Socket A: Difference between revisions
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| fsb = 200 MT/s, 266 MT/s, 333 MT/s, 400 MT/s | | fsb = 200 MT/s, 266 MT/s, 333 MT/s, 400 MT/s | ||
| voltage = 1.0–2.05V | | voltage = 1.0–2.05V | ||
| dimensions = 49.53 mm | | dimensions = 49.53 mm × 49.53 mm<ref name="datasheet"/> | ||
| processors = {{ubl|[[AMD]] [[Athlon]] (600–1400 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Athlon#Athlon XP/MP|Athlon XP]] (850–2333 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Duron]] (600–1800 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Sempron]] (1500–2200 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Athlon#Athlon XP/MP|Athlon MP]] (1000–2133 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Geode (processor)#Geode NX|Geode NX]] (667–1800 MHz)}} | | processors = {{ubl|[[AMD]] [[Athlon]] (600–1400 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Athlon#Athlon XP/MP|Athlon XP]] (850–2333 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Duron]] (600–1800 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Sempron]] (1500–2200 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Athlon#Athlon XP/MP|Athlon MP]] (1000–2133 MHz)|[[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] [[Geode (processor)#Geode NX|Geode NX]] (667–1800 MHz)}} | ||
| predecessor = [[Slot A]] | | predecessor = [[Slot A]] | ||
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'''Socket A''' (also known as '''Socket 462''') is a [[zero insertion force]] [[pin grid array]] (PGA) [[CPU socket]] used for [[AMD]] [[Central processing unit|processors]] ranging from the [[Athlon Thunderbird#Athlon Thunderbird (2000–2001)|Athlon Thunderbird]] to the [[Athlon#Athlon XP/MP|Athlon XP/MP]] 3200+, and AMD budget processors including the [[Duron]] and [[Sempron]]. Socket A also supports AMD [[Geode (processor)#Geode NX|Geode NX]] embedded processors (derived from the [[Athlon#Mobile Athlon XP|Mobile Athlon XP]]). It compliments (and later supersedes) the prior [[Slot A]] CPU interface used in some Athlon Thunderbird processors. The front-side bus frequencies supported for the AMD Athlon XP and Sempron are 133 [[MHz]], 166 MHz, and 200 MHz. Socket A supports 32-bit CPUs only. | '''Socket A''' (also known as '''Socket 462''') is a [[zero insertion force]] [[pin grid array]] (PGA) [[CPU socket]] used for [[AMD]] [[Central processing unit|processors]] ranging from the [[Athlon Thunderbird#Athlon Thunderbird (2000–2001)|Athlon Thunderbird]] to the [[Athlon#Athlon XP/MP|Athlon XP/MP]] 3200+, and AMD budget processors including the [[Duron]] and [[Sempron]]. Socket A also supports AMD [[Geode (processor)#Geode NX|Geode NX]] embedded processors (derived from the [[Athlon#Mobile Athlon XP|Mobile Athlon XP]]). It compliments (and later supersedes) the prior [[Slot A]] CPU interface used in some Athlon Thunderbird processors. The front-side bus frequencies supported for the AMD Athlon XP and Sempron are 133 [[MHz]], 166 MHz, and 200 MHz. Socket A supports 32-bit CPUs only. | ||
The socket is a [[zero insertion force]] [[pin grid array]] type with 462 pins, hence the | The socket is a [[zero insertion force]] [[pin grid array]] type with 462 pins, hence the name "Socket 462" printed on the CPU socket. About nine pins in the socket are blocked to discourage accidental insertion of [[Socket 370]] CPUs on Socket A motherboards. | ||
Socket A was replaced by [[Socket 754]] and [[Socket 939]] during 2003 and 2004 respectively, except for its use with Geode NX processors. | Socket A was replaced by [[Socket 754]] and [[Socket 939]] during 2003 and 2004 respectively, except for its use with Geode NX processors. | ||
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== Socket A mechanical load limits == | == Socket A mechanical load limits == | ||
[[File:Cracked die corner.jpg|thumb|The corners of the exposed CPU dies were susceptible to damage like shown here when coolers were installed incorrectly or systems were handled roughly.]] | [[File:Cracked die corner.jpg|thumb|The corners of the exposed CPU dies were susceptible to damage like shown here when coolers were installed incorrectly or systems were handled roughly.]] | ||
AMD recommends that the mass of a Socket A CPU cooler | AMD recommends that the mass of a Socket A CPU cooler must not exceed 300 [[gram]]s (10.6 [[ounce]]s). Heavier coolers may result in damage to the die when the system is improperly handled, as seen in the picture on the right. | ||
