CPU Sockets

Question 1

What is a CPU Socket

Answer 1

A CPU socket is a mount where the CPU connects to the motherboard

Question 2

What is microarchitecture

Answer 2

It is defined by the circuit diagram that includes all of the transistors inside of the CPU. They are given code names or family names to identify the generation (Coffee Lake, Sky Lake, Kaby Lake).

Question 3

How to read a CPU name? ex. Intel Core i7-5820K.

What are the limitations to this naming?

Answer 3

Intel Core i7-5820K:

• The first number after the day is the generation (2-9)
• The next three are the SKU number from intel
• The letter at the end defines something about the CPU itself, such as it being energy efficient.
• Limitations: does not say much about the microarchitecture of the CPU.

Question 4

What are the 2 types of sockets used by Intel and AMD. List the most popular sockets and the differences between them.

Answer 4

PGA and LGA - pin grid array and land grid array. Pin grid arrays have actual pins on the back of the CPU and are common of AMD CPUs vs Intel’s use of LGAs which are flat on the bottom.

Intel uses LGA. Their most popular ones are the LGA 1151, a mid-grade CPU. The 1151 means there are 1151 pins in the socket. Their enthusiast CPU socket is the 2066 which is found on the Intel i9.

AMDs equivalent of the 1151, a more mainstream option, is the AM4. Their enthusiast option is the TR4.

Question 5

What are Intel’s socket names and their alternative names?

Answer 5

Socket Name // Alternative Name

LGA 1150 // H3
LGA 1151 // H4
LGA 2011 // R or R3
LGA 2066 // R4

Question 6

What are the common AMD sockets?

Answer 6

AMD Socket
FM2+
AM3+
AM4
TR4