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Difficulty: EasyCPU Architecture Cooling and Sockets

A technician is inspecting desktop motherboard socket designs before ordering replacement processors for an office workstation upgrade. Which of the following statements correctly describe the characteristics of Land Grid Array (LGA) CPU sockets? (Select TWO.)

  1. The pins are located inside the motherboard socket rather than on the processor package.Answer
  2. B
    The processor package contains protruding pins that insert into holes on the motherboard socket.
  3. LGA socket designs lower the risk of damaging processor pins during CPU handling and installation.Answer
  4. D
    LGA processors are permanently soldered directly to the motherboard and cannot be replaced.

Answer

Land Grid Array (LGA) sockets feature pins positioned inside the motherboard socket rather than on the processor package, and this design significantly reduces the risk of damaging pins directly on the CPU package during handling.
Land Grid Array (LGA) CPU sockets house the spring-loaded contact pins directly inside the motherboard socket, mating with flat landing pads on the CPU. This architectural choice protects the CPU package from bent pins during installation and transport.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the pin orientation of Land Grid Array (LGA) packaging.
LGA sockets place the contact pins inside the motherboard socket grid, mating with flat golden contact pads (lands) located on the bottom of the processor.
This contrasts with PGA sockets where pins extend directly from the CPU package.
2
Evaluate the practical advantage of LGA CPU handling.
Because the CPU itself lacks fragile pins, technicians are far less likely to bend pins when handling or transporting the processor.
Accidental pin damage is transferred from the expensive processor to the motherboard socket.
3
Differentiate LGA from PGA and BGA architectures.
Protruding pins on the processor define Pin Grid Array (PGA), while surface-mounted soldered processors define Ball Grid Array (BGA).
Recognizing socket mechanical designs prevents incorrect component selection during desktop CPU upgrades.

Key Concept

LGA vs PGA vs BGA CPU Socket Architecture Traits
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Topics

CPU Architecture Cooling and Sockets

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