CPU socket
In computer hardware, a CPU socket or CPU slot contains one or more mechanical components providing mechanical and electrical connections between a microprocessor and a printed circuit board. This allows for placing and replacing the central processing unit without soldering.
Common sockets have retention clips that apply a constant force, which must be overcome when a device is inserted. For chips with many pins, zero insertion force sockets are preferred. Common sockets include Pin Grid Array or Land Grid Array. These designs apply a compression force once either a handle or a surface plate is put into place. This provides superior mechanical retention while avoiding the risk of bending pins when inserting the chip into the socket. Certain devices use Ball Grid Array sockets, although these require soldering and are generally not considered user replaceable.
CPU sockets are used on the motherboard in desktop and server computers. Because they allow easy swapping of components, they are also used for prototyping new circuits. Laptops typically use surface-mount CPUs, which take up less space on the motherboard than a socketed part.
Function
A CPU socket is made of plastic, and often comes with a lever or latch, and with metal contacts for each of the pins or lands on the CPU. Many packages are keyed to ensure the proper insertion of the CPU. CPUs with a PGA package are inserted into the socket and, if included, the latch is closed. CPUs with an LGA package are inserted into the socket, the latch plate is flipped into position atop the CPU, and the lever is lowered and locked into place, pressing the CPU's contacts firmly against the socket's lands and ensuring a good connection, as well as increased mechanical stability.List of x86 CPU sockets and slots
Table legend:| Socket name | Year of introduction | CPU families supported | Computer type | Package | Pin count | Pin pitch | Bus clock & transfers | Notes |
| DIP | 1970s | Intel 8086 Intel 8088 | DIP | 40 | 2.54 | 5/10 MHz | ||
| PLCC | ? | Intel 80186 Intel 80286 Intel 80386 | PLCC | 68 to 132 | 1.27 | 6–40 MHz | ||
| PGA 168 | ? | Intel 80486 | PGA | 168 | 2.54 | 16–50 MHz | Sometimes referred to as Socket 0 or Socket 486 | |
| Socket 1 | 1989 | Intel 80486 | PGA | 169 | 2.54 | 16–50 MHz | ||
| Socket 2 | ? | Intel 80486 | PGA | 238 | 2.54 | 16–50 MHz | ||
| Socket 3 | 1991 | Intel 80486 | PGA | 237 | 2.54 | 16–50 MHz | ||
| Socket 4 | 1993 | Intel Pentium | PGA | 273 | ? | 60–100 MHz | ||
| Socket 5 | 1994 | Intel Pentium AMD K5 Cyrix 6x86 IDT WinChip C6 IDT WinChip 2 | PGA | 320 | ? | 50–100 MHz | ||
| Socket 6 | ? | Intel 80486 | PGA | 235 | ? | ? | Designed but not used | |
| Socket 463/ Socket NexGen | 1994 | NexGen Nx586 | PGA | 463 | ? | 37.5–66 MHz | ||
| Socket 7 | 1994 | Intel Pentium Intel Pentium MMX AMD K6 | PGA | 321 | ? | 50–66 MHz | It is possible to use Socket 7 processors in a Socket 5. An adapter is required, or if one is careful, a socket 7 can be pulled off its pins and put onto a socket 5 board, allowing the use of socket 7 processors. | |
