Why do intel change their sockets?

[coughs]

Why do intel change their sockets regularly and AMD doesn't?

Personally I woud prefer if intel didn't so we can upgrade more frequently

whats your thoughts?

 

[Makhaira]

Partly architectural reasons (quite simply an increase in the number of pins), and I expect there will be marketing behind them too - money money!

 

[Redmint]

Why do intel change their sockets regularly and AMD doesn't?

Personally I woud prefer if intel didn't so we can upgrade more frequently

whats your thoughts?

There's already been about 5 topics on this recently... but yeah probably money comes into it. It's also been pointed out that it's only recently with the AM2(+) socket that a socket has actually lasted a while, none of the other AMD sockets really lasted that long.

 

[coughs]

Sorry about reposting this topic, I also was wondering why do heatsink fans have different ways to mount them for intel and amd cpu's.. surely they could use the same method?

 

[braveheart]

+1 for money...money to get some profit by change the pins ---- AMD still same all way for years that give customers more fair than Intel also remember Intel were fined by EU for bully at firm like Dell, HP to use Intel and blocked AMD that broke the law that could get some money back from customers by change pins -- dont you think? I never use Intel for more than 14 years as Im still AMD fan all the year.

 

[Redmint]

Both designs probably have some kind of patent on them, the companies don't want to give each other money.

 

[chippy08]

Money lol

 

[nightmare99]

Sorry about reposting this topic, I also was wondering why do heatsink fans have different ways to mount them for intel and amd cpu's.. surely they could use the same method?

Because they believe thier method gives the best price/performance ratio.

+1 for money...money to get some profit by change the pins

That is so not correct, the upgrade / home builder market is such a minute proportion of Intel's CPU shipments.

 

[varkanoid]

Because they believe thier method gives the best price/performance ratio.



That is so not correct, the upgrade / home builder market is such a minute proportion of Intel's CPU shipments.

"money" It is correct as being one of the reasons. Think wider. If you are Dell and you know motherboards are not going to change pin configuration you could buy loads of the same motherboard, then when a new chip comes out you dont need to restock with a different motherboard with new socket, maybe a new BIOS instead. I thought Intel get some royalty or motherboard fee's from manufacturers using Intel m/b chips, they do have to buy the chips from Intel. If the sockets didnt change and you didnt need a new motherboard Intel's income would drop.

Dont forget also Intel sell m/b too.

 

[glenimp617]

You really want the best chipset for the CPU anyway so you would be buying a new board regardless.

 

[Hyzepher]

yeah - there are a lot more considerations when upgrading apart from the CPU. Motherboard and chipsets that are designed with the new CPU in mind should be given the saem consideration otherwise you may be upgrading without gaining all the benefits.

 

[PermaBanned]

There's already been about 5 topics on this recently... but yeah probably money comes into it. It's also been pointed out that it's only recently with the AM2(+) socket that a socket has actually lasted a while, none of the other AMD sockets really lasted that long.

939 had a two year lifespan. 754 three years, same for Socket A. AM2 has only been running in some form or other for four years, and that's with several new incarnations.

That's all relatively long compared to Intel's shenanigans lately...

 

[Duke]

It is for a variety of reasons - but generally there is only so much you can design around one set of pins without needing to increase them.

I don't know why people think Intel are 'bad' for this, see replies below from the other thread in General Hardware.

Socket 775 is still perfectly fine for most people.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18173995

Socket 775 has been around since 2004 so they don't change it as often as people think.

If we are talking just desktop sockets and not going all the way back to the beginning of time.

AMD:
Socket 754
Socket 939
Socket AM2/AM2+
Socket AM3

Each socket required a new CPU apart from AM2 and AM2+ which were interchangeable.

Intel:
Socket 478
Socket 775
Socket 1156/1336

Socket 775 has been the most versatile socket Intel has ever made, Celeron, Celeron D, Pentium 4, Pentium D (P4 based dual core), Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, Pentium Dual Core (Core 2 based), Celeron (c2 based), Celeron Dual Core (c2 based)

 

[Hagar]

AMD socket A (462) lasted through several generations of CPU from 600MHz Duron, Athlon (Thunderbird), Athlon XP (Palomino, Thoroughbred) up to 3200+. It only changed when 64 bit computing was introduced by AMD.

 

[nightmare99]

Socket 775 has been around since 2004 so they don't change it as often as people think.

That is actually a bit of a red herring as newer processors often required boards with newer vrm specifications and chipsets.

 

[sjcf1]

That is actually a bit of a red herring as newer processors often required boards with newer vrm specifications and chipsets.

Thats very true. Unfortunately, I found that out with my P4 board. I couldn't put a dual core or quad in it. Turned out alright though, the i7's going to last me a good few years yet as nothing I do even gets close to maxing it out.

Because of AMD keeping the same socket, could their processors performance be harmed in anyway compared to Intel's?

 

[ThomasTheTankEngine]

939 had a two year lifespan. 754 three years, same for Socket A. AM2 has only been running in some form or other for four years, and that's with several new incarnations.

That's all relatively long compared to Intel's shenanigans lately...

Whilst that is true.. you have to take into account the fact Intel has been kicking AMD's arse in the benchmarks as of late. Intel is the one pushing the technology forward, and AMD is constantly playing catchup. I expect some of this is due to the fact Intel aren't limiting themselves with older chipsets. The last time AMD was on top, was the short-lived skt939.

Personally intel's shenanigans won't effect me too much anyway. I built a skt1156 system 6 months ago, knowing that the socket type would be outdated soon. I upgrade every 2-3 years, so this system will last me until it's time to go out and do another mobo/cpu/ram upgrade.

 

[Boozebeard]

From a gamers perspective if you buy a decent cpu and give it a good overclock it's probably going to be up to the job for a good few years. I've had my quad for 2 years now and I expect it to be adequate for another 12 months yet. So having to change mobo when I upgrade my cpu isn't that much of an issue, espiecally considering things like sata and usb 3 are rolling out. I might consider an upgrade when sandybridge comes around.