List of AMD chipsets
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This is an overview of chipsets sold under the AMD brand, manufactured before May 2004 by the company itself, before the adoption of open platform approach as well as chipsets manufactured by ATI Technologies after October 2006 as the completion of the ATI acquisition.
North- and Southbridges
[edit]
Northbridges
[edit]AMD-xxx
[edit]| Model | Code name | Released | CPU support | Fab (nm) | FSB/HT (MHz) | Southbridge | Features / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD-640 chipset | AMD-640 | 1997 | K6, | ? | 66
(FSB) |
AMD-645 | AMD licensed VIA Technologies' Apollo VP2/97 |
| AMD-750 chipset | AMD-751 | 1999 | Athlon, Duron | 100
(FSB) |
AMD-756,
VIA-VT82C686A |
AGP 2×, SDRAM Irongate chipset family; early steppings had issues with AGP 2×; drivers often limited support to AGP 1×; later fixed with "super bypass" memory access adjustment.[1] | |
| AMD-760 chipset | AMD-761 | Nov 2000 | Athlon, Athlon XP, Duron | 133
(FSB) |
AMD-766,
VIA-T82C686B |
AGP 4×, DDR SDRAM | |
| AMD-760MP chipset | AMD-762 | May 2001 | Athlon MP | AMD-766 | AGP 4× | ||
| AMD-760MPX chipset | AMD-768 | AGP 4×, Hardware RNG Most initial boards shipped without USB headers due to a fault with the integrated USB controller. Manufacturers included PCI USB cards to cover this shortcoming. A later refresh of the chipset had the USB problem remedied.[2] | |||||
| AMD-8000 series chipset | AMD-8111 | Apr 2004 | Opteron | 800
(HT 1.x) |
AMD-8131
AMD-8132 |
Hardware RNG |
A-Link Express II
[edit]A-Link Express and A-Link Express II are essentially PCIe 1.1 x4 lanes.
See Comparison of ATI Chipsets for the comparison of chipsets sold under the ATI brand for AMD processors, before AMD's acquisition of ATI.
| Model | Codename | Released | CPU support | Fab (nm) | HT (MHz) | IGP | CrossFire | Southbridge | Features / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD 480X chipset (originally CrossFire Xpress 1600) |
RD480 | Oct 2006 | Athlon 64, Sempron |
110 | 1000
(HT 2.0) |
No | x8 + x8 | SB600, ULi-M1575 |
? |
| AMD 570X/550X chipset (originally CrossFire Xpress 3100) |
RD570 | Jun 2007 | Phenom,[3] Athlon 64, Sempron |
? | No | x16 + x8 | SB600 | ||
| AMD 580X chipset (originally CrossFire Xpress 3200) |
RD580 | Oct 2006 | x16 + x16 | ||||||
| AMD 690V chipset | RS690C | Feb 2007 | Athlon 64, Sempron |
80 | 1000
(HT 2.0) |
Radeon X1200 (350MHz) |
No | SB600 | DirectX 9.0, AVIVO, HDMI/HDCP, no LVDS |
| AMD 690G chipset | RS690 | Phenom, Athlon 64, Sempron |
Radeon X1250 (400MHz) |
DirectX 9.0, AVIVO, HDMI/HDCP | |||||
| AMD M690V chipset | RS690MC | Turion 64 X2, Athlon 64 X2 mobile |
800
(HT 2.0) |
Radeon X1200 (350 MHz) |
No | DirectX 9.0, AVIVO, DVI, HDMI/HDCP, no LVDS, Powerplay 7.0 | |||
| AMD M690 chipset | RS690M | Radeon X1250 (350 MHz) |
DirectX 9.0, AVIVO, DVI/HDCP, no HDMI, Powerplay 7.0 | ||||||
| AMD M690E chipset | RS690T | Athlon Neo, Mobile Sempron |
Radeon X1250 (350Mhz) |
No | DirectX 9.0, AVIVO, 2× HDMI/HDCP, Powerplay 7.0 | ||||
| AMD M690T chipset | Turion 64 X2, Athlon 64 X2 mobile |
Radeon X1270 (400Mhz) |
DirectX 9.0, AVIVO, HDMI/HDCP, Powerplay 7.0 | ||||||
| AMD 740 chipset | RX740 | 2008 | Athlon 64, Phenom, Sempron |
55 | 1000
(HT 2.0) |
No | No | SB600, SB700, SB750 |
Single PCIe 1.1 x16 |
| AMD 740G chipset | RS740 | Radeon 2100 | DirectX 9.0, AVIVO, HDMI/HDCP, OR single PCIe 1.1 x16 | ||||||
| AMD 760G chipset | RS780L | 2009 | 2600
(HT 3.0) |
Radeon 3000 | Hybrid | SB710 | DirectX 10, AVIVO HD, HDMI/HDCP, OR single PCIe 2.0 x16 | ||
| AMD 770 chipset | RX780 | 2008 | 65 | No | No | SB600, SB700, SB710, SB750 |
Single PCIe 2.0 x16 | ||
| AMD 780V chipset | RS780C | 55 | Radeon 3100 | No | SB700, SB710, SB750 |
DirectX 10, AVIVO HD, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort/DPCP, OR single PCIe 2.0 x16 | |||
| AMD 780G chipset | RS780I | Radeon HD 3200 | Hybrid | DirectX 10, UVD+, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort/DPCP, Side-port memory, OR single PCIe 2.0 x16 | |||||
| AMD M780V chipset | RS780MC | Mobile Turion, Mobile Athlon, Athlon Neo |
Radeon 3100 | PowerXpress AXIOM/MXM module(s) |
SB600, SB700, SB710 |
DirectX 10, UVD+, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, OR single PCIe 2.0 x16 | |||
| AMD M780G chipset | RS780M | Radeon HD 3200 | |||||||
| AMD 785G chipset | RS880 | 2009 | Athlon 64, Phenom, Sempron |
Radeon HD 4200 | Hybrid, x16 + x4 |
SB710, SB750, SB810, SB850 |
DirectX 10.1, UVD2, Side-port memory, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort/DPCP, OR two PCIe 2.0 x16 TDP: 11 W (500 MHz), 3 W in PowerPlay | ||
| 785E | RS785E | ? | 2200
(HT 3.0) |
Radeon HD 4200 | Hybrid | SB810, SB850, SB820M | |||
| AMD 790GX chipset | RS780D | 2008 | Athlon 64, Phenom, Sempron |
2600
(HT 3.0) |
Radeon HD 3300 | Hybrid, x8 + x8[4] |
SB750 | DirectX 10, UVD+, Side-port memory, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort/DPCP, OR two PCIe 2.0 x16 | |
| AMD 790X chipset | RD780 | 65 | No | x8 + x8 | SB600, SB700, SB750, SB850 |
Two PCIe 2.0 x16 | |||
| AMD 790FX chipset | RD790 | Nov 2007 | No | CrossFire X (dual x16 or quad x8) |
SB600, SB750, SB850 |
Up to four PCIe 2.0 x16 Support for AMD Quad FX platform (FASN8), Dual socket enthusiast platform with NUMA, optional single socket variant, 720-pin 1.1 V FC-BGA | |||
| Model | Codename | Released | CPU support | Fab (nm) | HT (MHz) | IGP | CrossFire | Southbridge | Features / Notes |
A-Link Express III
[edit]A-Link Express III is essentially PCIe 2.0 x4 lanes.
| Model | Code name |
Released | CPU support | Fab (nm) |
HT (MHz) |
AMD-V (Hardware Virtualization) |
IGP | CrossFire | SLI[5] | TDP (W) |
Southbridge | Features / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD 870 chipset | RX880 | 2010 | Phenom II, Athlon 64, Sempron |
65 | 2600 (HT 3.0) |
? | No | Hybrid, x16 + x4 | No | ? | SB850 | Single PCIe 2.0 x16 |
| AMD 880G chipset | RS880P | Q4 2010 | Phenom II, Athlon II, Sempron |
55 | ? | Radeon HD 4250 | Hybrid | No | SB710, SB750, SB810, SB850, SB920, SB950 |
DirectX 10.1, UVD2, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort/DPCP, OR single PCIe 2.0 x16 AM3+ socket support | ||
| AMD 880M chipset | RS880M | Q2 2010 | Mobile Turion II, Mobile Athlon II, Mobile Sempron |
? | Radeon HD 4200 | PowerXpress AXIOM/MXM module(s) |
No | SB820 | DirectX 10.1, UVD2, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, sideport memory, OR single PCI-E 2.0 x16 Mobile Chipset, Tigris platform | |||
| AMD 880M chipset | Athlon II Neo, Turion II Neo |
Radeon HD 4225 | No | DirectX 10.1, UVD2, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, OR Single PCI-E 2.0 x16 Mobile Chipset, Nile platform | ||||||||
| AMD 880M chipset | Mobile Phenom II, Mobile Turion II, Mobile Athlon II, Mobile Sempron V-Series |
Radeon HD 4250 Radeon HD 4270 |
No | DirectX 10.1, UVD2, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, OR single PCI-E 2.0 x16 Mobile Chipset, Danube platform | ||||||||
| AMD 890GX chipset | RS880D | Phenom II, Athlon II, Sempron |
? | Radeon HD 4290 | Hybrid, x8 + x8 |
No | 22 | SB710, SB750, SB810, SB850 |
DirectX 10.1, UVD2, HDMI/HDCP, DisplayPort/DPCP, Side-port memory, OR two PCIe 2.0 x16 | |||
| AMD 890FX chipset | RD890 | Bulldozer,[6] Phenom II, Athlon II, Sempron |
65 | Yes[7] | No | x16 + x16 or x8 quad |
No | 18 | SB710, SB750, SB810, SB850 |
Four PCIe 2.0 x16 | ||
| AMD 970 chipset | RX980 | Q2 2011 | Bulldozer, Piledriver Phenom II, Athlon II, Sempron, FX |
65 | 2400 (HT 3.0) |
Yes[8] | No | x16 + x4 | No | 13.6 | SB710, SB750, SB810, SB850, SB920, SB950 |
Single PCIe 2.0 x16, IOMMU
AM3+ socket support |
| AMD 990X chipset | RD980 | 2600 (HT 3.0) |
x8 + x8 | x8 + x8 | 14 | Two PCIe 2.0 x16, IOMMU
AM3+ socket support | ||||||
| AMD 990FX chipset | RD990 | x16 + x16 or x8 quad |
x16 + x16 or x16 + x8 + x8 or x8 quad |
19.6 | Four PCIe 2.0 x16, IOMMU
AM3+ socket support | |||||||
| Model | Code name |
Released | CPU support | Fab (nm) |
HT (MHz) |
AMD-V (Hardware Virtualization) |
IGP | CrossFire | SLI | TDP (W) |
Southbridge | Features / Notes |
Southbridges
[edit]AMD-xxx
[edit]| Model | Codename | Released | Fab (nm) | USB 2.0 + 1.1 |
Audio | Parallel ATA1 | Features / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD 640 chipset | AMD-645 | 1997 | 2 × ATA/33 | ||||
| AMD 750 chipset | AMD-756 | 1999 | 0 + 4 | 2 × ATA/66 | |||
| AMD 760 chipset | AMD-766 | 2001 | 2 × ATA/100 | ||||
| AMD 760MPX chipset | AMD-768 | AC'97 | |||||
| Geode GX1 | Geode CS5530 | AC'97 | 2 × ATA/33 | National Semiconductor release | |||
| Geode GXm Geode GXLV |
Geode CS5530A | ||||||
| Geode GX | Geode CS5535 | 0 + 4 | 2 × ATA/66 | ||||
| Geode LX | Geode CS5536 | 4 + 0 | 2 × ATA/100 | ||||
| AMD-8111 nForce Professional ULi-1563 |
AMD-8131 | 2004 | 4 + 2 | AC'97 | 2 × ATA/133 | PCI-X | |
| AMD-8132 | PCI-X 2.0 | ||||||
| AMD-8151 | AMD-8151 | AGP 8X | |||||
1 Parallel ATA, also known as Enhanced IDE supports up to 2 devices per channel.
A-Link Express
[edit]- All models support eSATA implementations of available SATA channels.
| Model | Codename | Released | Fab
(nm) |
SATA | USB 2.0 + 1.1 |
Parallel ATA1 | RAID | NIC | Package | TDP
(W) |
Features / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD 480/570/580/690 CrossFire Chipset |
SB600 | 2006 | 130 | 4 × 3 Gbit/s AHCI 1.1 SATA Revision 2.0 |
10 + 0 | 1 × ATA/133 | 0,1,10 | No | 548-pin FC-BGA |
4.0 | |
| AMD 700 chipset series | SB700 | Q1 2008 | 6 × 3 Gbit/s AHCI 1.1 SATA Revision 2.0 |
12 + 2 | 1 × ATA/133 | No | 4.5 | DASH 1.0 | |||
| SB700S | DASH 1.0 Server southbridge | ||||||||||
| SB710 | Q4 2008 | DASH 1.0 | |||||||||
| SB750 | 0,1,5,10 | ||||||||||
| AMD 800 chipset series |
SB810 | Q1 2010 | 65 | 6 × 3 Gbit/s AHCI 1.2 SATA Revision 2.0 |
14 + 2 | No | 0,1,10 | 10/100/1000 | 605-pin FC-BGA |
6.0 | |
| SB850 | 6 × 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.2 SATA Revision 3.0 |
0,1,5,10 | |||||||||
| SB820M | 0,1 | 3.4 - 5.3 | mobile/embedded | ||||||||
| AMD 900 chipset series |
SB920 | May 30, 2011 | 6 × 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.2 SATA Revision 3.0 |
No | 0,1,10 | 10/100/1000 | 6.0 | ||||
| SB950 | 0,1,5,10 | ||||||||||
| Model | Codename | Released | Fab (nm) | SATA | USB 2.0 + 1.1 |
Parallel ATA1 | RAID | NIC | Package | TDP (W) | Features / Notes |
1 Parallel ATA, also known as Enhanced IDE supports up to 2 devices per channel.
Fusion controller hubs (FCH)
[edit]For AMD APU models from 2011 until 2016. AMD marketed their chipsets as Fusion Controller Hubs (FCH), implementing it across their product range in 2017 alongside the release of the Zen architecture. Before then, only APUs used FCHs, while their other CPUs still used a northbridge and southbridge. The Fusion Controller Hubs are similar in function to Intel's Platform Controller Hub.

AMD's FCH has been discontinued since the release of the Carrizo series of CPUs as it has been integrated into the same die as the rest of the CPU.[9] However, since the release of the Zen architecture, there's still a component called a chipset which only handles relatively low speed I/O such as USB and SATA ports and connects to the CPU with a PCIe connection. In these systems all PCIe connections are routed directly to the CPU.[10] The UMI interface previously used by AMD for communicating with the FCH is replaced with a PCIe connection. Technically the processor can operate without a chipset; it only continues to be present for interfacing with low speed I/O. AMD server CPUs adopt a self contained system on chip design instead which doesn't require a chipset.[11][12][13][14]
| Model | Codename | UMI | SATA | USB 3.0+2.0+1.1 |
RAID | NIC | 33 MHz PCI | SD[S 1] | VGA DAC | TDP
(W) |
Features / notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | ||||||||||||
| A55T | Hudson-M2T[N 1] | ×2 Gen 1 | 1× 3 Gbit/s AHCI 1.1 |
0 + 8 + 0 | No | No | No | SDIO | No | |||
| A50M | Hudson-M1[N 1] | ×4 Gen 1[M 1] | 6× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.2 |
0 + 14 + 2 | No | 5.9[15] | ~920 mW idle | 100-CG2198[15] | ||||
| A60M | Hudson-M2[N 1] | ×4 Gen 1 +DP | 0,1 | 10/100/1000 | Yes | Yes | 4.7 | |||||
| A68M | Hudson-M3L[N 1] | 2× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.2 |
2 + 8 + 0 | No | ~750 mW idle | 218-0792006 | ||||||
| A70M | Hudson-M3[N 1] | 6× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.2 |
4 + 10 + 2 | Yes | First native USB 3.0 controller[16] |
100-CG2389[15] | ||||||
| A76M | Bolton-M3[N 1] | 218-0844012 | ||||||||||
| Desktop | ||||||||||||
| A45 | Hudson-D1[N 2] | ×4 Gen. 2[M 2] | 6× 3 Gbit/s AHCI 1.1 |
0 + 14 + 2 | No | No | Up to 4 slots | No | No | 218-0792008 | ||
| A55 | Hudson-D2[N 2] | ×4 Gen 2 +DP | 0,1,10 | 10/100/1000 | Up to 3 slots | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | ||||
| A58 | Bolton-D2[N 2] | ×4 Gen 2 | 6× 3 Gbit/s AHCI 1.3 |
218-0844023 | ||||||||
| A68H | Bolton-D2H[N 2] | 4× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.3 |
2 + 10 + 2 | xHCI 1.0 | 218-0844029-00 | |||||||
| A75 | Hudson-D3[N 2] | ×4 Gen 2 +DP | 6× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.2 |
4 + 10 + 2 | 10/100/1000 | 7.8[15] | First native USB 3.0 controller[16] |
100-CG2386[15] | ||||
| A78 | Bolton-D3[N 2] | 6× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.3 |
7.8 | xHCI 1.0 | 218-0844014 | |||||||
| A85X | Hudson-D4[N 2] | 8× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.2 |
0,1,5,10 | 10/100/1000 | USB 3.0 (xHCI 0.96) | 218-0755117 | ||||||
| A88X | Bolton-D4[N 2] | ×4 Gen 2 | 8× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.3 |
USB 3.0 (xHCI 1.0) | 218-0844016 | |||||||
| Embedded | ||||||||||||
| A55E | Hudson-E1[N 3] | ×4 Gen 2 | 6× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.2 |
0 + 14 + 2 | 0,1,5,10 | 10/100/1000 | Up to 4 slots | No | No | 5.9[15] | 100-CG2293[15] | |
| A77E[17] | Bolton-E4[N 3] | 1-, 2-, or 4-lane 2 or 5 GB/s |
6× 6 Gbit/s AHCI 1.3 |
4 + 10 + 2 | Up to 3 slots | Yes | Yes | 4-lane PCIe 2.0 | 218-0844020-00 | |||
| Model | Codename | UMI | SATA | USB 3.0+2.0+1.1 |
RAID | NIC | 33 MHz PCI | SD[S 1] | VGA DAC | TDP (W) | Features / notes | Part number |
Secure Digital:
Codename:
UMI:
AM4 chipsets
[edit]

A total of 3 generations of AM4-based chipsets has been released. These generations begin the numeric part of their models with 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
In addition to their traditional chipsets, AMD offers chipsets with "processor-direct access", exclusively through OEM partners.[18] Enthusiast publication igor'sLAB obtained leaked documents about an AMD "Knoll Activator" that enables "activating... processor I/O and processor features in the absence of an alternative AMD chipset." It is concluded that motherboards with the Knoll Activator would be built with I/O from the processor and low-cost I/O chips.[19]
Individual chipset models differ in the number of PCI Express lanes, USB ports, and SATA connectors, as well as supported technologies; the table below shows these differences.[20][21]
| Model | Release date | PCIe support[a] | Multi-GPU | USB support[b] | Storage features | Processor overclocking |
TDP | CPU support | Architecture | Part number | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrossFire | SLI | SATA ports | RAID | AMD StoreMI | Excavator | Zen | Zen+ | Zen 2 | Zen 3 | ||||||||
| A300 | Feb 2017 | None | N/A | None | None | Yes[22] | No[23] | No | ~120 μW[c] | No | Yes[24][25] | Knoll Express[26] | 100-CG2978 218-0892000 KNOLL1 | ||||
| X300 | Yes | Yes[27] | unknown | ||||||||||||||
| Pro 500 | Jan 2020[28] | Unknown | No | Partial[d] | 218-0891003 unreleased | ||||||||||||
| A320 | Feb 2017[29][30] | PCIe 2.0 ×4 | No | No | 1, 2, 6 | 4 | 0, 1, 10 |
No | Limited[e] | ~5.8 W[31] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies[f] | Promontory | 218-0891004 | |
| B350 | PCIe 2.0 ×6 | Yes | 2, 2, 6 | Yes | 218-0891005 | ||||||||||||
| X370 | PCIe 2.0 ×8 | Yes | 2, 6, 6 | 8 | 218-0891006 | ||||||||||||
| B450 | Mar 2018[32] | PCIe 2.0 ×6 | No | 2, 2, 6 | 4 | Yes | Yes, with PBO |
Varies[g] | Yes | Varies[g][33] | 218-0891011 | ||||||
| X470 | PCIe 2.0 ×8 | Yes | 2, 6, 6 | 8 | 218-0891008 | ||||||||||||
| A520 | Aug 2020[34] | PCIe 3.0 ×6 | No | 1, 2, 6 | 4 | No | Varies | 218-0891015 | |||||||||
| B550[h] | Jun 2020[35][36] | PCIe 3.0 ×10 | Yes | Varies | 2, 2, 6 | 6 | Yes, with PBO |
~7W | 218-0891014 - b550, 218-0891009 - B550A | ||||||||
| X570 | Jul 2019[37][38] | PCIe 4.0 ×16 | Yes | 8, 0, 4 | 12 | ~15 W[39][40][i] | No | Yes | Yes | Bixby | 100-CG3091 | ||||||
- ^ PCIe lanes provided by the chipset. The CPU provides other PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 lanes.
