AM5

AM5, or Socket AM5, is AMD’s desktop processor socket introduced in 2022 for Ryzen processors based on the Zen 4 architecture. It marks the replacement of AM4 in AMD’s mainstream desktop platform. The socket uses a land grid array design with pins on the motherboard (LGA), featuring 1718 contact points, and it requires new motherboards and cooling hardware. AM5 is not backward compatible with AM4 CPUs or motherboards.

Key features of the AM5 platform include support for DDR5 memory and PCI Express 5.0, providing higher bandwidth for graphics cards and storage devices. PCIe 5.0 support is available for CPU-attached lanes on many high-end boards, while the motherboard chipset supplies additional PCIe lanes, with the exact configuration varying by model. AMD groups AM5 boards into several chipsets, most notably X670, X670E, B650, and B650E. The “E” variants emphasize PCIe 5.0 readiness for more slots and storage, whereas non-E boards may implement PCIe 5.0 more selectively and/or rely more on PCIe 4.0 in certain paths.

The initial processor family compatible with AM5 is the Ryzen 7000 series, based on the Zen 4 architecture, including models such as the Ryzen 9 7950X, 7900X, 7700X, and 7600X. Later releases have expanded the lineup with variants like Ryzen 7950X3D. These CPUs are designed to work with AM5 motherboards that provide the appropriate power delivery, memory support, and PCIe configurations.

AM5 is positioned as a long-term platform, with AMD signaling support across multiple generations of CPUs. The ecosystem continues to evolve with new processor releases and motherboard options that expand PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 utilization.