Does matching the socket guarantee a CPU will work?

No. A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient. The motherboard chipset must support the CPU generation, and the board may need a BIOS update for newer chips on the same socket. Always check the board maker's CPU support list before buying, especially when mixing generations that share a socket.

What is the difference between LGA and PGA sockets?

LGA (Land Grid Array) puts the pins on the motherboard socket and flat contact pads on the CPU — used by modern Intel and by AMD's AM5. PGA (Pin Grid Array) puts the pins on the CPU itself, which slots into holes in the board — used by AMD's long-lived AM4. Bent pins are on whichever side carries them.

How long did AMD's AM4 socket last?

Unusually long. AM4 launched in 2016 and supported Ryzen 1000 through 5000 (and some later 5000-series refreshes), spanning roughly seven years and five CPU generations. That longevity let many users upgrade CPUs without replacing the motherboard, though BIOS updates were often required for newer chips.

Can I put a newer Intel CPU in an older LGA socket?

Only if they share the exact same socket and the chipset supports the CPU. Intel often changes sockets every one to two generations — for example LGA1200 (10th/11th gen) gave way to LGA1700 (12th–14th gen) and then LGA1851 (Core Ultra). Different socket means physically incompatible, regardless of BIOS.

Does this reference store what I type?

No. The table and filter run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing you enter is uploaded, logged or stored.

CPU Socket Reference

Email me this result

Get this tool's output sent to your inbox, plus one useful tool a week. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Desktop CPU sockets at a glance

A CPU socket is the physical and electrical interface between a processor and its motherboard. The socket determines which CPUs can physically fit, and the chipset plus BIOS determine which of those are actually supported. This reference lists the mainstream Intel and AMD desktop sockets of recent generations with their pin type, supported processor families and the years each was current.

How it works

Intel uses LGA sockets (pins on the board) and tends to change socket every one to two generations — LGA1200, then LGA1700, then LGA1851. AMD kept AM4 (a PGA socket, pins on the CPU) alive across five Ryzen generations before moving to the LGA AM5 for Ryzen 7000 and later. Compatibility requires three things to line up: the socket (physical fit), the chipset (electrical/feature support), and a BIOS version new enough to recognise the specific CPU. A matching socket with the wrong chipset or an out-of-date BIOS will not post.

Tips and notes

Socket match is necessary but not sufficient — always check the chipset.
Newer CPUs on a shared socket often need a BIOS update first.
AMD AM4 is unusually long-lived; AM5 is its LGA successor.
Intel changes sockets frequently — verify the exact LGA number, not the brand.