- ^ USB 3.2 Gen 2x1, USB 3.2 Gen 1x1, USB 2.0
- ^ Knoll chipsets consume "insignificant power ...after [boot] in sleep mode", power figure based on a typical SPI controller
- ^ Limited to specific SKUs branded as Ryzen Pro and Athlon Pro
- ^ Only pre-Zen CPUs can be overclocked.
- ^ BIOS update needed. Availability may depend on manufacturer.
- ^ a b Beta BIOS updates may be made available by motherboard manufacturers.
- ^ OEM-only B550A is a rebranded B450
- ^ 7 watts on passive cooling (termed X570s).
The 300 series, 400 series, and the B550 chipsets are designed in collaboration with ASMedia and the family is codenamed Promontory.[41] The X570 is designed by AMD with IP licensed from ASMedia and other companies and is codenamed Bixby.[42] Network interface controller, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are provided by external chips connected to the chipset through PCIe or USB. All 300 series chipsets are made using 55 nm lithography.[43] The X570 chipset is a repurposed Matisse/Vermeer IO die made using a 14 nm process.[44]
TR4 chipsets
[edit]Supports both 1st and 2nd generation AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors.[45]
| Model | CPU PCIe Link |
PCIe support | Multi-GPU support | SATA + SATA Express | USB 3.1 Gen 2 + 3.1 Gen 1 + 2.0 |
RAID | Overclocking | TDP | Chipset lithography | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrossFire | SLI | |||||||||
| X399[46][45] | ×4 | PCIe 2.0 ×8 | Yes | Yes | 4 + 2 | 2 + 14 + 6 | 0,1,10 | Yes | 5 W[47] | Unknown |
sTRX4 chipsets
[edit]Supports 3rd generation AMD Ryzen Threadripper (3960X to 3990X) processors.[48]
| Model | CPU PCIe Link |
PCIe support | Multi-GPU support | SATA | USB 3.1 Gen 2 + 2.0 |
RAID | Overclocking | TDP | Chipset lithography | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrossFire | SLI | ||||||||||
| TRX40[48] | ×8 | PCIe 4.0 ×8 | Yes | Yes | 4 (+ up to 2 × 4 extra) | 8 + 4 | 0,1,10 | Yes | 15 W[47] | 14 nm | HW-wise identical to X570[citation needed] |
Although the X399, TRX40 and WRX80 motherboards' CPU sockets use the same number of pins, the sockets are incompatible with each other due to ID pins and no-connects of some pins. Twelve TRX40 motherboards were released at launch in November 2019. The TRX40 chipset does not support the HD Audio interface on its own, so motherboard vendors must include a USB audio device or a PCIe audio device on TRX40 motherboards to integrate audio codecs.[47]
sWRX8 chipsets
[edit]Supports 3rd (3900WX) and 4th generation (5900WX) AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro processors.[49]
| Model | CPU PCIe Link |
PCIe support | Multi-GPU support | SATA | USB 3.1 Gen 2 + 2.0 |
RAID | Overclocking | TDP | Chipset lithography | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrossFire | SLI | ||||||||||
| WRX80 | ×8 | PCIe 4.0 ×16 | Yes | Yes | 4 | 8 + 4 | 0,1,10 | Yes | 15 W | 14 nm | HW-wise identical to EPYC/Threadripper IO die[citation needed] |
Although the X399, TRX40 and WRX80 motherboards' CPU sockets use the same number of pins, the sockets are incompatible with each other due to ID pins and no-connects of some pins.[47] Three WRX80 motherboards were released at launch in March 2021. The WRX80 chipset does not support the HD Audio interface on its own, so motherboard vendors must include a USB audio device or a PCIe audio device on WRX80 motherboards to integrate audio codecs.
AM5 chipsets
[edit]AMD uses a single Promontory 21 chipset for all configurations that include a chipset. A single Promontory 21 chip provides four SATA III ports and twelve PCIe 4.0 lanes. Four lanes are reserved for the chipset uplink to the CPU while another four are used to connect to another Promontory 21 chip in a daisy-chained topology for X670, X670E and X870E chipsets.[50]
| Branding | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A620 / A620A | B650 | B650E | X670 | X670E | B840 | B850 | X870 | X870E | ||||
Processor features support
|
CPU support |
Zen 4 | Yes | |||||||||
| Zen 5 | Yes[a] | Yes | ||||||||||
| CPU overclocking | No | Yes | No | Yes | ||||||||
| PCIe 5.0 support[b] |
x16 slot | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | |||
| M.2 slot[c] + 4× GPP[d] | No | M.2: Optional | Yes | No | M.2: Yes | Yes | ||||||
| GPP: No | GPP: No | |||||||||||
| USB ports |
USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 | 4 | ||||||||||
Chipset features
|
PCIe lanes[e] | Gen 4 | None | ×8 | ×12 | None | ×8 | ×12 | ||||
| Gen 3 | Up to ×8 | Up to ×4 | Up to ×8 | Up to ×10 | Up to x4 | Up to ×8 | ||||||
| USB ports |
USB 2.0 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 12 | |||||||
| USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 Gb/s) |
2 | None | 2 | None | ||||||||
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 (10 Gb/s) |
2 | with max x2 ports: 4 without x2 ports: 6[f] |
with max x2 ports: 8 without x2 ports: 12[g] |
2 | with max x2 ports: 4 without x2 ports: 6[f] |
with max x2 ports: 8 without x2 ports: 12[g] | ||||||
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gb/s) |
None | Up to 1[f] | Up to 2[g] | None | Up to 1[f] | Up to 2[g] | ||||||
| Storage features |
SATA III ports | Up to 4 | Up to 8 | Up to 4 | Up to 8 | |||||||
| RAID | 0, 1, 10 | |||||||||||
Platform features
|
USB4 Gen 3×2 (40 Gb/s)[h] | Optional | Yes | |||||||||
| Wi-Fi [h] | Optional[i] | |||||||||||
| PCIe x16 slot configurations | 1×16 | 1×16 or 2×8 | 1×16 | 1×16 or 2×8 | ||||||||
| Multi-GPU | CrossFire | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | |||
| SLI | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | |||
| Chipset links |
To CPU | PCIe 4.0 ×4 | ||||||||||
| Interchipset | — | PCIe 4.0 ×4 | — | PCIe 4.0 ×4 | ||||||||
| Chipset TDP | ~4.5 W | ~7 W | ~14 W[j] | ~7 W | ~14 W[j] | |||||||
| Architecture | Promontory 22 / 21 x1 (A620)[51] Promontory 19 x1 (A620A)[52] |
Promontory 21 ×1 |
Promontory 21 ×2 |
Promontory 21 ×1 |
Promontory 21 ×2 | |||||||
| Release date | Mar 31, 2023 | Oct 10, 2022 | Sep 27, 2022 | Jan 6, 2025 | Sep 2024 | |||||||
| References | [53][54][55][56] | [53][54][57][58][59] | [53][54] | [53][54][60][61][62] | ||||||||
- ^ More likely need a BIOS update if the motherboard was manufactured in a earlier date.
- ^ Support for Gen5 speeds on lanes directly from CPU to expansion and M.2 slots, and general-purpose lanes. (Also depends on CPU PCIe support. Some CPUs have as low as 10 lanes of PCIe 4.0 available.)
- ^ The "first" M.2 slot.
- ^ Some motherboards connect GPP lanes to a second M.2 slot.
- ^ PCIe lanes provided by the chipset. The CPU provides other PCIe 5.0 and/or 4.0 lanes.
- ^ a b Provided by a third-party controller.
- ^ AMD did not mandate which Wi-Fi version should be paired with which chipset (unlike USB4 is mandatory with some chipsets). Motherboard makers may omit Wi-Fi on some models.
- ^ a b Two Promontory 21 chipsets are present, each having a TDP of ~7 W, giving a total TDP of ~14 W.
sTR5 chipsets
[edit]The sTR5 socket has two chipset options available, TRX50 and WRX90:
- TRX50 is an HEDT (High-End Desk-Top) platform which is intended to be paired with Threadripper (7000X) series processors, but is also compatible with Threadripper Pro models. When a Threadripper Pro CPU is paired with a TRX50 motherboard, extra features like enterprise management and security won't be available to the user, and PCIe lanes and memory channels will still be limited to that of non-Pro Threadripper.
- WRX90 is a workstation platform for Threadripper Pro (7000WX) series processors. It is not compatible with the Threadripper non-Pro 7000X series.[63]
HD audio support is provided by the CPU, rather than by the chipset.[64]
| Model | CPU PCIe Link |
PCIe support | Multi-GPU support | SATA | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 + 3.1 Gen 2 + 2.0 |
RAID | Overclocking | TDP | Chipset lithography | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrossFire | SLI | ||||||||||
| TRX50[65] | PCIe 4.0 ×8 | 4 | 1 + 4 + 4 | Yes | |||||||
| WRX90[64][65] | ×4 | ||||||||||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "AMD's Super Bypass - AMD Improves their 750 Chipset". Tom's Hardware. December 29, 1999.
- ^ "AMD-768 Peripheral Bus Controller Revision Guide" (PDF). AMD. March 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2004.
- ^ AMD Phenom Motherboard compatibility matrix[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The AMD 780G Chipset Designed to power your ultimate entertainment PC". AMD. Archived from the original on February 16, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ Petersen, Tom (April 28, 2011). "YOU ASKED FOR IT, YOU GOT IT: SLI FOR AMD". The Official NVIDIA Blog. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ "ASUS First to Provide AM3+ CPU Ready Solution for Current AM3 and Future AM3+ Motherboards". event.asus.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ "AMD 890FX Databook" (PDF). AMD. January 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ "AMD 990FX/990X/970 Databook" (PDF). AMD. July 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ "AMD at ISSCC 2015: Carrizo and Excavator Details". Archived from the original on February 24, 2015.
