Having extensive experience in IT technologies, we noticed the recommendations of many bloggers suggesting to buy hardware based on Intel Socket 1200. According to the authors, this is cutting-edge equipment with a bright future ahead. However, no one explains what such a promising outlook actually entails.
Considering our experience working with computers (we started with Intel 80286), we suspected that we might be being misled again. Perhaps, Intel’s policies have changed, and we are just overthinking. But still, Intel Socket 1200 is associated with Socket 423, 1150, and 1156. The feature of these sockets is that they were quickly popularized and then quickly forgotten. We call these intermediate sockets because their manufacturing did not involve advanced technologies, and they were based on old chipsets. Plus, their peak popularity lasts 1-2 years. After that, Intel releases a more advanced platform and focuses on it long-term.
Intel Socket 1200: What’s Wrong with the Platform
In fact, it is the same 1151 socket, with an increased number of pins (from 1151 to 1200) and compatibility with older processors. The touted 10th generation Intel chips are practically no different from the previous (9th and 8th). The same chip, no innovations in manufacturing. Oh, yes, Hyper-Threading technology, which doubles the number of threads and allows overclocking the memory bus. That’s all. If you doubt, overclock a Core i7 9th generation and you’ll get 10th generation performance. With corresponding heat dissipation (from 95 to 125 Watts).
Switching from any four-digit socket to 1200 makes no sense. Even if you are using an ancient 1155 with a 2nd generation processor. You would just waste money. It’s better to buy a morally outdated 1151, which still has spare parts and costs half as much. These sockets will still be available on the market for another 10 years.
What does Intel have in store for the future
Considering that hardware manufacturers increasingly mention DDR5 memory modules, there is confidence that the new socket will support it. It is not yet clear which socket Intel will settle on. Most likely, it will be Socket 1700. The manufacturer plans to completely change the platform architecture to achieve higher system performance. This will clearly not be a semi-finished product like Intel Socket 1200. The only thing unclear is when we will see this innovation.
AMD fans, in the next couple of years, have little to wait for. The company has already released a powerful chip and will profit from it. However, if Intel succeeds with DDR5 memory, AMD might also start reconsidering its market share strategies in the IT industry.
