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CPU configurations
This article will focus on the most common CPU interfaces, but others are available,
and new ones are constantly being developed. ATX boards can be configured for a variety of CPU interfaces, including
Socket 5, Socket 7 (for AMD K6-2 CPUs), Slot 1 (for Pentium II and III CPUs), Socket 370 (for Via CPUs), Socket
423 (for Intel Pentium 4s), and Socket A (for AMD Athlon and Duron processors).
| Figure B |
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As Figure B shows, Socket 7 and Socket 5 are quite similar, but there are differences. Socket 7 requires 5.0 amps
at 3.3 volts, and Socket 5 requires only 4.33 amps. Socket 7 also comes with the 321st pin designated as a key
pin, with no electrical connection to either the CPU or motherboard. Socket 7 can handle all the predecessors of
Socket 5. Maximum speed for a Socket 5 processor is 133 MHz, although some go only as fast as 120 MHz.
Intel moved to the Socket 370, Slot 1, and Slot 2 processors with the release of its Pentium II, Celeron, and Xeon
processors. Figure C shows a Socket 370 motherboard, and Figure D shows a Slot 1.
| Figure C |
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| Figure D |
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Celeron processors usually use a Socket 370 motherboard, but depending on the CPU configuration, they can also
use Slot 1 motherboards. Figure E shows an example of an adapter card that allows Slot 1 motherboards to
use a Socket 370 CPU. Pentium II and Pentium III processors use Slot 1 motherboards, while the Slot 2 interface
is reserved for Intel's high-end Xeon chip.
| Figure E |
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More recently, Intel has introduced the Pentium 4 processor shown in Figure F. The Pentium 4 is based on
Intel's new Netburst microarchitecture, instead of the older P6 core, yet is still x86 compatible. The current
version of the Pentium 4 uses a 423-pin motherboard interface (Socket 423). It is likely that future Pentium 4
releases will use a new mPGA478 interface, with 55 more pins than the Socket 423.
| Figure F |
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Intel, however, is not the only game in town. The Athlon and Duron chips from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) are
very popular on desktop PCs. The Athlon and lower-cost Duron, shown in Figure G, use a Socket A motherboard
interface.
| Figure G |
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Note that the earlier and I believe better AMD Athlon was a Slot
A type. Very similar to the Slot 1
Shown in figure D.
Not Interchangeable!!!!!!!!
ZIF vs. LIF
CPUs can also be categorized by insertion type. A zero-insertion-force, or ZIF, CPU is a drop-in unit. Once you
drop it into the proper holes, you can close the small handle and lock it in. LIF stands for low insertion force;
this one is pressed in gently with no handle to lock it in. Always take care to line up the CPU pins accurately
before trying to push it in or close the handle, as these pins are easy to bend.
Try CPU-Z,
a freeware program that provides information about stepping, type of slot, manufacturer, and so forth.
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