A+ Hardware Service Technician: System Architecture

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CPUs

CPUs are designed in different sizes and therefore are mounted in different “sockets” on the motherboard. 486 and newer chips have a heat sink and fan mounted to them to dissipate the heat generated by the chip.

Sockets

Upgrading Your CPU

There are several types of upgrade methods for CPUs: ZIF (Zero Insertion Force), LIF (Low Insertion Force) sockets, SECC (Single Edge Contact Cartridge), and SEPP (Single Edge Processor Package). ZIF Sockets have a mounting bar attached.

ZIF is a common upgrade type with Pentiums (the most common type of all motherboards). LIF is more common among older 486 style systems. SECC is common among Pentium II and Xeon (Slot 2), while SEPP is common with Pentium II, Pentium III, and Celerons (Slot 1).

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