Socket 7 is a connector on a computer motherboard that allows the CPU to fit onto the board using zero insertion force (ZIF) and transfer different voltages. It replaced socket 5 and is backwards compatible. The extra pin on socket 7 prevents it from fitting into socket 5. Socket 7 was later replaced by slot 1, but competitors improved the design with the super socket 7.
Socket 7 is a connection unit on a computer’s motherboard, the board where all of the components are soldered into the computer, which allows the central processing unit (CPU) to fit onto the motherboard. Socket 7 connection was made by Intel® to replace socket 5. This piece used zero insertion force (ZIF) to help the CPU adapt to the computer, and also allowed different voltages to be transferred to the CPU. Socket 7 was later dropped for the slot 1 connector.
Connector 7 is a piece of plastic on the motherboard that contains 321 holes arranged in a square. To connect the CPU, the user or manufacturer simply needs to place the CPU on the connector and it will fall into place. The main difference between connector 7 and socket 5 is that the newer connector is capable of supplying different voltages to the CPU. This means that the computer can supply more or less power to the CPU, depending on whether the computer is performing simple or complex tasks.
CPUs made for socket 5 connectors can be plugged into socket 7, because they are made to be backwards compatible. Socket 7 can’t fit into socket 5, though, because variety 7 has an extra pin — 321 instead of socket 5’s 320 — that prevents the CPU from fitting into socket 5. This extra pin on connector 7 is the only visible difference between the two sockets. Most of the pins on a CPU are connected electronically, but the extra pin has no electricity; it exists only to prevent newer CPUs from fitting into socket 5.
Socket 7 connectors are made with ZIF technology. This means that the CPU doesn’t have to be pushed or inserted, unlike other pieces. The CPU simply needs to be placed on the pins. This makes it easier for manufacturers to enter the CPU and for users to upgrade the CPU.
Intel® has phased out socket 7 in favor of slot 1. This rectangular-shaped connector is a complete departure from previous socket shapes. Many competitors improved the socket 7 design and power supply and created the super socket 7, which allowed for better memory usage and added caching to the CPU. This allowed older CPUs and CPUs with the 7 architecture to continue to be used in better computers.
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