BGA 1090 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit
BGA 1090 is Intel ball grid array package for low power desktop system on chip processors of the Gemini Lake family. The package carries 1,090 contacts in a 25 × 24 mm footprint and solders directly to mini PC and embedded boards. Intel lists the package as FCBGA1090 in its specification pages.
Quick facts
| Maker | Intel |
|---|---|
| Package type | BGA |
| Contacts | 1,090 |
| Package size | 25 × 24 mm |
| Introduced | December 2017 |
| Status | Legacy |
| Memory | DDR4 and LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s, two channels, up to 8 GB |
| PCIe from the CPU | PCIe 2.0 with 6 lanes from the SoC |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
| Replaces | None |
| Replaced by | None |
Overview
The package arrived with Gemini Lake in December 2017 for fanless mini PCs, thin clients and embedded boards, then carried the Gemini Lake Refresh in November 2019 with higher clocks on the same boards. Core counts stay at 2 or 4 Goldmont Plus cores without multithreading. Graphics are UHD 600 with 12 execution units on Celeron parts and UHD 605 with 18 units on Pentium Silver parts.
Memory is DDR4 or LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s in two channels with an 8 GB ceiling. PCIe runs at version 2.0 with 6 lanes for storage and networking. Because the chip is soldered, processor, memory size and graphics tier are fixed when the device ships.
Processor generations
| Codename | Marketing name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini Lake | Pentium Silver and Celeron 2017 | 2017 to 2018 | Goldmont Plus SoCs with UHD 600 and 605 graphics, launched in December 2017 with parts such as J4005, J4105 and J5005 on BGA 1090. |
| Gemini Lake Refresh | Pentium Silver and Celeron 2019 | 2019 | Faster Goldmont Plus SoCs with the same graphics and package, launched in November 2019 with J4025, J4125 and J5040 on BGA 1090. |
Who BGA 1090 serves
BGA 1090 processors belong in fanless mini PCs where silence and low power beat speed: digital signage players, kiosk terminals, thin clients and home file servers. The 10 W envelope allows sealed plastic bodies without vents.
Within the family the choice runs from dual core Celeron J4025 for single task terminals through quad core Celeron J4125 for office multitasking to quad core Pentium Silver J5040 for 4K media. Graphics scale from UHD 600 to UHD 605 with the tier. Buyers who edit video or compile code need a Core based mini PC instead.
Memory and PCIe
Memory support covers DDR4 and LPDDR4 modules up to 2400 MT/s with up to 8 GB in two channels. Most shipping mini PCs fix 4 GB for cost reasons, which limits browser tab counts. The 8 GB ceiling rules out heavy virtualization.
PCIe arrives as version 2.0 with 6 lanes for a single NVMe or SATA SSD plus Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Mini PCs typically wire x2 to M.2 storage with the rest to board devices. Gigabit Ethernet plus Wi-Fi AC through the board MAC covers connectivity.
Identifying and servicing BGA 1090
Identification in Intel documents reads Sockets Supported FCBGA1090 with Package Size 25mm x 24mm. That separates BGA 1090 from Jasper Lake BGA 1338 parts at a different size. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide explains soldered package trade offs.
Service means whole device service with no cooler or processor to swap. Storage and memory modules where socketed are the only upgrades. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows where maker specs list the package.
CPUs on BGA 1090
7 processor pages in the database, newest first.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base / boost | TDP | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Celeron J4025 | 2 / 2 | 2.0 / 2.9 GHz | 10 W | Nov 2019 |
| Intel Celeron J4125 | 4 / 4 | 2.0 / 2.7 GHz | 10 W | Nov 2019 |
| Intel Pentium Silver J5040 | 4 / 4 | 2.0 / 3.2 GHz | 10 W | Nov 2019 |
| Intel Celeron J4005 | 2 / 2 | 2.0 / 2.7 GHz | 10 W | Dec 2017 |
| Intel Celeron J4105 | 4 / 4 | 1.5 / 2.5 GHz | 10 W | Dec 2017 |
| Intel Pentium Silver J5005 | 4 / 4 | 1.5 / 2.8 GHz | 10 W | Dec 2017 |
| Intel Pentium Silver N5000 | 4 / 4 | 1.1 / 2.7 GHz | 6 W | Dec 2017 |
Frequently asked questions
Can a BGA 1090 processor be replaced or upgraded?
No. The processor is soldered to the board. Upgrading means replacing the board or the whole mini PC, so choose memory and storage at order time.
What is the difference between Gemini Lake and Gemini Lake Refresh?
Gemini Lake from December 2017 covers the original J4005, J4105, J5005 and N4000 parts. Gemini Lake Refresh from November 2019 covers the faster J4025, J4125 and J5040 on the same package and boards.
What memory does BGA 1090 use?
DDR4 or LPDDR4 up to 2400 MT/s in two channels, up to 8 GB. The controller is shared across both generations.
What PCIe does BGA 1090 provide?
PCIe 2.0 with 6 lanes for NVMe, SATA and networking through the board. It is far slower than desktop PCIe 3.0 x16, which is fine for thin clients.
Sources and verification
- Intel Celeron Processor J4125 specifications (Intel)
- Intel Gemini Lake cores (WikiChip)
- Intel launches Gemini Lake SoCs (LinuxGizmos)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .