Socket AM3, released in 2009, succeeds Socket AM2+ and features support for double data rate III synchronous dynamic random access memory. The socket uses 941 pins, and as such, is incompatible with former Socket AM series central processing units, which use 940 pins. Since AM3 CPUs support DDR2 as well as DDR3, however, the processors themselves are backwards-compatible with motherboards using Socket AM2 and AM2+. AM3 support can be found in low-grade to high-end boards.
870A-G54
The MSI 870A-G54 features military-class hardware, making it one of the most powerful, reliable and stable motherboards available for use with the AM3. The board supports AMD Phenom II X4/X3, Athlon II X4/X3/X2 and Sempron processors. The board features HyperTransport 3.0, a technology that allows front-side bus -- a component responsible for transmitting data between the CPU and chipsets -- speeds of to up to 2.6 gigahertz. The board handles up to 16 gigabytes of random access memory at one time and supports DDR3 1600 overclocked RAM.
890FX Deluxe3
The ASRock 890FX Deluxe3 supports the same AM3 processors as the 870A-G54, as well as HT 3.0. The specifications for the 890FX Deluxe3 are similar to the 870A-G54, although the board can use DDR3 2000, DDR3 1866, DDR3 1800 and DDR3 1600 OC RAM. Unlike the 870A-G54, however, while the 890FX Deluxe3 supports CrossFireX -- a technology designed to enable a PC to use more than one graphics processing units at once -- it does not come with an onboard video card.
GA-MA770T-UD3P
The GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P, a moderate-grade motherboard, comes with the same CPU and RAM technologies as the above boards, although is limited to DDR3 1666 OC RAM. Although the board doesn't have the same features as the above board, it's more affordable. The motherboard also has significant graphics limitations compared to the ASRock and MSI models; it features only one peripheral component interconnect x16 slot -- the previous motherboards feature two or three -- and cannot process multiple GPUs at once. Like the 890FX Deluxe3, the board also does not come with an integrated video card.
K9N6PGM2-V2
The MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 doesn't come with an AM3 socket, but supports AMD AM3 CPUs. However, the board is limited to 95 watt AM3 processors. Although the board doesn't feature the same specifications as above motherboards, it costs less and comes with features that are suitable for most consumers. The board supports DD2 RAM and can process up to 8 GB of memory, and like the GA-MA770T-UD3P, comes with one PCIe x16 slot.
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