CPUsokkurinn

CPUsokkurinn is the mechanical and electrical interface on a computer motherboard that enables a central processing unit (CPU) to connect to the rest of the system. The socket provides physical retention, power delivery, and electrical contacts, while the CPU sits in the socket and is secured by a locking mechanism. Sockets are designed to match specific CPU families or generations, and are not interchangeable between architectures without related hardware and firmware support.

Two main electrical interface styles are commonly used: pin grid array (PGA) and land grid array (LGA). In PGA designs, pins are located on the CPU and the socket contains receptacles; in LGA designs, pins are in the socket and the CPU has contact pads. The choice affects mounting, servicing, and heat transfer, and is associated with the evolution of motherboard design and cooling solutions. Many modern sockets include a retention lever or mechanism to secure the CPU and a standardized mounting for coolers.

Compatibility and upgrading considerations depend on the socket type, chipset, and BIOS support. Replacing a CPU often requires a motherboard with the same socket or a BIOS update to support newer processors on that socket. Power delivery requirements and memory support (such as DDR generations) may also constrain upgrades. Because socket generations can change across CPU lineups, upgrading the CPU frequently requires a new motherboard.

Examples of widely used sockets include Intel's LGA 1151, LGA 1200, and LGA 1700, and AMD's AM4 (PGA) and AM5 (LGA). The industry continues to evolve toward higher pin counts and more robust power delivery to support increasingly capable processors.