Get to know your Socket:
Simply, just like with Intel sockets, all you need to do to identify your socket version is to search for your current processor on cpu-world. You will find the socket version mentioned along with the processor information. This way, you will know that this version is supported by your motherboard, and you can identify other processors that support the socket version you are using. This will give you options for upgrading your processor if you want, and it will also allow you to know the newer sockets so you can choose the best version for your future computer.
In many cases, you may find a processor that supports two socket versions. In that case, I recommend searching for your motherboard name on Google and looking for your socket version in those results.
Note:
To understand the difference between LGA and PGA, LGA stands for Land Grid Array, which is the new interface for Intel processors with the 775 socket and AMD processors with the 1207 socket, or what is called the F socket. The main difference between the modern LGA interface and the older PGA interface is that processors using the LGA interface do not have pins, unlike the older interface. The pins have been removed from LGA processors, and contact points have been used instead of the pins found on the motherboard.
Socket 939: It is an old socket that was introduced in 2004. It supports NVIDIA GeForce 6150, GeForce 6100, nForce4 Ultra/SLI, nForce4 Ultra, nForce4 SLI, nForce4 (4X), nForce4 4X, nForce3 Ultra, nForce3 250Gb chips, VIA:K8T890, K8T800 Pro, and also ATI: RS480, ULi: M1689. As for the processors it supports, they are AMD Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2 such as:
- Athlon 64×2 4800
- Athlon 64 4000
- Athlon 64 FX60
Socket AM2: It is a widely known socket that was introduced around 2006. It supports AMD: 740G, 690G, 690V, and GeForce 7025, nForce 630a, GeForce 6150, nForce 430, GeForce 6100, nForce 430, GeForce 6100, nForce 405, GeForce 6100, nForce 400, GeForce 6100, nForce 590-SLI, nForce 570-SLI, nForce 560, nForce 550, nForce 520LE, and nForce 520, nForce4 SLI, nForce3 250, Quadro NVS 210S, nForce 430. As for the supported processors, they are AMD Athlon 64, AMD Athlon 64 X2 such as:
- Athlon 64 FX-62
- Athlon X2 5050e
- Athlon X2 BE-2400
Socket +AM2: It is a popular socket introduced in 2007. Also, it is worth mentioning that the Central Processing Units (CPU) for AM2 sockets are compatible with the +AM2 socket, and vice versa. This socket supports chips like 790GX, 790FX, 790X, 785G, 780G, 770, 760G, GeForce 8200, GeForce 8100, nForce 720D, nForce 750a SLI, and processors like AMD Athlon 64, AMD Athlon X2, AMD Phenom, AMD Phenom II such as:
- Phenom II X4 940
- Phenom II X4 9950
- Phenom II X3 8850
Socket AM3: It is a distinctive socket introduced in 2009, where AM3 processors can work on +AM2/AM2 sockets. It supports chips like 890GX, 890FX, 880G, 870, 790GX, 790FX, 790X, 785G, 770, 760G, 740G, GeForce 7025, nForce 630a, nForce 520LE. As for the supported processors, they are AMD Phenom II, AMD Athlon II such as:
- Phenom II X6 1100T
- Phenom II X4 980
- Phenom II X3 740
- Athlon II X4 650
Socket FM1: It was introduced in 2011 and was also notable as it supports A75, A55 chips, and (Llano) K10 processors such as A8-3870K, A6-3670K, A4-3450, Athlon II X4 651K, and other supported processors. The distinctive feature of this socket version is that it supports APU processors that we have previously learned about.
Socket +FM2: It was introduced in 2011 and supports chips like 890GX, 890FX, 880G, 870, 21 790GX, 790FX, 790X, 785G, 770, 760G, 740G. It also supports GeForce 7025, nForce 630a, nForce 520LE, and processors like Vishera, Zambezi, Phenom II, Athlon II such as:
- FX-4130
- FX-9590
- Phenom II X6 1100T
- Phenom II X4 980
- Phenom II X3 740
Socket FM2: It was introduced in 2012 and supports chips A85X, A75, A55, and processors Richland, Trinity such as:
- A10-6800K
- A10-5800K
- A8-6600K
- A4-6320
- Athlon X4 760K
- Athlon X2 370K
Socket +FM2: It is the latest socket introduced in 2014 and supports chips A88X, A78, A75, A68H, A58, A55, and processors Kaveri, Richland, Trinity such as:
- A10-7850K
- A10-6800K
- A10-5800K
- Athlon X4 750K
Lastly, there is a new socket from AMD, AM4, which supports the upcoming RYZEN processors expected to be announced by the manufacturer in the coming months.
With this variety of different AMD processor sockets, you now have some knowledge about the types of sockets and the chips and processors they support, so you can at least know your next choice regarding AMD processors.
