Socket A

Socket 462 / A
Type PGA-ZIF
Chip form factors Ceramic Pin Grid Array (CPGA)
Organic Pin Grid Array (OPGA)
Contacts 462
FSB protocol EV6
FSB frequency 200 MT/s, 266 MT/s, 333 MT/s, 400 MT/s
Voltage range 1.0–2.05 V
Processors AMD Athlon (650 MHz – 1400 MHz)
AMD Athlon XP (1500+ – 3200+)
AMD Duron (600 MHz – 1800 MHz)
AMD Sempron (2000+ – 3300+)
AMD Athlon MP (1000 MHz – 3000+)
AMD Geode NX (667 MHz – 2200 MHz)

This article is part of the CPU socket series

Socket A (also known as Socket 462) is the 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). The socket is a zero insertion force pin grid array type with 462pins (nine pins are blocked in the socket to prevent accidental insertion of Socket 370 CPUs, hence the number 462). 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 was replaced by Socket 754 and Socket 939 during 2003 and 2004 respectively, except for its use with Geode NX processors.

Chipsets

Model Code name Released CPU support FSB/HT (MHz) Southbridge Features / Notes
AMD-750 chipset AMD-751 August 1999[1] Athlon, Duron (Slot A, Socket A), Alpha 21264 100 (FSB) 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.[2]
AMD-760 chipset AMD-761 Nov 2000 Athlon, Athlon XP, Duron (Socket A), Alpha 21264 133 (FSB) AMD-766, VIA-VT82C686B AGP 4×, DDR SDRAM

Technical specifications

Socket 462 of an 800 MHz Athlon CPU

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.[4]

Socket dimensions are 5.59 cm (5.24 cm without lever) x 6.55 cm or 2.2" (2.06" without lever) x 2.58".

Socket A mechanical load limits

AMD recommends that the mass of a Socket A CPU cooler to not exceed 300 grams (10.6 ounces). Heavier coolers may result in damage to the die when the system is not properly handled.

All socket A processors (Athlon, Sempron, Duron and Geode NX) have the following mechanical maximum load limits[5] which should not be exceeded during heatsink assembly, shipping conditions, or standard use. Load above those limits may crack the processor die and make it unusable.

Location Dynamic Static
Die Surface 445 N(100 lbf) 133 N(30 lbf)
Die Edge 44 N(10 lbf) 44 N(10 lbf)

Those load limits are quite small compared to the load limits of Socket 478 processors. Indeed, they were so small that many users ended up with cracked processors while trying to remove or attach heatsinks for their fragile processors. This made installing non-standard or non-certified heatsink solutions a risky business.

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Socket A.
  1. ↑ "AMD-750 Chipset Overview". amd.com. Retrieved 2001-08-00.
  2. ↑ AMD's Super Bypass - AMD Improves their 750 Chipset : Introduction - Tom's Hardware
  3. ↑ "CPU Sockets Chart". users.erols.com. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  4. ↑ "CTechnology Evolution". amd.com. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  5. ↑ "AMD Athlon Processor Model 4 Data Sheet". amd.com. Retrieved 2001-11-08.