Socket 1150: what is it, what is it for, overview, comparison

One of the most popular processor connectors from Intel at the moment is the 1150 socket. Although this platform is now gradually being replaced by the updated 1151 socket, its semiconductor chips will be exactly relevant for the next 2-3 years, and its capabilities will be considered in this article.

Socket 1150 and its positioning

In 2013, the question was urgent when choosing a new PC: "Socket 1150 or 1155?". Difference In the performance between these processor slots almost absent. From the price standpoint, 1155 was preferable, but the energy saving is an order of magnitude better in 1150. Now the latter is replaced by a more progressive family of processors - the sixth one, which is already installed in socket 1151. Otherwise, it should be noted that socket 1150 allows creating the most affordable computer System. But the segment of the most productive PCs and servers is mostly occupied by the socket 2011.

Segmentation of processor solutions

Socket 1150 in terms of processor solutions is divided as follows:

• Solutions for computer enthusiasts are the processors "Ai5" and "A7" with the index "K". They have an unlocked multiplier and, with proper selection of PC configuration, this nuance makes it possible to obtain a significant increase in performance.

• The most productive chips "A7" perfectly suited for building the most demanding computers - servers, graphic and workstations and gaming PCs. The "A5" is aimed at the same niche, but the level of their productivity is less than that of "A7", but at the same time the price is more modest.

• The middle segment of this platform was occupied by decisions based on "Ai3". This family of CPUs is great for most tasks. But in some cases (for example, in the most demanding three-dimensional toys), you will have to sacrifice some parameters and this will not have the best effect on the process of the gameplay itself.

• For the construction of entry-level computers, it is most optimal to use the most affordable CPUs - "Pentiums" and "Celerons". Their computing capabilities are quite enough to solve a wide range of office tasks.

Generation of "Haswell" semiconductor crystals

The first for this computer platform was a generation of chips code-named "Haswell", and at that time there was a dilemma: "Which is better to choose: socket 1150 or 1155?". The difference in performance between them was insignificant. But the energy saving at 1150 was better. All these chips were made on a 22 nm process technology. The upper segment was occupied by "Kor Ai7 4770K" (with the possibility of overclocking) and "Kor Ai7 4770" (in this case the CPU multiplier was blocked). These chips could work in 8 computational threads and they had only 4 processing cores. The cache of the third level was equal to 8 MB, and the reference clock frequency was 3.5 GHz. Slightly lower in the level of performance was occupied by the Cor XI5 processors of the 4670K, 4670 and 4570 models. In the first case, the multiplier of the CPU was unlocked and this allowed obtaining a significant performance gain. The first two models had a CPU frequency of 3.4 GHz, and the latter had 3.2 GHz. The number of computational flows is limited to 4, and the cache of the third level is 6 MB. Even lower in terms of productivity are "Kor Ai3". Their frequencies were reduced, the level 3 cache was reduced, and the number of physical cores was 2 with 4 computational flows. The nicest processors were occupied by Pentiums and Celerons. Minimum frequencies, minimum level 3 cache and only 2 cores.

Another family of chips for this processor socket

The first generation of chips for socket 1150 was not very successful. The processors during overclocking often overheated and went out of order. As a result, Intel had to release an additional family of processors with improved thermal paste under the cover for heat sink, which was codenamed "Haswell Refresh". In fact, these are the same chips, but with a different labeling. For example, "Kor Ai7 4770K" was renamed to "Kor Ai7 4790K". In addition to improved thermal paste, these processor solutions boasted an increased frequency (at 4790 it was higher at 100 MHz).

Generation of Broadwell chips

Socket 1150 boasts the support of processors "Cor" of the 5th generation, code-named "Broadwell". For desktop computers, only 2 models of chips were released - "Kor Ai7 5775" and "Kor Ai5 5675". Specifications were more modest than those of their predecessors: frequencies lower by 200 MHz. But the key innovation of these CPUs is the improved technological process - 14 nm.

Chipsets

8th and 9th series of system logic for this platform. The initial niche was occupied by H81, which boasted a minimal level of functionality. The middle segment was occupied by B85, Q85, Q87 and H87. Well, the most progressive solutions were built on the basis of Z87. But only the chips "Haswell" and "Haswell Refresh" (in this case it is recommended to update "BIOS") in these chipsets. Socket 1150 allows you to install Broadway solutions, but they can only work in the 9th series of system logic. There are only 2 of them - H97 and Z97. These sets of system logic are oriented to use in high-performance PCs.

Further perspectives of this computer platform

Every 2-3 years, Intel Corporation updates its computer platforms, and at the same time motherboards are manufactured with a new processor connector. Socket 1150 was officially unveiled in 2013 at the same time as the first "Core" CPUs of the 4th generation. Now, after 3 years, this platform is gradually being replaced by a newer processor socket (socket 1151), into which the 6th generation of processors based on the Kor architecture is installed. As a result, it can be noted that the processor socket 1150 is surviving its last days. It's not that it's outdated. It is simply replaced by an updated computer platform. But its most productive CPU will be exactly relevant for the next 2-3 years.

Recommendations for purchase

Sockets processors from Intel, as mentioned earlier, are currently changing from 1150 to 1151. Yes, and the 1150 platform is now at the finish of its life cycle. But this does not mean that its processor solutions are not relevant. Right now they are of the greatest interest in the model range of Intel chips. The prices for them are reduced in the light of the upgrade to the 6th generation of Cor processors, and the level of performance between 4, 5 and 6 generations is not that much different. Therefore, if you need an inexpensive but inexpensive computer, then you can easily purchase a computer with the necessary equipment based on the CPU "Haswell" or "Haswell Refresh". Well, Broadadwell solutions are aimed at the niche of the most productive PCs and in this case it is better to report a relatively small amount and purchase a system based on the 1151 socket.

Owner feedback

The sockets of Intel processors change with an enviable regularity: almost every 2 years. Here and now there is a planned replacement of 1150 by 1151. But they have common pluses and minuses. The positive side of them are:

• High level of performance.

• High energy efficiency.

• Long service life.

But they have the following disadvantages:

• High price in comparison with solutions from AMD.

• Relatively short lifetime of the computer platform.

Results

Socket 1150 is still still relevant. But his technical solutions have long since been removed from production and only warehouse stocks are being sold. Therefore, if you decide to build a PC based on this platform, then you need to hurry. In the rest it is an excellent solution for a computer of any level, but with the appropriate configuration.