How to find out the motherboard socket: instructions. How to find out the motherboard socket through a computer

Central processing units (CPUs) are not universal. Depending on the production technology used, year of manufacture, manufacturer and other parameters, they may have different designs.

Therefore, when replacing a CPU, you should know exactly which type will be suitable for this purpose. The type of processors used by the motherboard (MB) is uniquely determined by such a concept as a socket. In this article we will look at how to find out the motherboard socket.

A socket is just a connector on the MP for connecting the CPU and its cooling system to the motherboard. In most cases, these devices are a snap-on socket design into which the CPU is inserted, ensuring electrical contact of all its pins with the corresponding signal conductors of the MP.

There are currently two types of CPU designs:

having pins in the form of standard pins or “legs” (mostly AMD CPUs before the advent of ThreadRipper);
having pins in the form of contact pads (all Intel CPUs over the last ten years and top AMD CPUs).

The former use a PGA (pin grid array) connector, the latter use an LGA (land grid array) connector. They do not have any particular difference in the quality of contact, or in the speed of information exchange, or in reliability. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but in terms of the totality of parameters they are approximately identical.

Important! Since the cost of a CPU is often several times higher than the cost of an MP, it would be more correct to transfer such an unreliable element as the legs from the processor to the MP. Therefore, the use of LGA connectors is economically feasible: if the legs break, the MP is replaced, which is significantly cheaper than the CPU.

Socket number

The socket is designated by its index or digit (number); in some cases, an established convention or synonym for the name is used. The number in the name, as a rule, indicates the number of contacts used, however, there are exceptions.

For example:

Socket AM3 is a processor socket for AMD Phenom II series CPUs. Its other name is Socket 941. It uses a PGA connector of the PGA-ZIF type with 941 pins. In this case, the processor has 938 contacts.
Socket H or LGA 1156 is a processor socket for Intel CPUs with Linfield and Clarkdale cores. It has 1156 contacts respectively.
Socket G3 (aka FCPGA 946) is a connector for connecting Intel mobile CPUs to laptops. It has a PGA design and 947 contacts.

Important! The number in the designation does not always indicate the number of processor pins. These numbers may correspond exactly to the number of contacts, or they may differ by several units, either up or down.

Let's now look at how to find out which socket is used on the motherboard.

How to find out the socket of my motherboard

The type of CPU and MP connection used can be found in different ways. Some of them will require user access to the inside of the PC, some will allow you to do without opening the computer case:

It is necessary to inspect the MP and find the connector designation on it. It is always written on the backing. Therefore, for this purpose you do not even need to remove the cooler and CPU.
This information must be contained in the instructions for the MP or CPU. If the instructions are missing, you can, knowing the model names of these devices, determine the types of connectors used in your system by downloading information from the Internet. To do this, just go to the support website of the CPU or motherboard manufacturer.
If it is not possible to open the PC case, and there are no instructions or any other information, you can use special system diagnostic programs that will clearly determine all the parameters of interest, including the type of CPU or MP socket used.

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages and is used depending on the circumstances. The most reliable, of course, is the first, however, it is not always possible to gain access to the system unit. It may, for example, be sealed with guarantee seals.

Recognition programs

The easiest way to see the type of socket used is with the help of system programs that provide information not only about it, but also about all devices located on the motherboard.

The method is considered quite reliable, however, in some cases it may produce an incorrect result. These include:

use of outdated software;
An attempt to diagnose a MP with changed BIOS settings that affect the result of PC hardware recognition.

The first reason can be easily eliminated by downloading a more modern version, and the second is so rare that the probability of encountering it is less than one in a million.

Let's look at the most popular programs that are used to determine the socket type:

CPU-Z. The most simple utility containing information about all processors (and socket types) currently in use. In addition to information about the processor, it gives a brief description of the MP, memory, video card, etc. Information about the connector is on the main page of the program.
AIDA. Universal hardware diagnostics and testing program. It not only identifies the hardware of the PC, but also provides links to information about all its hardware, right down to the manufacturer’s website and links to instructions for each system component. The socket type can be seen in the “System board” – CPU – Case type section.
Speccy. Also a simple diagnostic program that provides complete information about the system and manufacturers of all components of the PC being diagnosed. Information about the connector is located in the “Central Processing Unit” - Design section.

Often, to solve problems with your computer, you need to find out the motherboard socket. There are three main options to find out.

Inspect the motherboard in person. Usually the model is indicated on it.
Use special programs designed to review and diagnose your computer.
Enter BIOS. In most cases, information about the motherboard is stored there.

Let's consider all these options in more detail.

Using the program

You can usually find information about your computer's hardware in Device Manager. But unfortunately, the motherboard model is not written there. The only thing you can find is information about the motherboard drivers.

In this case, special programs will come to the rescue. This method is the best if you want to find out the model of the board on a laptop, since disassembling it for inspection is labor-intensive and risky. But this does not mean that it cannot be used on home computers.

There are many programs created for this job. The most common program is AIDA64. You can download it from the official website of the developer. Which version you choose is not so important. Just keep in mind that this is a paid program and if you want to use it for free, select “Trial period” after installation. This will give you the opportunity to try out the program and use it for a while without paying.

After installing the program, follow the following algorithm for working with AIDA64:

This line contains the board model. In the above screenshot it is “Biostar P31B-A7”. Now, knowing the name of the model, you can find all the necessary information about it on the Internet. Or download drivers from the official website.

To work faster with this program, you can use the navigation panel on the right. Find the "Motherboard" section in this list. In the screenshot it is marked with one. Double click on it. After this, the “Motherboard” subsection (marked with a two) will open. When you click on it, the same window with complete information will open as in the previous case.

