Socket

Updated: 04/26/2017 by Computer Hope

A socket may refer to any of the following:

Socket 370 or PGA370

1. With a processor, a CPU socket or processor socket is a connection that allows a computer processor to connect to a motherboard. For example, 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 some computers use 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.

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 incompatible with a Socket 370 because of the pin layout and technology differences in each socket.

2. With an operating system, a socket is a communication between processes or a client and server. One of the most widely used socket API (application programming interface) 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