CPU Socket Position Between Different Form Factors & Platforms

[ChrisLoudon]

Hi guys,

 

I suppose I should already know this but just wanted to check here first.

 

Is the CPU socket position between motherboards of different form factors and between platforms (AMD, Intel, ITX, uATX, ATX....) always in the same place relative to the chassis or does / can it change?

 

My 9900k build with an old ATX Z390 board is soon to get the X3D upgrade and given the fact its in a Hyte Y60 with a custom loop and space is a little tight, I'm thinking of going ITX but as I'm using Hyte's corner distro plate, I don't want to have to do my tubes again if the CPU socket is in a different location.

[TatamiMatt]

14 minutes ago, ChrisLoudon said:

Hi guys,

 

I suppose I should already know this but just wanted to check here first.

 

Is the CPU socket position between motherboards of different form factors and between platforms (AMD, Intel, ITX, uATX, ATX....) always in the same place relative to the chassis or does / can it change?

 

My 9900k build with an old ATX Z390 board is soon to get the X3D upgrade and given the fact its in a Hyte Y60 with a custom loop and space is a little tight, I'm thinking of going ITX but as I'm using Hyte's corner distro plate, I don't want to have to do my tubes again if the CPU socket is in a different location.

Im going to say, in general, no, it probably is very similar within the same socket and form factor, but i can guarantee you it can change when venturing outside of that, as you can have server grade motherboards with 8 ram slots

 

 

Now i understand that these are very different to standard consumer motherboards, but, they prove that it can vary, so, i would take it with a pinch of salt that theyre going to either definitely be the same or definitely be different and do research, ask on forums etc about what any one specific motherboard's measurements are and go from there. Do you have a specific motherboard in mind?

[ChrisLoudon]

1 minute ago, TatamiMatt said:

Im going to say, in general, no, it probably is very similar within the same socket and form factor, but i can guarantee you it can change, as you can have server grade motherboards with 8 ram slots

Thanks for the quick reply buddy.

 

That's kinda what I thought but I have vague memories of replacing a board in an o11 Dynamic with the side distro plate and finding out my lovely straight tube runs didn't line up as they should.

 

I've got far too many PCs at home so will take a closer look later to see if the culprit is still in operation.

[TatamiMatt]

2 minutes ago, ChrisLoudon said:

Thanks for the quick reply buddy.

 

That's kinda what I thought but I have vague memories of replacing a board in an o11 Dynamic with the side distro plate and finding out my lovely straight tube runs didn't line up as they should.

 

I've got far too many PCs at home so will take a closer look later to see if the culprit is still in operation.

Theres always the chance it will line up too, though, so you could try and seek out a motherboard that lines up with your current measurements as opposed to the inverse

[manikyath]

there is no standardization for where the socket is, generally due to space and trace length constraints it's gonna be roughly within the same general position, but an exact match is essentially never to be expected.

[mariushm]

It's not  a fixed position, but the ATX case form factor specification sort of limits where the socket can be, behind the IO shield and between the 4 mounting screws.

 

Also, computer case manufacturers sort of make cutouts in the plate that holds the motherboard in a specific area so the mobo makers will try to keep the back of the cpu socket within that area.

 

Server mobos may shift the socket down to make room for ram slots above the cpu (with the io shield at top, ram would be at the left and right side of cpu socket) , as that layout helps with cooling (front to back or back to front airflow going over the ram slots and through the cpu and vrm heatsinks

[OddOod]

They don't move a LOT, but they *definitely* move

I found the actual (as far as I can tell) ATX spec. 
https://cdn.instructables.com/ORIG/FS8/5ILB/GU59Z1AT/FS85ILBGU59Z1AT.pdf
Page 16, Section 3.3.7 reads: (emphasis mine)
> The exact location of the processor is not specified. It is recommended that it be located behind the external I/O connectors and to the right of the seventh expansion slot, so that it receives sufficient cooling. It may be cooled from a combination of the system fan, the fan located in the power supply, an active heatsink (fan attached to the processor), and/or normal airflow through the chassis. The exact method will depend on the specific processor cooling requirements.

 

Which means that there isn't a specified location for the socket. 
Additionally, you may need a new CPU block which also have no hard spec for in/out flow ports.