Socket

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.

2. 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.

3. 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