To get the right combination of motherboard and CPU, you need to ensure they have a matching socket. But just what does LGA and PGA mean?
In this article, we’ll be detailing the main differences between these two socket types, sharing their pros and cons, and showcasing the products that use them.
LGA and PGA
For gaming hardware, there are two main types of socket: LGA and PGA. These are acronyms that stand for Land Grid Array (LGA) and Pin Grid Array (PGA). Both are used to interface your processor with your motherboard via pins and contacts (or lands), and each has a variety of layouts and designs that make them compatible with a specific set of CPUs.
The main difference between the two is pin placement. On LGA sockets, the pins are on the socket and the compatible CPUs have the matching pattern of contacts. PGA sockets are the opposite, pins on the CPU and contacts on the motherboard. As such, an LGA CPU won’t work with a PGA motherboard and vice versa.
Image credit: Wikipedia
A Closer Look: LGA
As we know, Land Grid Array (LGA) sockets feature pins on the motherboard and contacts or lands on the processor. This socket type is commonly used by Intel, widely used on their Intel Core, Core Ultra, and Xeon Series. With the introduction of the AM5 platform, AMD has also adopted the LGA format over PGA.
The LGA format enables a higher pin density, as they are located on the motherboard rather than the CPU. As such, they offer incredible power and data delivery with great stability and efficiency, making them well suited for high-performance applications. Additionally, the platform is future-proofed for upcoming innovations that may require more from your system.
This makes LGA generally more advanced than PGA, which is great if you want to get the most out of your gaming system. However, this does potentially make the platform less accessible to newer users.
Pros:
- Excellent for high-performance systems and gaming PCs
- Reduced risk of damaging CPU during installation
- Stable, strong, and efficient data transfer
- Future-proofed for innovations and advances
Cons:
- Can be tricky to instal – can potentially bend the motherboard pins
- Relatively more expensive than PGA
A Closer Look: PGA
To reiterate, Pin Grid Array (PGA) is where the pins are on the CPU and the contacts or lands are on the motherboard socket. Prior to AM5, PGA was widely used by AMD for their sockets, including the AM4 platform.
As they have less pin density, PGA sockets are great for everyday use, mid-range applications, and even more budget-conscious builds. Plus, they are ideal for first time builders, as having the pins on the CPU makes alignment much quicker and easier. This does, however, come with the increased risk of damaging the pins, as misaligning can result in bent pins and therefore a broken CPU.
Pros:
- Suitable for mid-range applications and everyday usage
- Great for budget-conscious systems
- Ideal for first time builders
Cons:
- Increased risk of damaging CPU pins during installation
- Lower pin density with lower performance potential
LGA and PGA Sockets on the Market
It used to be that choosing between an LGA and PGA socket was simply a matter of picking Team Blue or Team Red. Now that AMD has migrated to the LGA form, there’s a little more to remember. We’ve broken down the current common sockets into the following table, detailing whether they are LGA or PGA, what brand they are optimised for, and even some compatible CPU series for you!
| Socket Name | LGA or PGA? | Brand | Compatible CPUs |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM4 | PGA | AMD | Ryzen 3000, 4000, and 5000 Series |
| AM5 | LGA | AMD | Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 Series |
| sTR5 | LGA | AMD | Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 and 7000 Series |
| LGA 1200 | LGA | Intel | 10th and 11th Gen Intel Core |
| LGA 17000 | LGA | Intel | 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel Core |
| LGA 1851 | LGA | Intel | Intel Core Ultra 200S Series |
| LGA 4677 | LGA | Intel | Xeon W-3400 and W-2400 Series |
Get the Right Pair
We have an extensive range of motherboards and CPUs – and your perfect combo is among them! The Overclockers UK website is helpfully organised into categories detailing whether the motherboards are for Intel or AMD, which socket the motherboards and processors use, and even by generation. Below, we have paired an LGA motherboard and CPU as well as a PGA motherboard and CPU, but you can explore our complete collection with just the click of a button.
LGA: Gigabyte Z890M GAMING X LGA 1851 Motherboard and Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF CPU
Gigabyte Z890M GAMING X (LGA1851) DDR5 Micro ATX Motherboard
MOT-GIG-03491
£184.99
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
in stock
ADD TO BASKET
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF (Arrow Lake) Socket LGA 1851 Processor – Retail
PRO-INT-03112
£359.99
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
in stock
ADD TO BASKETPGA: ASUS TUF Haming B550-Plus WIFI II AM4 Motherboard and AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU
Asus TUF Gaming B550-Plus WIFI II (AMD AM4) B550 ATX Motherboard
MB-6HX-AS
£142.99
(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
in stock
ADD TO BASKET
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X Eight Core 4.7GHz (Socket AM4) Processor – Retail
CP-3CB-AM
£299.99 £ 164.99
-45%(incl. VAT)
FREE SHIPPING
in stock
ADD TO BASKET
The Ultimate Guide to Motherboard and CPU Compatibility
Making sure your motherboard and processor are compatible is an important part of building a gaming PC. We have a comprehensive guide with everything you need to know ahead of making this purchase.
Learn More About Your Hardware
Brush up on everything you need to know about the hardware that goes into your gaming PC.
Which Is Your Preference?
Which socket type do you use? Let us know in the comments below.
- 5 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK since 2020, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
Read More >>