All Socket A processors (Athlon, Sempron, Duron and Geode NX) have the following mechanical maximum load limits<ref name="datasheet">{{cite web |title=AMD Athlon Processor Model 4 Data Sheet |url=https://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/23792.pdf |website=AMD |language=en-US |access-date=November 8, 2001 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050407201323/http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/23792.pdf |archive-date=April 7, 2005}}</ref> which should not be exceeded during heatsink assembly, shipping conditions, or standard use. They came with a warning that load above those limits may crack the processor die and make it unusable. The limits are included in the table below. | All Socket A processors (Athlon, Sempron, Duron and Geode NX) have the following mechanical maximum load limits<ref name="datasheet">{{cite web |title=AMD Athlon Processor Model 4 Data Sheet |url=https://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/23792.pdf |website=AMD |language=en-US |access-date=November 8, 2001 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050407201323/http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/23792.pdf |archive-date=April 7, 2005}}</ref> which should not be exceeded during heatsink assembly, shipping conditions, or standard use. They came with a warning that load above those limits may crack the processor die and make it unusable. The limits are included in the table below. | ||
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| 44 [[newton (unit)|N]] (10 [[Pound-force|lb<sub>f</sub>]]) | | 44 [[newton (unit)|N]] (10 [[Pound-force|lb<sub>f</sub>]]) | ||
|} | |} | ||
These load limits are quite small compared to the load limits of [[Socket 370]], [[Socket 423]] and [[Socket 478]] processors. Indeed, they were so small that many users more often than not ended up with cracked processors while | These load limits are quite small compared to the load limits of [[Socket 370]], [[Socket 423]] and [[Socket 478]] processors. Indeed, they were so small that many users more often than not ended up with cracked processors while attempting to remove or attach heatsinks to the fragile processor core. This makes installing non-standard or non-certified heatsink solutions a risky business.{{Citation needed|date=October 2013}} [[OEM]] aluminium heatsinks typically provided smaller thermal tolerances, so the improper application or absence of a [[Thermally conductive pad|thermal pad]] or [[thermal grease|grease]] or operation in high room temperatures may cause some Socket A CPUs to [[Overheating (electricity)|overheat]] and [[Crash (computing)|crash]], rendering them useless. | ||
{{clear}} | |||
== Chipsets== | == Chipsets== | ||
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Third-party chipsets include the [[nForce]], [[nForce2]], and a large number of [[List_of_VIA_chipsets#Slot_A_and_Socket_A|VIA K-series]] chipsets. | Third-party chipsets include the [[nForce]], [[nForce2]], and a large number of [[List_of_VIA_chipsets#Slot_A_and_Socket_A|VIA K-series]] chipsets. | ||
In practice, third-party chipsets were heavily favoured by motherboard manufacturers. Stability problems and compatibility quirks from these chipsets abounded from manufacturers not following chipset designers' guidelines. This caused long-lasting damage to AMD's reputation, despite AMD having nothing to do with the poorly-realised hardware.{{cn|date=August 2023}} A similar incident happened with third-party chipsets for [[Super Socket 7]] CPUs, of which AMD tried to remedy it by putting [[quality assurance]] measures for the Athlon, which used Slot A/Socket A CPUs. Despite this, however, the aforementioned problems mentioned above still lingered on for quite a while, even for Athlon CPUs. | In practice, third-party chipsets were heavily favoured by motherboard manufacturers. Stability problems and compatibility quirks from these chipsets abounded from manufacturers not following chipset designers' guidelines. This caused long-lasting damage to AMD's reputation, despite AMD having nothing to do with the poorly-realised hardware.{{cn|date=August 2023}} A similar incident happened with third-party chipsets for [[Super Socket 7]] CPUs, of which AMD tried to remedy it by putting [[quality assurance]] measures for the Athlon, which used Slot A/Socket A CPUs. Despite this, however, this was not enough to prevent the aforementioned problems mentioned above, and this phenomenon still lingered on for quite a while, even for Athlon CPUs. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Latest revision as of 05:40, 9 December 2025
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Socket A (also known as Socket 462) is a zero insertion force pin grid array (PGA) CPU socket used for AMD processors ranging from the Athlon Thunderbird to the Athlon XP/MP 3200+, and AMD budget processors including the Duron and Sempron. Socket A also supports AMD Geode NX embedded processors (derived from the Mobile Athlon XP). It compliments (and later supersedes) the prior Slot A CPU interface used in some Athlon Thunderbird processors. The front-side bus frequencies supported for the AMD Athlon XP and Sempron are 133 MHz, 166 MHz, and 200 MHz. Socket A supports 32-bit CPUs only.
