AMD A4-9120e SoC socket: Socket FT4

What the A4-9120e SoC is

The AMD A4-9120e SoC is a 1.5 GHz dual-core soldered mobile processor from January 2019. It runs one Excavator module with 2 cores at 1.5 GHz base and up to 2.2 GHz boost, so 2 cores give 2 threads. Cache is 1 MB of shared L2 on a 28 nm process. Power is rated at 6 W in a Socket FT4 BGA package with DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

The e suffix marks the efficient tuning below the 9120C at 1.6 GHz, which is why the 9120e at 1.5 GHz suits passively cooled embedded boards with tight thermal budgets. AMD sold e-suffix Stoney parts in January 2019 with the Chromebook C parts. The chip supports AVX, AVX2, AES and AMD-V.

Lower clocks with a 6 W envelope suit soldered embedded boards with DDR4 and flash storage. The FT4 ball package removes socket height for slim chassis. That is why the 9120e shipped in compact embedded systems.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The A4-9120e SoC is soldered to FT4 boards and cannot be replaced. It fits embedded boards with FT4 solder lands and firmware that lists the A4-9120e. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Compact embedded boards are the natural match. Boards built for the 9120e carry the soldered SoC with a board spreader for the 6 W class.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is single-channel DDR4 through the on-chip controller, with the exact speed set by the board. The shared Stoney FT4 platform runs DDR4 with PCIe Gen 3 lanes for storage and wireless. Thermal design is board-level with a spreader for the 6 W class.

Upgrade paths

There is no CPU upgrade path from a soldered 9120e. The chip cannot move to a faster part. A board or system replacement is the only move.

For planning, an A4-9120C such as AMD A4-9120C SoC is the Chromebook twin at 1.6 GHz on the same FT4 lands. The Socket FT4 page lists the Stoney Ridge range. Note: the exact iGPU model for the e variant has no two-source confirmation, so no graphics row is listed.