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Difficulty: EasyCPU Architecture Cooling and Sockets

A field technician is servicing a compact laptop and plans to upgrade its processor. After removing the cooling heatsink, the technician observes that the processor is permanently soldered directly onto the system board using an array of solder pads rather than fitted into a socket with a release lever. Which of the following processor packaging types is used on this system board?

  1. BGA (Ball Grid Array)Answer
  2. B
    LGA (Land Grid Array)
  3. C
    PGA (Pin Grid Array)
  4. D
    ZIF (Zero Insertion Force)

Answer

BGA (Ball Grid Array) is the CPU packaging type where the processor is permanently soldered directly onto the motherboard surface.
BGA (Ball Grid Array) packaging permanently attaches the central processing unit to the motherboard using a grid of solder balls. This design saves vertical space in mobile devices and thin laptops but eliminates processor socket upgradeability.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the key physical characteristic in the scenario.
The CPU is permanently soldered onto the motherboard with arrayed solder balls rather than sitting in a socket.
Different CPU packaging formats dictate whether a CPU can be replaced or inserted into a socket.
2
Evaluate packaging formats against the observation.
BGA (Ball Grid Array) uses tiny solder balls to affix the processor directly to the circuit board, making it non-socketed and non-removable in the field.
LGA, PGA, and ZIF sockets all accommodate removable processors.

Key Concept

CPU packaging and socket types (BGA vs. LGA vs. PGA)
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Topics

CPU Architecture Cooling and Sockets

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