Chat: CPU pins are changed every year, is it AMD's fault?

The CPU processor is considered to be the core component of the PC, but in order for the CPU to exert its power, it must be integrated with other components, and the CPU slot is responsible for this task. I'm sure every DIY player has installed the CPU many times, and knows that AMD and Intel processors now use different slots. You should also know that Intel is a slot upgrade maniac, upgrading the interface once it changes a generation of CPU (referring to a complete replacement of the architecture), while AMD is more "conscientious" and can maintain compatibility by changing the slot. In today's Super Power Class, we will talk about the CPU slot. Can Intel's unscrupulous upgrade of the slot really be blamed on AMD for being too weak?

As a PC component that is mentioned almost every day, how does the CPU relate to the socket? Everyone's first reaction should be to just plug it in! Looking back carefully, not many people pay attention to this issue. People are so accustomed to it that they can't explain it clearly. The following is the correct combination of Intel processors and CPU sockets.

The above is the CPU architecture. The CPU processor we see is actually packaged, with a PCB substrate at the bottom and an IHS metal protective cover on the surface. After opening the cover, you can see the CPU core (die), and between the core and the metal cover is TIM (Thermal Interface Material). Starting with the Intel IVB processor, everyone has started to open the CPU cover, and the thermal conductive material that is replaced is actually TIM. Now Intel's high-end processors use tin solder, and most of them use thermal grease. AMD is more conscientious than Intel, and processors such as A10-7870K also use high thermal conductivity tin solder as a thermal medium.

Intel and AMD CPU socket structures

We will explain the structure of the CPU slot in detail below. Let’s first look at the Intel platform, which currently has the largest market share. The actual platform usually looks like this.

If you look closely enough, you will notice that the Intel processor slot design is very thoughtful. The two notches on the top are for locating the CPU, and there is a special anti-mistake design in the lower left corner to prevent the user from carelessly installing it in the wrong direction and causing damage to the CPU. The notch at the bottom is for users to easily remove the CPU.

As for the AMD processor socket, its structure is actually much simpler than that of the Intel processor. The pins are placed on the CPU, and the CPU socket is basically just rows of holes.

Intel chose the LGA socket, AMD still insists on the PGA socket

Since the birth of integrated circuits, there has been a problem of choosing which slot to use. The early DIP dual in-line socket is still in use, but the current CPU processors will no longer choose this socket. Later, various different sockets were developed. From the previous introduction to the CPU socket structure, the sockets used by Intel and AMD processors are completely different, because Intel gave up PGA (Pin Grid Array) and chose LGA (Land Grid Array) a long time ago, and AMD is still sticking to the PGA socket.

However, the LGA and PGA we are talking about here are only limited to consumer-grade PCs. In fact, AMD has long used LGA slots on server-version processors, but consumer-grade FX and APU processors have not followed suit and are still using PGA slots.

Strictly speaking, there is actually a BGA package (ball grid array), but this has little to do with the DIY market. Usually the motherboard and CPU are soldered together.

After saying so much, what is the difference between PGA and LGA slots? In fact, this question is very clear if you look at the CPUs and motherboards of both AMD and Intel.

To put it simply, Intel's LGA slot puts the pins on the motherboard slot, leaving only contacts on the processor, while AMD's PGA slot continues the tradition, with protruding copper pins on the CPU and just some holes on the motherboard.

Which of Intel's LGA and AMD's PGA slot designs is better? This is an old topic that has been debated for many years, and it is difficult to say which one is better. From a long-term perspective, CPUs are becoming more and more complex, and electrical performance requirements are getting higher and higher. The number of pins is bound to increase. The way PGA pins are placed on the CPU is not conducive to CPU protection. Too many pins can easily cause trouble. Therefore, Intel began to use LGA775 to completely replace the PGA478/423 slots of the Pentium 4 era in the era of buckled meat.

However, AMD's idea is different from Intel's. They have always insisted on using the PGA socket and have always been able to achieve 940/941 pins of the AM2/3 socket, and they just don't want to change to LGA, although the server version of the Opteron processor has long joined the LGA camp.

Since AMD and Intel have different technical solutions, the debate over which is better, PGA or LGA, is probably fruitless. But from the editor's daily experience, the CPU is not easily damaged in Intel's LGA solution, and the risk lies in the motherboard slot. AMD's PGA slot is the opposite, and the CPU pins are easily damaged or bent. However, copper pins also have an advantage, which is that they can be bent over, and even if they are broken, they can be replaced and repaired.

In addition, Intel's LGA slot has more and more pins, which are relatively thinner than PGA slot pins. When overclocked with high voltage and high current, the CPU pins may be burned black or even burned. In this regard, AMD's PGA slot CPU may be better. (I remember that Intel's LGA pins are more likely to be burned. If I am wrong, please slap me gently.)

Another thing to complain about is the fastener methods of AMD and Intel. Intel's LGA slot exerts significantly greater pressure on the CPU, allowing the CPU to be installed more stably. Although AMD's design makes it easier to install a radiator, the fasteners of the PGA slot usually exert very little pressure on the CPU. When the processor is disassembled, the CPU can easily be pulled out by the roots due to the drying of the silicone grease. Even though this usually does not cause damage to the CPU, it is very scary!

You change, I change too: AMD and Intel's dark history of crazy slot upgrades

The last thing I want to talk about is the dark history of AMD and Intel, the two companies that are crazy about changing sockets. Although AMD seems to be more conscientious than Intel in this regard, the latter changed its CPU socket almost once a year during its peak period, which is really unacceptable. However, looking back at the development of CPU sockets over the past decade, both AMD and Intel have had the experience of crazy socket changes.

We won't talk about the past that is too far away. Intel started with Pentium 4 and AMD started with Athlon. Both sides have been really crazy over the past decade or so. Not counting the notebook market and the server market, both sides have changed the interface on the desktop platform more than 10 times, which means an upgrade once a year on average.

Of course, AMD is relatively conscientious compared to Intel. The FX series processors have not changed much since the AM2+ socket, and the compatibility is quite good. Some old motherboards can support FX series processors after upgrading the BIOS. Although the APU uses the FM socket, AMD has generally maintained backward compatibility. In the Kaveri era, the FM2+ socket motherboards are backward compatible with the previous APUs.

Intel just changed to LGA1151 interface this year, and the successor of Skylake next year should also stick to LGA1151 interface. AMD has not upgraded the FX processor architecture for many years, and will have Zen architecture processors next year, when the CPU, chipset and slot will be fully upgraded. It was previously rumored that Zen APU and FX processors will be unified to AM4 socket, but this interface may also be called FM3. Anyway, AMD will unify it, which is a good thing.

As for whether Intel's frequent interface changes are due to AMD's incompetence, you can treat it as a joke, but I believe that given Intel's nature, even if AMD can turn things around next year, Intel will still go further and further on the road of upgrading interfaces, because as the leader of the PC industry, Intel shoulders the responsibility of leading the entire industry forward. If the slot is not upgraded for several years, motherboard manufacturers will be in trouble, and Intel itself will have a hard time. Just get used to it, he changes his own, you can upgrade if you want, and it doesn't matter if you don't want to upgrade.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.