- ^ "AMD Zen 4 Ryzen 9 7950X and Ryzen 5 7600X Review: Retaking the High-End". Archived from the original on November 1, 2022.
- ^ "AMD Documentation Hub" (PDF). www.amd.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, Patrick (2019-04-08). "Supermicro M11SDV-4C-LN4F Review mITX AMD EPYC 3151 Platform". ServeTheHome. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ Cutress, Andrei Frumusanu, Dr Ian. "AMD 3rd Gen EPYC Milan Review: A Peak vs Per Core Performance Balance". www.anandtech.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "The AMD Zen and Ryzen 7 Review: A Deep Dive on 1800X, 1700X and 1700". Archived from the original on March 7, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g "AMD EMBEDDED SOLUTIONS:Product Selection Guide" (PDF). AMD. June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
- ^ a b "AMD : deux chipsets pour l'APU Llano sont certifiés USB 3.0". nextinpact.com (in French). November 29, 2019.
- ^ "AMD A77E Fusion Controller Hub Databook" (PDF). AMD. February 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
- ^ "AMD Socket AM4 Chipset". AMD.com.
- ^ Wallossek, Igor (2020-07-13). "Run a current Ryzen without an AMD chipset? That would work too! What's behind the Knoll Activator". igor'sLAB. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
- ^ "AMD Socket AM4 Platform". AMD. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
- ^ "Socket AM4 X570 Motherboards". AMD. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
- ^ "DeskMini A300 Series". ASRock. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ T S, Ganesh. "The ASRock DeskMini A300 Review: An Affordable DIY AMD Ryzen mini-PC". AnandTech. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "LIVA One A300 CPU Support". ECS ELITEGROUP. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ Mileschin, Stefan. "ECS LIVA One A300 Barebone Review". Madshrimps.
- ^ "A300AM4-TI5(1.1) Specification". ECS ELITEGROUP. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "ASRock DeskMini X300 Series CPU Support List". ASRock. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ Solca, Bogdan. "AMD extends mini PC support with new AM4 Pro 500-series chipset for budget builds". NotebookCheck. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ Khalid Moammer (2017-02-13). "AMD Ryzen X370 & B350 ASUS Motherboards Leaked – Launching February 24th". WCCF Tech. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ Paul Lilly (2017-01-05). "AMD Announces X300 And X370 AM4 Motherboards For Ryzen Processors, All Chips Unlocked". HotHardware. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ Ian Cutress (2016-09-23). "The Two Main Chipsets: B350 and A320". AnandTech. Retrieved 2019-06-15.
- ^ Jacob Ridley (2018-01-05). "AMD's 12nm Ryzen 2 expected to launch in March alongside X470 and B450 chipsets". PCGamesN. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
- ^ "AMD Reverses Course, Will Enable Zen 3 and Ryzen 4000 Support on B450 and X470 Motherboards". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ "ASRock Follows ASUS, Registers 12 AMD A520 Motherboards for Ryzen 4000 Chips". Hardwaretimes. 2020-06-06. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
- ^ "AMD Expands 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ Desktop Processor Family, Unleashing Powerful "Zen 2" Core For The Mainstream". AMD. 2020-04-21. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- ^ "AMD Chipset Comparison: B550 Specs vs. X570, B450, X370, & Zen 3 Support (2020)". GamersNexus. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ CrimsonRayne (2018-12-01). "AMD X570 Launches at Computex & Supports PCIE 4.0 | Ryzen 3000 Series Launch Date Leaked?". redgamingtech. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
the X570 platform is targeting a release of Computex 2019, which takes place between May 28th and June 1st.
- ^ Hassan Mujtaba (2019-05-27). "AMD X570 Motherboard Roundup – Featuring X570 AORUS Xtreme, ASRock X570 Taichi, MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE, ASUS Crosshair VIII HERO & More". wccftech. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
slide
- ^ Gavin Bonshor (2019-05-26). "AMD Reveals the X570 Chipset: PCIe 4.0 is Here". AnandTech. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
One of the caveats to a more powerful chipset is that it draws around 11 W of power.
- ^ "AMD X570 Unofficial Platform Diagram Revealed, Chipset Puts out PCIe Gen 4". TechPowerUp. 2019-05-20. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
The source also mentions the TDP of the AMD X570 chipset to be at least 15 Watts, a 3-fold increase over the X470 with its 5W TDP.
- ^ Ian Cutress (2017-03-02). "Making AMD Tick: A Very Zen Interview with Dr. Lisa Su, CEO". AnandTech. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
- ^ Gavin Bonshor. "AMD Reveals the X570 Chipset: PCIe 4.0 is Here". AnandTech. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
- ^ Ian Cutress (2017-03-02). "Making AMD Tick: A Very Zen Interview with Dr. Lisa Su, CEO". AnandTech. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
Q6: It has been noted that AMD has been working with ASMedia on the chipset side of the platform, using a 55nm PCIe 3.0x4 based chipset.
- ^ Dr. Ian Cutress [@IanCutress] (June 11, 2019). "So for clarity: Rome large IO die = GF 14nm Matisse small IO die = GF 12nm X570 Chipset = Matisse IO die on GF 14nm That's right. The X570 chipset is the same floorplan as the Matisse, but with diff chicken bits enabled/disabled. AMD has good reuse of chips" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b "SocketTR4 Platform with X399 Chipset". AMD.com. AMD. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
- ^ Cutress, Ian. "AMD Threadripper 1920X and 1950X CPU Details: 12/16 Cores, 4 GHz Turbo, $799 and $999". anandtech.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Bonshor, Gavin (November 28, 2019). "The AMD TRX40 Motherboard Overview: 12 New Motherboards Analyzed". AnandTech. Archived from the original on November 29, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ a b "AMD TRX40 Motherboards for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors". AMD.com. 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "Socket sWRX WRX80 Motherboards". AMD.com. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- ^ "Site Launch Exclusive: All the Juicy Details on AMD's Quirky Chipset Solutions for AM5!". 22 May 2022.
- ^ Hill, Brandon (January 30, 2023). "Incoming AMD A620 Chipset Looks to Fulfill $125 Motherboard Pledge". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Liu, Zhiye (March 1, 2024). "Biostar's new AMD motherboard could be perfect for budget builds — A620A motherboard arrives with a rebadged B550 chipset". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "AMD Socket AM5 Chipset". AMD. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d Schiesser, Tim (2024-10-15). AM5 Chipsets Compared - X870E vs X670E vs X870 vs X670 vs B650 vs B850 vs B840 vs A620 (Video). Hardware Unboxed – via YouTube.
- ^ Peak, Sebastian (March 31, 2023). "AMD Announces A620 Chipset for Ryzen 7000 Series CPUs". PC Perspective. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
- ^ Alcorn, Paul (April 1, 2023). "AMD's A620 Chipset Quietly Arrives Without Full Support for 65W-Plus CPUs". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Ryan; Bonshor, Gavin (September 26, 2022). "AMD Zen 4 Ryzen 9 7950X and Ryzen 5 7600X Review: Retaking The High-End". AnandTech. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ^ Cunningham, Andrew (September 27, 2022). "Everything you need to know about Zen 4, socket AM5, and AMD's newest chipsets". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ^ Shoam, Amir (May 2, 2023). "Guide to AMD Ryzen 7000 Motherboard Chipsets". TechSpot. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ "AMD introduces X870(E) chipset, promises AM5 updates through 2027+". VideoCardz.com. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Clairebois, Lâm (4 June 2024). "New AMD chipsets: the X870E is a rebadged X670E". Overclocking.com. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Mason, Damien (10 June 2024). "AMD Ryzen 9000X3D CPUs are set for a September launch". Club386. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ Chiappetta, Marco (20 October 2023). "AMD Threadripper Pro 7000 Debut: 96-Core Zen 4 CPU Benchmarked". HotHardware. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ a b Kennedy, Patrick (19 October 2023). "AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7000WX at 96 Cores and Threadripper 7000 HEDT". ServeTheHome. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ a b Lagergren, Evan (30 October 2023). "AMD TRX50 vs WRX90". Puget Systems. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
External links
[edit]List of AMD chipsets
View on GrokipediaNorth- and Southbridge Chipsets
Northbridges
