AMD FX-8350
The AMD AM3+ CPU is an adaptation of the AM3 socket to assist the Bulldozer and Vishera releases. Even though the Ryzen processors have taken the market by surprise, the AM3+ platform continues to gain popularity. Not only this but AM3+ is one of the best-rated platforms to explore when finding a processor for your programming needs.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the best AM3+ CPU models. Our experts have tried and tested all the products to help you identify their compelling features, advantages, disadvantages and more. Let’s look at them one by one in more detail.
5 Best AM3+ CPU Models On The Market
- Faster AM3+ CPU – AMD FX-8350
- Best AM3+ CPU For Desktop – AMD FX-4300
- User’s Choice – AMD FX–8320E
- Best AM3+ CPU For Gaming – AMD FX-8370
- Best Value For Money AM3+ CPU – AMD Phenom IIX4 840
AM3+ CPU – Buying Guide
Now that you’ve gone through the list of best AM3+ CPU models on the market, let’s recollect the important factors you should consider while looking for a suitable AM3+ CPU.
CPU Socket
A socket connects the CPU to the motherboard. Therefore, it’s critical to ensure the CPU you’re planning to buy has a socket that is compatible with your motherboard.
Cores
The number of cores in a CPU is another important factor you should consider while looking for the best AM3+ CPU. The cores refer to the number of processors in a CPU. Each core can run several tasks at once. Therefore, the more cores, the better would be the multitasking ability of the CPU. Most AM3+ CPUs come with 4 or 8 cores.
Threads
The CPU threads refer to the number of processes your chip can support at once. The number of processes should be equal to the number of cores.
Cache
The measure of the amount of data transfer that can take place between the CPU and the RAM is known as a cache. Higher cache means higher data storage. Cache stores are typically found in L1 (fastest with minimal space), L2 (more space but slow operation) and L3 formats (more space and even slower than L1 and L2).
Clock Speeds
The clock speed is the measure the speed of chip operation. A higher clock speed implies faster functioning of the CPU. Each CPU may come with different clock speeds. When a CPU is pushed beyond speeds that are specified, the process is known as overclocking.
Power Consumption
You may need to connect your CPU to a power source using the power cable that’s shipped along with the CPU. More cores don’t lead to better performance, energy-efficient CPUs do.
Cooler
Since CPUs produce heat during operation, it’s important to ensure you have proper cooling measures in place for heat dissipation. Even though AM3+ CPUs come with optimum cooling, you need to be on your toes and check your PC’s ventilation.
Top 5 AM3+ CPUs – Experts’ Choices
Let’s now look at the detailed product reviews of the 5 best AM3+ CPUs one by one.
1. AMD FX-8350: Fastest AM3+ CPU
- Competitively priced
- Great base clock speed
- Excellent all-core boost speed
- Comprises a CPU cooler for free
- Average multitasking performance
- Low power efficiency
If you are looking for an AM3+ CPU with 8-core architecture at an affordable price, then you can consider AMD FX-8350. The CPU comes with 4.0 GHz as the base frequency and 4.2 GHz as the overclock frequency and can support continued hours of extreme gaming. Our experts were stunned by its performance. The 8-core processor teams up with the AMD Overdrive system to allow overclocking from 4.0 to 4.2 GHz for heavy applications and processes.
The processor is portable and lightweight for the number of cores it comprises. However, ensure you couple it with an AM3 architecture motherboard for optimum performance.
Apart from gaming, FX-8350 can support heavy applications such as 3S modeling and video editing. The processor also comprises the updated AMD Bulldozer microarchitecture along with the Piledriver microarchitecture for enhanced efficiency and performance.
The AM3+ CPU’s recessed design allows proper airflow and controls heat from surrounding the motherboard.
2. AMD FX-4300: Best AM3+ CPU for Desktop
- Great base clock speed
- Brilliant boost clock speed for gaming and single-thread tasks
- Comprises a free CPU cooler
- Easily affordable; costs less than other quad-core CPU models on the market
- Easy to install and use
- Works perfectly with most games and 3D modeling applications and setups
- Makes video streaming convenient and fun by preventing lag/loading issues
- Overclocking requires addition air cooling
- Comprises less threads than required
- High power consumption
- Can hang and become unstable when all cores are being utilized
If you’re looking for the best AM3+ CPU for your desktop or something that doesn’t require much power, AMD FX-4300 can be a good buy. It is a new quad-core CPU launched by AMD.
When it comes to performance, FX-4300’s competition is neck-to-neck with Athlon x4 950 and Pentium g4560. One of the best things about FX-4300 is that the CPU comprises DDR3 instead of DDR4 used by its rivals. This is an advantage as most systems we use come with DDR3 instead of the costlier DDR4.
The CPU comes with a variety of settings and the stylish design deserves appreciation. The CPU comprises 4 cores with 4 threads, and a 4 MB L2 and L3 cache each. If you already have an AM3 compatible motherboard and RAM, FX-4300 can be a pocket-friendly option. Another feature worth mentioning is the CPU’s ability to function on low memory setups.