| Socket 8 | 1995 | Intel Pentium Pro | PGA | 387 | ? | 60–66 MHz | ||
| Socket 431 | 1995 | Alpha 21064/21064A | Desktop | PGA | 431 | ? | 12.5–66.67 MHz | |
| Socket 499 | 1997 | Alpha 21164/21164A | Desktop | PGA | 499 | ? | 15–100 MHz | |
| Slot 1 | 1997 | Intel Pentium II Intel Pentium III | Desktop | Slot | 242 | ? | 66–133 MHz | Celeron Pentium II Pentium III - all versions Pentium III |
| Socket 587 | 1998 | Alpha 21264 | Desktop | PGA | 587 | Desktop | 12.5–133 MHz | |
| Super Socket 7 | 1998 | AMD K6-2 AMD K6-III Rise mP6 Cyrix MII | PGA | 321 | ? | 66–100 MHz | Backward compatible with Socket 5 and Socket 7 processors. | |
| Slot 2 | 1998 | Intel Pentium II Xeon Intel Pentium III Xeon | Server | Slot | 330 | ? | 100–133 MHz | |
| Socket 615 | 1999 | Intel Mobile Pentium II Intel Mobile Celeron | Notebook | PGA | 615 | ? | 66 MHz | |
| Slot A | 1999 | AMD Athlon | Desktop | Slot | 242 | ? | 100 MHz | |
| Slot B | 1999 | Alpha 21264/21264A | Desktop | Slot | 587 | ? | 100 MHz | |
| Socket 370 | 1999 | Intel Pentium III Intel Celeron VIA Cyrix III VIA C3 | Desktop | PGA | 370 | 1.27 | 66–133 MHz | |
| Socket A/ Socket 462 | 2000 | AMD Athlon AMD Duron AMD Athlon XP AMD Athlon XP-M AMD Athlon MP AMD Sempron | Desktop | PGA | 462 | ? | 100–200 MHz 400 MT/s | |
| Socket 423 | 2000 | Intel Pentium 4 | Desktop | PGA | 423 | 1 | 100 MHz 400 MT/s | Willamette core only. Can accept some of Socket 478 CPU with an adapter |
| Socket 495 | 2000 | Intel Celeron Intel Pentium III | Notebook | PGA | 495 | 1.27 | 66–133 MHz | |
| PAC418 | 2001 | Intel Itanium | Server | PGA | 418 | ? | 133 MHz | |
| Socket 603 | 2001 | Intel Xeon | Server | PGA | 603 | 1.27 | 100–133 MHz 400–533 MT/s | |
| Socket 478/ Socket N | 2001 | Intel Pentium 4 Intel Celeron Intel Pentium 4 EE Intel Pentium 4 M | Desktop | PGA | 478 | 1.27 | 100–200 MHz 400–800 MT/s | |
| Socket 563 | 2002 | AMD Athlon XP-M | Notebook | PGA | 563 | ? | 333 MHz | |
| PAC611 | 2002 | Intel Itanium 2 HP PA-8800, PA-8900 | Server | PGA | 611 | ? | 200 MHz | |
| Socket 604 | 2002 | Intel Xeon | Server | PGA | 604 | 1.27 | 100–266 MHz 400–1066 MT/s | |
| Socket 754 | 2003 | AMD Athlon 64 AMD Sempron AMD Turion 64 | Desktop | PGA | 754 | 1.27 | 200–800 MHz | |
| Socket 940 | 2003 | AMD Opteron AMD Athlon 64 FX | Desktop Server | PGA | 940 | 1.27 | 200–1000 MHz | |
| Socket 479 | 2003 | Intel Pentium M Intel Celeron M | Notebook | PGA | 479 | ? | 100–133 MHz 400–533 MT/s | |
| Socket 939 | 2004 | AMD Athlon 64 AMD Athlon 64 FX AMD Athlon 64 X2 AMD Opteron | Desktop | PGA | 939 | 1.27 | 200–1000 MHz | Support of Athlon 64 FX to 1 GHz Support of Opteron limited to 100-series only |
| LGA 775/ Socket T | 2004 | Intel Pentium 4 Intel Pentium D Intel Celeron Intel Celeron D Intel Pentium XE Intel Core 2 Duo Intel Core 2 Quad Intel Xeon | Desktop | LGA | 775 | 1.09 x 1.17 | 1600 MHz | Can accept LGA 771 CPU with slight modification and use of an adapter |
| Socket M | 2006 | Intel Core Solo Intel Core Duo Intel Dual-Core Xeon Intel Core 2 Duo | Notebook | PGA | 478 | ? | 133–166 MHz 533–667 MT/s | Replaces Socket 479 |
| LGA 771/ Socket J | 2006 | Intel Xeon | Server | LGA | 771 | 1.09 x 1.17 | 1600 MHz | See LGA 775/Socket T above |
| Socket S1 | 2006 | AMD Turion 64 X2 | Notebook | PGA | 638 | 1.27 | 200–800 MHz | |
| Socket AM2 | 2006 | AMD Athlon 64 AMD Athlon 64 X2 | Desktop | PGA | 940 | 1.27 | 200–1000 MHz | Replaces Socket 754 and Socket 939 |
| Socket F/ Socket L | 2006 | AMD Athlon 64 FX AMD Opteron | Desktop Server | LGA | 1207 | 1.1 | Socket L: 1000 MHz in Single CPU mode, 2000 MHz in Dual CPU mode | Replaces Socket 940 Socket L was intended for enthusiasts who wanted server power in a desktop PC. It is just a re-branded Socket F that doesn't need special RAM, and may have only been used in the Asus L1N64-SLI WS Motherboard. |
| Socket AM2+ | 2007 | AMD Athlon 64 AMD Athlon X2 AMD Phenom AMD Phenom II | Desktop | PGA | 940 | 1.27 | 200–2600 MHz | Separated power planes Replaces Socket AM2 AM2+ Pkg. CPUs can work in Socket AM2 AM2 Pkg. CPUs can work in Socket AM2+ |
| Socket P | 2007 | Intel Core 2 | Notebook | PGA | 478 | ? | 133–266 MHz 533–1066 MT/s | Replaces Socket M |
| LGA 1366/ Socket B | 2008 | Intel Core i7 Intel Xeon | Desktop Server | LGA | 1366 | ? | 4.8–6.4 GT/s | Replaces Socket J in the entry level. |
| rPGA 988A/ Socket G1 | 2008 | Intel Core i7 Intel Core i5 Intel Core i3 Intel Pentium Intel Celeron | Notebook | rPGA | 988 | 1 | 2.5 GT/s, 4.8 GT/s | |
| Socket AM3 | 2009 | AMD Phenom II AMD Athlon II AMD Sempron AMD Opteron | Desktop | PGA | 941 or 940 | 1.27 | 200–3200 MHz | Separated power planes Replaces Socket AM2+ AM3 Pkg. CPUs can work in Socket AM2/AM2+ Sempron 140 only |
| LGA 1156/ Socket H | 2009 | Intel Nehalem Intel Westmere | Desktop | LGA | 1156 | ? | 2.5 GT/s | DMI bus is a PCIe x4 v1.1 interface |
| Socket G34 | 2010 | AMD Opteron | Server | LGA | 1974 | ? | 200–3200 MHz | Replaces Socket F |
| Socket C32 | 2010 | AMD Opteron | Server | LGA | 1207 | ? | 200–3200 MHz | Replaces Socket F, Socket AM3 |
| LGA 1248 | 2010 | Intel and up | Server | LGA | 1248 | ? | 4.8-6.4 GT/s | |
| LGA 1567/ Socket LS | 2010 | Intel Xeon 6500/7500-series | Server | LGA | 1567 | ? | 4.8–6.4 GT/s | |
| LGA 1155/ Socket H2 | 2011/Q1 2011.01.09 | Intel Sandy Bridge Intel Ivy Bridge | Desktop | LGA | 1155 | ? | 5.7 GT/s | Sandy Bridge supports 20 PCIe 2.0 lanes. Ivy Bridge supports 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes. Intel Mainstream Socket. |
| LGA 2011/ Socket R | 2011/Q3 2011.11.14 | Intel Core i7 3xxx Sandy Bridge-E Intel Core i7 4xxx Ivy Bridge-E Intel Xeon E5 2xxx/4xxx Intel Xeon E5-2xxx/4xxx v2 | Desktop Server | LGA | 2011 | ? | 4.8–6.4 GT/s | Sandy Bridge-E/EP and Ivy Bridge-E/EP both support 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes. Using the Xeon focused 2011 socket gives also 4 memory Channels. |
