Intel Pentium 4 1.4GHz & 1.5GHz

The Interface

The Pentium 4 interfaces with the motherboard using a new socket, named Socket-423.  We strongly suggest you read our article on Intel’s Desktop CPU & Chipset Roadmap for 2001 as we diagram that Intel won’t be sticking to the Socket-423 interface for long.  In fact, after the first half of 2001 the Pentium 4 will start to be available in both a Socket-423 and a Socket-478 version.  The latter will be due to replace Socket-423 much like Socket-370 replaced Slot-1.  For those of you that currently have Slot-1 CPUs, do you want to be in the same situation with the Pentium 4 as you current are with your CPU? 

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In contrast, AMD plans to stick with Socket-A for at least a little while longer.  The next generation Athlon and Duron CPUs, according to AMD, will work in current Socket-A boards however you will obviously need a new board with 266MHz (133MHz DDR) FSB support if you want to get the most out of a 266MHz FSB CPU.

Without looking at benchmarks, the short lived nature of the Socket-423 interface may be reason enough to hold off on a Pentium 4 purchase for a few more months if you are set on that path.