Abstract: An interposer includes a planar substrate and a pad array formed on a bottom side of the planar substrate to connect with a pin array within a CPU socket. A serial computer expansion bus connector is formed on the top side of the planar substrate and is electronically coupled to a portion of the pad array. The interposer further includes a perimeter structure adapted for securing to a CPU carrier. The interposer may be included in a kit with a heatsink securable to the CPU socket, wherein the heatsink includes a contact area for contacting the interposer and applying a load to the interposer. A printed circuit board assembly may include first and second CPU sockets that are connected by a CPU interconnect, where the interposer may be installed in the first CPU socket and a CPU may be installed in the second CPU socket.

Abstract: An interposer includes a planar substrate and a pad array formed on a bottom side of the planar substrate to connect with a pin array within a CPU socket. A serial computer expansion bus connector is formed on the top side of the planar substrate and is electronically coupled to a portion of the pad array. The interposer further includes a perimeter structure adapted for securing to a CPU carrier. The interposer may be included in a kit with a heatsink securable to the CPU socket, wherein the heatsink includes a contact area for contacting the interposer and applying a load to the interposer. A printed circuit board assembly may include first and second CPU sockets that are connected by a CPU interconnect, where the interposer may be installed in the first CPU socket and a CPU may be installed in the second CPU socket.