AMD FX-8350 socket: AM3+
The AMD FX-8350 uses the AM3+ socket. It works on motherboards with 990FX, 990X and 970 chipsets, most of which need a BIOS update before it will start.
AMD FX-8350 specifications
| Cores | 8 (four modules of two integer cores) |
|---|---|
| Threads | 8 |
| Core architecture | Piledriver |
| Clocks | 4.0 GHz base, up to 4.2 GHz turbo |
| Cache | 8 MB L2 and 8 MB L3 |
| Thermal design power | 125 W |
| Manufacturing process | 32 nm SOI |
| Memory support | DDR3 up to 1866 MT/s, two channels |
| PCI Express | None from the CPU. The chipset provides PCIe |
| Integrated graphics | None |
| Multiplier | Unlocked (Black Edition) |
| Package | AM3+ (942 contacts) |
| Launch price | $199 |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
AMD FX-8350 needs a motherboard with a AM3+ socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 9 series | 990FX, 990X, 970 | Needs a BIOS update Most boards accept it with a BIOS update. Check the board maker's CPU support list, and note that a board's power delivery has to handle the 125 W FX models. |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for AM3+.
Recommended GPU pairing
| Recommended tier | Mid-range 1080p (2012 era) |
|---|---|
| Example GPUs | GeForce GTX 660 Ti, Radeon HD 7950 |
| Target resolution | 1080p medium to high settings |
Eight threads at 4.0 GHz with chipset-fed PCIe 2.0 and DDR3-1866 fit mid-range 2012 cards that targeted 1080p. The GTX 660 Ti from August 2012 and the HD 7950 from January 2012 match that class, and a much newer card would wait on this platform in most games.
This is a rough match for a new build at the stated resolution, not a limit. A faster card still works and helps at higher resolutions or in games that load the GPU more than the CPU. A slower card is fine for lighter games and office use. The exact balance shifts with the game, the settings and the resolution, so no percentage is given.
AM3+ at a glance
| Type | PGA, 942 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | October 2011 |
| Memory | DDR3 |
| Cooler mounting holes | 48 × 96 mm |
What the FX-8350 is
The FX-8350 is an eight core processor that AMD released in October 2012, as the top model at the launch of the Vishera generation. Vishera uses the Piledriver core design, which followed the Bulldozer based Zambezi chips of 2011. The base clock is 4.0 GHz, with turbo up to 4.2 GHz, and the cache is 8 MB of L2 and 8 MB of L3. AMD sold it at $199, and its multiplier is unlocked.
The eight cores are organised in four modules. Each module contains two integer cores that share a floating point unit and part of the front end. That layout is why the chip is described as eight cores while performing differently from an eight core chip with fully separate cores. The processor has eight threads, one per core.
It is built on a 32 nm process and rated at 125 W. There are no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required. AM3+ processors also have no PCIe controller, and the processor talks to the chipset over HyperTransport, so graphics and storage connect through the board.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The FX-8350 goes into an AM3+ socket, which has 942 contacts for a processor with 940 pins. The chipsets built for the socket are the 9 series: 990FX, 990X and 970. AMD's partners built boards around them from late 2011, which was before the FX-8350 existed, so a board bought early on often carries a BIOS that does not know the chip.
AnandTech's review of the generation found that a BIOS update was usually all an existing AM3+ board needed to accept the new chips. The catch is the order of steps: the update has to be installed before the FX-8350 goes in. Check the board maker's CPU support list and confirm that the FX-8350 is listed with a minimum BIOS version.
Power delivery matters as much as the chipset. The FX-8350 is rated at 125 W, and boards with small voltage regulators may not support it or may run hot. A board that lists the chip as supported is the safe choice.
Memory, cooling and platform limits
The memory controller supports DDR3 at up to 1866 MT/s across two channels. There is no DDR4 option, so a move to DDR4 means leaving the socket. Boards for AM3+ typically offer four DIMM slots.
Coolers for AM2, AM3 and AM3+ share a 48 × 96 mm mounting pattern. A cooler from an older AMD system will usually fit, and a new cooler needs explicit AM3+ support. The 125 W rating means a basic cooler is a poor match, and a tower air cooler or a liquid cooler is a better choice. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide explains the patterns.
The platform has no way to add PCIe lanes from the processor. The graphics slot belongs to the chipset, and the 990FX can drive several graphics cards. Anything beyond that, such as faster memory or newer storage standards, needs a new platform.
Upgrade paths
Within AM3+ the FX-8350 sits near the top of the range. Faster FX models exist, with higher clocks and higher power ratings, and they need boards that support them.
A real upgrade means a new platform. AMD's next mainstream socket after AM3+ was AM4, with DDR4 memory and a different pin layout, and a processor like the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X shows the change in design. The cooler pattern changes as well, from 48 × 96 mm to 54 × 90 mm.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the AMD FX-8350 use?
It uses AM3+, a pin grid array socket with 942 contacts.
Does the FX-8350 work on an AM3 motherboard?
AMD designed the FX-8350 for AM3+ boards. Some AM3 chipset boards were revised for AM3+, so check the board maker's CPU support list before trying it.
Does the FX-8350 need a BIOS update?
Often yes. Most AM3+ boards support it after a BIOS update, which must be installed before the processor goes in.
Does the FX-8350 support DDR4?
No. AM3+ boards use DDR3, and the FX-8350 is rated for DDR3-1866.
Does the FX-8350 have integrated graphics?
No. It needs a separate graphics card.
Sources and verification
- The Vishera Review: AMD FX-8350, FX-8320, FX-6300 and FX-4300 tested (AnandTech)
- Socket AM3+ on Wikipedia
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .