Socket types on Motherboards?

  • Thread starter Thread starter B N
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B

B N

Hi group.
I'm not familiar with the different type "Sockets" (like Socket 7 v/s A
and so many more!) on different Motherboards and what there different
set ups are and why it should make any difference, period.
Can anyone here point me to a site that can explain this to me.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
BN
 
The socket referred to is where the CPU goes. you first decide whether to
use an Intel or Amd processor, then you decide which model processor, and
you buy a motherboard that supports that processor
 
B said:
Hi group.
I'm not familiar with the different type "Sockets" (like Socket 7 v/s A
and so many more!) on different Motherboards and what there different
set ups are
Click to expand...

Different number of pins and wired differently.
and why it should make any difference, period.
Click to expand...

Because they don't all work the same.

For example, L2 cache is on the motherboard in socket 7 systems but on the
CPU itself in socket 370 systems. Clearly, the signal lines need to be
different because the physical configuration is different.

Slot-1 moved the cache from the motherboard to the CPU, like socket 370
systems, but they couldn't get it on the CPU die, at the time, so a PCB was
needed to hold both the CPU and the cache chips; hence a 'slot' to plug the
PCB into. Same basic interface as socket 370, though, which is why
"slotkets" (PCB with a 370 socket that plugs into the Slot-1 slot) work.

Socket 370 was designed for up to 133 Mhz bus speeds while the P4 supports
QDR 800MHz and it's electrically different to handle those data rates.

AMD Athlon sockets are different than Intel sockets because they have a
different bus structure, with each maker feeling that theirs is 'best'.

32 bit Athlon is DDR while the P4 is QDR. They clearly don't work the same.

32 bit processors have a 64 bit memory bus while 64 bit processors have a
128 bit memory bus. More pins.

The point is there are many reason but, in general, it's because they work
differently.
 
[snipped]

Nice exposition, David. Now, what would happen if I put a Sempron 2400+ into a
Socket A in an old Compaq that is currently holding a Duron 700? Would board
or cpu burn up?
 
Al said:
[snipped]

Nice exposition, David. Now, what would happen if I put a Sempron 2400+ into a
Socket A in an old Compaq that is currently holding a Duron 700? Would board
or cpu burn up?
Click to expand...

They're both socket A but it depends on what the Compaq motherboard supports.

The Sempron 2400+ is a 333MHz (DDR) FSB processor and the Duron is a 200MHz
(DDR) FSB processor. Does the motherboard even support 333Mhz FSB? 266 Mhz?

The CPU voltage is also different but if it supports 333 MHz then, odds
are, it would support the Sempron voltage as well.
 
Thanks a lot for all that good info. Much appreciated.
You would not know of any site were I could find a listing of
compatibility, between mobo Sockets, CPU's, RAM and the rest of the
items to look out for?- that would be a big help, if there are something
like that available, some place.
Thanks again.
BN
 
B said:
... and why it should make any difference, period.
Click to expand...

You wouldn't expect to be able to install a Toyota engine in a Chevrolet ...

You wouldn't expect to be able to play a VHS tape in a Beta player ...
 
B said:
Thanks a lot for all that good info. Much appreciated.
You would not know of any site were I could find a listing of
compatibility, between mobo Sockets, CPU's, RAM and the rest of the
items to look out for?- that would be a big help, if there are something
like that available, some place.
Thanks again.
BN
Click to expand...

It's impossible for any 'site' to list every motherboard and what
processors it supports. Go to the maker's site and look up your motherboard.
 
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