What is a CPU socket?

• A. The enclosure for hard drives.
• B. A memory slot on the motherboard.
• C. The interface for expansion cards.
• D. The mechanical/electrical interface where the processor seats on the motherboard.

Answer: (D)

The CPU socket is the mechanical and electrical interface where the processor seats on the motherboard, providing the physical mounting and the electrical paths the CPU uses to communicate with the rest of the system. It holds the processor in place, aligns its contacts with the motherboard traces, and supplies power and signal lines to the CPU, all while working with a retention mechanism to secure the chip and allow heat transfer to a cooler. Different socket designs exist, some with pins in the socket and others with pins on the CPU, so compatibility depends on matching the CPU to the correct socket type. This is distinct from memory slots or expansion slots, which are for RAM and add-in cards, and from drive connectors for storage. When selecting a CPU, the motherboard must support the specific socket type and generation features.