BGA 1224 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit
BGA 1224, also called FCBGA1224, is the Intel soldered package for Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge mobile quad core parts. It carries 1,224 balls in a 31.0 × 24.0 mm footprint and solders directly to the board. Intel introduced it in January 2011 with Sandy Bridge quads such as the Core i7-2635QM, and added Ivy Bridge quads such as the Core i7-3612QM and Core i7-3615QM in April 2012.
Quick facts
| Maker | Intel |
|---|---|
| Package type | BGA |
| Contacts | 1,224 |
| Package size | 31.0 × 24.0 mm |
| Introduced | January 2011 |
| Status | Legacy |
| Memory | DDR3 and DDR3L, two channels, 1333 to 1600 MT/s |
| PCIe from the CPU | PCIe 2.0 with Sandy Bridge and 3.0 with Ivy Bridge, 16 lanes (layout varies by board design) |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
| Replaces | None |
| Replaced by | None |
Overview
The package covers 35 W and 45 W quad core parts with HD Graphics 3000 on Sandy Bridge and HD Graphics 4000 on Ivy Bridge for performance laptops of the period. Because the chip is soldered, makers qualify each model with a specific board and BIOS, and a later swap is impossible outside factory rework. Socketed twins of some SKUs use Socket G2 instead, with a larger 37.5 × 37.5 mm pin grid.
Later Intel mobile quads moved to newer BGA packages with DDR4 memory. BGA 1224 boards are therefore used or old stock. Memory type, display wiring and power limits follow the laptop design rather than the package name.
Processor generations
| Codename | Marketing name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Bridge | 2nd Gen Core mobile QM | 2011 to 2012 | Soldered Sandy Bridge mobile quad parts including the 2635QM and 2675QM, launched in 2011 with DDR3-1333 support. |
| Ivy Bridge | 3rd Gen Core mobile QM | 2012 to 2013 | Soldered Ivy Bridge mobile quad parts including the 3612QM, 3615QM and 3632QM, launched in 2012 with DDR3-1600 support. |
Soldered quad package
BGA 1224 processors solder with 1,224 balls and cannot be removed or replaced in the field. There is no lever, no pin grid and no retail cooler mount. Thermal design uses the laptop heatsink sized for 35 W or 45 W, with shared pipes for the CPU and any discrete GPU where fitted.
Because the chip cannot be swapped, the check before buying a used BGA 1224 laptop is the whole system. Fan noise, battery health, screen condition and SSD size matter more than small differences between quad models. A board replacement is the only CPU path, and it rarely pays against a newer laptop.
Memory and I/O
BGA 1224 designs use DDR3 and DDR3L SODIMMs in two channels, commonly at 1333 or 1600 MT/s for up to 32 GB. Two matched modules give the rated 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, which feeds both the four cores and the HD Graphics 4000 block that shares system RAM. Many thin quad bodies solder part of the memory, so capacity can lock at purchase.
PCI Express is 3.0 with 16 lanes from the CPU, split by the board as 1x16, 2x8 or 1x8 plus 2x4 for discrete graphics, Wi-Fi and storage. Performance laptops of 2012 often paired the quad with a discrete GPU over those lanes, while the integrated block handled the internal panel when switching saved power.
Platform lifecycle
BGA 1224 belongs to the Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge mobile generations of 2011 to 2013. Intel later moved performance mobile to Haswell and newer BGA packages with different ball counts and DDR4 memory. New BGA 1224 boards are not current retail, so working systems are used stock.
For a running laptop the useful work is maintenance: clean fans, renew paste where the design allows service, and fit an SSD and enough RAM. A platform move means a new laptop on a current package. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the package before ordering parts.
CPUs on BGA 1224
4 processor pages in the database, newest first.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base / boost | TDP | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-3635QM | 4 / 8 | 2.4 / 3.4 GHz | 45 W | Sep 2012 |
| Intel Core i7-3615QM | 4 / 8 | 2.3 / 3.3 GHz | 45 W | Apr 2012 |
| Intel Core i7-2675QM | 4 / 8 | 2.2 / 3.1 GHz | 45 W | Oct 2011 |
| Intel Core i7-2635QM | 4 / 8 | 2.0 / 2.9 GHz | 45 W | Jan 2011 |
Frequently asked questions
Can a BGA 1224 processor be replaced or upgraded?
No. The chip solders with 1,224 balls. A faster laptop means a new board or a new device.
Which processors fit BGA 1224?
Sandy Bridge mobile quads such as the 2635QM and 2675QM plus Ivy Bridge quads such as the 3612QM, 3615QM and 3632QM in FCBGA1224 form. Socketed twins of some SKUs use Socket G2 instead.
What memory does BGA 1224 use?
DDR3 and DDR3L SODIMMs in two channels, 1333 to 1600 MT/s, up to 32 GB. Two matched modules help the shared graphics block.
What is the difference between BGA 1224 and Socket G2?
BGA 1224 at 31.0 by 24.0 mm solders quad parts that cannot be replaced. Socket G2 at 37.5 by 37.5 mm carries socketed M, QM and MX parts that can be serviced where the laptop allows access.
Sources and verification
- Sandy Bridge (Wikipedia, mobile quad list with BGA-1224)
- Intel Core i7-3615QM Specifications (ARK, FCBGA1224)
- Intel Core i7-3612QM BGA Specifications (ARK, FCBGA1224)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .