AMD Socket AM4 Processors
With the introduction of the Ryzen processor series, the American chip manufacturer AMD introduced the corresponding AM4 processor socket in early 2017. The AM4 socket is the first from AMD to support fast and efficient DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode, and depending on the chipset, even with ECC error correction support. The AM4 socket can be used for both CPUs and APUs from the Ryzen processor series.
The AM4 Platform for AMD CPUs
The AM4 platform offers support for features dependent on the processor series, depending on the chipset. Compared to previous AMD platforms, motherboards with the AM4 socket support DDR4 memory, USB 3.1 (and beyond), as well as optimized memory controllers for high RAM clock rates. Additionally, most chipsets allow overclocking of Ryzen CPUs and APUs.
Starting with the 500 series chipsets, the AM4 socket supports the PCIe 4.0 standard, creating an innovative platform for gamers and content creators in combination with a 5000 series processor.
AMD Ryzen 9
The Ryzen 9 CPU series for the AMD socket AM4 features up to 16 physical cores plus Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT). This makes the mainstream processors outstandingly suitable for both gamers and content creators. Thanks to the open multiplier, the processors can be overclocked with little effort.
Ryzen 9 processors offer a cost-effective alternative to the usually more expensive HEDT processors, especially when it comes to rendering videos or other applications that benefit from parallelized processes of many cores/threads.
Background information on the architecture and individual AMD Ryzen 9 processors can be found on the category page.
AMD Ryzen 7
The Ryzen 7 CPU series with eight physical computing cores plus Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) is also manually overclockable. The high-end processors for gamers and streamers offer all the modern features of the AM4 platform.
Streamers particularly benefit from the additional cores and threads offered by the Ryzen 7 series. For gamers, the processors also provide high clock rates, which are important for many games.
Background information on the architecture and individual AMD Ryzen 7 processors can be found on the category page.
AMD Ryzen 5
AMD Ryzen 5 CPUs with four or six physical CPU cores also fit into the AM4 socket and can process two threads simultaneously thanks to Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT). The mainstream processors can be overclocked and offer an outstanding price-performance ratio for gamers.
The Ryzen 5 series processors offer everything a gamer could wish for, making them an affordable basis for a gaming PC.
Background information on the architecture and individual AMD Ryzen 5 processors can be found on the category page.
AMD Ryzen 3
For budget gaming PCs, Ryzen 3 processors are an outstanding choice. With four physical CPU cores and Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), the CPUs for the AM4 socket offer an affordable entry-level solution that also allows overclocking thanks to an open multiplier.
Ryzen 3 CPUs are usually shipped with a cooler that not only cools the CPUs effectively but can also be used for mini-ITX gaming PCs or HTPCs due to its low profile.
Background information on the architecture and individual AMD Ryzen 3 processors can be found on the category page.
Accelerated Processing Units (APUs)
Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) are processors with a particularly powerful integrated graphics unit. In the desktop sector, AMD offers these for the AM4 socket in the Ryzen 5, Ryzen 3, and Athlon processor families, while further series are used in the mobile segment. APUs are, for example, a cost-effective basis for office PCs and multimedia PCs.
Some APUs can also be overclocked, where not only the processor clock but also the clock of the iGPU can be changed manually.
