What's the roadmap and life span on the AM2+ socket?

wenis

Junior Member
Mar 22, 2005
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I need a new PC and I might build a budget AMD AM2+ system if there is a decent future proof roadmap for the socket. Does AMD have and plans to change the socket in the next 2 years? I was able to upgrade my 939 socket several times over keeping my machine viable much longer than would have been possible otherwise. I realize AMD is in the shit, but I've been buidling AMD systems for almost a decade and if I'm going to roll my own is going to be AMD.
 

Rhonda the Sly

Senior member
Nov 22, 2007
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Socket AM3 should be released later (edit: later, like near the end, though I'm don't know month or even quarter) this year if it hits shelves on time. AMD is claiming AM3 processors will work on AM2/2+ boards but they might just be playing the sdrawkcab compatibility lie game. And yes, AMD is swimming up shit creek, deep into shitville territory, wearing nothing but shit-waders and shit-muffs, but that's fine. They still making decent stuff. The truth is the truth, if you want the best performance, go with intel. If you like the green team though, there's absolutely nothing wrong with what they offer*.



Unless you're a heavy user and need virtualization, then you might find yourself cross with AMD.
 

Martimus

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2007
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Originally posted by: wenis
I need a new PC and I might build a budget AMD AM2+ system if there is a decent future proof roadmap for the socket. Does AMD have and plans to change the socket in the next 2 years? I was able to upgrade my 939 socket several times over keeping my machine viable much longer than would have been possible otherwise. I realize AMD is in the shit, but I've been buidling AMD systems for almost a decade and if I'm going to roll my own is going to be AMD.

AM3 is to support DDR3 memory, so unless AMD is designing chips with IMC's that work with both DDR2 and DDR3, I don't see AM2 boards supporting AM3 processors. That said, AM2+ will likely last until the next architecture change.

Here is a link to there roadmap: http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=3050&p=9
 

wenis

Junior Member
Mar 22, 2005
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SO the AM3 socekt should be around for a while, assuming AMD is.....?
 

Amaroque

Platinum Member
Jan 2, 2005
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Originally posted by: wenis
SO the AM3 socekt should be around for a while, assuming AMD is.....?

Yes, AMD isn't going anywhere. A larger company may buy them out, but AMD will still be around for years to come.
 

harpoon84

Golden Member
Jul 16, 2006
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AM2+ should support the upcoming 45nm K10s as well, but I wouldn't expect anything more than that. Frankly, I'd take all this talk about AM3 processors working in AM2+ boards with a huge grain of salt. Even if it theoretically does work, it still relies entirely on manufacturer BIOS support. Remember all the talk about AM2+ processors working in AM2 boards? Apart from Asus and to a lesser extent Gigabyte, what other manufacturer has even released a working AM2 BIOS for Phenom? A lot of AM2 users have been burnt with dead end upgrade paths due to manufacturers not writing updated BIOSes for Phenom support. I can easily see the same happening with AM2+.
 

golem

Senior member
Oct 6, 2000
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Yes, AMD isn't going anywhere. A larger company may buy them out, but AMD will still be around for years to come.

Check this out

http://overclockers.com/tips01276/

There MIGHT be language in the contract between AMD and Intel to the effect that Intel can cancel AMD's right to Intel patents if AMD goes bankrupt or is bought out. Even the author admits there might be other language in the contract that negates this or that this clause could be nullified some other way. But if it's true, it could be a big hurdle to anyone wanting to take over AMD.
 
Oct 30, 2004
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After seeing how quickly they abandoned Socket 939 once AM2 came out, I'd be very concerned that the same will happen to the AM2 socket.
 

Martimus

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2007
4,488
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Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper

After seeing how quickly they abandoned Socket 939 once AM2 came out, I'd be very concerned that the same will happen to the AM2 socket.

They were never planning on making processors that support both DDR and DDR2 memory. Maybe when they say that AM2 boards will support AM3 processors, they mean that they are actually designing the Bulldozer chips with both DDR2 and DDR3 capability within the IMC.