Intel Core i3-1000NG4 socket: BGA 1044
The Intel Core i3-1000NG4 uses BGA 1044, an Apple exclusive soldered package. The dual core 9 W chip in the 2020 MacBook Air cannot be replaced.
- Socket
- BGA 1044
- Launched
- March 2020
- Cores and threads
- 2 and 4
- Base power
- 9 W
- Codename
- Ice Lake-Y
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Core i3
- Clocks
- 1.1 / 3.2 GHz
Intel Core i3-1000NG4 specifications
| Cores | 2 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 4 |
| Core architecture | Sunny Cove cores on 10 nm |
| Clocks | 1.1 GHz base, up to 3.2 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 |
| Cache | 4 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 9 W |
| Manufacturing process | 10 nm |
| Memory support | LPDDR4-3733 soldered, two channels, 8 or 16 GB |
| PCI Express | PCIe 3.0 from the CPU |
| Integrated graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics (300 MHz base, up to 900 MHz) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | BGA1044 (soldered, Apple exclusive) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Core i3-1000NG4 needs a motherboard with a BGA 1044 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 1044 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 1044 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 1,044 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | March 2020 |
| Memory | LPDDR4-3733 soldered, two channels, 8 or 16 GB |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Core i3-1000NG4 is
The Core i3-1000NG4 is a dual core, four thread Ice Lake-Y processor built only for Apple. It shipped in the March 2020 MacBook Air with a 1.1 GHz base and up to 3.2 GHz boost at 9 W. The NG suffix marks Apple exclusivity against standard G suffix Y parts.
Four megabytes of Smart Cache support writing, browsing and calls in a fan efficient envelope. The 9 W rating keeps the Air wedge quiet during office work. Compared with the older Amber Lake Air, Sunny Cove cores and Iris Plus graphics lift both burst and display smoothness.
Iris Plus G4 graphics with 48 execution units drive the Retina display and one external 6K monitor. Memory is soldered LPDDR4-3733 at 8 or 16 GB. Buyers who edit photo libraries picked the quad core i5 NG option instead.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 1000NG4 solders to BGA 1044 on the 2020 MacBook Air logic board. No other machine uses the package. Apple pairs it with soldered memory and NVMe on one board.
Cooling is the Air fan assembly tuned for 9 W with short bursts above. macOS power modes favor silence over sustained clocks. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide covers why Apple silicon later replaced these Intel boards.
Standard Ice Lake-Y G parts for Windows devices sit on BGA 1526 instead. The NG and G lines do not interchange.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
Soldered LPDDR4-3733 in two channels at 8 or 16 GB is the only memory. The 16 GB tier ages best for heavy Safari use. Bandwidth peaks near 58.3 GB per sec.
PCIe 3.0 from the CPU feeds the internal NVMe SSD from 256 GB to 2 TB. Thunderbolt 3 ports add external storage and displays. There is no memory slot and no storage slot beyond the soldered SSD.
Thermal design is 9 W continuous with brief turbo in a thin wedge. Dust buildup matters more than paste age in these bodies. Battery service restores travel life.
Upgrade paths
No upgrade exists inside the Air. External SSDs and hubs extend desk use. The meaningful jump is a machine replacement.
Within the 2020 Air line the i5-1030NG7 adds quad cores on the same BGA 1044 family at purchase time. Later Apple silicon Air models replace the whole platform.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core i3-1000NG4 use?
It uses BGA 1044, soldered and exclusive to Apple.
Which Mac uses the i3-1000NG4?
The entry MacBook Air Retina 13 inch from March 2020.
Can the i3-1000NG4 be upgraded?
No. Soldered packaging prevents any processor or memory change.
What graphics are in the i3-1000NG4?
Intel Iris Plus G4 graphics up to 900 MHz.
How much RAM works with the i3-1000NG4?
Soldered LPDDR4-3733 at 8 or 16 GB as ordered.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .