A socket may refer to any of the following:

  1. When referring to a processor, a CPU socket or processor socket is a connection that allows a computer processor to connect to a motherboard. For example, the Socket 370 is an example of such a socket. The picture shows an example of what a socket may look like on a motherboard. Although there were computers that used the slot processor, most computers today and in the past have used socket processors.

Computer processor sockets

Below is a short list of sockets and their description we currently have listed on our page.

  • Socket 1
  • Socket 2
  • Socket 3
  • Socket 4
  • Socket 5
  • Socket 6
  • Socket 7
  • Socket 8
  • Socket 370
  • Socket 423
  • Socket 462
  • Socket 478
  • Socket 603
  • Socket 604
  • Socket 939
  • Socket A
  • Socket AM2
  • Socket F

Why would I need to know the socket on my motherboard?

The processor socket helps determine what computer processors your computer motherboard can accept. For example, a socket 1 processor is not compatible with a Socket 370 because of the pin layout and the technology differences used in each socket.

  1. When referring to an operating system, a socket is a communication used between processes or communication between a client and server. One of the most widely used socket API or library is the Berkeley Unix C library.
  • CPU help and support.
  • Motherboard help and support.
  • What is the difference between a connector, jack, plug, and port?
  1. With networking, see our network socket definition for further information on this term.

CPU terms, LIF socket, Motherboard terms, Power socket, Programming terms, Slotket, SOCKS, ZIF socket