Intel Core i3-8140U socket: BGA 1528
The Intel Core i3-8140U uses BGA 1528, a soldered package for Coffee Lake-U thin laptops. The dual core 15 W chip cannot be replaced.
- Socket
- BGA 1528
- Launched
- October 2019
- Cores and threads
- 2 and 4
- Base power
- 15 W
- Codename
- Coffee Lake-U
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Core i3
- Clocks
- 2.1 / 3.9 GHz
Intel Core i3-8140U specifications
| Cores | 2 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 4 |
| Core architecture | Skylake based cores on 14 nm |
| Clocks | 2.1 GHz base, up to 3.9 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 |
| Cache | 4 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 15 W |
| Configurable TDP | 10 W down (800 MHz), 25 W up (2.3 GHz) |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Memory support | DDR4-2400 and LPDDR3-2133, two channels, up to 64 GB |
| PCI Express | 16 lanes from the CPU, PCIe 3.0 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 (300 MHz base, up to 1.0 GHz) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| ECC memory | Not supported |
| Package | FCBGA1528 (46 by 24 mm, soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Core i3-8140U needs a motherboard with a BGA 1528 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 1528 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
Recommended GPU pairing
| Recommended tier | Entry 1080p laptop (2019 era) |
|---|---|
| Example GPUs | GeForce MX130, GeForce MX150 Laptop |
| Target resolution | 1080p high settings (internal display) |
Two cores with four threads, PCIe 3.0 with 16 lanes, DDR4-2400 memory, and late 2019 launch timing suit entry 1080p laptop graphics from 2019. The GPU cannot be changed in most chassis. A faster external GPU still works through Thunderbolt, but the internal balance shifts with game, settings, and resolution.
This is a rough match for a new build at the stated resolution, not a limit. A faster card still works and helps at higher resolutions or in games that load the GPU more than the CPU. A slower card is fine for lighter games and office use. The exact balance shifts with the game, the settings and the resolution, so no percentage is given.
BGA 1528 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 1,528 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 46 × 24 mm |
| Introduced | August 2018 |
| Memory | DDR4-2133 to DDR4-2666, LPDDR3-1866 and LPDDR3-2133 plus LPDDR4-2933, two channels, up to 64 GB |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Core i3-8140U is
The Core i3-8140U is a dual core, four thread Coffee Lake-U processor for thin laptops. It arrived in the fourth quarter of 2019 with a 2.1 GHz base and up to 3.9 GHz boost at 15 W. Hyper-Threading doubles its two cores to four threads for office work and study with smooth task switching.
Four megabytes of Smart Cache cover documents, video calls and browser tab sets. The 2.1 GHz base tops Whiskey Lake-U i3 parts, while the 3.9 GHz boost matches them for bursts and app loads. Configurable TDP from 10 W to 25 W lets makers tune silent bodies or faster thin clamshells.
UHD Graphics 620 with 300 MHz base and up to 1.0 GHz burst drives the internal panel for everyday use. There is no discrete GPU in most 8140U designs, so 3D stays light and external GPUs need Thunderbolt. Two cores with four threads form the value thin standard for late 2019 fleets.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 8140U is soldered to BGA 1528 at 46 by 24 mm and cannot be replaced. Intel lists FCBGA1528 for this SKU, so it belongs in BGA 1528 even where queue rows read BGA 1526. Laptop boards define memory type and ports for the life of the machine with no swap path.
Value thin lines pair the chip with low cost boards and NVMe storage for school and office fleets. Memory is SODIMM slots on serviceable bodies or soldered LPDDR on thinner ones for lightness. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows where maker specs list the package line.
BGA 1440 performance boards and LGA desktop boards cannot host the chip. The low power ball map and firmware are unique to BGA 1528 thin designs, and power delivery targets 15 W rather than 45 W. Board replacement through the laptop maker is the only path when the soldered chip fails.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR4-2400 SODIMMs plus LPDDR3-2133 soldered options cover this i3 SKU, with up to 64 GB in two channels. Classroom builds ship 4 GB or 8 GB with room to grow where slots exist. Dual channel mode helps graphics and calls on shared memory bandwidth. Schools choose slots for growth or soldered builds for thinness. Dual channel checks at setup avoid lopsided installs.
Sixteen PCIe 3.0 lanes wire as x4 and x2 combinations for NVMe SSDs and board devices. Thin 8140U designs typically give x4 to a single SSD for fast boot and search. Thunderbolt on premium bodies adds docks through separate controllers for desk setups.
Cooling is a single heat pipe and fan for 15 W, silent at idle and soft under class loads. The 10 W down mode at 800 MHz suits sealed bodies, while 25 W up at 2.3 GHz serves performance profiles with more noise. Service is fan cleaning per maker guide, never a cooler swap.
Upgrade paths
Soldered BGA leaves no CPU path for the life of the laptop. Memory to 8 GB or 16 GB and a larger NVMe SSD are the practical upgrades that lift boot and tab capacity. Battery service restores travel time for student machines with aging cells. Track batteries each term and plan swaps before exams. Clean installs yearly keep the threaded value feeling quick.
A laptop change to a 4-core Coffee Lake-U such as Core i5-8260U doubles cores in the same BGA 1528 family. The business Intel Core i7-10610U shows the Comet Lake-U step for newer thin fleets with DDR4-2666 support. Compare class software loads before choosing between value and Core tiers.
For value buyers, threaded duty matters more than peak boost. The four threads of the 8140U keep calls smooth beside documents, which fixed dual thread Celerons cannot match during busy school days. Keep images lean so the late 2019 platform stays responsive for years.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core i3-8140U use?
It uses BGA 1528 soldered to the thin laptop board. The dual core 15 W chip cannot be replaced.
Does the 8140U support Hyper-Threading?
Yes, two cores with four threads through Hyper-Threading for office multitasking and study workloads.
What memory fits 8140U laptops?
DDR4-2400 or LPDDR3-2133 in two channels up to 64 GB. ECC is not supported on this mobile SKU.
When did the 8140U launch?
Fourth quarter of 2019 as a late Coffee Lake-U value thin part for schools and offices.
Is the 8140U 15 W or 25 W?
15 W base with 25 W cTDP up and 10 W cTDP down per maker tuning and chassis limits.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core i3-8140U specifications (Intel)
- Coffee Lake (Wikipedia, 8140U 2.1/3.9 UHD 620 mobile list)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .