Socket SP3
CPU socket for AMD CPUs
Socket SP3 is a zero insertion force land grid array CPU socket designed by AMD supporting its Zen-, Zen 2- and Zen 3-based Epyc server processors, launched on June 20, 2017. Because the socket is physically the same size as socket TR4 and socket sTRX4, users can use CPU coolers not only designed for SP3 but also coolers designed for TR4 and sTRX4.
Socket SP3 is a system in a package socket - that means most features required to make the system fully functional (such as memory, PCI Express, SATA controllers, etc.) are fully integrated into the processor package, eliminating the need for a chipset to be placed on a motherboard. Variants for desktop platforms (as said below) are, eventually, requiring an additional chipset to unlock the functionality of the CPU. A processor using socket SP3 is mounted by inserting the CPU into a slide and fixing the slide assembly by tightening three screws using the torque wrenches normally provided alongside the motherboard. Automated processor mounting tools in OEMs do not use the slide, instead relying upon the precise movement of the robot arm.
01Socket SP3r2
Socket TR4, also known as Socket SP3r2, is used for high-end desktop CPUs. It is physically identical to a normal SP3 socket with some connections disabled. A TR4 socket will prevent the use of CPUs designed for Socket SP3 with an ID pin.
02Socket SP3r3
Socket sTRX4, also known as Socket SP3r3, used for third-generation Ryzen Threadripper (Threadripper 3000X) high-end desktop CPUs, is physically identical to the normal SP3 socket with some connections disabled, and is the successor to Socket TR4 (SP3r2).
03Socket SP3r4
Socket sWRX8, also known as Socket SP3r4, is used for Ryzen Threadripper Pro 3000WX and Ryzen Threadripper Pro 5000WX workstation desktop CPUs. It is physically identical to the normal SP3 socket, with some connections repurposed.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Socket SP3”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Amd socket sp3 IMGP3469 smial wp.jpg by Smial (talk), FAL
- Amd epyc 7302 socket sp3 IMGP3493 smial wp.jpg by Smial (talk), FAL
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