BGA 441 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit
BGA 441 is Intel soldered ball grid array package for the Atom Z5xx Silverthorne handheld family. It carries 441 balls for Bonnell single core SoCs with Hyper-Threading. TechPowerUp lists the Z560 covered here with BGA 441 as the socket and June 2010 as the launch date at 2.133 GHz and 2 W.
Quick facts
| Maker | Intel |
|---|---|
| Package type | BGA |
| Contacts | 441 |
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | April 2008 |
| Status | Legacy |
| Memory | DDR2 single channel via the Poulsbo companion |
| PCIe from the CPU | No PCIe from the CPU; expansion from the Poulsbo companion |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
| Replaces | Stealey |
| Replaced by | None |
Overview
The package pairs a Bonnell core with two threads, 512 KB of L2 cache and a 533 MHz front side bus to the Poulsbo System Controller Hub, which carries graphics, memory and I/O. That split suits mobile internet devices and early smartphones where a 2 W processor envelope matters more than speed. Hardware virtualization is available on the Z560, which helps virtual machine use.
Like every soldered Intel BGA package, BGA 441 trades replacement for integration. The chip cannot be swapped, cooling is part of the board design, and Lincroft on BGA 518 later moved most functions on die instead.
Processor generations
| Codename | Marketing name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silverthorne | Atom Z5xx series | 2008 to 2010 | Bonnell single core handheld SoCs with Hyper-Threading, 512 KB of L2 cache and Poulsbo graphics, from 800 MHz parts to the 2.133 GHz Z560 at 2 W from June 2010. |
A soldered package for handhelds
BGA 441 follows the same rule as every BGA package on this site: the processor is soldered once at the factory and stays with the board for life. A handheld designer qualifies one SKU for the whole production run. Intel marks the Z5xx parts as mobile with tray supply.
The package choice shapes the board because the CPU needs its Poulsbo companion for graphics, memory and I/O. Compatibility depends on firmware, so a board revision needs a BIOS that knows the exact sSpec stepping such as SLH63 on the Z560.
Memory, expansion and cooling
Memory on BGA 441 runs through the Poulsbo companion in single channel DDR2. The board fixes the memory type and size, so check the vendor design before committing. ECC is not part of these SKUs.
Expansion and display also hang off Poulsbo, with GMA500 class graphics on the companion rather than the CPU. Boards that need more than the companion offers cannot add lanes, so the block diagram of the exact board decides real expansion.
Cooling has no retail answer on BGA 441. The 2 W envelope suits passive spreaders in sealed handhelds, and mounting follows the board maker specification.
CPUs on BGA 441
8 processor pages in the database, newest first.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base / boost | TDP | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Atom Z560 | 1 / 2 | 2.13 GHz | 2 W | Jun 2010 |
| Intel Atom Z515 | 1 / 1 | 0.8 / 1.2 GHz | 1.4 W | Apr 2009 |
| Intel Atom Z550 | 1 / 2 | 2.0 GHz | 2.4 W | Apr 2009 |
| Intel Atom Z500 | 1 / 1 | 0.8 GHz | 0.65 W | Apr 2008 |
| Intel Atom Z510 | 1 / 1 | 1.1 GHz | 2 W | Apr 2008 |
| Intel Atom Z520 | 1 / 2 | 1.33 GHz | 2 W | Apr 2008 |
| Intel Atom Z530 | 1 / 2 | 1.6 GHz | 2 W | Apr 2008 |
| Intel Atom Z540 | 1 / 2 | 1.86 GHz | 2.4 W | Apr 2008 |
Frequently asked questions
Can a BGA 441 processor be replaced or upgraded?
No. The processor is soldered to the board in the PBGA441 package. Upgrading means replacing the board or module.
Which processors fit BGA 441?
Atom Z5xx Silverthorne parts, including the 2.133 GHz Z560 at 2 W covered here with Hyper-Threading and VT-x. Slower parts reach down to 800 MHz at below 1 W.
What memory does BGA 441 use?
DDR2 single channel through the Poulsbo System Controller Hub companion. The board design fixes the memory, so check the vendor design.
What expansion does BGA 441 provide?
No lanes come from the CPU. Expansion and display run through the Poulsbo companion, so the board diagram decides real options.
Sources and verification
- Intel Atom Z560 Specs (TechPowerUp)
- Intel Atom Z5xx Series Datasheet
- Intel Atom CPU Review (Toms Hardware)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .