Re: Using the right CPU together on the right mobo

On Wed, 28 May 2008 08:09:40 +0100, "M.I.5¾"
<no.one@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


"Paul" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:g1hf95$bk7$1@xxxxxxxxxxx
attilathehun1 wrote:
I want to know if I can mix and match AMD and Intel CPUs if they have
the same amount of pin holes on motherboards. Anotherwords, can I use a
Intel CPU on an AMD motherboard if it fits. Yes or no?
Any help would be greatly apprecaiated.
Thanks, attilathehun1

A long time ago, there were cases where there were interchangeable
processors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amd_k6

"The main advantage of this particular microprocessor is that it
was designed to fit into existing desktop designs for Pentium branded
CPUs"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_7

"Socket 7... accepts Pentium microprocessors manufactured by Intel, as
well
as compatibles made by Cyrix/IBM, AMD, IDT and others."

Now, the sockets are all different. If you check the
bar near the bottom of this article, it lists a large number
of different CPU sockets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_AM2

A current Intel would be LGA775 (775 contacts, based on land
grid array). The AM2 socket, popular for current AMD processor,
has 940 pins, and uses pins and not flat contacts like LGA775.
So there are significant differences between processors and how they
connect to motherboards. You cannot swap them any more.

And even when you see two sockets with the same pin count listed,
there can be differences in the keying pins. A couple of
pins are offset, preventing different families of processors
from being plugged into the "wrong" socket.

As an example, compare an AM2 (top) to an older S940 socket.
(Note - rotate one image 180 degrees, before comparing them -
I use an old evaluation copy of Photoshop for picture viewing...)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Socket_am2_retention_module.jpg/800px-Socket_am2_retention_module.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/24/Socket_940.jpg

They both have 940 pins, but putting the wrong processor
in the socket, busts some of the pins off. The four keying
features are in different places.

The electrical interfaces on modern processors are entirely
different. AMD uses Hypertransport. Intel uses their
quad pumped FSB. The protocols have nothing in common.



The processors ceased to be interchangeable when Intel introduced the
Pentium II using the Socket 1 interface. They stated that as it was
proprietary, and no one else could make processors that fitted it. The
intention was, of course, to freeze AMD out of the market. But it
backfired. Freed from the shackles of compatibility, AMD went on to produce
many processors that, although they required their own dedicated
motherboard, were considerably superior to the Intel offerings in many ways.

Like most wars of this type, the claim for superiority see-saws between the
designs. Intel probably holds the crown at the moment but, as ever, this
may only be a temporary arrangement. There is little doubt that AMD's
graphic processors (under the ATI brand) are superior to Intel's current
offerings.


My advice is to NEVER "mix 'n match" CPU/Motherboard combinatioins.

If you MB is an Intel MB, use an Intel CPU.
IF your CPU is an AMD, use an AMD motherboard.

This bad idea of "mix 'n match" extends to other devices, also,
including Desktop Keyboards/mice/dongles. NEVER mix a dongle from one
OEM with a keyboard/mouse from another OEM -- especially if one is
using a Bluetooth Dongle, since Bluetooth is already rather flakey in
Windows anyway.


Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original newsgroup and thread.
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