Sockets/chipsets, can someone explain them ?

[simon109]

Hi,

Can someone please explain the real basics about sockets/chipsets, I understand that you need a certain socket to fit your cpu your using but if I look on the OC site at motherboards it lists 5 or so different chipsets for AMD and then under Intel it list 9 or so different chipsets. Is chipset and socket the same thing ?

 

[andicole0]

No not quite, a chipset might support a number of socket types but not all. You need to match the actual socket that the CPU is built for with a motherboard that has that exact socket. There may be different motherboards with different chipsets that still support the socket. Finally you need to make sure that the chosen motherboard supports the chosen cpu.
If that makes sense?
Andi.

 

[simon109]

So would you normally choose a cpu first and then pick a motherboard that works with the cpu or the other way round ?

 

[Radox-0]

Hi,

Can someone please explain the real basics about sockets/chipsets, I understand that you need a certain socket to fit your cpu your using but if I look on the OC site at motherboards it lists 5 or so different chipsets for AMD and then under Intel it list 9 or so different chipsets. Is chipset and socket the same thing ?

Nope not quiet. A socket for example may support a varying number of chipsets. Those chip sets will in turn dictate different functionality of things like allowing overclocking, I/O, USB support etc.

As an example, for Intel LGA1151 is the current socket type on the mainstream. z370 is the latest chipset for the socket and also highest send which supports the full complement of features like overclocking, most I/O support and so on.

As an example, for the second Generation on the LGA1151 socket, we have the following chipsets, z270, H270, Q270 and so on with varying features on each, good breakdown here https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Z270-H270-Q270-Q250-B250---What-is-the-Difference-876/ (as an example, its similar with other sockets with multiple chip sets in that they have a varying featureset)

The way to pick your platform is to first find the CPU that fits your requirements which in turn will mean you pick a specific socket. From there, you can pick the chipset / motherboard you want (they are on in the same really) based on the feature set your after. In some cases, some socket's will only have one chipset like Intel's LGA2006 socket with the X299 chipset or AMD's Threadripper platform.

 

[andicole0]

You can do either. I tend to decode on a cup that I want to upgrade to then pick a suitable mobo. The decision could be different if starting from scratch or having to fit to a budget.
Andi.

 

[simon109]

I was thinking of doing my first build from scratch but maybe using a mini-itx board. Won't be for gaming but mainly used for editing raw files.