| rPGA 988B/ Socket G2 | 2011 | Intel Core i7 Intel Core i5 Intel Core i3 | Notebook | rPGA | 988 | 1 | 2.5 GT/s, 4.8 GT/s | |
| Socket FM1 | 2011 | AMD | Desktop | PGA | 905 | 1.27 | 5.2 GT/s | used for 1st generation APUs |
| Socket FS1 | 2011 | AMD | Notebook | PGA | 722 | 1.27 | 3.2 GT/s | used for 1st generation Mobile APUs |
| Socket AM3+ | 2011 | AMD FX Vishera AMD FX Zambezi AMD Phenom II AMD Athlon II AMD Sempron | Desktop | PGA | 942 | 1.27 | 3.2 GT/s | |
| LGA 1356/ Socket B2 | 2012 | Intel Xeon | Server | LGA | 1356 | ? | 3.2–4.0 GT/s | |
| Socket FM2 | 2012 | AMD Trinity Processors | Desktop | PGA | 904 | 1.27 | ? | used for 2nd generation APUs |
| LGA 1150/ Socket H3 | 2013 | Intel Haswell Intel Haswell Refresh Intel Broadwell | Desktop | LGA | 1150 | ? | ? | used for Intel's 4th generation processors |
| rPGA 946B/947/ Socket G3 | 2013 | Intel Haswell | Notebook | rPGA | 946 | ? | ? | |
| Socket FM2+ | 2014 | AMD AMD | Desktop | PGA | 906 | 1.27 | ? | Compatible with AMD Accelerated Processing Units such as "Richland" and "Trinity" |
| Socket AM1 | 2014 | AMD Athlon AMD Sempron | Desktop | PGA | 721 | 1.27 | ? | Compatible with AMD Accelerated Processing Units such as "Kabini" |
| LGA 2011-v3 | 2014 | Haswell-E Haswell-EP | Desktop | LGA | 2011 | ? | Up to 68 GB/sec. Depends on DDR4 speed and channel count. | Up to 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes. Up to 4 memory Channels. |
| LGA 1151/ Socket H4 | 2015 | Intel Skylake Intel Kaby Lake Intel Coffee Lake | Desktop | LGA | 1151 | ? | 5 GT/s - 8 GT/s | used for Intel's 6th generation, 7th generation, 8th generation processors, and 9th generation processors |
| LGA 1200 | 2020 | Intel Comet Lake | Desktop | LGA | 1200 | |||
| LGA 3647 | 2016 | Intel Xeon Phi Intel Skylake-SP | Server | LGA | 3647 | ? | ? | used for Intel's Xeon Phi x200 and Xeon Scalable processors |
| Socket AM4 | 2017 | AMD Ryzen 9 AMD Ryzen 7 AMD Ryzen 5 AMD Ryzen 3 Athlon 200 | Desktop | PGA | 1331 | 1 | Depends on DDR4 speed | compatible with AMD Ryzen 9, Ryzen 7, Ryzen 5 & Ryzen 3 Zen based processors |
| Socket SP3 | 2017 | AMD Epyc | Server | LGA | 4094 | ? | Depends on DDR4 speed | compatible with AMD Epyc processors |
| Socket TR4/ Socket SP3r2 | 2017 | AMD Ryzen Threadripper | Desktop | LGA | 4094 | ? | Depends on DDR4 speed | compatible with AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors |
| LGA 2066/ Socket R4 | 2017 | Intel Skylake-X Intel Kaby Lake-X | Desktop Server | LGA | 2066 | ? | ? | Used for Intel's 7th generation series of Core-X processors |
| Socket sTRX4/ Socket SP3r3 | 2019 | AMD Ryzen Threadripper | Desktop | LGA | 4094 | ? | Depends on DDR4 speed | compatible with 3rd generation AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors |
| Socket name | Year of introduction | CPU families supported | Computer type | Package | Pin count | Pin pitch | Bus clock & transfers | Notes |