When you are building or upgrading a computer, one of the most important things you can do is verify your central processing unit is compatible with your motherboard. Every motherboard, including the Nvidia nForce 680i SLI, can only support a small variety of CPU chipsets.
Nvidia nForce 680i SLI
The Nvidia nForce 680i SLI motherboard has the level of "hardcore enthusiast," distinguishing it as a motherboard for a user who plays either a large assortment of computer games or does heavy graphics work. The motherboard is SLI ready, meaning it supports two video cards working together to provide a high quality picture. It includes both PCI and PCIe slots along with onboard audio, two Ethernet ports, six SATA slots and six USB slots. It provides CPU support for Intel Socket 775 CPUs only. In addition, the motherboard also offers a wide range of overclocking possibilities as well as additional cooling for such an occasion.
CPU
In your computer, the CPU attaches itself directly to the motherboard. The CPU relays commands from the motherboard and other hardware to the software on your computer, such as your operating system. The speed of your CPU determines how fast your programs run; having a fast CPU is essential to running many computer games optimally. CPU speed is measured in both megahertz, or MHz, and gigahertz, or GHz, with a higher number meaning a faster speed for the CPU. However, keep in mind GHz is always faster than MHz, even when the two share the same number.
680i Compatible CPUs
As noted earlier, the 680i only supports CPUs that are of the Intel Socket 775 chipset. The following Intel CPUs are all Socket 775 and thus, all supported by the 680i: the Core 2 Extreme dual and quad core series, the Core 2 Quad series, the Core 2 Duo series, the Celeron D series, the Pentium 4 series, the Pentium D 9xx series and the Pentium D 8XX series. The speed of the CPU chipset is not important; as long as your CPU is a Socket 775 chipset, it is fully compatible with the 680i.
Inserting the CPU into the 680i
Before touching any computer parts, such as your 680i or Socket 775 CPU, touch any piece of metal to ground yourself, reducing the risk of electric shock damaging your components. The location of the socket to place the CPU on the 680i motherboard is located at the top of the board to the left of the RAM slots. Open the load cover and, if applicable, place a small amount of thermal paste on the socket before inserting the CPU. Be careful not to let the thermal paste come in contact with your skin. After the CPU is inserted, close the load cover to secure it in place.
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