Intel To Support Socketed CPUs for the “Foreseeable Future”

That's nice to hear I was wondering a few days back when I heard they were moving away from the socket and the new CPU'S would be affixed etc with several (negative to me) effects!

I never understood the concept, unless Intel were to drastically reduce the number of processor models. It's just not reasonable to expect companies to pick and choose a range of CPUs that are affixed to their boards - it's not feasible to operate like that. If it does ever happen, it's going to be a serious blow to hardware enthusiasts. I couldn't imagine suddenly being locked into a motherboard and CPU choice instead of having the freedom to fine-tune things the way I like. Oh, and upgrading the CPU is a pretty nice ability, too...

RWilliams:

.. it's going to be a serious blow to hardware enthusiasts. I couldn't imagine suddenly being locked into a motherboard and CPU choice instead of having the freedom to fine-tune things the way I like. Oh, and upgrading the CPU is a pretty nice ability, too...

For sure man ! I was a bit depressed reading about this a few days ago too and have to say that  I would actually miss the 'ritual'.. carefully  holding the  cpu -  dropping it  into place- checking orientation  woo-hoo fun with the lever,  the application of TIM - installing and mounting the cooler .

YeoooZa   ! Always been great stuff to me .

Could be a pretty safe bet that the ritual of installing and upgrading CPUs with that  sweeet hands on experience  would be surely missed .

The avalanche of changes this would bring would be astounding.  Thermal paste manufacturers would lose out, motherboard makers would lose out, and us PC enthusiast would be left out in the cold without the ability to upgrade.

  Surely it's a good idea in certain markets, just not in PC's.

Now if only AMD can create some competition and produce some worthy processors to compete with Intel.

^I agree! AMD really needs to pull up its socks, and frankly, get tis ^$&% together in the CPU department.

Intel really does make great products, and I'm glad that they will continue to make socket processors for the " Foreseeable future."

Thanks HH for being the first to break the news to me :)

Whew. I was scared for PC gaming for a while there what with Microsoft trying to lock down PC with Windows 8 and the rumors of BGA Intel chips. Linux gaming isn't there yet and AMD is dragging behind.

Getting rid of socketed CPU's would be throwing away a huge market of customers and a lot of research and time spent on Sockets and CPU's so of course it wouldn't make sense... but none the less, the idea of socketed CPU's being gone is pretty scary and it's great to let out a sigh of relief that customization is still gonna be around for at least the "foreseeable future"