# Socket SP3

> CPU socket for AMD Epyc server processors

**Wikidata**: [Q30643038](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30643038)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_SP3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/socket-sp3

## Summary  
Socket SP3 is a land‑grid‑array (LGA) CPU socket introduced by AMD in 2017 for its EPYC server processors. It supports workstation and server computers and is identified by the 4094‑pin layout (LGA 4094). The socket succeeded AMD’s C32 and G34 sockets and was later succeeded by the SP5 and SP6 sockets.

## Key Facts  
- **Inception:** 2017 (AMD)【source】  
- **Manufacturer:** AMD【source】  
- **Instance of:** CPU socket; subclass of land grid array【source】  
- **Primary use:** Workstation and server computers【source】  
- **Pin count / layout:** LGA 4094 (4094 contacts)【source – alias “LGA 4094”】  
- **Supported processors:** AMD EPYC server CPUs【source – description】  
- **Predecessors:** Socket C32 and Socket G34【source – follows】  
- **Successors:** Socket SP5 and Socket SP6【source – followed_by】  
- **Aliases:** AMD SP3, SP3, SP3r1, SP3r2, SP3r3, SP3r4, LGA 4094, Sockel SP3r1‑r4【source】  
- **Images:**  
  - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Amd_socket_sp3_IMGP3469_smial_wp.jpg (electrical receptacle)  
  - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Amd_epyc_7302_bottom_side_with_carrier_IMGP3326_smial_wp.jpg (electrical plug)【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What processors are compatible with Socket SP3?  
A: Socket SP3 is designed for AMD’s EPYC line of server processors. Only EPYC CPUs that are built for the SP3 socket will physically and electrically fit.  

### Q: How many pins does Socket SP3 have?  
A: The socket uses a land‑grid‑array layout with 4094 contacts, commonly referred to as LGA 4094.  

### Q: Is Socket SP3 interchangeable with other AMD sockets like TR4 or sTRX4?  
A: No. Socket SP3 is electrically and mechanically distinct from sockets such as TR4, sTRX4, and sWRX8, which serve Ryzen Threadripper and Threadripper PRO CPUs.  

### Q: When was Socket SP3 introduced and what did it replace?  
A: AMD introduced Socket SP3 in 2017, succeeding the earlier server sockets C32 and G34.  

### Q: What socket succeeded Socket SP3?  
A: AMD’s subsequent server sockets are SP5 and SP6, which follow SP3 in the product roadmap.  

## Why It Matters  
Socket SP3 marked a pivotal shift in AMD’s server‑processor strategy by providing a high‑density, high‑pin‑count interface tailored for the EPYC family. Its 4094‑pin LGA design enables robust power delivery and extensive I/O bandwidth, essential for data‑center workloads that demand high core counts, large memory capacities, and fast interconnects. By moving away from previous socket families (C32, G34), SP3 allowed AMD to integrate more cores per die and support newer memory technologies, helping the EPYC platform compete aggressively with incumbent server CPUs. The socket’s adoption accelerated the deployment of AMD‑based servers in cloud, enterprise, and high‑performance‑computing environments, contributing to a more diversified and competitive server market. Its design also set the groundwork for later sockets (SP5, SP6), ensuring a clear evolutionary path for future AMD server architectures.

## Notable For  
- First AMD server socket to use a 4094‑pin LGA (LGA 4094) layout.  
- Enabled the launch of the EPYC processor line, which introduced up to 64 cores per CPU.  
- Provided a unified socket for both workstation and server platforms, simplifying motherboard designs.  
- Served as the bridge between legacy server sockets (C32, G34) and newer high‑performance sockets (SP5, SP6).  
- Recognized by multiple language editions on Wikipedia, reflecting its global relevance.

## Body  

### Overview  
Socket SP3 is a CPU socket specifically engineered for AMD’s EPYC server processors. It debuted in 2017 and is manufactured by AMD. The socket belongs to the land‑grid‑array family, a type of electrical receptacle that offers high pin density and reliable signal integrity.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Form factor:** Land grid array (LGA)  
- **Pin count:** 4094 contacts (LGA 4094)  
- **Supported CPUs:** AMD EPYC (server‑grade)  
- **Intended platforms:** Workstation and server motherboards  
- **Physical images:**  
  - Receptacle view – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Amd_socket_sp3_IMGP3469_smial_wp.jpg  
  - Plug view – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Amd_epyc_7302_bottom_side_with_carrier_IMGP3326_smial_wp.jpg  

### Compatibility  
Socket SP3 is not compatible with AMD’s consumer‑grade sockets such as TR4, sTRX4, or sWRX8. Its electrical pinout and mechanical dimensions are unique to the EPYC line, preventing cross‑installation of non‑EPYC CPUs.

### Evolution and Successors  
- **Predecessors:** Socket C32 and Socket G34, which served earlier server CPUs.  
- **Successors:** Socket SP5 and Socket SP6, which continue AMD’s high‑pin‑count server socket lineage and support newer EPYC generations.  

### Physical Characteristics  
The socket’s LGA design eliminates the need for pins on the CPU die, reducing the risk of bent pins during installation. The large contact count facilitates higher power delivery and expanded I/O channels, crucial for multi‑core, high‑throughput server workloads.

### Usage in the Field  
Motherboards equipped with Socket SP3 are deployed in data centers, cloud infrastructures, and enterprise servers where scalability, memory bandwidth, and reliability are paramount. The socket’s design supports large memory configurations and multiple PCIe lanes, aligning with the performance goals of modern server environments.

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