Does this matter?

I know this is a cross post but I need a quick answer.

I'm just a neophyte so excuse the sophomoric query. I plan on building a
computer. I have chosen an Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model
BOXD865PERL and when I check the specs it states that it takes a mPGA 478
chip [this from Newegg's site]. When on this site I go to choose the chip I
want to buy, nowhere in the description does it state mPGA. I says the chip
will go into socket 478. Is there a difference?

In article ,
says...
I know this is a cross post but I need a quick answer.

I'm just a neophyte so excuse the sophomoric query. I plan on building a
computer. I have chosen an Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model
BOXD865PERL and when I check the specs it states that it takes a mPGA 478
chip [this from Newegg's site]. When on this site I go to choose the chip I
want to buy, nowhere in the description does it state mPGA. I says the chip
will go into socket 478. Is there a difference?





478 refers to the number of pins. Early P4's had 423 pins, but all newer
ones are 478.

See how they list them separately?
http://www.atacom.com/program/atacom..._54_53_157&USE
R_ID=www&PAGE_LIST=cpu

PGA refers to the chip design, don't let that confuse you, just ignore.


John

"jimrx4" wrote in message
...
I know this is a cross post but I need a quick answer.

I'm just a neophyte so excuse the sophomoric query. I plan on building a
computer. I have chosen an Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model
BOXD865PERL and when I check the specs it states that it takes a mPGA 478
chip [this from Newegg's site]. When on this site I go to choose the chip
I
want to buy, nowhere in the description does it state mPGA. I says the
chip
will go into socket 478. Is there a difference?

PGA means "Pin Grid Array", and likely the mPGA stands for "micro", that's
all. This refers to the way the wires at the bottom of the chip are cut and
arranged, i.e. in this case they are bunch of pins arranged in an array of
some kind. Other possibilities of arrangement are BGA, which means "Ball
Grid Array", where the wires are cut like little balls rather than pins. BGA
is usually more popular for laptop chips while PGA is more popular for
desktop chips.

You can safely ignore the fact that one says mPGA 478 vs. Socket 478,
because it's just the same thing.

Yousuf Khan

On Sun, 13 Jul 2003 14:59:27 GMT, "Yousuf Khan"
wrote:

"jimrx4" wrote in message
...
I know this is a cross post but I need a quick answer.

I'm just a neophyte so excuse the sophomoric query. I plan on building a
computer. I have chosen an Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model
BOXD865PERL and when I check the specs it states that it takes a mPGA 478
chip [this from Newegg's site]. When on this site I go to choose the chip
I
want to buy, nowhere in the description does it state mPGA. I says the
chip
will go into socket 478. Is there a difference?

PGA means "Pin Grid Array", and likely the mPGA stands for "micro", that's
all. This refers to the way the wires at the bottom of the chip are cut and
arranged, i.e. in this case they are bunch of pins arranged in an array of
some kind. Other possibilities of arrangement are BGA, which means "Ball
Grid Array", where the wires are cut like little balls rather than pins. BGA
is usually more popular for laptop chips while PGA is more popular for
desktop chips.

You can safely ignore the fact that one says mPGA 478 vs. Socket 478,
because it's just the same thing.

Yousuf Khan


fwiw, the "balls" on a BGA are in fact actually *balls* of solder attached to
pads, not "wires cut like little balls". When reflowed those solder balls
electrically and mechanically attach the part to the board.

And if a part isn't oriented correctly during reflow and has to be removed and
replaced, the option to "re-ball" the part exists (and in the case of pricey
asics or even pricier fpga's, is often done)...

/daytripper

No.

"jimrx4" wrote in message
...
I know this is a cross post but I need a quick answer.

I'm just a neophyte so excuse the sophomoric query. I plan on building a
computer. I have chosen an Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model
BOXD865PERL and when I check the specs it states that it takes a mPGA 478
chip [this from Newegg's site]. When on this site I go to choose the chip
I
want to buy, nowhere in the description does it state mPGA. I says the
chip
will go into socket 478. Is there a difference?