What is socket 8?

Socket 8 is a CPU socket type developed by Intel and was introduced in 1995 as the replacement for Socket 5 and Socket 7. It is designed to support Intel Pentium Pro and Pentium II processors.

Socket 8 has 387 pin holes arranged in a rectangular pattern, which is different from the previous Socket 4, 5 and 7's staggered pin configuration. It supports a 66 MHz external bus speed, which can be increased to 100 MHz via an overclocking jumper. It is also designed to work with ECC memory.

Socket 8 was short-lived as it was replaced by Slot 1, a cartridge-like design for the Pentium II processor architecture. Socket 8 motherboards are relatively rare and expensive nowadays due to their rarity and antiquity.