Socket A (also known as Socket 462) is the CPU socket used for AMD processors ranging from the Athlon Thunderbird to the Athlon XP/MP 3200+, and AMD budget processors including the Duron and Sempron. The socket is a zero insertion force pin grid array type with 453 pins (nine pins are blocked in the socket to prevent accidental insertion of Socket 370 CPUs, hence the number 462). The front side bus frequencies supported for the AMD Athlon XP and Sempron are 133 MHz, 166 MHz, and 200 MHz.
AMD recommends that the weight of a Socket A CPU cooler does not exceed 300 grams. Heavier coolers may result in damage to the die when the system is not properly handled.
Socket A is considered a discontinued architecture (replaced by socket 754, socket 939 and later socket AM2), although microprocessors and motherboards are still in circulation.
