Intel Core i3-3217U socket: BGA 1023
The Intel Core i3-3217U uses the BGA 1023 package. It is a soldered 17 W Ivy Bridge part with Hyper-Threading at 1.8 GHz.
- Socket
- BGA 1023
- Launched
- June 2012
- Cores and threads
- 2 and 4
- Base power
- 17 W
- Codename
- Ivy Bridge
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Core i3
- Clocks
- 1.8 GHz
Intel Core i3-3217U specifications
| Cores | 2 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 4 |
| Core architecture | Ivy Bridge cores on 32 nm |
| Clocks | 1.8 GHz (no turbo) |
| Cache | 3 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 17 W |
| Manufacturing process | 32 nm |
| Memory support | DDR3-1333 and 1600, two channels, up to 32 GB |
| PCI Express | PCIe lanes from the CPU (layout varies by board design) |
| Integrated graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4000 (350 MHz to 1050 MHz) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | BGA 1023 (FCBGA, 1023 balls, 31 × 24 mm, soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Core i3-3217U needs a motherboard with a BGA 1023 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 1023 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 1023 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 1,023 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 31 × 24 mm |
| Introduced | January 2011 |
| Memory | DDR3 and DDR3L, two channels, 1066 to 1600 MT/s |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Core i3-3217U is
Intel Core i3-3217U is a dual core Ivy Bridge mobile part that Intel released in June 2012 for thin laptops with soldered boards. It uses the Ivy Bridge core design on a 22 nm process, running at 1.8 GHz with no turbo. The cache is 3 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3). Power is 17 W. Graphics come from Intel HD Graphics 4000 (350 MHz to 1050 MHz).
The two cores carry Hyper-Threading for 4 threads. The graphics block covers office work and video without a separate chip. The package integrates the dual channel memory controller on die.
At 17 W the Core i3-3217U belongs to the mobile BGA1023 group. The fixed 1.8 GHz clock suits web, office and classroom work. Laptops pair it with soldered memory in thin bodies. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the package before ordering parts.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The Core i3-3217U solders to BGA 1023 with 1,023 balls in a 31 by 24 mm footprint and cannot be moved to another board. Laptop makers qualify each model with a specific board and BIOS, so even another BGA1023 part is not a drop in upgrade.
Power and firmware decide service results. The 17 W envelope sizes the heatsink, and the board BIOS must list the exact Core i3-3217U string. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide notes that soldered parts have no desktop mount pattern. Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works covers Intel pairing basics.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
Memory support is ddr3-1333 and 1600, two channels, up to 32 gb. Capacity limits follow the board or carrier design.
PCI Express lanes come from the CPU with a layout that varies by board design. Most boards in this class keep the graphics path internal and devote lanes to SATA storage and wireless. There is no graphics card slot to consider.
Cooling uses the system heatsink sized for 17 W. Repaste helps only where the design permits service.
Upgrade paths
There is no CPU upgrade path on soldered BGA 1023. The Core i3-3217U cannot be removed, so a faster part means a new board or a new laptop. Within the family Intel Celeron 1020E shows another BGA1023 option, but boards and firmware rarely mix across makers.
A platform move means a new laptop. Current Intel low power lives on newer BGA packages with DDR3L or DDR4 and current OS support, which no BGA 1023 board can reach. Recycle the old unit through a proper e waste path once data is wiped.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core i3-3217U use?
It uses BGA 1023, a soldered BGA package with 1,023 balls. The chip cannot be removed.
Can the Core i3-3217U be upgraded?
No. The chip is soldered to the board. An upgrade means replacing the board or the whole laptop.
What memory does the Core i3-3217U use?
DDR3-1333 and 1600, two channels, up to 32 GB.
Does the Core i3-3217U have turbo?
No. It runs at a fixed 1.8 GHz clock.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .