Intel Pentium 957 socket: BGA 1023
The Intel Pentium 957 uses the BGA 1023 package. It is a soldered 17 W dual core Sandy Bridge part at 1.2 GHz and cannot be replaced.
- Socket
- BGA 1023
- Launched
- June 2011
- Cores and threads
- 2 and 2
- Base power
- 17 W
- Codename
- Sandy Bridge
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Pentium
- Clocks
- 1.2 GHz
Intel Pentium 957 specifications
| Cores | 2 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 2 |
| Core architecture | Sandy Bridge cores on 32 nm |
| Clocks | 1.2 GHz (no turbo) |
| Cache | 2 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 17 W |
| Manufacturing process | 32 nm |
| Memory support | DDR3-1066 and 1333, two channels, up to 16 GB |
| PCI Express | PCIe lanes from the CPU (layout varies by board design) |
| Integrated graphics | Intel HD Graphics |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | BGA 1023 (FCBGA, 1023 balls, 31 × 24 mm, soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Pentium 957 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 Pentium 957 is
Intel Pentium 957 is a dual core Sandy Bridge mobile processor that Intel released in June 2011 for soldered thin laptops. It runs at a fixed 1.2 GHz with no turbo and no Hyper-Threading, so 2 cores give 2 threads. Cache is 2 MB Intel Smart Cache. Power is 17 W on a 32 nm process.
Pentium branding sits above Celeron in features while keeping the same low power envelope. Office work and browsing run smoothly at 1.2 GHz. The chip suits thin bodies where a socketed part cannot fit.
Graphics are Intel HD Graphics for Sandy Bridge. The block drives laptop panels and external monitors through board outputs. The memory controller takes DDR3 at 1066 or 1333 MT/s.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The Pentium 957 solders to BGA 1023 with 1,023 balls in a 31 by 24 mm footprint and cannot be moved. Laptop makers qualify each model with a fixed board and BIOS. A different soldered number is not a field swap.
The BIOS must list the exact Pentium 957 string. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide explains why maker lists outrank chipset names for soldered parts.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
Memory support is DDR3-1066 and 1333, two channels, up to 16 GB. Thin chassis often fix capacity at purchase, so confirm slots before planning an upgrade. ECC is not supported.
PCI Express lanes come from the CPU for wireless and storage. Lane wiring varies by laptop design.
Cooling is a slim 17 W fan assembly. Cleaning vents holds the fixed 1.2 GHz behavior in warm rooms.
Upgrade paths
There is no CPU upgrade path on soldered BGA 1023. The Pentium 957 cannot be removed, so more speed means a new board or a new laptop. A nearby soldered dual at higher clocks is the 967 class.
For a running 957 laptop the practical steps are an SSD and extra RAM where slots exist. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the package before spending on parts.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Pentium 957 use?
It uses BGA 1023, a soldered package. The chip cannot be removed.
Does the Pentium 957 have Hyper-Threading?
No. Two cores give 2 threads at a fixed 1.2 GHz.
What memory does the Pentium 957 use?
DDR3-1066 and 1333, two channels, up to 16 GB.
Can the Pentium 957 be upgraded?
No. A faster thin laptop means a new board or a new device.
Sources and verification
- Sandy Bridge (Wikipedia, Pentium 957 2 cores 1.2 GHz 800 MHz graphics 2011-06-19 BGA1023)
- BGA1023 CPU list (dmcpu, Pentium 957 1.2 GHz 2/2 Q2/2011)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .