Socket 4 Motherboards
Socket 4 was released in 1993 and was used for the initial Pentium "P5" 60MHz and 66MHz processors. Intel also released two Pentium Overdrive CPUs based on "P54C", operating at 120MHz and 133MHz. There are no other CPU options for this socket without the use of VRM adapters such as Powerleap PL-54C/MMX. Usually Socket 4 motherboards have ISA and PCI slots, though most of the earlier models have VLB or even just ISA. Socket 4 motherboards use 72-pin or 30-pin SIMM FPM DRAM modules. Most of the time they are fitted in pairs if the motherboard uses a 64-bit memory bus, however some of the earlier chipsets from OPTi were crude reworkings of their 486 chipset that still used 32-bit data paths. These motherboards allowed SIMMs to be installed one at a time, but were best avoided due to the poor performance.
All Socket 4 motherboards were made as AT motherboards or as proprietary boards for OEMs.
Chipsets
- Intel 430LX "Mercury"
- SiS 501/502/503 PCI, ISA
- OPTi Viper
Today: Socket 4 is an uncommon choice because the boards and CPUs were produced in quantities much smaller than their 3.3V cousins, and configuration options are extremely limited. The old chipsets used for it are also drawbacks.
