Socket 478: processors, motherboards. Specifications Socket 478

In August 2001, Intel was forced to quickly introduce a new computer platform in the face of Socket 478. Moreover, this processor connector replaced immediately two previous solutions - Socket 370 and Socket 423. The first of them at that time was outdated and did not meet the requirements that were put forward to the performance of the computer. And the second one was not widely spread due to the fact that it could not compete on an equal footing with the competing "Socket A" from "AMD" at a price because of expensive RAM - RIMM. On the wave of these events, the hero of this review appeared.

Time of appearance and life cycle of the platform PGA478

As it was noted earlier, the start of sales of Socket 478 fell in 2001. And this product appeared in a very difficult situation for Intel. "AMD" at this time continued to develop its most successful in the history of the platform - "Socket A". The clock frequencies it grew not so much, but the performance, on the contrary, increased at impressive rates due to various engineering solutions (for example, increasing the cache memory). Intel's products could not compete on an equal footing with it. The old Socket 370 reached its maximum, and it was already impossible to get anything more from it. And the new PGA423, although it won in performance, but was worth several times more expensive due to the special type of RAM used.

Therefore, the second processor socket for Pentium 4 was released, which combined a sufficient level of performance and support for low-cost DDR memory. The very same computing platform successfully existed until 2006, when it was replaced by LGA775. Among its other features, it is also necessary to highlight the support of HT technology, first implemented within the framework of this platform and allowing instead of one physical computing module to receive two streams of processing code and data at once.

Sets of microcircuits

An impressive set of chipsets was attached to Socket 478. Motherboards Could use both the achievements of the "Intel" itself, and third-party manufacturers. The list of the latter included SIS with a set of 6XX-series chips, ATI with products of the Xpress line and NVidia with chipsets of the NForce lineup. But still the best in this case was rightly considered the decision from Intel. For the entry-level PC, i845 was released with a low price and an acceptable bundle. The average segment of the market was aimed at i865. It had improved functionality and better performance. The niche of the most productive products was oriented i875 with even better specifications, but the cost was much higher.

RAM

Two possible types of RAM could be used in conjunction with the updated Pentium 4. 478 Socket supported SDRAM and DDR. But the first type of RAM at that time was obsolete and, as a result, its combination with the new socket reduced the performance of the computer in general. Therefore, the most widely distributed motherboards, which are based on the slats of the DDR standard. The controller itself in this case was integrated into the set of system logic. More precisely, then to the north bridge. It could work in a two-channel mode, and this allowed to get an additional speed increase when using 2 or 4 RAM modules.

The model range of the CPU

Not such a large list of CPU models supported Socket 478. Processors in this case were only single-core and they related to two lines. The first of them occupied the initial segment of the market - they are Celeron chips. And the second part of the CPU was focused on assembling the PC of the middle or even premium segment and it related to the Pentium 4 line. The key difference between them was increased working frequencies and a larger amount of built-in cache. More detailed information on products for Intel Socket 478 (Pentium 4 and Celeron for desktop execution) is given in the table below. They can still be purchased if they wish in a used condition on various trading platforms on the Internet.

So, let's consider the characteristics of the CPU for the PGA478 processor connector.

The current situation with the platform and its prospects

Of course, Socket 478 Completely and completely does not meet the modern requirements for speed and energy efficiency, put forward to the PC now. But this computing platform continues to be used. The scope of its application is office computers with low performance. In this niche, such system blocks even now feel fine. Well, something more to expect from the PC 2001-2006 release is not necessary. Many of the developments that were first realized within the framework of this socket (for example, HT technology) even now continue to be actively used.

Results

As a result, it can be noted that Socket 478 is currently very outdated, and it is better for the owners of such system blocks to think about updating the computer. Such PCs have already fully developed their resources, and it will be correct to replace them with new ones with improved speed and higher energy efficiency in advance and in advance.