AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (C0) socket: Socket 754

What the Athlon 64 3000+ (C0) is

The AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (C0) is a 2 GHz single-core desktop processor from December 2003. It runs one K8 core at 2 GHz with no turbo, so 1 core gives 1 thread. Cache is 512 KB of L2 on a 130 nm process. Power is rated at 89 W in a Socket 754 package with part number ADA3000AEP4AP in the C0 stepping. The parenthetical C0 is part of the model on this site, giving the stepping its own page and slug.

C0 marks the early Clawhammer stepping before CG, with the same 2 GHz and 512 KB rating as later CG parts at part number ADA3000AEP4AR. Both use a 200 MHz system clock with a 10x multiplier at 1.50 V and an 800 MHz HyperTransport link. AMD sold the 3000+ at 218 dollars in December 2003. The chip supports MMX, SSE, SSE2, Enhanced 3DNow, NX bit and AMD64 with CoolnQuiet control. Stepping suffixes matter because early boards may need a BIOS update for CG operation, while C0 parts boot on launch firmware.

Single channel memory with an early stepping defines the install. The C0 3000+ suits first-wave Socket 754 DDR towers with launch BIOS versions, while CG parts suit later boards with updated microcode. That is why stepping suffixes stay in the model here despite matching clocks.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 3000+ (C0) fits Socket 754 desktops with DDR memory and Clawhammer C0 BIOS support. It needs a 754-pin board with launch firmware paths. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Early DDR towers are the natural match. Boards listing C0 Clawhammer parts accept the chip with an 89 W cooler. CG-only boards may still boot the C0 part, since early steppings normally run where later steppings are listed, but the maker list decides.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is DDR through the on-chip controller in a single channel. Boards take up to three unbuffered DIMMs. The 512 KB L2 keeps office tasks responsive at 2 GHz.

An 800 MHz HyperTransport link ties the CPU to the chipset, while AGP or PCIe slots hang off the chipset. No PCIe lanes originate on the die. Cooling uses two-hole heatsinks at 90 mm spacing rated for 89 W. CoolnQuiet trims draw at idle.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 754 the steps are the Athlon 64 3200+ Clawhammer parts with 512 KB or 1 MB and the 3400+ at 2.2 GHz. The CG 3000+ at the same clocks offers a stepping alternative where listed. Beyond Socket 754 a move to Socket 939 needs a new board with dual channel DDR. The chip lifts with the lever, so swaps need no solder work.