zhiye (November 12, 2021). "Ryzen 5000 Support Finally Enabled On A320 Motherboards" (in en). https://www.tomshardware.com/news/vendors-finally-enable-ryzen-5000-support-on-a320-motherboards. 




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