Assembling your own PC is not easy. The user has to deal with a huge number of problems, especially if he did not understand the process itself. The fact is that the most important factor for the stable operation of the system is compatibility. Not everyone knows and thinks about it, which is why various kinds of malfunctions in the PC work.
Socket
Before you understand the Socket 1151 processor, you need to understand in principle what a socket is and how the processor itself works.
So, here is the motherboard on which you need to install the chip. You cannot buy any processor, since it must be compatible primarily with the connector on the motherboard. Therefore, it is necessary to initially take this parameter into account and follow it.
The socket of the central processor can be socket or slotted. It is located on the motherboard and is designed to install the processor directly into it.
Previously, many chips were soldered to the motherboard, but this technology has now turned out to be useless, since many users are aimed at constantly upgrading the system, and without removable components it is impossible to do this.
The connectors differ not only symbolically, but also on the physical level: they have different sizes, number or types of contacts, as well as a different mount for coolers.
Variety of sockets
A huge number of sockets for installing processors are already available. This is not surprising, since dozens of new models are released to the market every year, and this is only from Intel. Each of them requires a certain design, and accordingly its shape and dimensions change, which affects the type of socket.
Earlier in the Intel family, there was a simplified designation of connectors: from Socket 1 to Socket 7. Now these are obsolete types, so they are not used in modern systems.
From the active beginning of the development of processors, active work began on the possibility of upgrading systems. So began to appear new sockets that worked with the family of Pentium, Xeon, etc.
Each of them had its own designation, which was no longer tied to order. For example, Socket 8 was followed by Socket 370, etc. Socket H connectors became the most popular line.
Socket 1151 Processor
This connector has been specifically designed by Intel for its products. It appeared back in 2015, but still remains relevant, despite the fact that Socket 2066 appeared after it.
The socket works along with processors on the architecture of Kaby Lake, Skylake, Coffee Lake. He replaced the LGA 1050, as technology required change.
Socket Features
Intel Socket 1151 processors need a special matching socket that has 1151 spring-loaded contacts. Thus, the chips can be installed due to the corresponding pads.
A similar connector also affects the characteristics of the motherboard, and therefore the choice of other components. For example, almost all motherboards with Socket 1151 work only with a dual-channel standard for connecting DDR4 type RAM.
When choosing a processor for Socket 1151, you should also consider the presence of DMI 3.0, PCI Express 3.0, etc. Interfaces Despite the changes in the socket itself, the processor cooler mount has not changed, so it can be transferred from a Socket 1150-based motherboard.
Innovation
In the summer of 2017, it was announced that the new processors on the Coffee Lake architecture do not work with motherboards on socket 1151. It turned out that the 300-series chipset is important for their correct operation. It turned out that the new socket has an identical number of spring-loaded contacts and even identical keys, but is electrically incompatible with new boards.
The processors on Socket 1151, which worked on the architecture of Kaby Lake and Skylake, cannot work in tandem with the 300th chipset. But then a rebuttal appeared from the guys from China, who decided to experiment with the innovation.
As a result, they flashed the BIOS microcode, after which the 7th generation of processors easily worked in tandem with the Z370 chipset. True, with one oversight: the integrated video core and the PCI Express processor port refused to work.
Such an innovation led to the fact that the compatibility of processors on Socket 1151 was popularly divided into two versions v1 and v2. The most interesting thing is that these versions are now completely incompatible. If you have to choose a processor, you will have to consult the list of supported connectors.
How to check compatibility
In order not to make a mistake in buying an Intel Core processor on Socket 1151, you will have to do a thorough check. You need to know the manufacturer of the motherboard and its model. If you don’t have a box left, you can find out using the CPU-Z program, which provides almost all the information about your system.
Next, go to any search engine and enter the data. In this case, the user will be offered the website of the motherboard manufacturer, which displays all the detailed information about the device.
Suitable processors
What processors are suitable for Socket 1151 of the first version? This includes the Celeron, Pentium, Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 models. By the way, the same applies to the second version of the socket.
In this case, there is one feature that will help you when buying a Core i3 chip or higher. If you see the first digit “7” in the model name and below, then these processors belong to the first version, which is compatible with old motherboards. If in the name the first digit is “8” or “9”, then this is the new generation of Coffee Lake, which requires new motherboards of the 300th series.
For example, the first version of Socket 1151 includes Core i3 7350K, Core i5 7600K or Core i7 7700K. In this case, the Core i3 8350K, Core i5 8600K and Core i7 9700K models can be attributed to the second version of Socket 1151.
The Core i9 and Xeon processors also work with the 300 series motherboards - these are the latest very powerful and productive chips that have entered the market.
Popular introduced Socket 1151
Since not everyone can afford the 8th and 9th generation processors, there are no models so far that have gained crazy popularity. You can not say about simpler, but no less powerful options for Socket 1151 v1.
In the Skylake family, the Intel i5 6400T turned out to be a bright representative. This processor for Socket 1151 is now eclipsed by other models, but at the time of its release it became a really interesting solution for low cost. He offered 4 cores with a frequency of up to 2800 MHz, as well as a low heat packet of 35 watts.
Kaby Lake has become such a hero Intel Pentium G4620. Almost everyone who tried to assemble a budget gaming PC heard about it. The model became a cult model, it offered Intel Core i3 7100 functions, but it had a much lower cost.
In the same family were a good average i5 7400 and the top version i7 7700K. The latter incidentally is still interesting to many players.
Coffee Lake turned out to be the best i5 8400. This is a representative of Socket 1151 v2, so he brought with him innovations, and this is not only about new motherboards. Together with it, 2 additional cores became available, automatic increase in frequency and stable operation.
Cooling system
The cooler for the processor for Socket 1151, as already mentioned, has not changed anything since the time of Socket 1150. We decided to leave the mount the same, so no changes regarding this area were made. In addition, most new processors come with a native cooler, which in any case is suitable for the motherboard.
If you want to buy a separate cooling system that would better cope with maintaining the desired processor temperature, then you will have to carefully study the offers on the market. However, most of the chips have an understandable description and parameters, thanks to which you can make a choice and purchase the right cooler.
conclusions
So, at this stage, Socket 1151 is a popular processor socket on which many top-end processors work. In 2017, he acquired his second version, which turned out to be incompatible with the novelties of the Coffee Lake family. Thus, Socket 1151 v1 and v2 appeared in domestic online stores. Despite the differences, socket 1151 allows you to install the same cooler on the motherboard, since the mount has not changed.
To make it easier to distinguish which processor is suitable for this socket, just look at the family: Kaby Lake, Skylake, Coffee Lake. The first two families belong to the first version of the socket, the third to the second. Thus, compatibility can be determined by name: look at the first digit of the model, if it is “7” and below, then this is the first version, if “8” and above is the second. Nevertheless, when buying it is better to double-check on the manufacturer’s website the correct parameters.
Despite this, some enthusiasts still managed to reunite incompatible processors. But, as a rule, at the same time they lose some of their options, which naturally does not reflect well on their work.