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When Was AM3+ Discontinued?

Published in Computer Hardware 2 mins read

The AM3+ platform was effectively discontinued with the launch of AMD's Ryzen processors and the AM4 socket in 2017. While there was no single, official "discontinuation date" announcement from AMD for the socket itself, its relevance and market presence ceased with the introduction of its successor.

The Lifecycle and End of AM3+

The AM3+ socket served as the foundation for AMD's FX series processors, which utilized the Bulldozer and Piledriver microarchitectures. This platform was a staple for AMD's desktop CPUs for several years.

  • Pre-2017 Decline: Long before the official shift, the AM3+ platform, along with its associated FX processors, had already been facing significant challenges in competing with rival architectures. Its market presence for new PC builds was gradually diminishing, becoming a less desirable option for consumers seeking modern performance.
  • The Ryzen Revolution in 2017: The true end for AM3+ came with the groundbreaking release of AMD's Ryzen processors in 2017. These new CPUs, built on the Zen architecture, introduced a significant leap in performance and efficiency, requiring a brand-new socket, AM4. The debut of Ryzen effectively rendered AM3+ obsolete for new system builds, as the focus of development, manufacturing, and market interest shifted entirely to the more powerful and modern AM4 ecosystem.

Therefore, while no specific date marks an "official discontinuation," the arrival of the Ryzen series and the AM4 platform in 2017 represented the practical and complete discontinuation of AM3+ in the PC hardware market.