BGA 951 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit
BGA 951 is Intel soldered ball grid array package for the Atom CE4100 Sodaville media family. It carries 951 balls in a 27 mm FCBGA package for Bonnell based media SoCs. Intel unveiled the CE4100 on September 24, 2009 at up to 1.2 GHz for connected TVs and set top boxes.
Quick facts
| Maker | Intel |
|---|---|
| Package type | BGA |
| Contacts | 951 |
| Package size | 27 × 27 mm |
| Introduced | September 2009 |
| Status | Legacy |
| Memory | DDR2 up to 800 MT/s and DDR3 up to 1333 MT/s, two 32-bit channels |
| PCIe from the CPU | No CPU PCIe lanes; board I/O (SATA, USB) from the SoC |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
| Replaces | BGA 518 |
| Replaced by | None |
Overview
The package pairs an Atom core with 512 KB of L2 cache, GMA500 class 2D and 3D graphics, dual 1080p decode engines, a NAND controller and SATA with USB 2.0. Memory runs on two 32-bit channels with DDR2 up to 800 MT/s or DDR3 up to 1333 MT/s. That mix suits TV widgets, IPTV boxes and media players where video blocks matter more than CPU speed.
Like every soldered Intel BGA package, BGA 951 trades replacement for integration. The chip cannot be swapped and cooling is part of the board design for the 7 W envelope.
Processor generations
| Codename | Marketing name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodaville | Atom CE4100 series | 2009 | Bonnell based media SoCs with 512 KB of L2 cache, GMA500 class graphics and dual 1080p decode, including the 1.2 GHz CE4100 at 7 W from September 2009. |
A soldered package for media boards
BGA 951 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 TV or box maker qualifies one SKU for the whole production run. Intel marks the CE4100 parts as embedded with tray supply.
The package choice shapes the board because video, NAND and display paths are fixed per design. Compatibility depends on firmware, so a board revision needs software that knows the Sodaville stepping and the media blocks.
Memory, expansion and cooling
Memory on BGA 951 runs on two 32-bit channels with DDR2 up to 800 MT/s or DDR3 up to 1333 MT/s. The board fixes the type, so check the vendor design before committing. ECC is not part of this SKU.
Expansion comes from the SoC blocks: SATA-300, USB 2.0, NAND with boot support and display outputs. Boards that need more than the SoC offers cannot add lanes, so the block diagram of the exact board decides real expansion.
Cooling has no retail answer on BGA 951. The 7 W envelope suits passive spreaders in sealed media boxes, and mounting follows the board maker specification.
CPUs on BGA 951
3 processor pages in the database, newest first.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base / boost | TDP | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Atom CE4100 | 1 / 1 | 1.2 GHz | 7 W | Sep 2009 |
| Intel Atom CE4130 | 1 / 1 | 1.2 GHz | 7 W | Sep 2009 |
| Intel Atom CE4150 | 1 / 1 | 1.2 GHz | 7 W | Sep 2009 |
Frequently asked questions
Can a BGA 951 processor be replaced or upgraded?
No. The processor is soldered to the board in the 951-ball FCBGA package. Upgrading means replacing the board or module.
Which processors fit BGA 951?
Atom CE4100 Sodaville media SoCs, including the 1.2 GHz CE4100 at 7 W covered here with 512 KB of L2 cache, GMA500 class graphics and dual 1080p decode.
What memory does BGA 951 use?
DDR2 up to 800 MT/s and DDR3 up to 1333 MT/s on two 32-bit channels. The board design fixes the memory.
What expansion does BGA 951 provide?
No CPU PCIe lanes are claimed here. Board I/O such as SATA-300 and USB 2.0 comes from the SoC, so the board diagram decides real expansion.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .