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Upgrade Guide: Soup Up Your PC's Processor

Install a new processor, step-by-step.

Stan Miastkowski

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Processor Slots and Sockets

The type of slot or socket that houses your processor goes a long way in determining what upgrades are available to you. Here's a look at the most popular types out there.

Socket 7, Super 7: Socket 7 motherboards support original Pentium chips and compatible chips by AMD, Cyrix, and Intel (133 MHz to 266 MHz). Uses a 66-MHz system bus. Super 7 motherboards add support for 100-MHz memory and AGP, along with AMD K6 processors up to 450 MHz.

Socket 370: Standard socket for all new Intel Pentium III and Celeron CPUs. Maximum supported speed depends on motherboard and BIOS. Most Socket 370 motherboards support up to 133-MHz memory.

Socket A: Standard socket for current AMD Athlons and Durons. Maximum CPU speed supported depends on motherboard and BIOS. Socket A motherboards support up to 133-MHz memory.

Slot 1, Slot A: Slot 1 is used for Intel Pentium II, Pentium III, and Celeron processors. Maximum speed supported depends on motherboard and BIOS. Most Slot 1 motherboards use 100-MHz memory. AMD used a similar design called Slot A for its early Athlons up to 800 MHz. Slot A motherboards support up to 133-MHz memory.

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