The northbridge, in AMD's traditional chipset architecture, serves as the primary interface for high-speed data transfer between the CPU, system memory, and graphics subsystem, while also managing interconnects such as HyperTransport for linking to the southbridge and expansion slots. This design, prevalent in AMD platforms from the late 1990s to the late 2000s, allowed for scalable performance in desktop and server systems by offloading memory control and AGP/PCIe handling from the CPU. Integrated graphics capabilities were occasionally included in select northbridges to support budget configurations, though discrete GPUs remained the focus for high-end builds.[8] AMD's first northbridge, the AMD-750 (also known as Irongate), debuted in August 1999 as the inaugural chipset for the Athlon processor on Socket A (Slot A initially). It supported a 200 MHz front-side bus, PC100 SDRAM up to 1.5 GB in single-channel mode, AGP 2.0 for graphics, and four PCI slots, marking AMD's entry into chipset design to complement its CPUs. This model was paired with the AMD-756 southbridge and targeted mainstream desktop systems, enabling Athlon's competitive positioning against Intel's Pentium III. Release spanned 1999-2001, with production ending as DDR memory became standard.[4][9] The AMD-760, released in October 2000, advanced memory support to dual-channel DDR SDRAM at 266 MHz, doubling bandwidth over the 750 to approximately 2.1 GB/s while maintaining compatibility with Athlon and Duron on Socket A. It featured an integrated AGP 4x interface and 533 MB/s HyperTransport precursor links, though full HyperTransport debuted later; this chipset powered early DDR platforms and was often paired with the AMD-766 southbridge for enthusiast builds until Socket A phased out in 2003.[10][11] In 2003, the AMD 800 series northbridges, including the AMD-8111 and AMD-8131, targeted server and workstation platforms for Opteron processors on Socket 940. The AMD-8131 specifically added PCI-X support at 133 MHz for up to 1 GB/s bandwidth in legacy expansion, alongside HyperTransport 1.0 at 800 MHz (1.6 GB/s aggregate per link) for CPU-to-northbridge communication and registered DDR memory up to 400 MHz. These models supported dual-processor configurations and were key for early 64-bit enterprise adoption, with release from mid-2003 to 2005.[12][8] For consumer Athlon 64 processors on Sockets 754 and 939 starting in 2003, AMD pursued an open platform strategy, encouraging third-party vendors to develop compatible chipsets rather than producing its own northbridges. Notable examples include NVIDIA's nForce3 (released August 2003, with HyperTransport 1.0, AGP 8x, and dual-channel DDR400 support), VIA's K8T800 (September 2003, similar features with PCI-X options), and SiS's 755 (2003, budget-oriented with integrated graphics). This approach broadened ecosystem support while AMD focused on server solutions like the AMD-940.[13][14] The AMD-940 northbridge, released in June 2004, was optimized for initial Opteron deployments on Socket 940, supporting dual-channel registered DDR400 ECC memory at 6.4 GB/s peak bandwidth and three HyperTransport 1.0 links at 1.6 GB/s each for multi-processor scalability. It lacked integrated graphics, focusing on server reliability with PCI-X options, and paired with the AMD-8111 for I/O tunneling; production ran through 2007 for enterprise upgrades.[15][16] For the AM2 platform in May 2006, the AMD 500 series northbridges such as the RS480 and RS485 supported Athlon 64 X2 on Socket AM2 with DDR2-800 dual-channel memory up to 12.8 GB/s, HyperTransport 2.0 at 1.0 GHz (4 GB/s aggregate), and PCIe 1.0 x16 for graphics. These emphasized the DDR2 transition and were compatible with Phenom via BIOS updates. NVIDIA's co-branded nForce 410, launched October 2004 but adapted for AM2 in 2006, featured GeForce 6100 IGP, HT 2.0, and PCIe x16.[17] The AMD 690 series, introduced in February 2007 with the RS690 and variants, brought optional integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 graphics, HyperTransport 3.0 support at up to 2.6 GT/s (5.2 GB/s per 16-bit link) for Phenom-ready platforms on Socket AM2+, alongside dual-channel DDR2-1066 and PCIe 1.1. Bandwidth for HT 3.0 reached 41.6 GB/s aggregate in multi-link setups, enabling better multi-GPU scaling. Released alongside early Phenom CPUs, it served desktop until 2009.[18][19] AMD's 700 series northbridges, launched November 2007 for the Phenom platform on Socket AM2+, featured the AMD 790X with HyperTransport 3.0 at 2.6 GT/s (10.4 GB/s full-duplex per link), 44 PCIe 2.0 lanes at 8 GT/s (up to 8 GB/s per x16 slot), and support for quad-GPU CrossFire X. The series, including 780E with Radeon HD 3200 IGP for HTPC use, emphasized 64-bit multi-core efficiency and DDR2-1066, with releases through 2009 for Phenom II compatibility. HT 3.0 specs provided 2.0-2.6 GHz rates, scaling bandwidth to 4.0-5.2 GB/s per direction on 16-bit links.[20]| Northbridge Model | Release Year | Supported CPUs | Memory Support | Key Interconnect Features | Typical Southbridge Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD-750 | 1999 | Athlon (Slot A/Socket A) | Single-channel PC100 SDRAM | 200 MHz FSB, AGP 2.0 | AMD-756 |
| AMD-760 | 2000 | Athlon/Duron (Socket A) | Dual-channel DDR-266 | 266 MHz FSB, AGP 4x | AMD-766 |
| AMD 800 Series (e.g., 8131) | 2003 | Opteron (Socket 940) | Dual-channel DDR-400 ECC | HT 1.0 (1.6 GB/s/link), PCI-X 133 MHz | AMD-8111 |
| AMD-940 | 2004 | Opteron (Socket 940) | Dual-channel DDR-400 ECC | HT 1.0 (1.6 GB/s x3 links) | AMD-8111 |
| AMD 500 Series (e.g., RS485) | 2006 | Athlon 64 X2 (AM2) | Dual-channel DDR2-800 | HT 2.0 (4 GB/s), PCIe 1.0 x16 | SB600 |
| AMD 690 Series (RS690) | 2007 | Phenom (AM2+) | Dual-channel DDR2-1066 | HT 3.0 (5.2 GB/s/link), PCIe 1.1 | SB600/SB700 |
| AMD 700 Series (790X) | 2007 | Phenom/Phenom II (AM2+) | Dual-channel DDR2-1066 | HT 3.0 (10.4 GB/s/link), PCIe 2.0 x44 | SB750 |
Southbridges
In AMD's traditional chipset architecture, the southbridge serves as the component responsible for handling low-speed input/output (I/O) peripherals, including USB controllers, storage interfaces, audio codecs, serial ports, and system management functions such as power regulation and interrupt handling. Unlike the northbridge, which focuses on high-bandwidth connections to the CPU and memory, the southbridge manages slower devices and communicates with the northbridge through a dedicated link, initially a PCI bus in early designs and later HyperTransport (HT) in models from the mid-2000s onward. This division allowed for modular system design, enabling AMD to pair various southbridges with compatible northbridges to support evolving platform requirements. For early Athlon 64 consumer platforms, third-party southbridges from VIA and NVIDIA were commonly used alongside their northbridges.[21] AMD's southbridge lineup began with the AMD-756 in 1999, designed for the Athlon processor on Socket A platforms. It integrated a PCI 2.2-compliant bus controller, a USB 1.1 host controller supporting up to two ports at 12 Mbps, dual ATA/IDE channels with UDMA/100 support for parallel ATA storage, an AC'97 interface for audio, and an LPC bus for Super I/O connectivity. The AMD-756 connected to the northbridge via a 33 MHz PCI bus and included power management features aligned with ACPI 1.0 specifications. A variant, the AMD-766, offered similar capabilities but targeted multi-processor configurations with the AMD-760MP chipset, adding enhanced interrupt handling via dual cascaded 8259-compatible controllers. The AMD-768, released in 2000, extended these features for the AMD-760MPX chipset, maintaining support for Athlon MP processors while introducing minor optimizations for server environments.[22][23][23] By 2004, AMD introduced the SB400 southbridge for Socket A and early AM2 platforms, advancing storage connectivity with native SATA 1.5 Gb/s support on two ports (alongside parallel ATA), eight USB 2.0 ports at 480 Mbps, and integrated HD Audio linkage, though it lacked PCIe integration and relied on PCI for expansion. These models emphasized cost-effective I/O expansion for mainstream desktops. For Athlon 64 on Sockets 754 and 939 (2003-2005), compatible third-party southbridges included VIA VT8237 (with SATA and USB 2.0) and NVIDIA MCP (with similar features).[24] The SB600, released in 2006 for Socket AM2 platforms, marked a significant upgrade with HyperTransport 1.0 connectivity to the northbridge at up to 1 GT/s, six SATA 3 Gb/s ports supporting AHCI mode for native command queuing and AMD RAIDXpert technology (RAID levels 0, 1, 10, 5, and JBOD), ten USB 2.0 ports, four PCIe 1.0 lanes for peripherals, and integrated Azalia HD Audio. It also incorporated power-saving features like Cool'n'Quiet integration for dynamic clock and voltage scaling. The SB700, introduced in 2007 for AM2 and AM2+ sockets, built on this with HyperTransport 2.0 at 2.6 GT/s, six SATA 3 Gb/s ports with enhanced RAID options, 14 USB 2.0 ports, and improved system management for Phenom processors. Later models like the SB800 series in 2009 for AM2/AM2+/AM3 platforms added PCIe 2.0 support with up to four lanes at 5 GT/s aggregate, while maintaining 14 USB 2.0 ports and six SATA 3 Gb/s ports with AHCI and RAID. The SB900, released in August 2009 for AM3 sockets, introduced side-port memory for IOMMU functionality to enhance virtualization and security, alongside six SATA 6 Gb/s ports, 14 USB 2.0 ports, and PCIe 2.0 x4 lanes; USB 3.0 SuperSpeed (5 Gbps) was not natively supported but added via discrete controllers. Finally, the SB950 in 2010 targeted AM3+ platforms, featuring six SATA 6 Gb/s ports with AHCI and RAID 0/1/10/5/JBOD, 14 USB 2.0 ports plus two USB 1.1, PCIe 2.0 x4 lanes, an integrated Gigabit Ethernet MAC, native USB 3.0 support, and advanced power management compliant with ACPI 4.0. This evolution reflected a shift toward higher-speed storage and peripheral standards, culminating in the transition to integrated FCH designs post-2011.[25][26]| Model | Release Year | Supported Platforms | USB Ports | SATA Ports (Speed) | PCIe Lanes (Version) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD-756 | 1999 | Socket A | 2 (USB 1.1) | 2 PATA (UDMA/100) | N/A (PCI bus) | AC'97 audio, LPC bus[22] |
| SB400 | 2004 | Socket A, AM2 | 8 (USB 2.0) | 2 (1.5 Gb/s) | N/A (PCI) | HD Audio link[24] |
| SB600 | 2006 | AM2 | 10 (USB 2.0) | 6 (3 Gb/s, AHCI/RAID) | 4 (1.0) | HT 1.0, Azalia audio |
| SB700 | 2007 | AM2, AM2+ | 14 (USB 2.0) | 6 (3 Gb/s, AHCI/RAID) | 4 (1.0) | HT 2.0 |
| SB800 | 2009 | AM2, AM2+, AM3 | 14 (USB 2.0) | 6 (3 Gb/s, AHCI/RAID) | 4 (2.0) | Enhanced expansion[27] |
| SB900 | 2009 | AM3 | 14 (USB 2.0) | 6 (6 Gb/s, AHCI/RAID) | 4 (2.0) | IOMMU side-port memory[28] |
| SB950 | 2010 | AM3+ | 14 (USB 2.0) + 6 (USB 3.0) | 6 (6 Gb/s, AHCI/RAID) | 4 (2.0) | Gigabit Ethernet MAC, native USB 3.0 |
FCH Chipsets
Desktop and Server FCH
The Fusion Controller Hub (FCH) marked AMD's shift to an integrated I/O solution beginning in 2011, replacing discrete southbridge components in desktop and server platforms, particularly those supporting APUs with onboard graphics. This architecture centralized functions such as storage controllers, USB hubs, audio processing, and PCIe connectivity into a single chip connected directly to the CPU or APU via a high-bandwidth point-to-point interface, enabling efficient resource sharing of up to 24 PCIe 2.0 lanes from the processor. Designed for platforms like FM1 and FM2 sockets, the FCH optimized power efficiency and expandability for mainstream desktops while providing robust I/O for APU-integrated systems.[29] Key desktop FCH models included the A75 and A85X variants, launched in 2011 and 2012 respectively for FM1 (Llano APUs) and FM2 (Trinity APUs) platforms, with support extending to FM2+ (Kaveri and Carrizo APUs) through 2015. The A75 FCH, used in entry-level boards, featured 6 SATA 6 Gb/s ports with RAID 0/1/10 support, 14 USB 2.0 ports plus 2 USB 3.0 ports, 4 PCIe 2.0 lanes for expansion slots and peripherals, and integrated Azalia HD audio codec. The higher-end A85X FCH enhanced this with 8 SATA 6 Gb/s ports, 4 USB 3.0 ports alongside 10 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 1.1 ports, 4 PCIe 2.0 lanes, including configurable allocation for Gigabit Ethernet and additional USB controllers. For non-APU AM3+ platforms, the SB950 FCH (introduced in 2011 as an update to the SB850) provided similar I/O with 6 SATA 6 Gb/s ports supporting RAID 0/1/5/10 configurations, 14 USB 2.0 ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports via an integrated controller, 2 PCIe 2.0 lanes, and Azalia audio, ensuring compatibility with FX-series processors.[30] Server-oriented FCH implementations, such as the SP5100 paired with the SR5670 northbridge in G34 socket platforms for Opteron 6000-series processors (launched 2010 and supported through 2012), emphasized reliability and scalability with 6 SATA 3 Gb/s ports, support for up to 6 SATA channels via RAID 0/1/10, dual 10 GbE MAC controllers for high-speed networking, 14 USB 2.0 ports, and PCI support optimized for server add-in cards. These variants prioritized thermal management with a 5.6W TDP and integrated features like IOMMU for virtualization, distinguishing them from desktop models through enhanced error correction and hot-plug support. Power and thermal specifications across FCH models typically ranged from 3.5W to 6W TDP, with operating temperatures up to 105°C to suit varied cooling solutions in desktop and rackmount servers.[31][32]| Model | Platform/Socket | SATA Ports (Gb/s) | USB Ports | PCIe 2.0 Lanes from FCH | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A75 | FM1/FM2 (2011-2015) | 6 (6) | 14x USB 2.0 + 2x USB 3.0 | 4 | RAID 0/1/10, Azalia audio, IOMMU |
| A85X | FM2/FM2+ (2012-2015) | 8 (6) | 10x USB 2.0 + 4x USB 3.0 + 2x USB 1.1 | 4 | RAID 0/1/5/10, Gigabit Ethernet support, configurable lanes |
| SB950 | AM3+ (2011-2015) | 6 (6) | 14x USB 2.0 + 2x USB 3.0 | 2 | RAID 0/1/5/10, Azalia audio, legacy PCI support |
| SP5100 | G34 Server (2010-2012) | 6 (3) | 14x USB 2.0 | N/A (PCI) | Dual 10 GbE MAC, hot-plug SATA, server-grade ECC |
Mobile FCH
The Mobile FCH series represents AMD's I/O controller hubs designed specifically for mobile Accelerated Processing Units (APUs), serving as compact southbridges that integrate essential connectivity while prioritizing low power consumption through features like dynamic clock gating and advanced power state management. These hubs enable efficient I/O handling in laptops and netbooks, supporting integrated graphics outputs and storage interfaces without compromising on battery life. Unlike desktop variants, mobile FCH emphasize reduced pin count and thermal design power (TDP) to fit slim form factors, typically drawing less than 5W under load to support extended unplugged usage. Key models in the mobile FCH lineup include the M880G, released in 2011 for the Brazos platform featuring the E-350 APU in netbooks and ultraportables. The M880G supports up to 4 SATA ports for storage, 13 USB 2.0 ports for peripherals, PCIe 2.0 x4 lanes for expansion, and HDMI 1.4 for video output, with integrated support for DisplayPort 1.2 in some configurations. It pairs with Bobcat-based APUs on the FT1 socket, optimizing for DDR3 memory up to 1066 MHz. The M890G, a variant also launched in 2011 for the C-50 APU in similar low-power devices, shares comparable I/O capabilities but targets slightly higher-performance thin-and-light laptops with enhanced graphics passthrough. Subsequent models advanced mobile integration with the SB820M, introduced in 2012 for the Trinity mobile platform using Piledriver-based APUs like the A10-4600M. This FCH supports AMD mobile processors code-named Champlain and later, offering 6 SATA 3.0 ports, up to 14 USB 2.0 ports (with optional USB 3.0 via add-in), PCIe 2.0 x6 lanes, and HD Audio with 8 channels, while incorporating Active State Power Management (ASPM) for PCIe links to reduce idle power draw by up to 30% in low-activity scenarios. Its power consumption is rated at 3.5W typical, aiding thermal management in 15W TDP systems. The SB905, released in 2013 for the Kabini platform with Jaguar cores in APUs like the A4-5000, extends these features to ultrathin devices, supporting 4 SATA 3.0 ports, 10 USB 2.0 ports, PCIe 2.0 x4, and integrated wireless controller interfaces for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, with a focus on FM2 mobile socket compatibility up to 2014 for Beema and Mullins refreshes.[33]| Model | Release Year | Supported Platforms | SATA Ports | USB 2.0 Ports | PCIe Lanes | Graphics Outputs | TDP (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M880G | 2011 | Brazos (E-350, C-50) | 4 (SATA 2.0) | 13 | PCIe 2.0 x4 | HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 | <5 |
| M890G | 2011 | Brazos (C-50 variants) | 4 (SATA 2.0) | 12 | PCIe 2.0 x4 | HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 | <5 |
| SB820M | 2012 | Trinity mobile (A10-4600M) | 6 (SATA 3.0) | 14 | PCIe 2.0 x6 | HDMI 1.4a | 3.5 |
| SB905 | 2013 | Kabini/Beema (A4-5000) | 4 (SATA 3.0) | 10 | PCIe 2.0 x4 | HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2 | ~3 |
AM4 Chipsets
300/400 Series Chipsets
The 300 and 400 series chipsets, collectively known as the Promontory family, represent AMD's initial implementation for the AM4 socket platform, launched in March 2017 alongside the first-generation Ryzen 1000 series processors.[6] These chipsets operate primarily as southbridge equivalents, handling I/O expansion while relying on the CPU for the bulk of high-speed PCIe connectivity, including 16 lanes dedicated to graphics and 4 lanes for NVMe storage.[34] The design emphasizes compatibility with DDR4 memory, with speeds up to 3200 MHz achievable on later Ryzen generations through CPU-integrated controllers and BIOS updates.[6] The 300 series includes three main variants: the enthusiast-oriented X370, the mainstream B350, and the entry-level A320. The X370 targets high-end builds with full overclocking support for CPU and memory, dual-GPU configurations via AMD CrossFire (and limited NVIDIA SLI), and robust expansion options.[35] In contrast, the B350 offers similar overclocking but with reduced I/O, while the A320 prioritizes affordability by omitting overclocking and advanced multi-GPU features. All models support up to 8 PCIe 2.0 lanes from the chipset for peripherals, alongside 6 SATA 6 Gb/s ports on higher tiers for storage arrays.[36] USB connectivity varies, with the X370 providing 2x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) and 6x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, the B350 up to 2x Gen 2 and 6x Gen 1, and the A320 up to 1x Gen 2 and 2x Gen 1.[35] The 400 series, introduced in April 2018 with the Ryzen 2000 series, refreshes the lineup with models X470 and B450. These build on the 300 series foundation but include native enhancements like additional USB 3.1 Gen 2 controllers for up to 2x 10 Gbps ports on X470/B450, improved BIOS optimizations for Zen+ architecture, and initial integration of AMD StoreMI technology for hybrid SSD/HDD caching to boost system responsiveness.[37] Overclocking remains available on X470 and B450, with PCIe lane allocation mirroring the 300 series (e.g., x4 PCIe 3.0 from CPU for primary M.2 slots, supplemented by chipset lanes for secondary storage). RAID configurations, including 0/1/10 for SATA and NVMe, are supported across both series via AMD RAIDXpert2 software, enabling striped or mirrored arrays for performance or redundancy.[38]| Chipset | PCIe Lanes from Chipset | SATA Ports | USB 3.1 Gen 2 Ports | USB 3.1 Gen 1 Ports | Overclocking Support | Key RAID/Storage Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X370 | 8x PCIe 2.0 | 10 | 2 | 6 | Yes | RAID 0/1/10; StoreMI via software update |
| B350 | 6x PCIe 2.0 | 6 | 2 | 6 | Yes | RAID 0/1/10; StoreMI via software update |
| A320 | 4x PCIe 2.0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | No | Basic RAID; No StoreMI |
| X470 | 8x PCIe 2.0 | 10 | 2 | 6 | Yes | RAID 0/1/10/NVMe; Native StoreMI |
| B450 | 6x PCIe 2.0 | 6 | 2 | 6 | Yes | RAID 0/1/10/NVMe; Native StoreMI |
500 Series Chipsets
The 500 Series chipsets represent a 2019-2020 refresh of AMD's Promontory architecture for the AM4 socket, designed to enable PCIe 4.0 connectivity on compatible Ryzen processors while maintaining backward compatibility with prior AM4 CPUs through BIOS updates.[6][41] This update focused on enhancing bandwidth for graphics cards, NVMe storage, and peripherals, addressing the growing demands of high-performance computing without requiring a full platform overhaul. The series builds directly on the 400 Series foundation but introduces selective PCIe 4.0 support from the chipset itself in the flagship model, marking AMD's first implementation of native PCIe 4.0 lane bifurcation for flexible configurations like x8/x8 GPU setups or multi-NVMe RAID arrays.[42] The lineup includes three primary models: X570 as the enthusiast flagship, B550 for mid-range builds, and A520 for entry-level systems. The X570 chipset, launched in July 2019 alongside the Ryzen 3000 Series (Zen 2), provides 16 dedicated PCIe 4.0 lanes directly from the chipset—connected to the CPU via a PCIe 4.0 x4 uplink—enabling full-speed operation for multiple high-bandwidth devices without relying solely on CPU lanes.[41] It requires active cooling for the chipset due to higher power draw (up to 23W under load) and includes premium features like dual BIOS for recovery, native support for Wi-Fi 6 modules, and up to 12 USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (10 Gbps) plus optional USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps).[42] In contrast, the B550, released in June 2020, adopts a passive-cooled design with a PCIe 4.0 x4 CPU uplink but limits chipset-provided lanes to 10 PCIe 3.0 (8 Gbps), prioritizing cost-efficiency while still allowing PCIe 4.0 for the primary GPU slot and one M.2 NVMe drive via CPU resources.[43] It supports CPU overclocking and offers 6 USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, but omits advanced bifurcation and dual BIOS as standard. The A520, introduced in August 2020 as a budget option, eschews overclocking and PCIe 4.0 entirely, providing 8 PCIe 3.0 lanes total (via chipset and CPU) with basic I/O including 6 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (5 Gbps) and no Gen 2x2 support, targeting essential functionality for Ryzen 3000 and later processors.[44][45] All 500 Series chipsets support NVMe RAID configurations, with X570 and B550 enabling RAID 0/1/10 for up to four PCIe 4.0 drives when paired with Ryzen 3000 or 5000 Series CPUs, delivering sequential read/write speeds exceeding 7 GB/s per drive for improved storage performance in content creation and gaming workloads.[41] USB enhancements across the series include native SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2) on X570 and B550, with X570's optional 20 Gbps port providing double the bandwidth for external SSDs compared to prior generations. Full Ryzen 5000 Series (Zen 3) compatibility arrived via BIOS updates starting in late 2020, extending platform longevity for DDR4-based systems until the AM5 transition.[46][42]| Feature | X570 | B550 | A520 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCIe Lanes from Chipset | 16 (Gen 4.0) | 10 (Gen 3.0) | 8 (Gen 3.0) |
| CPU-Chipset Link | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 3.0 x4 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports | Up to 12 (10 Gbps) + 1x2 (20 Gbps optional) | Up to 6 (10 Gbps) | Up to 5 (10 Gbps) |
| Overclocking Support | Yes (CPU/RAM) | Yes (CPU/RAM) | No |
| Cooling Requirement | Active (fan/heatsink) | Passive | Passive |
| NVMe RAID Support | Yes (PCIe 4.0, up to 4 drives) | Yes (PCIe 4.0 via CPU, up to 2) | Yes (PCIe 3.0, basic) |
AM5 Chipsets
600 Series Chipsets
The 600 Series Chipsets are primarily based on the Promontory 21 design and serve as the launch platform for AMD's Socket AM5, introduced in September 2022 to pair with Ryzen 7000 series processors featuring an integrated DDR5 memory controller.[2] Unlike prior AM4 chipsets, these exclusively support DDR5 memory, enabling higher bandwidth and capacities up to 128 GB across four DIMM slots, with official speeds starting at 5200 MT/s and overclocking potential beyond 6400 MT/s via AMD EXPO profiles.[47][48] The Promontory 21 die measures 19 mm × 19 mm and consumes approximately 7 W, connecting to the CPU via a PCIe 4.0 ×4 uplink while providing downstream lanes for peripherals; higher-end variants employ dual dies for expanded connectivity.[49] These chipsets emphasize the adoption of PCIe 5.0 on premium models for graphics and NVMe storage, delivering doubled bandwidth over PCIe 4.0 for compatible devices, while the CPU contributes 28 total PCIe lanes (typically 24 usable after the chipset link).[50] USB4 support appears on select high-end boards, offering up to 40 Gbps transfer rates and compatibility with Thunderbolt accessories, though implementation varies by motherboard vendor.[51] All models support Ryzen 7000 series out of the box, with BIOS updates enabling compatibility for Ryzen 8000 and 9000 series processors.[2] The lineup includes five primary variants, differentiated by PCIe capabilities, overclocking options, and lane counts:| Chipset | GPU Support | Storage Support | Total Chipset Lanes (PCIe 4.0/3.0) | USB4 Support | Overclocking | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X670E | 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 5.0 | 1×4 PCIe 5.0 + 4× PCIe GPP | 44/8 | Yes | CPU & Memory | Extreme variant; dual Promontory 21 dies; launched September 2022.[2][49] |
| X670 | 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 4.0 | 1×4 PCIe 5.0 + 4× PCIe GPP | 44/8 | Optional | CPU & Memory | Balanced high-end; dual dies; September 2022 launch.[2] |
| B650E | 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 5.0 | 1×4 PCIe 5.0 + 4× PCIe GPP | 36/24 | Optional | CPU & Memory | Mid-range with PCIe 5.0 M.2; single die; September 2022.[2] |
| B650 | 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 4.0 | 1×4 PCIe 4.0 + 4× PCIe GPP | 36/24 | No | CPU & Memory | Mainstream; single die; September 2022.[2] |
| A620 | 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 4.0 | 1×4 PCIe 4.0 + 4× PCIe GPP | 28/0 (PCIe 4.0 uplink) | No | Memory only | Entry-level; no CPU overclocking; up to 10 USB ports (6× USB 2.0, 2× USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2× USB 3.2 Gen 2); launched March 2023. A620A variant uses Promontory 19 with PCIe 3.0 x4 uplink.[2][52][53] |
800 Series Chipsets
The 800 Series Chipsets constitute AMD's mid-2024 to early-2025 update to the AM5 socket platform, utilizing the same Promontory 21 I/O die as the preceding 600 Series but with refined feature requirements to enhance connectivity for Ryzen 9000 series (Zen 5) processors while ensuring full backward compatibility with Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. As of November 2025, AMD has confirmed support for Zen 6 architecture processors on the AM5 platform in 2026 via BIOS updates.[61] This refresh introduces mandatory high-speed interfaces on premium models, such as USB4 at 40 Gbps, to address evolving demands for faster data transfer in consumer desktops, without altering the core two-channel DDR5 memory architecture or power delivery limits of the platform. Released initially with X870 and X870E variants in September 2024, followed by B850 and B840 in January 2025, the series targets a range from enthusiast builds to budget systems, emphasizing cost-effective PCIe 5.0 adoption where feasible.[2][3][62] The top-tier X870E chipset employs a dual-die configuration, doubling USB and SATA port capacities compared to single-die siblings, while providing up to 44 total usable PCIe lanes (including 24 PCIe 4.0 from the chipset) for peripherals alongside mandatory USB4 (two 40 Gbps ports with DisplayPort alt mode). It supports full PCIe 5.0 bifurcation for the primary graphics slot (x16 or 2x8) and a dedicated x4 storage lane, enabling high-bandwidth NVMe SSDs, and includes enhanced audio via Realtek ALC4080 or equivalent codecs with improved signal-to-noise ratios. Overclocking is fully enabled, including CPU multiplier and Precision Boost Overdrive, with robust power phases (typically 16+2 or higher) to handle up to 170W TDP Zen 5 chips.[63][64][65] In contrast, the X870 uses a single-die setup but retains mandatory USB4 support and PCIe 5.0 for both graphics (x16/2x8) and storage (x4), offering 36 total usable PCIe lanes (with 12 PCIe 4.0 from the chipset configurable as general-purpose I/O) for networking, additional M.2 slots, and up to 8 SATA 6 Gbps ports when configured maximally. It provides similar overclocking capabilities and audio enhancements as the X870E, but with fewer native USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) ports—typically up to 12x 10 Gbps and 2x 5 Gbps alongside the USB4. This model balances premium features with more accessible pricing for mainstream high-performance builds.[2][66][67] For peripherals requiring ultra-low latency connections, such as gaming mice and keyboards with 8000 Hz (8K) polling rates (e.g., Finalmouse UltralightX series mice and Wooting keyboards) on X870 motherboards, users should prioritize rear I/O USB ports directly connected to the CPU—typically the top-most USB 3.2 ports—for the lowest latency and best signal integrity. These ports leverage the native USB 3.2 Gen 2 controllers integrated into Ryzen 9000 series processors. Chipset-routed rear ports are acceptable but secondary. Front-panel ports should be avoided due to potential electromagnetic interference (EMI), signal degradation from extended cabling, and instability via internal hubs or connectors. To minimize bus contention, connect the mouse and keyboard to separate USB lanes when feasible.[68][69] The mid-range B850 chipset serves as a refreshed counterpart to the B650, mandating at least one PCIe 5.0 x4 lane for storage while limiting the primary graphics slot to PCIe 4.0 (x16/2x8 configurable), with 36 total usable PCIe lanes, including ~12 PCIe 4.0 from the chipset configurable for peripherals. USB4 is optional but commonly implemented at 40 Gbps on higher-end implementations, complemented by up to 12x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) and 4 SATA ports; overclocking support mirrors the X870 for CPU and memory, including EXPO profiles from prior generations. It prioritizes value for gaming and productivity setups without the full I/O expansion of X-series boards.[2][63][70] At the entry level, the B840 introduces a no-CPU-overclocking, cost-optimized option akin to the A620 but with improved baseline connectivity, restricting all interfaces to PCIe 4.0—including a single x16 graphics slot and no dedicated PCIe 5.0 lanes—while providing 4 SATA 6 Gbps ports and limited USB (up to 4x 10 Gbps, 6x 5 Gbps, without USB4). The chipset allocates 34 total usable PCIe lanes, focusing on essential I/O for basic desktop use, with power delivery suited to non-overclocked 65-105W TDP CPUs and memory overclocking support. This model launched to fill the sub-$150 motherboard segment for Ryzen 9000 entry systems in 2025.[71][72][73]| Feature | X870E | X870 | B850 | B840 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset Dies | Dual | Single | Single | Single |
| PCIe GPU Support | 5.0 x16/2x8 | 5.0 x16/2x8 | 4.0 x16/2x8 | 4.0 x16 |
| PCIe Storage | 5.0 x4 mandatory | 5.0 x4 mandatory | 5.0 x4 (at least one) | 4.0 x4 max |
| Total Usable PCIe Lanes | 44 (24x PCIe 4.0 from chipset) | 36 (12x PCIe 4.0 from chipset) | 36 (~12x PCIe 4.0 from chipset) | 34 (limited PCIe 4.0) |
| USB4 (40 Gbps) | Mandatory (2 ports) | Mandatory (2 ports) | Optional | None |
| SATA Ports | Up to 8 | Up to 8 | Up to 4 | 4 |
| Overclocking | Full (CPU/Memory) | Full (CPU/Memory) | Full (CPU/Memory) | Memory only (no CPU) |
| vs. 600 Series | Added mandatory USB4; more SATA/USB | Mandatory USB4; PCIe 5.0 GPU mandate | PCIe 5.0 storage mandate; USB4 optional | Budget focus; no PCIe 5.0, like A620 but refreshed |
HEDT and PRO Chipsets
X399 Chipset
