In a message dated 10/23/2000 7:14:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< I have just purchased a socket 8 M/Board in an auction. This socket is
 vastly different from a socket 7 board. What CPU is needed to fit this
 M/Board?

 Regards,
 Alan Priol. >>

Hi,
  The Socket 8 was for the Pentium Pro, it was a rectangular socket, instead
of square, like normal. The Pentium Pro had the L2 cache on a seperate die
beside the CPU die, both in the CPU housing, that's why it is rectangular. If
memory serves, they were offered in 150, 166 and 200 Mhz versions.
  This CPU style cost Intel too much in rejects, as it could not be tested
until BOTH dies were bonded and wired to the CPU housing. If there was a
problem with either the CPU portion or the L2 cache portion, the whole thing
had to be scrapped, even though the other half might be fine.
  The new and improved "replacement" was the Pentium II, which had the CPU
and L2 cache on seperate chips mounted on a small printed circuit board (and
plugged into a "Slot 1" motherboard). With this design the CPU  and the L2
cache could be tested seperately before soldering them to the PCB, and even
if one of them tested bad, it could be unsoldered and replaced.

HTH,
Peter Hogan
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