In the 21st century, the need for “bigger” package chips has gone down rapidly. Now people mostly want compact chips that they can utilize to build small gadgets. Therefore, BGA packaging has become pretty popular over time. However, BGA packages come in different varieties, which depend on the circuit board they connect to. Thus we shall be looking at the BGA 5903, one unique processor socket package that stands out in comparison to other sockets. But what makes these processor sockets unique? Which features do this socket bear that makes them stand out?
A bit about CPU Sockets
Processor sockets connect your processor to a circuit board. Therefore, if you are looking to connect or upgrade your processor, you must have some knowledge of processor sockets.
However, even though processor sockets are crucial, you will rarely find information about them. That is because they do not affect the chip’s performance negatively or positively. However, they do standardize the shape of various processor generations. They also affect the durability and efficiency of the processor.
Modern computers position processor sockets on the circuit board. However, earlier on in the 90s, there existed different socket placement configurations such as:
- The slot mount processor which involved you placing your processor inside your computer like a PCI card
But, modern-day computers have sockets that you utilize to efficiently secure your processor onto a circuit board.
Processor sockets are extremely old. They date back to the famous first Intel processor (Intel 386), which had a total of 132 PGA pin sockets.
Why do we have processor Socket Variations?
Well, just like most tech gadgets, processor socket designs change frequently. These changes come due to the alteration of the processor architecture.
New processors designs arrive every once in a while bearing different requirements such as:
- Motherboard compatibility
- Size and
- Shape
But if these many sockets exist, what makes the BGA 5903 socket unique?
Why the BGA 5903 Socket is one of a kind
The BGA 5903 is super unique due to a couple of reasons. For one, it utilizes modern-day Ball Grid Array SMD integration technology. BGA technology involves mounting processor chips using solder balls. The solder balls are short and durable, and they follow a grid-like arrangement on the bottom side of the processor. Furthermore, their positions give them an upper hand when it comes to the number of connections that this processor can make. In total, the BGA 5903 processor can handle up to 5903 connections, hence its name. In addition, BGA utilizes modern-day technology to separate its solder balls to avoid short-circuiting the chip. Therefore, you can be sure that your chip will not burn out.
BGA 5903 sockets also offer less heat conduction between the chip and the circuit board. Due to this heat conduction property, these chips end up having impeccable electrical performance. They also reduce chip overheating, making your processor more efficient and durable.
Features of the BGA 5903 Socket
BGA 5903 socket bears the following features, which makes them unique:
Impeccable Lead Count
BGA 5903 sockets have a pretty high lead count. Due to this lead count, BGA 5903 sockets can make high-density connections.
Durable Leads
BGA 5903 sockets make connections using solder balls, unlike other sockets that utilize lead pins. The solder balls are short and are found on the bottom part of the chip. The solder balls’ position and stability make them less prone to damage than other sockets such as QFP.
Self-centering
BGA 5903 sockets help center your processor chip during reflow processing. They do so by utilizing the molten solder’s surface tension. In doing so, these sockets eliminate the need for expensive mounting equipment.
Impeccable Thermal Resistance
BGA 5903 sockets provide a low thermal resistance between the chip and the circuit board. Due to this low thermal resistance, the chip can dissipate heat faster. Therefore, even though this socket bears a 5903 connection, it does not suffer from overheating.
Compactness
BGA 5903 sockets are pretty compact even though they have impeccable performance. They hence tend to take up minimal space when you place them on your circuit board. You can therefore utilize them to develop tiny gadgets that are powerful.
Problems that you are likely to face when working with a BGA 5903 Socket
Flexure Issue
Unlike QFPs and other socket versions that utilize long flexible leads, BGA 5903 sockets use tiny solder balls. Of course, this improves their durability, but it does compromise the chip’s flexure capability. Therefore, slight bending from vibrations, flexure, or simply an expansion due to the CTE difference between the chip and the PCB might harm the chip’s solder joint.
Even though you can rework the chip to fix the broken solder joints, you still have to utilize resources. That makes BGA 5903 a little less efficient.
Complicated Inspection
BGA 5903 sockets make chip-to-circuit board connections using the bottom part of the chip. Unfortunately, that makes accessing the chips connection link pretty challenging. Thus, to effectively inspect solder joints, you must utilize unique gadgets such as X-Rays and special microscopes.
However, if you are looking to save on the cost of solder joint inspection, you should utilize electrical testing. That is because electrical testing is as effective as X-ray, but it costs way less, ultimately saving you a lot of money.
Equipment Cost
To effectively mount a BGA 5903 socket onto your circuit board, you must utilize special machinery. The same case applies during the chips maintenance and upgrade. Therefore, you have to invest in special gadgets which ultimately increase your expenditure.
Application Area of the BGA 5903
BGA 5903 sockets have several application areas due to their unique properties. They were utilized to build the large EPYC processor, a special CPU that measures 76.0 mm by 72.5 mm. As per socket pin utilization, these chips use most of them to handle memory issues. That is because this chip bears up to twelve channels dedicated solely to memory utilization. Other pins help deliver power into the chip, while others help in terms of hardware-chip communication. Overall, BGA 5903 sockets help pump up the efficiency of this chip immensely, making it reliable.
Conclusion
BGA 5903 sockets display the capability of modern-day gadgets. These tiny components help your components perform impeccably. They also boost the efficiency and durability of the computer, which in turn leads to optimal output. Therefore, if you are looking to upgrade to a more sophisticated package, try out the BGA 5903 package. It does not disappoint.
