What is Socket-A?

Socket-A is a 462-contact CPU socket which is used by AMD CPUs, such as the K7, Athlon, Athlon XP, Duron, and Sempron.

The Socket-A is a Pin Grid Array (PGA) Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket.

A ZIF socket features a lever on one side of the socket. When this lever is pulled up, the spring contacts inside the socket are opened. This allows the CPU to be inserted easily into the socket. The lever is then pushed down, closing the spring contacts and clamping the CPU into place.