One of the great historical criticisms against Intel was the obligation to change motherboards with each processor generation. This is no longer the case, now they last two generations of CPUs due to the “fault” of their great rival. Well then, AMD tojust surprised by launching a new bios for their X370, B350 and A320 chipsetwhich… carry 6 years on the market!
When AMD launched its Ryzen processors on the market, it announced that it would offer compatibility between processors for 5 years. A promise, more or less, that they have kept to the extent possible. They have found that the size of the BIOS did not allow it to be done completely.
Recently, they have abandoned the AM4 socket to make the jump to the AM5 socket. The reason for the change is mainly to offer support for the new RAM memory standard, DDR5. In addition, making changes to the design of its processors and different improvements.
AMD updates its old chipsets
The AM4 socket has lasted a total of five years, which was what the company initially announced. An achievement that has forced Intel to make its motherboards support two generations of processors. Until now, each generation of processors did not have compatibility with “old” motherboards even if they had the same socket.
So that we get an idea of the importance of this update. We have seen in these five years a total of five architectures of processors amd and four nodes of manufacturing. More than 125 processor models and more of 500 motherboards with ssocket AM4.
The most recent update released by motherboard manufacturers does not include any notable improvements. They are made minor optimizations and adjustments, bug fixes, security improvements and the like.
Let’s give a little more perspective. The AMD 300 Series chipset were launched on the market in 2017. That same year came Intel LGA1151 socket which was used for the 8th Gen and 9th Gen Core processors. The chipsets of those two processor families they do not receive updates and support since 2021.
Some processors, these from Intel, that are still completely valid and that many users will have. They are quite powerful processors and can really last for many years. But we already know what Intel is like, it wants your money no matter what.
AMD commitment intact, more or less
The AM5 socket debuts in 2022 with the arrival of the Ryzen 7000 processors. A new socket is launched, mainly to include support for DDR5 RAM, which requires a redesign of the processor installation space.
As reported by AMD, this socket will extend until 2026, when the Zen 6 architecture will arrive (theoretically). The previous socket lasted just over five years, which will be more or less the same duration as this new one.
The latest AM5 socket motherboards will probably be launched in 2026 and the AM6 socket will arrive in 2027. It will have been five years and then the chipsets will continue to be supported, so as not to force the user to update.
AMD’s policy, as we see, is to buy my solutions and I will support you for many years. It is one more measure to attract customers.
