Socket Geek

Socket G2 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit

Socket G2, also called rPGA 988B, is the Intel socketed package for Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge mobile processors. It carries 988 contacts in a reduced pitch pin grid array with a cam actuated retention mechanism, in a 37.5 by 37.5 mm footprint. Intel introduced it in January 2011 with Sandy Bridge mobile, followed by Ivy Bridge in 2012 with DDR3L-1600 support.

Quick facts

MakerIntel
Package typerPGA
Contacts988
Package size37.5 × 37.5 mm
IntroducedJanuary 2011
StatusLegacy
MemoryDDR3 and DDR3L, two channels, 1066 to 1600 MT/s
PCIe from the CPUPCIe 2.0 on Sandy Bridge, PCIe 3.0 on Ivy Bridge (lane layout varies by board design)
Cooler mounting holesBoard specific (laptop heatsink)
ReplacesSocket G1
Replaced bySocket G3

Overview

The socket carries dual core M parts at 35 W, quad core QM parts at 45 W, and unlocked Extreme XM and MX parts at 55 to 57 W. Because the chip is socketed, a qualified replacement can be fitted without soldering, subject to BIOS support and physical access. A few desktop boards use the socket, but nearly all installations are laptops.

Later mobile processors moved to Socket G3 for Haswell with 946 contacts, then to soldered BGA packages. G2 boards are therefore used or old stock. Memory type, display outputs and power limits follow the laptop design rather than the socket name.

Processor generations

CodenameMarketing nameYearsNotes
Sandy Bridge2nd Gen Core mobile M, QM and XM2011 to 2012Socketed Sandy Bridge mobile from dual core M at 35 W through quad QM at 45 W to Extreme XM at 55 W, launched in January 2011.
Ivy Bridge3rd Gen Core mobile M, QM and MX2012 to 2013Socketed Ivy Bridge mobile including Celeron 1000M and 1020M plus Core M, QM and MX parts, launched in 2012 with DDR3L-1600 support.

Socketed laptop package

Socket G2 uses a 988-contact reduced pitch pin grid array with pins arranged in a 35 by 36 grid and an 18 by 15 void in the center. The processor carries the pins and locks with a cam mechanism, which suits repair and qualified upgrades. This differs from BGA1023, where some of the same embedded silicon is soldered and cannot be removed.

In practice replacement depends on access and firmware. Many laptops mount the socket under the keyboard or under a full cooling assembly, so the service manual decides the labor. The board BIOS must list the exact model, since Sandy and Ivy Bridge share the socket but differ in memory support. A like for like swap is the safe case.

Memory and I/O

Socket G2 designs use DDR3 SODIMM memory in two slots, 1066 to 1333 MT/s on Sandy Bridge and 1066 to 1600 MT/s on Ivy Bridge. Two matched modules help the HD Graphics block that shares system RAM. Capacity limits follow the laptop board, often 16 GB across two slots.

PCI Express is PCIe 2.0 from Sandy Bridge CPUs and PCIe 3.0 from Ivy Bridge CPUs, with a layout that varies by board. Most laptops wire graphics to a discrete option or the integrated block and devote lanes to SATA storage and wireless. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers Intel pairing rules.

Platform lifecycle

Socket G2 covers Sandy Bridge from January 2011 and Ivy Bridge from 2012. Intel moved mobile to Socket G3 for Haswell in 2013 with a different pin count, so no new G2 parts followed. Compatible laptops and spare chips are used or old stock.

For a working Socket G2 laptop the practical path is maintenance: fresh thermal paste, clean fans, an SSD where the board allows, and a memory pair that matches. A platform move means a new laptop on a current BGA package with DDR4 or newer memory. The How to find your CPU socket type guide explains how to confirm the socket before ordering parts.

CPUs on Socket G2

65 processor pages in the database, newest first.

ProcessorCores / threadsBase / boostTDPLaunched
Intel Celeron 1000M2 / 21.8 GHz35 WJan 2013
Intel Celeron 1020M2 / 22.1 GHz35 WJan 2013
Intel Core i3-3130M2 / 42.6 GHz35 WJan 2013
Intel Core i5-3230M2 / 42.6 / 3.2 GHz35 WJan 2013
Intel Core i5-3340M2 / 42.7 / 3.4 GHz35 WJan 2013
Intel Core i5-3380M2 / 42.9 / 3.6 GHz35 WJan 2013
Intel Core i7-3540M2 / 43.0 / 3.7 GHz35 WJan 2013
Intel Pentium 2030M2 / 22.5 GHz35 WJan 2013
Intel Core i7-3632QM4 / 82.2 / 3.2 GHz35 WOct 2012
Intel Celeron B8302 / 21.8 GHz35 WSep 2012
Intel Core i3-2328M2 / 42.2 GHz35 WSep 2012
Intel Core i3-3120M2 / 42.5 GHz35 WSep 2012
Intel Core i7-3630QM4 / 82.4 / 3.4 GHz45 WSep 2012
Intel Core i7-3740QM4 / 82.7 / 3.7 GHz45 WSep 2012
Intel Core i7-3840QM4 / 82.8 / 3.8 GHz45 WSep 2012
Intel Core i7-3940XM4 / 83.0 / 3.9 GHz55 WSep 2012
Intel Pentium 2020M2 / 22.4 GHz35 WSep 2012
Intel Pentium B9802 / 22.4 GHz35 WSep 2012
Intel Celeron B7301 / 21.8 GHz35 WJul 2012
Intel Celeron B8202 / 21.7 GHz35 WJul 2012
Intel Core i3-3110M2 / 42.4 GHz35 WJun 2012
Intel Core i5-3210M2 / 42.5 / 3.1 GHz35 WJun 2012
Intel Core i5-3320M2 / 42.6 / 3.3 GHz35 WJun 2012
Intel Core i5-3360M2 / 42.8 / 3.5 GHz35 WJun 2012
Intel Core i5-3610ME2 / 42.7 / 3.3 GHz35 WJun 2012
Intel Core i7-3520M2 / 42.9 / 3.6 GHz35 WJun 2012
Intel Core i7-3610QE4 / 82.3 / 3.3 GHz45 WApr 2012
Intel Core i7-3610QM4 / 82.3 / 3.3 GHz45 WApr 2012
Intel Core i7-3612QM4 / 82.1 / 3.1 GHz35 WApr 2012
Intel Core i7-3720QM4 / 82.6 / 3.6 GHz45 WApr 2012
Intel Core i7-3820QM4 / 82.7 / 3.7 GHz45 WApr 2012
Intel Core i7-3920XM4 / 82.9 / 3.8 GHz55 WApr 2012
Intel Celeron B7201 / 11.7 GHz35 WJan 2012
Intel Celeron B8152 / 21.6 GHz35 WJan 2012
Intel Core i3-2370M2 / 42.4 GHz35 WJan 2012
Intel Core i5-2450M2 / 42.5 / 3.1 GHz35 WJan 2012
Intel Pentium B9702 / 22.3 GHz35 WJan 2012
Intel Core i3-2350M2 / 42.3 GHz35 WOct 2011
Intel Core i5-2430M2 / 42.4 / 3.0 GHz35 WOct 2011
Intel Core i7-2670QM4 / 82.2 / 3.1 GHz45 WOct 2011
Intel Pentium B9602 / 22.2 GHz35 WOct 2011
Intel Core i3-2332M2 / 42.2 GHz35 WSep 2011
Intel Core i5-2435M2 / 42.4 / 3.0 GHz35 WSep 2011
Intel Core i7-2760QM4 / 82.4 / 3.5 GHz45 WSep 2011
Intel Core i7-2860QM4 / 82.5 / 3.6 GHz45 WSep 2011
Intel Core i7-2960XM4 / 82.7 / 3.7 GHz55 WSep 2011
Intel Celeron B8402 / 21.9 GHz35 WJul 2011
Intel Celeron B7101 / 11.6 GHz35 WJun 2011
Intel Celeron B8002 / 21.5 GHz35 WJun 2011
Intel Core i3-2330E2 / 42.2 GHz35 WJun 2011
Intel Core i3-2330M2 / 42.2 GHz35 WJun 2011
Intel Pentium B9402 / 22.0 GHz35 WJun 2011
Intel Pentium B9502 / 22.1 GHz35 WJun 2011
Intel Celeron B8102 / 21.6 GHz35 WMar 2011
Intel Core i3-2310M2 / 42.1 GHz35 WFeb 2011
Intel Core i5-2410M2 / 42.3 / 2.9 GHz35 WFeb 2011
Intel Core i5-2510E2 / 42.5 / 3.1 GHz35 WFeb 2011
Intel Core i5-2520M2 / 42.5 / 3.2 GHz35 WFeb 2011
Intel Core i5-2540M2 / 42.6 / 3.3 GHz35 WFeb 2011
Intel Core i7-2630QM4 / 82.0 / 2.9 GHz45 WJan 2011
Intel Core i7-2710QE4 / 82.1 / 3.0 GHz45 WJan 2011
Intel Core i7-2720QM4 / 82.2 / 3.3 GHz45 WJan 2011
Intel Core i7-2820QM4 / 82.3 / 3.4 GHz45 WJan 2011
Intel Core i7-2920XM4 / 82.5 / 3.5 GHz55 WJan 2011
Intel Core i3-2312M2 / 42.1 GHz35 W2011

Frequently asked questions

Which processors fit Socket G2?

Sandy Bridge M, QM and XM parts plus Ivy Bridge M, QM, MX and Celeron M parts such as the 1000M and 1020M, in rPGA988B form. Soldered BGA1023 versions of some embedded SKUs use BGA 1023 instead.

Is Socket G2 the same as Socket G3?

No. Socket G2 is rPGA988B with 988 contacts for Sandy and Ivy Bridge mobile. Socket G3 is rPGA946 with 946 contacts for Haswell mobile. Parts do not move between them, and the key pin differs.

What memory does Socket G2 use?

DDR3 and DDR3L SODIMMs in two channels, 1066 to 1333 MT/s on Sandy Bridge and 1066 to 1600 MT/s on Ivy Bridge. Two matched modules help HD Graphics.

Can Socket G2 overclock?

Yes, on Extreme MX processors such as the i7-3940XM where the board firmware allows it. Locked M and QM parts run at rated speeds.

Sources and verification

  1. Socket G2 on Wikipedia (rPGA 988B, 988 contacts, Sandy and Ivy Bridge)
  2. Mobile 3rd Gen Core Family Datasheet Vol. 1 (Intel, rPGA988B and BGA1023 packages)

Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .