A CPU socket is a mount on a motherboard that holds a specific type of CPU chip. It has a lock to secure the chip and a design to hold the heat sink. Each socket is designed for a specific group of CPUs and has a unique number. The chip is inserted by raising the lever, placing the chip in the socket, and pushing the lever back down. The heat sink is then attached with a double-sided bracket and clamp.
The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is the chip that does most of the calculations for the computer’s operating system and applications. The CPU has a special mount on the motherboard called a CPU socket. This mount only fits one CPU; no other computer chip will fit on it. In addition to holding the processor, it has a lock to hold the processor in place and a special design so you can secure the heat sink that will go on top of the processor.
A CPU socket can be found on most standard desktop and many server systems. Laptops and some types of server systems may use a different style of processor. The grip itself is usually a single-colored plastic square with a hole in the middle, like a donut, and a lever on one side. This plastic is often a cream or burgundy color, but the color is a manufacturer’s choice rather than a specification. The plastic has hundreds of holes in rows that completely cover the surface.
Each CPU socket is designed for a specific group of CPUs. A socket may require a specific rating or group of CPUs from a single manufacturer. The exact details of which sockets take which CPUs vary based on the age and manufacturer of the socket and motherboard. Most sockets have a three to five digit number printed on one side of the socket. This number allows users to look up the exact model and determine what types of processors the CPU should contain.
A CPU socket is used in a very specific way. The user’s fist must raise the lever on the side of the grip; the processor chip is then placed on the socket so that the pins of the chip fall into the pin holes on the socket. Most chips only fit into a socket one way, while others have a line-up function. This ensures that users don’t enter the CPU incorrectly. The lever is then pushed back to its original position. This lever action will lock the chip in place, preventing it from moving and ensuring a good electrical connection.
After inserting the processor, the CPU socket still has room to hold the heat sink. Because processors produce so much heat, they have a specialized heat sink and fan system that sits on top of them. The heat sinks have a double-sided bracket. The heat sink sits on top of the processor and both sides of the bracket hook into the CPU socket. The clamp on the side of the bracket is pressed down, often with a specialized tool or flathead screwdriver, until the heat sink locks into place. At this point, most CPU sockets are completely covered by components.
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