⚙️ Processors
CPU Socket (AM5, LGA)
The socket is the physical and electrical interface between CPU and motherboard. It determines which processors a board can ever accept.
A socket defines pin count and layout, so a CPU only fits boards built for that exact socket. AMD's current desktop socket is AM5; Intel uses LGA designations that change more frequently between generations.
Socket longevity is a real purchasing factor. A platform supported across several CPU generations lets you upgrade the processor later while keeping the board, RAM and cooler.
Support is not automatic even within one socket. A board may need a BIOS update to recognise a CPU released after it shipped, and manufacturers publish per-board compatibility lists.