The nice word "socket" in a personal computer can be called both a software interface and a socket for installing a processor. Let's talk about the second interpretation of the "socket" concept, since this question is important for all users who want to buy a newer and faster processor for themselves.
Actually, changing the processor to a faster one (with a higher frequency) is part of the computer upgrade. With a processor with a higher frequency, programs run faster, such a change may allow launching more modern games (which, perhaps, the old "stone" "did not pull").
One of the important criteria for selecting a new processor for a PC upgrade is a socket suitable for installing it on a motherboard. A socket is a connector on the motherboard for installing a processor. Outwardly, it looks like a plastic square connector with a large number of contacts (holes for the processor legs or springy "paws" that will touch the processor contacts).
Today, many types of sockets are known (both for Intel and AMD processors), many of which are already outdated.
Types of sockets for Intel processors:
Socket 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Socket 370 (this is already for Pentium 3), 423, 478 (for the first Pentium 4, many people bought such computers), 603/604, PAC418 and 611, LGA771,. LGA775 (still common and works quite well), 1567, 1366, 1156, 1155, 2011, 1356, 1150, 1151.
how to find out which socket is on your motherboard? If you know sockets "by sight", just unscrew the case, remove the processor cooler and take a look. You can also, without removing the cooler, find the name of the motherboard (written on it) and find its description on the Internet. If you are a techie, it is better to find documents that describe the configuration of your computer and read the description of the motherboard there.
Types of sockets for AMD processors:
Super Socket 7, Socket A (462) (K7 processors (remember the names Athlon, Athlon, Sempron, Duron?), 754, 939, 940, AM2, AM2 +, AM3, AM3 +, FM1 and 2, FM2 +, F, F +, C32, G34.
Today, most often on sale there are processors (and, accordingly, motherboards) with sockets from 2011-2015 years of release. For Intel, these are 1150, 1155, 1156. For AMD, these are AM2 +, AM3 +, FM1 and 2.
Please note that the processor should be inserted into the socket without much physical effort. If, by some miracle, the processor is installed in the wrong socket, it will not work.
Should you buy a new motherboard and processor if you saw in the documents that your computer has a motherboard and an LGA 775 processor, for example? I cannot give a definite answer. Think for yourself - if the speed of the computer suits you, and you can solve all your problems, then the upgrade is unnecessary, do not waste your money. If it takes a lot of time to run the programs and games you need, then perhaps you should think about updating the hardware.
