![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Sunday , June 20, 2004
- Author:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
Intel's new 775LGA CPUs and 925/915 chipsets
We kick the tires on PCI-Express, DDR2, and a new Intel CPU and socket. And of course we compare them to AMD's top end and a couple of legacy systems as well.
Introduction
Today Intel is launching new CPUs in a new package along with a couple of new chipsets. These chipsets support a host of new features such as PCI-Express video cards and DDR2 memory. Do keep in mind that outside of the CPU package change there are no architecture differences. These new CPUs are based on the Prescott core, while the Extreme Edition CPUs are still Gallatin core technology.
The 775 LGA CPU and Socket
Intel today takes a big step in the area of CPUs by launching a new package, the LGA775 or "Land Grid Array," and the socket that supports it. The LGA775 CPU package itself has a slightly larger footprint than the previous 478-pin CPUs. The two look very similar from the top, but the bottom is where the changes have taken place.
LGA775 CPU
No pins!
775 LGA Socket
Oh, here are the pins...
As you can see, the pins are no longer on the CPU, but have been moved to the socket. Also, the socket is not the traditional socket that we are used to. There do seem to be some ups and downs to this design.
The Good & the Bad
First the negatives. From our experience and Intel's warnings, the socket design is very fragile and not nearly as robust as the previous pin design. Intel placed some very strong warnings into their literature about making sure that the CPU is properly inserted with a vertical-only motion. Looking at the pins, you can see that if you get one bent in a side to side position, your system is not going to function correctly. In the past it's been very easy to use a .5mm mechanical pencil to correct bent pins, but we have yet to see how we are going to fix these if/when they get damaged. There have been some rumors that Intel will not warranty these units beyond "20 insertions." The fact of the matter is that has always been Intel's warranty, but the CPU itself will not be the issue anyway. When the socket gets damaged, the motherboard maker will be the company having to deal with the issue of breakage. I am sure there are some motherboard builders that are not very happy with this new situation at all.
On the bright side of 775 LGA, there are some positive points with the new design. As alluded to above, the CPUs themselves are very robust; the user will not have to deal with bent or broken pins anymore. In fact, you could likely throw these across the room without much impact (pun intended). Also, this new design alleviates some of the stresses we have seen applied on previous form factors. The CPU is firmly seated using its own socket mechanism, so the large footprint heatsink and fan unit no longer have to be clamped down as tightly, or so it was explained to us. With the very large HSF we had, it did in fact fit nicely on the board and did not cause any stress issues to the PCB itself.
The bottom line on these CPUs, or sockets rather, is to simply be very careful when laying the CPU in the socket. Just make sure you put it in flat and straight the first time.