Slotket

In computer hardware terminology, slotkets, also known as slockets, (both short for slot to socket adapter) are adapters that allow socket-based microprocessors to be used on slot-based motherboards. Slotkets were first created to allow the use of Socket 8 Pentium Pro processors on Slot 1 motherboards. Later, they became more popular for inserting Socket 370 Intel Celerons into Slot 1 based motherboards. This lowered costs for computer builders, especially with dual processor machines. High-end motherboards accepting two Slot 1 processors (usually Pentium 2) were widely available, but double-socketed motherboards for the less expensive Socket 370 Celerons were not. The slotkets remained popular in the transition period from Slot to Socket-based Pentium III processors by allowing CPU upgrades in existing Slot 1 motherboards. Slotkets were never introduced to take advantage of the AMD Athlon processors' transition from the Slot A form factor to the Socket A form factor. Adapters that go the other way around (from socket-based motherboards to slot-based CPUs) have never been introduced, because Socket 8 based motherboards do not support the higher clock frequencies of Slot 1 based processors. Today, slotkets have largely disappeared, as Intel and AMD have not manufactured PCUs in slot form factors since 1999.