Which part sits on the motherboard and can host the processor?

• A. CPU socket
• B. DIMM slots
• C. TIM
• D. CPU fan module

Answer: (A)

The CPU socket on the motherboard is the component that hosts the processor. It provides both the mechanical support and the electrical connections that let the CPU talk to the rest of the system. The processor fits into this socket, with its pins or pads matching the socket’s contacts, and a latch or lever secures it in place to ensure a solid, reliable connection. Different socket designs exist (pin-based versus land grid arrays), but the core idea is the same: the socket is the interface where the processor sits.

Thermal Interface Material sits between the CPU and the heatsink to improve heat transfer, while DIMM slots are for memory modules, and the CPU fan module is part of the cooling system, not where the processor is mounted.