Socket A

Socket 462 / A
Type	PGA-ZIF
Chip form factors	Ceramic Pin Grid Array (CPGA); Organic Pin Grid Array (OPGA)
Contacts	453
FSB protocol	EV6
FSB frequency	100 MHz, 133 MHz, 166 MHz and 200 MHz; equivalent to FSB200, FSB266, FSB333 and FSB400 (Double data rate Bus)
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 the recent AMD Geode NX embedded processors (derived from the Mobile Athlon XP). The socket is a zero insertion force pin grid array type with 453 pins (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.

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

Socket A has been discontinued in favor of Socket 754, Socket 939, and recently Socket AM2, except for its use with Geode NX processors. However, microprocessors and motherboards from many vendors are still available.

Technical specifications

Support of processor clock-speeds between 600 MHz (Duron) to 2333 MHz (Athlon XP 3200+)
Double data rate 100, 133, 166 and 200 MHz front side bus on Duron, XP and Sempron processors, based on the DEC Alpha EV6 bus.

Initially lanched with just 100 FSB support from earlier chipsets, and evolved stepwise to higher FSB, so while the socket has remained pin compatible throughout its lifetime, clock, timing, BIOS and voltage issues restrict compatibility between older chipsets and later processors.

Socket A mechanical load limits

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

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

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 a heatsink to their fragile processor. It must be noted though that many processors were cracked from non standard or non certified heatsink solutions as many, although by no means all Socket A processors were shipped as bare OEM processors in trays.

References