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These days, PCs are not that commonly in use because of laptops and smartphones, but they are still used to a degree for a number of things such as gaming.
Gaming requires a PC to have a very fast working processor and a fully functioning CPU. There are a lot of variations out there, but nowadays, the most commonly used one is AM3+. It came out a few years ago and is still used very frequently.
In this article, we will be discussing AM3+ processors generally and also discuss our own top picks of AM3+ processors.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Am3+ CPU
- OUR TOP PICK: AMD FD832EWMHKBOX FX-8320E FX-Series
- RUNNER-UP: AMD Athlon II X4 640 ADX640WFGMBOX
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: AMD FX-6300 FD6300WMW6KHK
Comparison of the Best Am3+ CPUs
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What Are the Components of an AM3+ CPU?
An AM3+ CPU consists of the following components:
Arithmetic Logic Unit
This is the unit responsible for all the mathematical functions such as division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction, as well as the logic operations such as comparing, matching, selecting, and merging data. These are the basic functions that any CPU should consist of to properly function; otherwise, it would be completely useless.
Control Unit
This unit controls all the operations of the system that do not have to do with data processing. These can include the transfer of data and instructions between different units, managing and coordinating them, obtaining instructions from memory, interpreting them, and sending them off to whichever unit they are required to reach. This unit communicates with input and output devices, etc.
Memory Unit
This is the storage unit, meaning it saves all the files and data, instructions, and the immediate and final results of processing. It is also called internal or primary storage, or RAM (Random Access Memory). Its size affects the power and speed of the CPU.
Characteristics of Our Favorite AM3+ CPU
Listed below are a few desired characteristics looked for in AM3+ CPUs:
Core
In the past, all CPUs had single cores to get all the jobs done. Thus, if they had to deal with a lot of data or a heavy file of some sort, they would wear out really quickly and need to be replaced. But in the last few years, we have been hearing things like quad-core and octa-core processors, meaning that the processors nowadays have an increased capacity of performance because they are better able to work with heavier files. The most common processors nowadays have anywhere from 2 to 8 cores. And this makes their job easier as they are able to distribute the task and get it done faster.
Cache
The cache is basically a small amount of very fast memory that is used for temporary storage. It is great for saving time and energy as it reduces both of their use, making it easier to access data from the main memory. So, if the processor has a large cache capacity, files will be able to be saved and retrieved faster, making the processor’s performance energy and time-efficient.
Frequency
Frequency is the speed at which a processor operates or functions. It was believed that a high-frequency rate actually meant a fast working processor, but that is not true. In some cases, a low-frequency processor actually performs better in comparison. This can be because of the structure of the CPU in relation to the memory. But it also depends on the processor itself.
Review of the Best AM3+ CPUs
Now that we have discussed the components of an AM3+ CPU and listed some characteristics that are usually looked for in them, let’s talk about a few of our top picks of AM3+ CPUs for your PCs:
Best Overall:
AMD FD832EWMHKBOX FX-8320E FX-Series
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who have recently bought and used this product have loved it and recommended it further. They have said that it is excellent in performance when it comes to gaming, especially hardcore or even competitive gaming. It remains cool even after long times of use and works well even in case of heavy files.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because of its additional fan. Usually, processors overheat quickly when it comes to heavy file transfer or gaming and wear out. However, with its stock cooler, the temperature remains low even after constant or heavy use, which is a plus for people who constantly use PCs.
Who Will Use This Most
People who use PCs constantly for common use or specifically for gaming should definitely use this product. If you are a competitive or hardcore gamer who takes part in online tournaments or just likes to play a lot generally, this is a great product for you as it keeps the PC cool.
Bottom Line
It is a great product and comes highly recommended by the people who have already bought and used it. It is very power efficient and also keeps the PC cool in cases of heavy gaming because it comes with a stock fan, an 8 core processor, and cache of 8/8MB.
Runner-up:
AMD Athlon II X4 640 ADX640WFGMBOX
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who have recently bought and used this product have loved it and recommended it further. They have said that energy efficiency helps them use it for longer without worrying about expenditure, and it comes with a heat sink and fan. These are effective in keeping it from overheating, thus making it function longer.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because of the support for virtualization technology. This means that it can be used in the making or building of virtual maps or schematics without a hitch, or make a virtual environment of your choice easily. It is a feature that is not common in AM3+ processors.
Who Will Use This Most
People who are regular PC users, who use them for the sake of their jobs or just because they are used to them can find this to be a great pick. Plus, people who are professional gamers and who take part in gaming competitions or are just hardcore gamers, in general, can definitely make use of this processor because of its enhanced performance.
Bottom Line
This is a great product that comes highly recommended for use by the people who have already bought and used it. Its features, such as a quad-core processor, a cache of 2MB, a frequency of 3.0GHz, power efficiency, and virtualization technology support, make it a great product that can be used by all PC users.
Best for the Money:
AMD FX-6300 FD6300WMW6KHK
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who have recently bought and used this product have loved it and recommended it further. They have said that it is great for security programs and that it has a memory controller that allows for compatibility with different types of cores. Also, it is great for gamers as it has enhanced gaming performance.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because of its enhanced encryption performance. A lot of processors do not offer this feature as it is not easy to be able to work with different types of security programs because they all have different specifications. But this one gets the job done and is able to work with a bunch of them.
Who Will Use This Most
Primarily, people who like to take part in competitive gaming competitions will find this to be a great option. Hardcore gamers or just professionals, in general, will definitely be able to use this product as it is an improved model than its previous ones.
Bottom Line
It is a great product that comes highly recommended by the people who have bought it and used it. It is great for multiple core compatibility, suitable for gamers with its enhancements, promises better performance than previous models, and does not have any content reading problems. It will really come in handy if you are a PC user.
Best Am3+ CPU for Gaming:
AMD Black Edition FX-8300 Vishera FD8300WMHKBOX
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who have recently bought and used this product have loved it and recommended it for further use. They have said that it is great for gaming and state that the two memory channels are really good for quick data flow in multiple directions. Also, it promises great speed when it comes to data transference.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because of its quick data transferring feature. Most of the AM3+ processors are better aimed at gamers or people who like to use streaming sites. But in this case, the company has aimed its product at regular PC functions as well, such as data transfer.
Who Will Use This Most
Those who are regular PC users, businessmen, or people who usually have a lot of data to share or transfer should go for this unit. Along with that, people who like to play a lot of games take part in gaming competitions or are generally professional gamers can really use this product as it is really fast in its functioning.
Bottom Line
All in all, users find this to be a great product. With an 8 core processor, a cache of 2MB/8MB, and a frequency of 3.30GHz/4.2GHz, this product is made for regular PC users, who transfer data, stream movies, or dramas online or play games.
Best AMD Am3+ CPU:
AMD FD8350FRHKBOX FX-8350
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who have recently bought and used this product have loved it and recommended it further. They have said that this is a great processor if you want to watch movies or dramas online on different streaming sites. Also, they report it to be great in case of overclocking as it still works well in that case.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us because it’s better for streaming purposes. Most of the AM3+ processors are specifically aimed at gamers who personally or professionally play a lot of games and require a processor that can keep up with that load. But this one is, instead, recommended for online streaming for movies or dramas, which makes it different.
Who Will Use This Most
People who love to watch dramas or movies online, use different streaming sites such as Netflix, can definitely use this processor for continuous streaming without overheating the system. It is good for gamers as well as it can hold out for quite a while, especially with a cooler or a fan.
Bottom Line
Overall, it is a great investment that you won’t regret making. It is great for streaming and gaming. It comes with an 8 core processor, a cache of 8/8MB, a frequency of 4.0GHz/4.2GHz, etc. It is a good product that will really come in handy if you love to use streaming sites.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying?
There are a lot of processors to choose from out there, so here are a few things that you can look for when you are buying one.
Socket Models
Processors go hand in hand with a motherboard. If they do not fit in the socket or are not compatible in some way, how will they perform their required tasks? Make sure that the model you choose fits the motherboard slot easily and is also compatible with your system.
Cooling Factor
Processors can overheat really easily if they have a great clock speed or are used a lot regularly, which can make them wear out quicker. So things like a heat sink and a stock fan really come in handy in these situations. Also, try to get a processor that does not overheat easily and comes with these additional accessories.
Power Consumption
Usually, a high-quality product takes up a lot of energy to work well. But nowadays, there are processors that are power and time-efficient, using a small amount of electricity to get the job done faster in comparison to older models, which are obviously better when it comes to performance.
Clock Speeds
Clock speed is the speed at which a processor can process instructions given to it about a task. Most processors nowadays have two clock speeds, base, and overdrive. It is better to get a processor that is really fast in understanding instructions so that it can get the job done as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
AM3+ processors are great for regular PC users and people who use them for specific purposes, such as gaming and streaming, because they can take the load easily and are better able to distribute it among the threads. Plus, it is better than its previous models and is more time and energy-efficient in its performance. So do check it out if you are a PC user.
People Also Ask
Now people can get confused about a product at times, even about the simple things. So below, we have answered a few common questions asked by customers about AM3+ CPUs:
Are AM3 and AM3+ Compatible?
AM3+ is a modification of the AM3 processor and is better in performance and efficiency. It is backward-compatible with an AM3, meaning that the chip would fit, but it will not be able to work or be compatible with the motherboard.
Can I Put an AM3+ CPU in an AM3 Motherboard?
As the sockets are the same for both, physically, yes. You can put an AM3+ CPU in an AM3 motherboard, as it is backward compatible, but it will not be able to function unless it is compatible with the motherboard.
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