How to find / Check your Motherboard Socket Type? Complete Guide!

There are many reasons why knowing your motherboard socket is essential. When purchasing a processor or upgrading it, it is important that the processor socket and the motherboard socket match. There are several ways to test your motherboard socket. First, you can check the manual or datasheet for the motherboard itself. Second, you can physically check the labels on the motherboard. Third, you can use free and trusted third-party utilities like CPU-Z. Fourth, if you have a processor installed, you can check the processor’s datasheet to determine the motherboard socket.

Types Of Motherboard Socket To Expect

There are basically three types of sockets that you can see:

• LGA Socket – Landline Network Socket
• PGA socket – Pin Grid array socket
• BGA socket – Ball Grid matrix socket

The Land Grid Array socket on the motherboard has a stuck pin. Processors mounted on this socket type have spacers. The LGA socket type is commonly found on Intel-based motherboards. CPUs with this socket type have pins that plug into the holes. The PGA socket type is commonly found on AMD-based motherboards.

The Ball Grid Array socket is soldered with the processor mounted on top. The microprocessor of this socket type is irreplaceable. BGA sockets are found on laptops and are used by Intel and AMD motherboards for their mobile processors.

If you’re looking to determine or verify the socket type of your motherboard, it’s essential to have accurate information about your hardware. The motherboard’s socket type plays a critical role in determining CPU compatibility and upgrade options. To ensure you’re selecting the right processor and maximizing its potential, it’s important to know how to find and check your motherboard socket type. For a comprehensive guide on this topic, you can refer to a resource that provides valuable insights on ‘How to Check Overclocked CPU Speed?‘. This resource offers step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to accurately identify and verify your motherboard’s socket type.

Sockets And CPU Compatibility

Motherboard sockets may vary from model to model and from generation to generation. This means that the motherboard socket for 8th Gen Intel processors will NOT be compatible with 10th Gen Intel processors. Therefore, when installing a new processor or upgrading to a new processor, with newer drivers, you must ensure that the processor socket and the motherboard socket match. The following table shows the new desktop motherboard sockets and their compatible processors.

How To Check Motherboard Socket You Have?

Now that you’ve received the socket type profile and a short list of the latest socket and processor compatibility, you should be able to make a better inference about the socket type you have. Type your motherboard’s CPU socket on desktops and laptops.

• Part 1: For Desktops
• Part 2: For Laptops
• Part 3: Third-party add-ons

Step 1: For Desktop computer

For desktop computers, you must first determine the model name of the motherboard or processor. By motherboard or CPU model name, you can search on Google for more specifications about it, from there you can easily find your motherboard’s CPU socket type. Taking my desktop as an example, my motherboard and CPU model names are B360M and i3-8100 respectively. So I googled “b360m specs” then I found out my motherboard socket type is LGA1151 from MSI official website.

Step 2: For a Laptop computer

Each laptop has its own model. You can find out your motherboard’s socket type by searching the internet for laptop model specifications. In general, there are many websites where you can check the detailed specifications of your laptop, such as the official website of the laptop (Lenovo, ASUS), the online marketplace ( Amazon, eBay), and some IT sites (CNET, ZDNet). For example, I found the CPU socket type of my laptop (DELL G7 17) as FCBGA1440 on Dell’s official website.

Step 3: A third-party add-on

If you think the above methods are too troublesome, you can try using a third-party utility called CPU-Z to determine the CPU socket type of your motherboard. First, you need to download this utility and install it on your computer. After opening it, you can find your motherboard’s CPU socket type in the Processor section of the CPU tab.

There are four basic ways to figure out what motherboard socket you have:

• Using the motherboard data sheet Manually verify the physical label on the motherboard.
• Use CPU-Z – free third-party software
• Use processor datasheet (if installed)

Finding the CPU Socket Type

If you are wondering how to find the type of CPU socket, our 2 step-by-step methods will help you accomplish this task without much trouble.

Method #1: Without Opening the PC

If you are wondering how to find the type of pc. Here are the steps to find the CPU socket type on your PC without opening it. Type “Control Panel” into the search bar on your Windows PC and open it.

• Click “System” and find your PC’s processor type next to “Processor”. On a Windows 11 PC, you need to go to “System and Security” > “System” in Control Panel.

• Write the name and model number of your computer’s processor. PU socket, our 2 step-by-step methods will help you accomplish this task without much trouble.

Method #2: By Opening the PC

• Turn off your computer and unplug the power cable from the back and the power source.
• Remove the computer case and turn it to the side.
• Locate the processor near the heatsink and fan.

Finding the Motherboard Socket Type

After determining the CPU socket type, you must match it with the motherboard’s socket type for correct installation. Here are 5 step-by-step methods that will help you see if the two are compatible.

Method #1: Using the Spec Sheet

The datasheet is the easiest method to check the motherboard socket type. For this, you need to know the type of motherboard you have. Once you’ve determined your motherboard model, search online.

Method #2: Using the Motherboard Manual

You can also check your motherboard’s socket type using the motherboard manual. To do this, navigate to the motherboard layout page of the manual. There you will find the plug type, its model and other necessary information.

Method #3: Via Labels on the Motherboard

You can find the motherboard socket type by checking its physical labels. Motherboards usually feature clear labels on different parts, making it easier for the users to determine their slots, ports, and components.

Method #4: Using Third-Party Software

Third-party software can also help you identify the correct motherboard socket type. Run the software and select the “CPU” tab at the top. Look for the field named “Package”. The information next to “Package” is the socket type on your motherboard.

Method #5: Using the CPU Spec Sheet

• If you have the CPU installed in your PC, you can use its datasheet to find the motherboard socket type with the following steps. Open computer settings.
• Go to the “System” tab, scroll down, and select “About”.

Note the information next to “Processor” and search for its specifications online.