# Socket 479

> CPU socket

**Wikidata**: [Q845608](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q845608)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_479)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/socket-479

## Summary
Socket 479 is a CPU socket designed by Intel for mobile processors, introduced in 2001. It was specifically created for Intel's Pentium M and Celeron M processors used in laptops and other portable devices.

## Key Facts
- Introduced in 2001 as a mobile processor socket for Intel's Pentium M and Celeron M CPUs
- Has 479 pin contacts arranged in a micro PGA (mPGA) configuration
- Successor to Socket 495 and predecessor to Socket M
- Manufactured by Intel Corporation, headquartered in Santa Clara, California
- Also known by aliases including mPGA 479, MPGA479M, and MPGA478M
- Supports multiple languages in documentation including Arabic, Catalan, Czech, German, English, Spanish, French, and Hungarian

## FAQs
### Q: What processors are compatible with Socket 479?
A: Socket 479 is designed for Intel's Pentium M and Celeron M mobile processors, which were commonly used in laptops and portable computers from 2001 onwards.

### Q: How many pins does Socket 479 have?
A: Socket 479 has 479 pin contacts arranged in a micro PGA (mPGA) configuration, which is where it gets its name.

### Q: What was the predecessor to Socket 479?
A: Socket 479 was preceded by Socket 495, and it was later succeeded by Socket M in Intel's mobile processor socket lineup.

## Why It Matters
Socket 479 played a crucial role in the evolution of mobile computing by providing a standardized interface for Intel's Pentium M and Celeron M processors. These processors were instrumental in the development of more power-efficient laptops, as the Pentium M architecture was specifically designed to balance performance with battery life. The socket's introduction coincided with a period when laptop computers were becoming increasingly popular for both business and personal use, and the need for more efficient mobile processors was growing. Socket 479's design allowed for thinner and lighter laptop designs while maintaining adequate processing power, contributing to the modern laptop form factor we know today.

## Notable For
- First Intel socket specifically designed for the Pentium M processor architecture
- Enabled significant improvements in laptop battery life compared to previous mobile processor generations
- Supported the transition from desktop-replacement laptops to truly portable computing devices
- Featured a unique pin arrangement that optimized space usage in compact laptop designs
- Played a key role in Intel's Centrino platform, which revolutionized mobile computing

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Socket 479 features a micro PGA (mPGA) design with 479 pin contacts arranged in a grid pattern. The socket uses a zero insertion force (ZIF) mechanism, allowing processors to be easily inserted and removed without damage. The pin pitch is 1.27mm, and the socket dimensions are approximately 31.5mm x 31.5mm.

### Processor Support
The socket was primarily designed for Intel's Pentium M processors, which were based on the Dothan and Banias cores. It also supported Celeron M processors, which were budget-oriented versions of the Pentium M. These processors operated at various clock speeds ranging from 900MHz to 2.26GHz, with front-side bus speeds of 400MT/s or 533MT/s.

### Physical Design
Socket 479's design allowed for thinner laptop profiles compared to previous socket designs. The socket is surface-mounted to the motherboard using a ball grid array (BGA) or pin grid array (PGA) configuration, depending on the specific implementation. This design choice contributed to the overall reduction in laptop thickness and weight.

### Market Impact
The introduction of Socket 479 coincided with the launch of Intel's Centrino platform, which combined the Pentium M processor, Intel's 855 chipset, and Intel PRO/Wireless network connection. This platform was marketed as an integrated solution for mobile computing, emphasizing both performance and wireless connectivity. Socket 479's role in this platform helped establish new standards for mobile computing performance and battery life.

### Legacy
While Socket 479 has been succeeded by newer socket designs, its impact on mobile computing continues to be felt. The design principles established with Socket 479, particularly the focus on power efficiency and compact form factors, have influenced subsequent generations of mobile processor sockets and laptop designs. The socket represents a significant step in the evolution of mobile computing hardware, bridging the gap between early laptop processors and the more advanced mobile CPUs of today.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013