Intel Core i5-14500HX socket: BGA 1964
The Intel Core i5-14500HX uses BGA 1964, a soldered BGA for Raptor Lake-HX gaming laptops with DDR5 or DDR4 and PCIe Gen5 plus PCH lanes. The 14-core chip at 55 W cannot be replaced, so the laptop configuration is permanent.
- Socket
- BGA 1964
- Launched
- January 8, 2024
- Cores and threads
- 14 and 20
- Base power
- 55 W
- Codename
- Raptor Lake-HX
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Core i5
- Clocks
- 2.6 / 4.9 GHz
Intel Core i5-14500HX specifications
| Cores | 14 (6 Performance-cores plus 8 Efficient-cores) |
|---|---|
| Threads | 20 |
| Core architecture | Raptor Cove P-cores and Gracemont E-cores |
| Clocks | 2.6 GHz base, up to 4.9 GHz boost |
| Cache | 24 MB Intel Smart Cache |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 55 W |
| Maximum turbo power | 157 W |
| Manufacturing process | Intel 7 (10 nm) |
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200, 2 channels, up to 192 GB |
| PCI Express | PCIe 5.0 x16 plus PCIe 4.0 x4 (20 lanes) plus PCH lanes |
| Integrated graphics | Intel UHD Graphics for 14th Gen, 32 EUs |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | BGA1964 (soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Core i5-14500HX needs a motherboard with a BGA 1964 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 1964 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 1964 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 1,964 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | January 2024 |
| Memory | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200, two channels, up to 192 GB |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Core i5-14500HX is
The Core i5-14500HX is a 14-core and 20-thread mobile processor that Intel launched on January 8, 2024 for gaming laptops. Six Performance-cores with 12 threads plus 8 Efficient-cores give 20 threads at 2.6 GHz P-core base and up to 4.9 GHz P-core turbo. Cache is 24 MB of Smart Cache. Processor base power is 55 W with 157 W turbo, which needs dual-fan gaming cooling.
The HX two-chip module pairs the CPU die with on-package PCH for extra I/O. DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200 SODIMM in two channels up to 192 GB feeds 14 cores plus discrete graphics. PCIe 5.0 x16 serves the GPU while PCIe 4.0 x4 serves the primary SSD, with more lanes from PCH for second drives and Thunderbolt.
Entry gaming laptops with discrete GPUs fit here. Fourteen cores keep play plus streaming smooth where thin U parts queue. Buyers who need 16 cores for heavier creation should take the Intel Core i7-14650HX with 30 MB cache instead, since this i5 prioritizes price over core count.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 14500HX solders to BGA 1964 with no socket upgrade. Gaming makers cool the 55 to 157 W band with shared CPU and GPU heat pipes. There is no later change to the processor, so the SKU and GPU pairing last the laptop life.
Boards use DDR5 or DDR4 SODIMM per design, with MUX switches and Wi-Fi 7 cards on premium models. Fan tables favor clocks over silence in performance modes. Firmware from the laptop maker controls power limits, not a desktop BIOS menu.
HX shoppers compare i5 against i7 on cores and cache inside BGA 1964. The 14500HX trails 16-core HX on parallel loads. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide explains the soldered gaming tradeoff.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200 in two channels via SODIMM up to 192 GB is the board menu. Gaming benefits from dual modules. Soldered variants fix size, while SODIMM variants allow swaps.
PCIe gives CPU Gen5 x16 for graphics plus Gen4 x4 for NVMe, with 16 Gen4 and 12 Gen3 lanes from PCH for extra SSDs and Thunderbolt. Fixed wiring means second-drive support varies by model.
Cooling is dual-fan gaming from 55 W to 157 W peaks. No retail cooler ships with soldered HX. Vent clearance and laptop stands preserve repeat 4.9 GHz behavior.
Upgrade paths
No processor upgrade exists on soldered HX boards. The HX choice is 10-core versus 14-core versus larger i7 and i9 at order time. SODIMM RAM and NVMe can grow where fitted.
Beyond HX the move is a whole laptop on newer HX or Core Ultra HX. A working 14500HX lasts gaming years with drive care.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Core i5-14500HX use?
It uses BGA 1964, soldered for gaming laptops. The chip cannot be replaced.
How many cores does the Core i5-14500HX have?
Fourteen cores and 20 threads at 2.6 GHz base and up to 4.9 GHz boost, with 24 MB of cache at 55 W.
What memory does the 14500HX support?
DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200 in two channels up to 192 GB. Soldered size is fixed where fitted.
Can the 14500HX be upgraded?
No. CPU solders at the factory. SODIMM RAM and NVMe can change where allowed.
Sources and verification
- Intel Releases 14th Gen Core HX Raptor Lake Refresh mobile processors BGA1964 (TechPowerUp)
- Intel Core i5-14500HX Raptor Lake-HX 14 cores 55W benchmarks (Notebookcheck)
- Intel Core i9-14900HX BGA-1964 24 cores 55W specs (NanoReview)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .