A question about the A5 socket reward

[Syrin]

Is there anywhere where I could find out what ilvls yield less-than-max sockets, for normal items, and what the minimum ilvl would be for max sockets? (Hope this is the right section)

[hellsing293]

Ok this is how it works,

Normal items=Max sockets on that specific item(Mageplate=3, Archon=4 etc)
Magic items=1-2 sockets(50-50 shot) assuming the item can have more than 1 socket.
Set/Crafted/Unique/Rare items=1 socket.

The ilvl on the item determining sockets would be like if it was a normal, exceptional or elite class of the item. To see socket maximums on items visit here:The Arreat Summit - Items: Weapons and Armor

[Syrin]

No, no, I know that, I'm talking specifically for non-magical, normal items. If the ilvl isn't high enough, you won't get the max sockets. Say it's a... I dunno, a pally shield, for example. Every single paladin shield has max sockets of 4. However, if you were to find a normal pally shield in Tristram, and socket it, you wouldn't get 4 sockets, because the ilvl isn't high enough; that's what I was asking about, was if there's a specific formula for the number of sockets you get if the ilvl isn't high enough, or a table of values, or something.

I believe it says this on the Arreat Summit, and I also know it for a fact, because when I went to socket my long sword, I got less than the desired amount of sockets. No spirit sword for me

Ah, re-edit, this is taken from the Quest Rewards section on Arreat Summit:
Normal items add the max number of Sockets depending on the item's level (this is determined by the level of the monster that dropped it) and the inherent maximum number of Sockets for the item's base type. So you may not always receive the "max" number of Sockets.