What Does Socket 370 Mean?
Socket 370 is the receptacle (CPU socket) for the 370-pin Intel Pentium III, Intel Celeron and VIA Cyrix III processor. The 370 replaced the more expensive slot 1 Pentium II CPU interface on personal computers. It is designed for ease of manufacture and allows users to easily upgrade microprocessors.
Socket 370 is also known as the PGA370 socket.
Techopedia Explains Socket 370
The socket 370 is the same size as the socket 7, but with a different voltage and number of pins. The 370 has a zero insertion force socket, which includes a lever opening and closing to secure the processor.
Mechanical load limits on the socket 370 processor interface with the motherboard are critical during heat sink assembly, shipping conditions or standard use. If loads are exceeded, the processor die may crack, making it unusable. Maximums on the die surface are 200 lbf (pound-force) dynamic and 50 lbf static. The maximums on the die edge are 100 lbf dynamic and 12 lbf static. These are quite small compared to the mechanical load limits on the socket 478 processors.