Tuesday, April 26th 2011
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ASRock Uses ''Real'' AM3+ Sockets, Lists Out Advantages Over AM3
ASRock launched a new marketing campaign for its AMD platform motherboards, claiming to be the first manufacturer to be out with motherboards that use real AM3+ sockets. AM3+ is the FCPGA socket that has been designed for upcoming AMD FX series "Zambezi" processors based on the "Bulldozer" architecture. As a part of its campaign, ASRock highlighted the benefits of opting for its AM3+ motherboards. In the process, it ended up disclosing quite some technical information about AM3+, and why AMD designed it in the first place, when apparently AM3 can run Zambezi with a BIOS update.
To begin with, ASRock started with the socket itself, showing that AM3+ sockets can be identified by "AM3b" written on the socket, and have wider pin-holes (0.51 mm vs. 0.45 mm of AM3). It is possible that future (retail?) versions of the CPU, if not the engineering samples doing rounds, could use packages with thicker pins that are incompatible with AM3. The thicker pins add durability, and are designed for a different set of electrical specifications.As part of those different set of electrical specifications, AM3+ processors are designed to talk to voltage controllers over a different VID, that's 3.4 MHz VID, while AM3 socket can only handle 400 KHz VID. Even if AM3+ chips run on AM3, they might probably lack some power management features, because AM3 boards' controllers might not support them. AM3+ will also feature a more advanced load-line design that lets controllers monitor electrical loads of the CPU and keep voltages within a stable range, minimizing vDroop (lowering of vCore with higher than normal load (when overclocked, loaded), messes up OC stability). AMD's new load-line design increases efficiency by up to 11.8%.AMD's new electrical specification, coupled with ASRock's implementation are claimed to reduce CPU power electrical noise by up to 22%. This has a direct impact on energy efficiency. Also, there's a reason those pins are thicker: the package is designed to handle 32% higher current than AM3, the AM3+ is designed to handle 145A, while AM3 was designed for 110A.Lastly, with AM3+, AMD changed the CCR (Combo Cooler Retention Module), that plastic frame around the socket to hold the cooler, to be a two part kit, instead of the single-piece frame since s754. The two-piece CCR design first came to be with s1207, then on to other server sockets, and now makes its entry to the client platform with AM3+. The two-piece design ensures that air blown downwards by top-flow coolers make it to the VRM circuitry, with no plastic bars obstructing it. ASRock listed out specifications of all its AM3+ motherboards. They're based on AMD 8-series chipsets.
To begin with, ASRock started with the socket itself, showing that AM3+ sockets can be identified by "AM3b" written on the socket, and have wider pin-holes (0.51 mm vs. 0.45 mm of AM3). It is possible that future (retail?) versions of the CPU, if not the engineering samples doing rounds, could use packages with thicker pins that are incompatible with AM3. The thicker pins add durability, and are designed for a different set of electrical specifications.As part of those different set of electrical specifications, AM3+ processors are designed to talk to voltage controllers over a different VID, that's 3.4 MHz VID, while AM3 socket can only handle 400 KHz VID. Even if AM3+ chips run on AM3, they might probably lack some power management features, because AM3 boards' controllers might not support them. AM3+ will also feature a more advanced load-line design that lets controllers monitor electrical loads of the CPU and keep voltages within a stable range, minimizing vDroop (lowering of vCore with higher than normal load (when overclocked, loaded), messes up OC stability). AMD's new load-line design increases efficiency by up to 11.8%.AMD's new electrical specification, coupled with ASRock's implementation are claimed to reduce CPU power electrical noise by up to 22%. This has a direct impact on energy efficiency. Also, there's a reason those pins are thicker: the package is designed to handle 32% higher current than AM3, the AM3+ is designed to handle 145A, while AM3 was designed for 110A.Lastly, with AM3+, AMD changed the CCR (Combo Cooler Retention Module), that plastic frame around the socket to hold the cooler, to be a two part kit, instead of the single-piece frame since s754. The two-piece CCR design first came to be with s1207, then on to other server sockets, and now makes its entry to the client platform with AM3+. The two-piece design ensures that air blown downwards by top-flow coolers make it to the VRM circuitry, with no plastic bars obstructing it. ASRock listed out specifications of all its AM3+ motherboards. They're based on AMD 8-series chipsets.
55 Comments on ASRock Uses ''Real'' AM3+ Sockets, Lists Out Advantages Over AM3
oh well, hoping to see the new CPU's soon
and it looks promising, so just wait for next
with bigger pins it would minimize err on contact area and other like bend. simple idea
PS:
AM3+ Board = Board with AM3+ Socket (it could even have nForce 630a)
Anyway, from what it says, nice design
OK look this is VER3.0 which most of you are running www.gigabyte.com/fileupload/product/2/3755/3888.jpg
Now this is ver 3.1 notice any thing ? www.gigabyte.com/fileupload/product/2/3781/4016.jpg Nope it is a black socket ver3.1 board,All of the new ver # models will have that socket.Yes even the cross hair IV will have the black socket plus the updated BIOS and not for the old white one. another confused person ,AMD is making AM3 fit in AM3+ not the other way.
Now then, makes sense that they would do that, but my point still stands. It's cool to be able to link products off company's websites, but I can't find a single new version of that mobo on any retail site. Thats why I usually take all this with a grain of salt, I'll read about new videocards coming out today, and they won't be availible for purchase anywhere for another 2 weeks. While AsRock actually has their AM3+ board available right now.
If this is the final am3+ board layout, im not happy. notice that 2 of the sata3 are in a stupid place? :banghead: Yuck
I was hoping they would keep it more like this.
They may actually be kinda handy if you buy or own a eSATA expansion slot plate for the back of your computer. Then the cord doesn't have to go very far to reach a SATA header.
are other mainboard manufacturers going to release boards with replica AM3+ sockets crafted from cheese?
it just seems like rather ludicrous headline that's all i mean surely all AM3+ boards will ship with "real" AM3+ sockets
Their board is the first to adhere completely to the AM3+ spec exactly as it is layed out by AMD.
"ASRock Uses ''Real'' AM3+ Socket heatsink retention mechanism, Lists Out Advantages Over AM3"
:)