Socket 754 CPUs were used in AMD® socket 754, with a narrow speed range of 2.4 GHz to 2.6 GHz. Only four models were released, and the socket was quickly replaced by socket 939 due to marketing issues. Socket 754 had a spring to keep the CPU in place and was aimed at mid to high-end desktop computers but sold better for high-end mobile platforms. Socket 939 had minor changes but increased memory channels and bus speed, leading to higher motherboard costs.
A socket 754 central processing unit (CPU) is any CPU used in the AMD® socket 754. Socket 754 CPU models use the traditional pin grid array (PGA), where pins are inserted into the socket. CPUs were unpopular sellers due to conflict marketing. Socket 754 CPU models ranged in speed from 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) to 2.6 GHz and were used in both desktop and mobile processors. Only four processors were made for the 754 socket before it was replaced by the slightly modified socket 939.
Socket 754, like most mainstream CPU sockets, used a PGA grid in which the gold-plated pins of the socket 754 CPU fit into holes in the socket. Unlike most sockets, a spring has been added to ensure the CPU stays in place, which is especially good for laptops. The user had to lift a lever to release the spring, place the CPU in the socket, then push the lever down again to lock the CPU in place. Most sockets don’t include this spring and the user just places the CPU on the holes.
Speed-wise, the socket 754 CPU models had a narrow range, going from 2.4 GHz to 2.6 GHz. While 2.4 GHz is supposed to be the minimum speed, most CPUs perform lower, around the 1.4 GHz range. GHz to 1.8GHz, especially after aging. With upgrades, or if the computer is properly configured, CPUs can run to the higher socket specifications.
Four socket 754 CPU models were released: Athlon 64®, Sempron®, Turion 64® and Mobile Athlon 64®. One major advantage of using this socket and its associated CPUs was that motherboard costs were drastically lower than later motherboards. CPUs were also powerful for the time, but inefficient marketing prevented sales from being satisfactory.
Socket 754 was marketed as an affordable solution for mid to high-end computers and was primarily aimed at desktop computers. Despite this, the biggest sales have come from high-end mobile platforms. This marketing miscalculation meant that socket 754 CPUs sold better than ever before, and the socket was replaced quickly.
Socket 939, which replaced socket 754, had only a few minor changes to differentiate it from the previous socket. It increased the amount of memory channels to two, instead of one on the 754 socket, and increased the bus speed from 800 megahertz (MHz) to 1,000 MHz. The improvements dramatically increased motherboard costs.
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