Best AM3+ CPU
Introduction
We have discussed a lot of times regarding the AM4 socket that comes with the latest AMD Ryzen series processors. The AM4 compatible motherboards can accommodate the chips with the same socket connection. Like AM4, the AM3+ socket was presented by AMD back in 2011, a more advanced version of the previous AM3 outlet. These processors gained popularity among the tech enthusiasts in no time, maybe via word of mouth publicity since they brought numerous awesome-looking features and specifications. The best AM3+ CPUs is very effective and fast since the socket enables efficient serial linking between the power controller and the processing unit.
One feature that always beats up my heart is the excellent cooling capabilities of these processors. An advanced cooling retention design permits adequate airflow dissipating heat faster, resulting in the performance to power up the gaming, high-end development, content creation, 3D rendering, and more. When the item is so fantastic, the market would definitely be complex and filled with thousands of rival chips. It becomes challenging for an ordinary user to uncover a compatible chip following the requirement. But don’t worry. My team has done deep research before preceding writing this article. You can read our reviews and opinions regarding three AM3+ processors given below in the post.
Products
1. AMD FX-8300 Black Edition
Product Keyword: Best flagship AM3+ CPU
Starting reviewing the products from the AMD FX-8300 Black Edition that has proved its identity of being the best AM3+ CPU with its smooth and excellent gaming performance. You can enjoy a jaw-dropping multithreading experience while facing zero lag on your screen for all types of current-era games. If we open up its specifications table and start reading it, you would know that the chip comes with eight cores and eight threads topped by 8MB L3 cache and 8MB L2 cache along with 384KB L1 cache memory.
Further, its 3.3GHz base clock speed can bump up to 4.2GHz boost clock speed, providing a massive range of overclocking ratings helpful, especially during high-load conditions. Since it’s based on a 32nm SOI CPU core technology and has a 95W of rated TDP, the chances of temperature increment rapidly reduced. If you sculpt a gig based on this chip and another with an i5 Skylake processor, you barely see any difference in terms of performance, temperature, cooling, or any other aspect. In short, the title of the best flagship AM3+ CPU sits perfectly valid on this processor.
Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
– Excellent overclocking – Great for multi-threading – eight cores and eight threads – Easy to cool | – No bundled cooler – Not for heavy-duty loads |
2. AMD FX-4300 Black Edition
Product Keyword: Best overall AM3+ CPU
The AMD FX-4300 Black Edition is an all-rounder addition to the AMD quad-core AM3+ processors family with some worth-talking features. One aspect that I really like about the chip is its great value; when we put its performance head-to-head against its price. If we compare it with the Ivy Bridge i3 chip, it definitely outperforms in terms of spicy multithreading goodness. Further, the FX-4300 is an unlocked chip, but the Core i3 isn’t, so it takes some more plus points. We totally recommend it to users looking for a beast overall AM3+ CPU at a reasonable price.
It seems the chip comprises pretty much everything a gamer or serious content creator may need during their work play. It uses dual-module graphics with a switchable mode that is controllable with AMD Enduro Technology. The processor comes with four cores and four threads combined with 4MB L2/L3 cache and a 192KB L1 cache memory. You can boost its base clock of 3.8GHz straight up to 5.0GHz, crossing the rated 4.2GHz boost clock speed.
Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
– Dominant than the Core i3 – Uses dual graphics – Decent overclocking – Okay performance | – No support for premium technologies – Not very much performance difference from the last generation |
3. AMD FX-4350 Black Edition
Product Keyword: Best budget AM3+ CPU
Many users are there, one of them is me, who is always searching for the best affordable laptop or PC elements that are affordable but enriched with performance. If you’re one of those and looking for a best-in-class CPU, we have the AMD FX-4350 Black Edition for you. It offers fast coordination within the motherboard and adequate overclocking for multitasking. The engine of the chip effectively operates based on the Vishera architecture, which is the second-generation successor to Bulldozer architecture. An excellent performance-to-price ratio and some prestigious features undoubtedly make it the best affordable AM3+ CPU.
The FX-4350 desktop processor has four cores and four threads with 8MB L3 cache, 4MB L2 cache, and 192KB L1 cache memory. It’s not suitable for overclocking since its multiplier is locked, and it has very less overclocking headroom between the base clock of 4.2GHz and boost clock of 4.3GHz. It is built over a 32nm process with 1200 million transistors. Other specifications include DDR3 memory support with a dual-channel interface and PCIe 2.0 connection.
Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
– Affordable – Good multithreading performance – Stable during heavy workloads | – No support for ECC memory – Unsuitable for overclocking – Consumes a lot of power |