Intel Atom D2550 socket: BGA 559
The Intel Atom D2550 uses the BGA 559 package. It is a soldered 10 W dual core Cedarview part at 1.86 GHz with Hyper-Threading for nettops.
- Socket
- BGA 559
- Launched
- January 2012
- Cores and threads
- 2 and 4
- Base power
- 10 W
- Codename
- Cedarview
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Atom
- Clocks
- 1.86 GHz
Intel Atom D2550 specifications
| Cores | 2 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 4 |
| 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 3650 (640 MHz) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | FCBGA559 (22.0 × 22.0 mm, soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Atom D2550 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 D2550 is
Intel Atom D2550 is a dual core Cedarview desktop processor that Intel released in the first quarter of 2012 for nettops with soldered boards. 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, and Hyper-Threading turns two cores into 4 threads. Power is 10 W. Graphics come from Intel GMA 3650 at a fixed 640 MHz. The list entry placing it on BGA 437 is wrong; ARK specifies FCBGA559, and the January 2012 retail timing differs from the November 2011 database date.
Hyper-Threading plus faster graphics separate it from the D2500 at the same clocks and power. Four threads cover office multitasking while the 640 MHz block smooths video playback. The single channel DDR3 controller takes 800 or 1066 MT/s modules for up to 4 GB.
Nettops pair it with 2 GB to 4 GB of DDR3 and small drives. Fixed clocks keep fleet behavior steady. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the package.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The Atom D2550 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 D2550 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 the faster graphics block together.
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. Fixed clocks need little airflow.
Upgrade paths
There is no CPU upgrade path on soldered BGA 559. The Atom D2550 cannot be removed, so a faster nettop means a new board or a new box. A slower comparison at the same clocks without threading is Intel Atom D2500.
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 D2550 use?
It uses BGA 559, called FCBGA559 in ARK. List entries showing BGA 437 are wrong.
How is the Atom D2550 different from the D2500?
It adds Hyper-Threading for 4 threads and GMA 3650 graphics at 640 MHz, at the same clocks and power.
What memory does the Atom D2550 use?
DDR3-800 and 1066, single channel, up to 4 GB.
Can the Atom D2550 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 .