The X399 chipset, launched in 2017, powers AMD's high-end desktop (HEDT) platform for the TR4 socket, serving as an expanded variant of the Promontory platform used in consumer AM4 chipsets to accommodate the demands of Ryzen Threadripper processors with up to 32 cores. Designed for enthusiasts and professionals requiring substantial multi-threaded performance, it emphasizes expansive I/O connectivity and memory bandwidth tailored for content creation, 3D rendering, and multi-GPU workloads.[75] Compatible with first-generation Ryzen Threadripper (1000 series) at launch, the X399 received support for second-generation (2000 series) processors on the same TR4 socket in 2018. This backward and forward compatibility allowed users to upgrade without immediate motherboard replacement. Central to the X399's appeal is its quad-channel DDR4 memory controller, supporting up to 2TB across eight DIMM slots with speeds reaching 3600 MHz or higher via overclocking, including ECC for error correction in professional applications. The platform allocates 64 PCIe 3.0 lanes directly from the CPU, with four reserved for chipset communication, leaving 60 lanes available for user expansion—enabling robust configurations like dual x16 GPUs for NVIDIA SLI or AMD CrossFire multi-GPU setups, alongside multiple NVMe storage devices. The chipset itself adds six PCIe 3.0 lanes and eight PCIe 2.0 lanes for onboard peripherals such as networking and audio.[75] Storage options include up to two native M.2 slots (PCIe 3.0 x4) for high-speed NVMe SSDs and two additional SATA 6Gb/s ports, though native NVMe RAID is absent, requiring CPU lanes for array configurations. Connectivity features up to two USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) ports, ten USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) ports, and six USB 2.0 ports, providing ample high-speed interfaces without add-in cards.[75] A hallmark of the X399 platform is its pioneering support for full manual overclocking on Threadripper CPUs, including all-core boosts beyond stock limits, combined with AMD Precision Boost for dynamic frequency scaling based on thermal and power headroom—the first such implementation in AMD's HEDT lineup. This enabled enthusiasts to push 16-core models like the 1950X to over 4 GHz all-core, significantly enhancing productivity in CPU-intensive tasks.[76]Typical PCIe Lane Configuration
The X399's flexible lane allocation allows motherboard vendors to optimize for various workloads; below is a representative example for a dual-GPU setup with storage:| Slot/Device | Lanes from CPU | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GPU 1 | x16 PCIe 3.0 | Primary graphics card |
| GPU 2 | x16 PCIe 3.0 | Secondary for SLI/CrossFire |
| M.2 Slot 1 | x4 PCIe 3.0 | NVMe SSD |
| M.2 Slot 2 | x4 PCIe 3.0 | Additional NVMe SSD |
| Expansion | x8 PCIe 3.0 | Network or other add-in card |
| Chipset Link | x4 PCIe 3.0 | Internal to X399 PCH |
TRX40 Chipset
The TRX40 chipset, released in November 2019, serves as the platform for AMD's 3rd Generation Ryzen Threadripper processors on the sTRX4 socket, targeting high-end desktop (HEDT) users such as content creators and professionals requiring extensive I/O capabilities.[77] It introduces PCIe 4.0 support to the HEDT segment, effectively doubling the bandwidth compared to the prior X399 chipset's PCIe 3.0 implementation, which enhances performance for storage and graphics workloads.[77][78] Key features include a total of 88 PCIe 4.0 lanes, with 64 lanes provided directly by the CPU and 24 lanes from the chipset, enabling high-bandwidth connectivity for peripherals.[77] Memory support consists of quad-channel DDR4 up to 3200 MHz, with optional ECC for error correction in demanding applications.[77] Storage options feature up to three M.2 slots for PCIe 4.0 NVMe devices, alongside up to 20 SATA ports, while USB connectivity includes up to 12 native USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and two USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports for 20 Gbps speeds.[77][79] The TRX40 supports multi-GPU configurations, allowing up to three graphics cards to operate at full PCIe 4.0 x16 speeds, which is particularly beneficial for rendering and compute-intensive tasks.[77] Bifurcation options for the CPU's PCIe lanes enable flexible slot configurations, such as x16/x16/x16/x16 for four GPUs or x16/x16/x8/x8 for balanced I/O distribution, depending on motherboard implementation.[80]| Bifurcation Option | Lane Allocation Example |
|---|---|
| Single GPU | x16 |
| Dual GPU | x16/x16 |
| Triple GPU | x16/x16/x16 |
| Quad GPU | x16/x16/x16/x16 |
| RAID Level | Supported Drives | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | NVMe/SATA | Performance (striping) |
| 1 | NVMe/SATA | Redundancy (mirroring) |
| 10 | NVMe/SATA | Combined performance/redundancy |
WRX80 Chipset
The WRX80 chipset, introduced in 2020, serves as the platform for AMD's Ryzen Threadripper PRO processors on the sWRX8 socket, targeting enterprise-grade workstations with enhanced scalability, security, and reliability features.[81] It supports the Threadripper PRO 3000 WX-series (Zen 2 architecture) initially launched in Q3 2020 for OEMs and retail availability starting March 2021, and was extended to the Threadripper PRO 5000 WX-series (Zen 3 architecture) with a release on March 8, 2022.[82][83] Unlike consumer-oriented platforms, WRX80 emphasizes professional workloads through full error-correcting code (ECC) memory validation, AMD PRO Manageability for remote administration akin to Intel vPro, and robust I/O for multi-user environments.[81][84] Key features include eight-channel DDR4-3200 memory support with mandatory ECC for data integrity, enabling up to 2 TB capacity using RDIMM, UDIMM, or LRDIMM modules, which ensures stability in compute-intensive tasks like virtualization and data analysis.[81] The platform delivers 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes directly from the CPU (124 usable for I/O expansion after internal link)—plus additional lanes from the chipset for a total of 152—facilitating connectivity for up to eight GPUs in multi-GPU configurations ideal for AI training and rendering.[81][85] Compared to the consumer TRX40 chipset, WRX80 uniquely provides eight-channel memory and enterprise-specific tools like IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) on select motherboards for out-of-band remote management, enhancing IT oversight in data centers or secure facilities.[86] Security is bolstered by AMD Memory Guard, which extends ECC protection to system memory against soft errors, and hardware-based root-of-trust features for firmware validation.[81] I/O capabilities are expansive to support workstation scalability, with typical configurations including dual 10 GbE Ethernet ports for high-speed networking, up to 20 SATA 6 Gb/s ports for storage arrays, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) interfaces.[81] RAID support encompasses SATA levels 0, 1, and 10, alongside NVMe RAID for SSD acceleration.[81] The following table summarizes representative I/O expansion on WRX80 motherboards:| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| PCIe Slots | Up to 7 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (for 8 GPUs) |
| Storage | 2 x NVMe (PCIe 4.0 x4), 8-20 SATA ports |
| Networking | Dual 10 GbE (e.g., Intel X550), 1 GbE |
| USB | Up to 12 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 4 x USB 2.0 |
| Management | IPMI via BMC (e.g., ASPEED AST2500) |
TRX50 and WRX90 Chipsets
The TRX50 and WRX90 chipsets, introduced by AMD in 2023, represent the latest platform for the sTR5 socket, targeting high-end desktop (HEDT) and professional workstation users respectively with support for Zen 4-based Ryzen Threadripper processors.[88] These chipsets enable advanced expandability through PCIe 5.0 connectivity and DDR5 memory, building on the prior TRX40 platform by upgrading to faster interfaces for demanding workloads like content creation and AI training.[88] The TRX50 caters to enthusiasts seeking overclocking flexibility, while the WRX90 emphasizes enterprise-grade stability and security features for professional environments.[89] The TRX50 chipset supports AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000 and 9000 series processors (released July 31, 2025), delivering up to 88 usable PCIe 5.0/4.0 lanes in total, with 64 lanes originating from the CPU for graphics, storage, and networking expansion.[90][91] It features quad-channel DDR5 ECC RDIMM memory support across eight DIMM slots, enabling configurations up to 6400 MT/s overclocked with max capacity of 1 TB for high-bandwidth tasks.[88] Additional capabilities include USB4 ports for fast peripheral connectivity and overclocking support on compatible motherboards, making it suitable for HEDT builds focused on multi-GPU rendering and simulation.[88] Launched alongside the Threadripper 7000 series in late 2023, the TRX50 received BIOS updates in 2025 to ensure compatibility with the Zen 5-based Threadripper 9000 series (up to 64 cores), maintaining its relevance without requiring new hardware.[92] In contrast, the WRX90 chipset is designed exclusively for AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX and 9000 WX series processors (released July 23, 2025), providing up to 148 PCIe 5.0/4.0 lanes for extensive I/O demands in professional applications, including AI-optimized setups with multiple accelerators.[93][94] It supports eight-channel DDR5 ECC registered DIMM (RDIMM) memory across eight slots, with up to 2 TB total capacity for data-intensive workloads, alongside integrated dual 25GbE networking and a dedicated management engine for remote administration and security.[88] Prioritizing stability over overclocking, the WRX90 includes features like enhanced error correction and firmware-level protections tailored for enterprise deployments.[89] Introduced in 2023 for the PRO 7000 WX series (up to 96 cores), it gained full support for the Zen 5-based PRO 9000 WX series in mid-2025, enabling configurations optimized for AI training and large-scale simulations with up to 128 CPU-provided PCIe 5.0 lanes.[88]| Feature | TRX50 (HEDT) | WRX90 (PRO Workstation) |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe Lanes (Total Usable) | Up to 88 (PCIe 5.0/4.0) | Up to 148 (PCIe 5.0/4.0) |
| Memory Channels | Quad-channel DDR5 ECC RDIMM | Eight-channel DDR5 ECC RDIMM |
| Max M.2 Slots (PCIe 5.0) | Up to 4 | Up to 8 or more |
| Key Focus | Overclocking, enthusiast expandability | Enterprise stability, AI/multi-GPU |
| CPU Support | Threadripper 7000/9000 (up to 64 cores) | Threadripper PRO 7000/9000 WX (up to 96 cores) |