However, there’s one thing that hassled our experts. If you use all available cores, the CPU starts freezing and becomes unstable.
3. AMD FX-8320E: User’s Choice
- Good heat management
- Excellent multi-threaded performance
- Reduced power consumption
- Easy to install and use
- Available at a pocket-friendly price
- Overclocking does not lead to heating of the processor
- Fast and stable
- Does not come with a native USB 3.0 support
- Comes with a stock AMD cooler that is not sufficient for gaming
- Can become unstable above 4.6 GHz
If you’re looking for the best AM3+ CPU that consumes less power, you don’t need to look anywhere else. AMD FX-8320E is currently one of the most popular AM3+ CPU models that consume less power. Moreover, the “E” in the CPU’s name stands for “Energy.” After all, power consumption is a critical point when it comes to processors.
Nevertheless, it’s not just the power consumption that makes FX-8320E a hit among users, especially media application users, but the fact the CPU comprises 8 cores and provides a multi-threaded at an easily affordable cost. The gaming performance isn’t bad either. Therefore, if you’re an avid user of media applications and are willing to compromise a little on gaming, FX-8320E can be a good option.
Like most AMD CPUs on the market, FX-8320E supports overclocking and the dual-channel DDR3 RAM.
4. AMD FX-8370: Best AM3+ CPU for Gaming
- Highly suitable for gaming and video conversions
- Great overclocking capacity
- Perfect for multitasking
- Provides impeccable multi-threaded performance
- Value for money
- A good alternative to expensive Intel processors
- Comes with a Wraith cooler
- Poor single-threaded performance
- Some existing users have mentioned that they received the product with bent pins
If you’re a hardcore gamer, you’ll be happy to know that AMD FX-8370 has been voted as the best AM3+ CPU for gaming by our experts as well as gamers across the globe.
At 125 W and 8 cores, FX-8370 provides a powerful gaming performance. While the price of the CPU is a little toward the higher side, you won’t regret spending on it if you’re a gaming enthusiast. The 8-core processor can easily achieve speeds of up to 4.3 GHz without overclocking. However, by overclocking, you can hit speeds as high as 5 GHz.
Another reason why FX-8370 has been voted as the best AM3+ processor by users is that the CPU is shipped with stock fan or a Wraith cooler. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about finding a cooler to suit the CPU. The Wraith cooler does a decent job as long as you don’t overclock the processor.
Our experts found only a few minor issues with the CPU. FX-8370 is not very different from 8350 and less powerful than many i5 gaming CPUs on the market.
5. AMD Phenom IIX4 840: Best Value for Money AM3+ CPU
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- Easily affordable
- Compatible with both AM2 and AM3 motherboards
- Works with both DDR2 and DDR3 memory
- Runs smoothly without any lag/loading issues
- Can be a cost-effective upgrade to an old PC
- No bent pins or shipment issues
- Does not have an L3 cache
- Performance can vary based on the application you are using
The AMD Phenom IIX4 840 CPU is another value for money processor by AMD. It’s more efficient than Athlon II and pocket-friendly.
Even though it does not work wonders with heavy-duty applications, it’s highly suitable for everyday use. However, the CPU lacks an L3 cache. The high-clock frequencies and quad-core processor allow you to multitask without any lag/loading issues.
The CPU comes in a box with a cooler. In terms of gaming performance, Phenom IIX4 840 may not be a great option; however, it can be a great buy for those looking for a power-packed AM3+ CPU for office computing and workstation use. Nevertheless, you can team up the CPU with a good-quality motherboard and graphics card for a decent gaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About AM3+ CPU
No, Ryzen does not work on AM3+. It can fit into the new AM4 socket and is not compatible with older motherboards.
No. Since the motherboard is designed for an AM3 processor only, it does not come with the socket for the extra pin required by an AM3+ processor. Nevertheless, most AM3 motherboards on the market these days come with sockets for AM3+ CPUs.
If you’re not a fan of overclocking, a single cooler would be good enough to dissipate heat while your CPU is running. However, CPUs with more processors require robust cooling solutions.
If you’re planning to upgrade an old PC, AM3+ CPUs can be a good option for gaming. However, if you’re planning to build a new gaming PC from scratch, Intel processors would be a good choice. Moreover, if you are looking for multi-threaded performance, Ryzen processors would be the best bet.
Final Words
First things first, investing in a top-rated AM3+ CPU is a good idea, especially if you run heavy-duty applications on your system. The prices are affordable and the PCs do not require complete upgrades. However, you may come across issues related to heating, gaming performance, power consumption and so on.
While choosing the best AM3+ CPU, ensure you consider all the factors mentioned in the buying guide section to make an informed decision. The best overall AM3+ CPU per users is AMD FX-8320E as it is the perfect combination of optimum power consumption and great multi-threaded performance.
We hope you found the guide useful. If you have any questions on the best AM3+ CPU or have any other AM3+ CPU model in mind that you’d like us to review, please feel free to post your thoughts in the comment section below.
