Intel Pentium U5600 socket: BGA 1288
The Intel Pentium U5600 uses the BGA 1288 package. It is a soldered 18 W dual core Arrandale part at 1.33 GHz and cannot be replaced.
- Socket
- BGA 1288
- Launched
- January 2011
- Cores and threads
- 2 and 2
- Base power
- 18 W
- Codename
- Arrandale
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Pentium
- Clocks
- 1.33 GHz
Intel Pentium U5600 specifications
| Cores | 2 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 2 |
| Core architecture | Arrandale cores on 32 nm |
| Clocks | 1.33 GHz (no turbo) |
| Cache | 3 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 18 W |
| Manufacturing process | 32 nm |
| Memory support | DDR3, two channels, up to 8 GB |
| PCI Express | PCIe lanes from the package (layout varies by board design) |
| Integrated graphics | Intel HD Graphics |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | BGA 1288 (FCBGA, 1288 balls, 34 × 28 mm, soldered) |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Pentium U5600 needs a motherboard with a BGA 1288 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 1288 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 1288 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 1,288 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | January 2010 |
| Memory | DDR3, two channels, up to 8 GB |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Pentium U5600 is
Intel Pentium U5600 is a dual core Arrandale mobile processor that Intel released in January 2011 for thin soldered laptops. It runs at a fixed 1.33 GHz with no turbo and no Hyper-Threading, so 2 cores give 2 threads. Cache is 3 MB Intel Smart Cache. Power is 18 W on a 32 nm process.
The U suffix marks ultra low voltage for thin and light bodies. Battery life matters more than peak speed in this class. Office documents and browsing run smoothly at 1.33 GHz.
Graphics are Intel HD Graphics on the same package. The block covers thin panels and video without a card. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the soldered package from the laptop model.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The Pentium U5600 solders to BGA 1288 with 1,288 balls in a 34 by 28 mm footprint and cannot be moved. Thin makers qualify each model with a fixed board and BIOS. A different soldered number is not a field option.
The BIOS must list the exact U5600 string. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide explains why maker lists decide soldered compatibility.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
Memory support is DDR3, two channels, up to 8 GB. Thin chassis often fix capacity at purchase, so check the manual for free slots. ECC is not supported.
PCI Express lanes come from the package for Wi-Fi and storage. Lane wiring varies by thin laptop design.
Cooling is a slim 18 W spreader, often fanless with chassis airflow. Keep vents clear to hold the fixed 1.33 GHz behavior.
Upgrade paths
There is no CPU upgrade path on soldered BGA 1288. The U5600 cannot be removed, so a faster thin laptop means a new board or a new device. A nearby socketed Arrandale dual is the P6300 class on Socket G1.
For a working U5600 laptop the practical steps are an SSD and a clean OS install. Keep it for travel after the main machine moves on.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Pentium U5600 use?
It uses BGA 1288, a soldered package. The chip cannot be removed.
Does the Pentium U5600 have Hyper-Threading?
No. Two cores give 2 threads at a fixed 1.33 GHz.
What memory does the Pentium U5600 use?
DDR3, two channels, up to 8 GB.
Can the Pentium U5600 be upgraded?
No. A faster thin laptop means a new board or a new device.
Sources and verification
- Arrandale (Wikipedia, Pentium U5xxx 18 W BGA-1288, Jan 2010 generation)
- Intel Pentium P6300 Notebook Processor (Notebookcheck, Arrandale Pentium U5600 1.33 GHz class list)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .