Question

Difficulty: MediumCPU Architecture Cooling and Sockets

An IT technician is auditing system hardware specifications to update documentation for workstation builds. Match each CPU packaging design or thermal management solution on the left to its corresponding technical characteristic on the right.

  • Land Grid Array (LGA)Pins are located on the motherboard socket, matching contact pads on the underside of the processor.
  • Pin Grid Array (PGA)Pins are located on the underside of the CPU package and insert into holes in the motherboard socket.
  • Ball Grid Array (BGA)Processor is permanently soldered directly onto the motherboard surface using small solder spheres.
  • Passive HeatsinkDissipates heat using metal fins via thermal conduction and air convection without a dedicated powered fan.

Answer

Land Grid Array (LGA) matches with pins located on the motherboard socket; Pin Grid Array (PGA) matches with pins located on the underside of the CPU package; Ball Grid Array (BGA) matches with processor soldered directly to the motherboard; Passive Heatsink matches with heat dissipation via metal fins without a fan.
Each CPU packaging format and cooling component matches its definitive design: LGA places pins on the socket, PGA places pins on the CPU package, BGA uses permanent surface solder joints, and passive heatsinks operate without powered moving fans.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Differentiate pin location between socket-based processor architectures.
LGA places pins inside the socket, whereas PGA features pins sticking out from the processor substrate.
LGA protects processor pins from damage during handling by moving them to the motherboard socket surface.
2
Identify non-socketed surface-mount CPU packaging.
Match BGA to soldered motherboard surface mounting.
BGA chips use grid pads lined with solder balls to connect permanently during PCB manufacturing.
3
Identify non-powered thermal management hardware.
Associate Passive Heatsink with fin-based thermal dissipation omitting an active cooling fan.
Passive thermal cooling relies entirely on conduction from the IHS to radiator fins and natural airflow convection.

Key Concept

CPU packaging architectures (LGA, PGA, BGA) and thermal cooling methods
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