Intel Atom D2500 socket: BGA 559
The Intel Atom D2500 uses the BGA 559 package. It is a soldered 10 W dual core Cedarview part at 1.86 GHz without Hyper-Threading for nettops.
- Socket
- BGA 559
- Launched
- November 2011
- Cores and threads
- 2 and 2
- Base power
- 10 W
- Codename
- Cedarview
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Atom
- Clocks
- 1.86 GHz
Intel Atom D2500 specifications
| Cores | 2 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 2 |
| Core architecture | Cedarview cores on 32 nm |
| Clocks | 1.86 GHz (no turbo) |
| Cache | 1 MB L2 (2 × 512 KB) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 10 W |
| Manufacturing process | 32 nm |
| Memory support | DDR3-800 and 1066, single channel |
| PCI Express | PCIe lanes vary by board design (NM10 chipset) |
| Integrated graphics | Intel GMA 3600 (400 MHz) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | FCBGA559 (22.0 × 22.0 mm, soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Atom D2500 needs a motherboard with a BGA 559 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 559 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 559 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 559 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 22 × 22 mm |
| Introduced | December 2009 |
| Memory | DDR2-800 and DDR3-800 to 1066, single channel |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Atom D2500 is
Intel Atom D2500 is a dual core Cedarview desktop processor that Intel released in the third quarter of 2011 for nettops with soldered boards, with retail availability from November. It uses the Saltwell core design on a 32 nm process, running at 1.86 GHz with no turbo. The cache is 1 MB of L2 with 512 KB per core. There is no Hyper-Threading on this SKU, so 2 cores give 2 threads, which separates it from the D2550 at the same clocks. Power is 10 W. Graphics come from Intel GMA 3600 at a fixed 400 MHz. The list entry placing it on BGA 437 is wrong; ARK specifies FCBGA559, confirmed by the product brief and Wikipedia.
Two plain cores with basic graphics cover office terminals and media playback in small desktop boxes. The single die integrates cores, graphics and a single channel DDR3 controller for up to 4 GB. Threads equal cores at 2.
Nettops pair it with 2 GB to 4 GB of DDR3 and small drives. Fixed clocks keep behavior predictable for fleets. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide explains why this soldered BGA part cannot be serviced.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The Atom D2500 solders to BGA 559 with 559 balls in a 22.0 × 22.0 mm footprint and cannot be moved to another board. Makers qualify each nettop model with a fixed board and BIOS, so another Atom part is not a field swap.
The BIOS must list the exact Atom D2500 string. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing basics.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
Memory support is DDR3-800 and 1066, single channel, up to 4 GB. The single channel feeds cores and graphics together at 6.4 GB/s. SODIMM slots allow service to the board maximum on some bodies.
PCI Express follows the NM10 chipset with board specific wiring. Lane counts vary by board, so no per CPU claim is made here.
Cooling uses a small heatsink sized for 10 W, often with a tiny fan. Fixed clocks need little airflow.
Upgrade paths
There is no CPU upgrade path on soldered BGA 559. The Atom D2500 cannot be removed, so a faster nettop means a new board or a new box. A threaded comparison at the same clocks is the D2550 class on the same package.
A platform move means a new low power desktop on a current package. Recycle the old nettop after wiping the drive.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Atom D2500 use?
It uses BGA 559, called FCBGA559 in ARK. List entries showing BGA 437 are wrong.
Does the Atom D2500 have Hyper-Threading?
No. Two cores give 2 threads, unlike the D2550 with 4 threads.
What memory does the Atom D2500 use?
DDR3-800 and 1066, single channel, up to 4 GB.
Can the Atom D2500 be upgraded?
No. Soldered BGA parts need a board or box replacement for more speed.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .