The AM4 socket has been a cornerstone of AMD’s processor lineup since 2016. This versatile platform supports a wide range of Ryzen CPUs, from entry-level to high-performance models. AM4 motherboards offer features like DDR4 memory support and PCIe 4.0 compatibility, making them popular choices for both gaming and productivity builds.
AMD’s AM4 socket has evolved over time, with various chipsets offering different levels of functionality. The X570 chipset represents the high-end of AM4 compatibility, providing extensive connectivity options and support for the latest Ryzen 5000 series processors. Budget-friendly options like the A320 and B450 chipsets also exist, catering to a variety of user needs and price points.
AMD AM4 Processors
| Name | Core Count | Performance Core Clock | Performance Core Boost Clock | Microarchitecture | TDP |
| AMD A10-9700 | 4 | 3.5 GHz | 3.8 GHz | Excavator | 65 W |
| AMD A10-9700E | 4 | 3 GHz | 3.5 GHz | Excavator | 35 W |
| AMD A12-9800 | 4 | 3.8 GHz | 4.2 GHz | Excavator | 65 W |
| AMD A12-9800E | 4 | 3.1 GHz | 3.8 GHz | Excavator | 35 W |
| AMD A6-9500 | 2 | 3.5 GHz | 3.8 GHz | Excavator | 65 W |
| AMD A6-9500E | 2 | 3 GHz | 3.4 GHz | Excavator | 35 W |
| AMD A6-9550 | 2 | 3.8 GHz | 4 GHz | Excavator | 65 W |
| AMD A8-9600 | 4 | 3.1 GHz | 3.4 GHz | Excavator | 65 W |
| AMD Athlon 200GE | 2 | 3.2 GHz | n/a | Zen | 35 W |
| AMD Athlon 220GE | 2 | 3.4 GHz | n/a | Zen | 35 W |
| AMD Athlon 240GE | 2 | 3.5 GHz | n/a | Zen | 35 W |
| AMD Athlon 3000G (14nm) | 2 | 3.5 GHz | n/a | Zen | 35 W |
| AMD Athlon X4 940 | 4 | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz | Excavator | 65 W |
| AMD Athlon X4 950 | 4 | 3.5 GHz | 3.8 GHz | Excavator | 65 W |
| AMD Athlon X4 970 | 4 | 3.8 GHz | 4 GHz | Excavator | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (12nm) | 4 | 3.1 GHz | 3.4 GHz | Zen+ | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (14nm) | 4 | 3.1 GHz | 3.4 GHz | Zen | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 3 1300X | 4 | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz | Zen | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 3 2200G | 4 | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz | Zen | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | 4 | 3.6 GHz | 3.9 GHz | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 3 3200G | 4 | 3.6 GHz | 4 GHz | Zen+ | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 3 3300X | 4 | 3.8 GHz | 4.3 GHz | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 3 4100 | 4 | 3.8 GHz | 4 GHz | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1400 | 4 | 3.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz | Zen | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1500X | 4 | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz | Zen | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (12nm) | 6 | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz | Zen+ | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (14nm) | 6 | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz | Zen | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 1600X | 6 | 3.6 GHz | 4 GHz | Zen | 95 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 2400G | 4 | 3.6 GHz | 3.9 GHz | Zen | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | 6 | 3.4 GHz | 3.9 GHz | Zen+ | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | 6 | 3.6 GHz | 4.2 GHz | Zen+ | 95 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3400G | 4 | 3.7 GHz | 4.2 GHz | Zen+ | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3500 | 6 | 3.6 GHz | 4.1 GHz | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3500X | 6 | 3.6 GHz | 4.1 GHz | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | 6 | 3.6 GHz | 4.2 GHz | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | 6 | 3.8 GHz | 4.4 GHz | Zen 2 | 95 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT | 6 | 3.8 GHz | 4.5 GHz | Zen 2 | 95 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 4500 | 6 | 3.6 GHz | 4.1 GHz | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 4600G | 6 | 3.7 GHz | 4.2 GHz | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | 6 | 3.6 GHz | 4.2 GHz | Zen 3 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT | 6 | 3.6 GHz | 4.4 GHz | Zen 3 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | 6 | 3.5 GHz | 4.4 GHz | Zen 3 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | 6 | 3.9 GHz | 4.4 GHz | Zen 3 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT | 6 | 3.6 GHz | 4.6 GHz | Zen 3 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | 6 | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz | Zen 3 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D | 6 | 3.3 GHz | 4.4 GHz | Zen 3 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 1700 | 8 | 3 GHz | 3.7 GHz | Zen | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 1700X | 8 | 3.4 GHz | 3.8 GHz | Zen | 95 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 1800X | 8 | 3.6 GHz | 4 GHz | Zen | 95 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 2700 | 8 | 3.2 GHz | 4.1 GHz | Zen+ | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 2700X | 8 | 3.7 GHz | 4.3 GHz | Zen+ | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 3700X | 8 | 3.6 GHz | 4.4 GHz | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 3800X | 8 | 3.9 GHz | 4.5 GHz | Zen 2 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT | 8 | 3.9 GHz | 4.7 GHz | Zen 2 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5700 | 8 | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz | Zen 3 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5700G | 8 | 3.8 GHz | 4.6 GHz | Zen 3 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5700X | 8 | 3.4 GHz | 4.6 GHz | Zen 3 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D | 8 | 3 GHz | 4.1 GHz | Zen 3 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | 8 | 3.8 GHz | 4.7 GHz | Zen 3 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 8 | 3.4 GHz | 4.5 GHz | Zen 3 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT | 8 | 3.8 GHz | 4.8 GHz | Zen 3 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 9 3900 | 12 | 3.1 GHz | n/a | Zen 2 | 65 W |
| AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | 12 | 3.8 GHz | 4.6 GHz | Zen 2 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT | 12 | 3.8 GHz | 4.7 GHz | Zen 2 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | 16 | 3.5 GHz | 4.7 GHz | Zen 2 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | 12 | 3.7 GHz | 4.8 GHz | Zen 3 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT | 16 | 3.3 GHz | 4.8 GHz | Zen 3 | 105 W |
| AMD Ryzen 9 5950X | 16 | 3.4 GHz | 4.9 GHz | Zen 3 | 105 W |
Key Takeaways
- AM4 socket supports a wide range of AMD Ryzen processors
- Various chipsets offer different features and compatibility levels
- The platform provides options for diverse computing needs and budgets
AM4 CPUs: Compatibility, Options, and Performance
Understanding the AM4 Socket
The AM4 socket is a CPU socket developed by AMD, first released in 2016, designed for Ryzen and Athlon processors. AM4 became AMD’s mainstream socket, offering a single platform for multiple generations of CPUs, making it compatible with a wide range of processors from entry-level to high-end. This socket supports DDR4 memory and is compatible with various motherboard chipsets, from the budget A320 to the enthusiast-focused X570, making it a versatile option for building or upgrading a PC.
Generations of AM4 CPUs
AM4 has supported several generations of Ryzen processors, each offering specific improvements in performance, efficiency, and features. Here’s a breakdown of each generation:
- 1st Generation Ryzen (Zen): Launched in 2017, included Ryzen 3, 5, and 7 series processors, along with a high-performance Ryzen 7 1800X.
- 2nd Generation Ryzen (Zen+): Released in 2018, with improvements in clock speed and efficiency. Notable models include the Ryzen 5 2600X and Ryzen 7 2700X.
- 3rd Generation Ryzen (Zen 2): Launched in 2019, with significantly improved IPC (Instructions Per Clock), making them popular for gaming and productivity. Popular models include Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 9 3900X.
- 4th and 5th Generation Ryzen (Zen 3): Released in 2020, Zen 3 brought exceptional single-core performance and efficiency improvements, with standout models like the Ryzen 5 5600X and Ryzen 9 5950X.
Popular AM4 Socket CPUs by Performance Tier
With so many options available, here’s a look at popular AM4 CPUs organized by performance tier:
Table: Popular AM4 Socket CPUs by Performance
| Performance Tier | CPU Model | Core/Thread Count | Clock Speed (Base/Boost) | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | Ryzen 3 2200G | 4 cores, 4 threads | 3.5 GHz / 3.7 GHz | Budget builds, basic tasks |
| Mid-Range | Ryzen 5 3600 | 6 cores, 12 threads | 3.6 GHz / 4.2 GHz | Gaming, multitasking |
| High-End | Ryzen 7 3700X | 8 cores, 16 threads | 3.6 GHz / 4.4 GHz | Gaming, content creation |
| Enthusiast | Ryzen 9 5950X | 16 cores, 32 threads | 3.4 GHz / 4.9 GHz | High-end gaming, heavy multitasking |
AM4-Compatible Chipsets and Features
AMD created a range of chipsets to support the AM4 socket, each offering different features and price points. Here’s an overview of popular chipsets:
- A320: Budget-friendly chipset, limited to basic functionality with no overclocking support.
- B350/B450: Mid-range chipsets offering some overclocking, suitable for Ryzen 3 and 5 processors.
- B550: Mid to high-end option, supporting PCIe 4.0, ideal for Ryzen 3rd and 4th gen processors.
- X370/X470: High-performance chipsets with overclocking support and enhanced connectivity options.
- X570: Premium chipset with full PCIe 4.0 support, designed for enthusiasts using Ryzen 5th gen CPUs.
Pros and Cons of AM4 CPUs
AM4 CPUs offer impressive performance and versatility, but there are both benefits and limitations to consider.
Pros
- Wide compatibility with multiple CPU generations.
- Support for DDR4 memory, providing fast and reliable performance.
- Option for PCIe 4.0 support on certain motherboards, allowing for faster data transfer speeds.
Cons
- No support for DDR5 memory, which newer sockets may offer.
- Limited future upgrades as AMD transitions to the AM5 socket.
Future of AM4: Transitioning to AM5
With AMD’s release of the AM5 socket for Ryzen 7000 series processors, AM4’s era is gradually winding down. However, AMD has committed to supporting the AM4 platform, including BIOS updates for some of the latest CPUs. This ensures that AM4 systems remain viable for budget builds or upgrades. As more users shift to AM5, AM4 components may become more affordable, making them a great option for budget-conscious builders looking to get excellent performance without the latest technology.