The socket is a zero insertion force pin grid array type with 462 pins, hence the name "Socket 462" printed on the CPU socket. About nine pins in the socket are blocked to discourage accidental insertion of Socket 370 CPUs on Socket A motherboards.
Socket A was replaced by Socket 754 and Socket 939 during 2003 and 2004 respectively, except for its use with Geode NX processors.
Technical specifications
- Support of processor clock-speeds between 600 MHz (Duron) to 2333 MHz (Athlon XP 3200+)[1]
- Double data rate 100, 133, 166 and 200 MHz front-side bus on Duron, XP and Sempron processors, based on the Alpha 21264 EV6 bus.
Initially launched with 100 MHz FSB support in the earliest chipsets it evolved stepwise to faster 200 MHz FSB while maintaining pin compatibility throughout its lifetime. However, clock, timing, BIOS and voltage differences restrict compatibility between older chipsets and later processors.[2]
Socket dimensions are 5.59 cm (5.24 cm without lever) × 6.55 cm or 2.2" (2.06" without lever) × 2.58", slightly bigger than Socket 370 sockets.
Heatsink
Heatsinks were commonly attached directly to the CPU socket, but some motherboards also had 4 holes for fastening bigger heatsinks to the motherboard. Those holes are placed in a rectangle with lateral lengths of 35 mm and 65 mm.
Socket A mechanical load limits
AMD recommends that the mass of a Socket A CPU cooler must not exceed 300 grams (10.6 ounces). Heavier coolers may result in damage to the die when the system is improperly handled, as seen in the picture on the right.
All Socket A processors (Athlon, Sempron, Duron and Geode NX) have the following mechanical maximum load limits[3] which should not be exceeded during heatsink assembly, shipping conditions, or standard use. They came with a warning that load above those limits may crack the processor die and make it unusable. The limits are included in the table below.
| Location | Dynamic | Static |
|---|---|---|
| Die Surface | 445 N (100 lbf) | 133 N (30 lbf) |
| Die Edge | 44 N (10 lbf) | 44 N (10 lbf) |
These load limits are quite small compared to the load limits of Socket 370, Socket 423 and Socket 478 processors. Indeed, they were so small that many users more often than not ended up with cracked processors while attempting to remove or attach heatsinks to the fragile processor core. This makes installing non-standard or non-certified heatsink solutions a risky business.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". OEM aluminium heatsinks typically provided smaller thermal tolerances, so the improper application or absence of a thermal pad or grease or operation in high room temperatures may cause some Socket A CPUs to overheat and crash, rendering them useless.
Chipsets
AMD offered official chipsets for the Slot A/Socket A CPUs. These are included in the table below.
| Model | Code name | Released | CPU support | FSB/HT (MHz) | Southbridge | Features / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD-750 chipset | AMD-751 | August 1999[4] | Athlon, Duron (Slot A, Socket A), Alpha 21264Script error: No such module "Unsubst". | 50 (100MT/s) | AMD-756, VIA-VT82C686A | AGP 2×, SDRAM Irongate chipset family; early steppings had issues with AGP 2×; drivers often limited support to AGP 1×; later fixed with "super bypass" memory access adjustment.[5] |
| AMD-760 chipset | AMD-761 | Nov 2000 | Athlon, Athlon XP, Duron (Socket A), Alpha 21264Script error: No such module "Unsubst". | 66 (133MT/s) | AMD-766, VIA-VT82C686B | AGP 4×, DDR SDRAM |
Third-party chipsets include the nForce, nForce2, and a large number of VIA K-series chipsets.
In practice, third-party chipsets were heavily favoured by motherboard manufacturers. Stability problems and compatibility quirks from these chipsets abounded from manufacturers not following chipset designers' guidelines. This caused long-lasting damage to AMD's reputation, despite AMD having nothing to do with the poorly-realised hardware.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". A similar incident happened with third-party chipsets for Super Socket 7 CPUs, of which AMD tried to remedy it by putting quality assurance measures for the Athlon, which used Slot A/Socket A CPUs. Despite this, however, this was not enough to prevent the aforementioned problems mentioned above, and this phenomenon still lingered on for quite a while, even for Athlon CPUs.
See also
References
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