Intel Pentium Silver N5000 socket: BGA 1090
The Intel Pentium Silver N5000 uses the BGA 1090 soldered package. It is a quad core mobile Gemini Lake SoC at 6 W with burst to 2.7 GHz.
- Socket
- BGA 1090
- Launched
- December 2017
- Cores and threads
- 4 and 4
- Base power
- 6 W
- Codename
- Gemini Lake
- Segment
- Embedded
- Family
- Intel Pentium Silver
- Clocks
- 1.1 / 2.7 GHz
Intel Pentium Silver N5000 specifications
| Cores | 4 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 4 |
| Core architecture | Goldmont Plus on 14 nm |
| Clocks | 1.1 GHz base, up to 2.7 GHz burst |
| Cache | 4 MB L2 |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 6 W |
| Manufacturing process | 14 nm |
| Memory support | DDR4 and LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s, two channels, up to 8 GB |
| PCI Express | 6 lanes, PCIe 2.0 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 605 (200 MHz base, up to 750 MHz, 18 execution units) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | FCBGA1090 (25 × 24 mm, soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Pentium Silver N5000 needs a motherboard with a BGA 1090 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 1090 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 1090 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 1,090 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 25 × 24 mm |
| Introduced | December 2017 |
| Memory | DDR4 and LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s, two channels, up to 8 GB |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Pentium Silver N5000 is
The Pentium Silver N5000 is a quad core, four thread mobile system on chip from Gemini Lake. It launched in December 2017 with a 1.1 GHz base and up to 2.7 GHz burst at 6 W. Four cores in a 6 W envelope cover thin laptops, convertibles and tablets where battery life decides the design.
The low 1.1 GHz base keeps idle and video playback power down, while burst to 2.7 GHz gives short responsive peaks for taps and page loads. Scenario design power of 4.8 W describes typical tablet use below the 6 W TDP. Four megabytes of L2 cache feed schoolwork and streaming.
UHD Graphics 605 with 18 execution units from 200 MHz to 750 MHz is the step above Celeron UHD 600. Extra units help 4K playback and light photo work in fanless bodies. Hardware decode for H.265 keeps classroom video smooth.
On 14 nm the N5000 solders to thin boards with LPDDR4 for low standby. Intel marks N parts as mobile against J parts for desktop. The N5000 leads the mobile Gemini Lake stack above Celeron N4000 and N4100.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The N5000 solders to BGA 1090 in laptops and tablets. There is no socketed version and no board choice beyond the maker design. Memory and storage options are fixed per model.
Makers pair the SoC with soldered LPDDR4 and eMMC or small SSDs for sealed school laptops. Both Windows and ChromeOS style Linux images support Gemini Lake graphics. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide explains soldered mobile trade offs.
The desktop counterpart on the same silicon is the Pentium Silver Intel Pentium Silver J5005 at 10 W with higher base clocks. The Celeron Intel Celeron J4025 Refresh part is a slower desktop alternative on BGA 1090.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR4 or LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s in two channels up to 8 GB feeds the N5000. Thin laptops usually solder 4 GB, which fits classroom clouds but limits heavy tabs. LPDDR4 trims standby power for overnight sleep.
Six PCIe 2.0 lanes connect eMMC, Wi-Fi and card readers through the board. Speeds suit school files and streaming caches. NVMe options are rare in N5000 bodies, since eMMC keeps cost down.
Cooling is passive with a spreader to the case back. Six watts need no fan, so lessons run silent. Battery and display swaps are the main service items.
Upgrade paths
No processor change is possible on soldered BGA 1090. The N5000 stays with its laptop for life. Families extend use with storage cleaning and OS updates rather than hardware swaps.
Inside Gemini Lake the sideways move is the desktop Intel Pentium Silver J5005 for higher sustained clocks in a mini PC. Past that tier a Core m or Core i laptop means a new machine with more memory and faster storage.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Pentium Silver N5000 use?
It uses the BGA 1090 soldered package.
How many cores does the N5000 have?
Four cores with four threads at 1.1 GHz base and up to 2.7 GHz burst.
What graphics are in the N5000?
Intel UHD Graphics 605 with 18 execution units up to 750 MHz.
What is the TDP of the N5000?
6 W TDP with 4.8 W scenario design power for tablet use.
When did the N5000 launch?
December 2017 with the Gemini Lake mobile SoCs.
Sources and verification
- Intel Pentium Silver N5000 specifications (Intel)
- Six Intel Gemini Lake processors launched (CNX Software)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .