BGA 1344 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit
BGA 1344 is Intel ball grid array package for the Apple exclusive Ice Lake-U processor in the 13 inch MacBook Pro of 2020. The package carries 1,344 contacts and solders directly to the Apple logic board. The single part on this package is the quad core Core i5-1038NG7 at 2.0 GHz base and up to 3.8 GHz boost with 6 MB of cache.
Quick facts
| Maker | Intel |
|---|---|
| Package type | BGA |
| Contacts | 1,344 |
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | May 2020 |
| Status | Legacy |
| Memory | LPDDR4-3733 soldered, two channels, 8 to 32 GB |
| PCIe from the CPU | PCIe 3.0 from the CPU for internal storage and Thunderbolt |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
| Replaces | None |
| Replaced by | None |
Overview
Apple launched the four Thunderbolt 3 MacBook Pro in May 2020 with this 28 W chip and Intel Iris Plus G7 graphics with 64 execution units. Memory is soldered LPDDR4-3733 in 8, 16 and 32 GB configurations. The two Thunderbolt 3 models of the same chassis kept older Coffee Lake parts instead.
Because the package is Apple exclusive, no retail board or other laptop uses it. Standard Ice Lake-U G parts for other makers sit on different packages. The soldered design fixes processor and memory for the life of the Mac.
Processor generations
| Codename | Marketing name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Lake-U | Apple NG MacBook Pro 2020 | 2020 | Apple exclusive Sunny Cove U processor with Iris Plus G7 graphics: quad core i5-1038NG7 at 2.0 to 3.8 GHz and 28 W, launched in May 2020 on BGA 1344. |
Who BGA 1344 serves
BGA 1344 processors belong in one machine: the 13 inch MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports from mid 2020. The 28 W envelope suits a compact pro body with dual fans that sustain compiles and photo exports. Developers and photographers who needed Mac ports before Apple silicon fit here.
The single i5 option covers code builds, Lightroom catalogs and 4K timelines with proxy media. Buyers who needed more turned to the 16 inch MacBook Pro with discrete graphics or waited for Apple silicon later that year.
Memory and PCIe
Memory is soldered LPDDR4-3733 in two channels at 8, 16 or 32 GB. The 16 GB tier is the balanced pick for development with containers. Storage is internal NVMe from 512 GB to 4 TB with no post purchase slot.
PCIe 3.0 from the CPU feeds internal storage and the Thunderbolt 3 controllers, which drive up to two 4K displays or one 5K display plus eGPU enclosures where drivers allow. External graphics depend on Thunderbolt rather than an internal slot.
Identifying and servicing BGA 1344
Identification reads as the i5-1038NG7 in Intel documents and as the 2.0 GHz quad core i5 in Apple tech specs for the 13 inch MacBook Pro 2020 with four ports. Geekbench logs from that spring confirmed the NG branding before launch. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide explains the soldered trade off.
Service is Apple logic board service with no CPU or memory upgrades. Battery and display service extend the machine. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows where Apple lists processor details.
CPUs on BGA 1344
2 processor pages in the database, newest first.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base / boost | TDP | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5-1038NG7 | 4 / 8 | 2.0 / 3.8 GHz | 28 W | May 2020 |
| Intel Core i7-1068NG7 | 4 / 8 | 2.3 / 4.1 GHz | 28 W | May 2020 |
Frequently asked questions
Can a BGA 1344 processor be replaced or upgraded?
No. The processor is soldered to the logic board. Upgrading means replacing the board or the whole Mac.
What does the NG suffix mean on the i5-1038NG7?
The NG suffix marks Apple exclusive Ice Lake parts. The i5-1038NG7 is the 28 W MacBook Pro 13 inch 2020 chip with Iris Plus G7 graphics, while G suffix parts serve other makers.
What memory does BGA 1344 use?
Soldered LPDDR4-3733 in two channels. Apple offered 8, 16 and 32 GB configurations with no slots.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core i5-1038NG7 specifications (Intel)
- Apple M2 vs Intel Core i5-1038NG7 specs (CPU-Monkey)
- Geekbench confirms Core i5-1038NG7 MacBook Pro (Notebookcheck)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .