PGA
ZIF is used on almost all modern processors. You need to find out which socket it uses.
An AM2 Socket is a type of socket used by a Processor on a motherboard. These are AMD processors, as indicated by the "AM". When you buy a motherboard and processor you must make sure that they have the same socket and that your motherboard supports the processor you have chosen. For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_AM2
It should say on the processor tray on the actual motherboard itself.
Processors don't connect to a motherboard, there are installed in a socket. What determines if a processor is compatible is the type of processor... PGA(AMD most of the time) or LGA(Intel) and the ammount of pins that are on the motherboard/processor.
The processor socket is both a technical convention and functional component. As a convention Socket # such as 775 and 1150 regard motherboard chip type compatibility. The functional aspects of the socket serve as the electrical interface between the motherboard (and its peripherals) to the processor itself.
An LGA 775 socket motherboard (desktop)
smm
The Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Dual-Core Processor fits in an motherboard with a socket type of LGA 775. If you are purchasing a motherboard for this type of CPU, make sure you purchase a CPU that clearly indicates that it is for Intel processors with a socket type of LGA 775.
Well, all motherboards are socket motherboards (When we're talking about the personal computer, of course!). The socket and socket type are what determine which processor you can use with your board! Take AM2 / AM3+ for example. Motherboards with the AM2 / AM3+ socket can house processors from the Phenom and FX-X family of AMD processors. It is very important that you make sure the socket type on your motherboard and processor match if you are considering doing an upgrade-- Different socket types aren't compatible!
The socket is where you would put the processor. Every motherboard states what socket it uses. AM1, AM2, and AM3 are used for AMD CPUs while LGA sockets are for Intel CPUs. When buying a motherboard and/or processor, you need to make sure they match each other's socket type. The chipset is just the type of chipset the motherboard uses itself.All you need to know when building/upgrading a computer are the following:Power connector type (modern motherboards use a 24-pin connector but there are still some 20-pin power supplies available for older computers)CPU socket typeRAM type (DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, etc.)Hard drive type (SATA is the standard nowadays but older machines used IDE)Expansion slot types (PCI and PCIe are used in a modern motherboard but AGP, VLBus, EISA, ISA, and MicroChannel have been used in the past; if you find something old enough to use something other than PCI or PCIe, avoid it)
Socket A.
Look for what type of socket the CPU has its usually lga 1155 but there are other kinds so you should look under specs and find the socket type and then find a motherboard that has the socket type