Super Socket 7
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The Super Socket 7, also referred to as "Super 7", is an extension of the Socket 7 ZIF socket specification. It features a 100 MHz front-side bus, support for the AGP bus, and an SPGA package. Super Socket was used by AMD K6-2 and K6-III processors. Super Socket 7 is backward compatible with Socket 7, meaning a Socket 7 CPU can be used with a Super Socket 7 motherboard, but a Super Socket 7 CPU would not be able to run at full speed on a Socket 7 motherboard.
While AMD had previously always used Intel chipsets for their processors, Socket 7 was the last one for which AMD retained legal rights. Intel had hoped by discontinuing Socket 7 development, AMD would be left with an outdated platform, making their processors uncompetitive. By extending the FSB from 66 to 100 MHz, Super Socket 7 gave AMD the stopgap solution they needed, to develop their own independent motherboard infrastructure.
While the architecture was cheap, and served the intended purpose, many of the third party chipsets provided by VIA, SiS, and others, were of low quality, especially in regards to the AGP implementations. The reputation AMD gained for buggy incompatible motherboards lingered, and subsequently AMD put in place a quality assurance program for the Athlon processor.