[AndrewDavis]

> don't like is that their CPUs are pin based

To me that's a win. If a CPU pin is bent it's typically fairly easy to straighten it. Fixing a bent pin a socket is a massive pain.

But it's much easier to protect socket pins with the cover. So there are pros and cons either way.

[frankharv]

Massive pain is an undestatement. Fixing a socket pin with a that small of a package size and 1151 pins is nearly impossible.

Good luck. You better have a loop or magnifier.

I buy Intel Mobile CPU boards for exactly this reason. Pins. I have not bent a single one in years. The Notebook CPU's are so thermally efficient it is a real selling point to me.

[dpedu]

True, though it is much easier to damage a pin-based CPU in the first place.

[zaarn]

Usually, I'm very careful with the CPU, more than the motherboard, so I think that balances out.