Motherboard Inspection

It is advisable to use this method only for stationary PCs. First you need to prepare for this work. Follow these steps:

turn off your computer;
turn off the button on the power supply;
remove all cables from the socket;
disconnect all wires from the PC.

Before disconnecting the wires, take photographs of their location or special marks on them. This is done so as not to get confused later during the reverse connection. The wires must be disconnected carefully, as some of them are held on by special latches. Their damage will be irreversible. It is advisable to follow all these steps for safety and easy connection of the wires after the inspection is completed.

In this case, the motherboard information is "MBOCSO". When you search for this combination in a search engine, a link to the manufacturer’s official website will appear.

Login to BIOS

The last option is to search for information located in the computer's BIOS. However, you can use this method in rare cases, because not all UEFI-BIOS contain a section with this data.

First of all, you need to go into the BIOS. On laptops or computers from different manufacturers, different keys are responsible for this. Usually this is F2, F10 or Delete. Start quickly pressing the corresponding button immediately when you press the PC power button.
After entering the BIOS, find the desired section in the menu. It is impossible to give exact information about its location. Each board has its own characteristics. In this case, you can use general recommendations.
Look at all sections that begin with the word "System".
Look for sections called “Motherboard” or “Mainboard” - this is the data you need.
Browse section "Hardware", since this is where information about the hardware components of the PC is located.
Do not make any changes to the BIOS settings, since you just went to get information about the board.

Using BIOS will be the right choice when the operating system does not boot or it is difficult to disassemble the computer for inspection. The main thing you need to know is the key that launches the BIOS.

Each of the three methods described in the article may be needed depending on the situation. This knowledge can help you solve problems or save money when upgrading your computer devices. It is the motherboard model that is the main information when repairing or replacing PC components.

We would like to tell you about the processor socket and how to recognize it. There are various methods, some of which are very interesting - from reading the documentation included in the kit to disassembling the system unit or installing special software. In any case, there is nothing complicated here - especially considering the fact that we will provide you with all possible assistance and provide several detailed instructions.

But first, I would like to let you understand what this mysterious word “Socket” actually means.

What is Socket

Socket is a software interface that is used to connect the processor to the motherboard. If it is made under a different one, then the processor will not work and attempts to install it will not lead to anything good.

In simpler terms: Socket is a type of connector for installing a processor.

We use the documentation to find out the socket of the installed processor

If the computer was purchased assembled and was not assembled by someone you know, then you can find the documents that come with it. The method cannot be called complicated. Rather, it is boring - you will have to scroll through a dozen or more pages in search of the necessary information. In any case, this method has the right to life.

So, let’s imagine that the documents were not lost by you and are lying somewhere at hand. In this waste paper, in the table of contents, find a section called “General processor characteristics” or something similar. Then open the desired page and glance over the information described there - you need to look for “Socket...” or “S...”, where instead of an ellipsis there should be numbers or a combination of numbers and letters. For example, Socket LGA-1366. Similar information may also be indicated, but in Russian - “Connector type”. On these pages you can also find recommendations for installing a processor and other useful information that can really come in handy.

We disassemble the computer to find out the processor socket

Perhaps this is the most interesting way. At least for those people who have never disassembled their desktop computer with their own hands. Of course, this method is not as convenient as the method presented above, but... Well, you yourself know that it is more interesting.

In principle, there is nothing complicated here, if you have held a shaped screwdriver at least once in your life. By the way, this is the only type of tool that we need to disassemble the case and remove the cooler. So let's get started:

Let's turn to the Internet for help
Everything here is also extremely simple - you need to enter the model of your processor into the search and look at the official Socket website. Let's quickly find out how to do this:

The last method left is using third-party software. Let's look at it for the sake of completeness of the article.

How to find out the processor socket using Everest or CPU-Z

Let's start with the most famous and advanced program - Everest. To determine the type of socket using this software, you need to:

Well, now let’s look at the same thing, but in a completely free utility called CPU-Z:

As you can see, there is nothing complicated at all. All the methods are quite simple and everyone is free to decide what they like best.

The socket on the motherboard is a special connector on which the processor and cooler are mounted. It is partly capable of replacing the processor, but only when it comes to working in the BIOS. Sockets for motherboards are produced by two manufacturers - AMD and Intel. Read more about how exactly to find out the motherboard socket below.

The simplest and most obvious way is to look at the documentation that comes with your computer/laptop or the card itself. Find one of these items “Socket”, “S...”, “Socket”, “Connector” or "Connector type". Opposite will be written a model and, possibly, some additional information.

You can also conduct a visual inspection of the chipset, but in this case you will have to dismantle the cover of the system unit, remove the cooler and remove the thermal paste, and then reapply it. If the processor interferes, you will have to remove it, but you can be 100% sure that you have one or another socket.

Method 1: AIDA64

is a multifunctional software solution for obtaining data on the condition of hardware and conducting various tests for the stability/quality of operation of individual components and the system as a whole. The software is paid, but there is a trial period during which all functionality is available without restrictions. There is a Russian language.

The step-by-step instructions look like this:

Method 2: Speccy

is a free and multifunctional utility for collecting information about PC components from the famous developer. It is completely translated into Russian and has a simple interface.

Let's look at how to find out the motherboard socket using this utility:

Method 3: CPU-Z

– another free utility for collecting data on the operation of the system and individual components. To use it to find out the chipset model, you just need to run the utility. Next in the tab "CPU", which opens by default at startup, find the item "Processor packaging", where your socket will be written.

In order to find out the socket on your motherboard, all you need is documentation or special programs that can be downloaded for free. It is not at all necessary to disassemble the computer to see the chipset model.