BGA 518 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit
BGA 518, also called T-PBGA518, is the Intel soldered package for Lincroft Atom tablet processors. It carries 518 balls in a 13.8 × 13.8 mm footprint and solders directly to the board. The package first appeared in May 2010 with Moorestown parts, followed by the Oak Trail Z650 and Z670 in April 2011 for tablets.
Quick facts
| Maker | Intel |
|---|---|
| Package type | BGA |
| Contacts | 518 |
| Package size | 13.8 × 13.8 mm |
| Introduced | May 2010 |
| Status | Legacy |
| Memory | DDR2-800, single channel |
| PCIe from the CPU | No PCIe from the CPU (board I/O from the companion chip) |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
| Replaces | None |
| Replaced by | None |
Overview
The package covers single core Atom parts at 3 W with Hyper-Threading, GMA 600 graphics and a single channel DDR2-800 controller on one small die. Because the chip is soldered, tablet makers qualify each model with a fixed board, BIOS and companion power chip, and memory size locks at purchase.
The platform pairs the CPU with an SM35 companion chip over a dedicated link for USB, SATA, display and audio, since the processor itself offers no PCIe root ports. Later Intel tablets moved to Clover Trail and Bay Trail on newer BGA packages with DDR3 memory.
Processor generations
| Codename | Marketing name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincroft | Atom Z600 Oak Trail tablets | 2010 to 2011 | Soldered Lincroft Atom parts including the Z650 at 1.2 GHz and Z670 at 1.5 GHz, launched in April 2011 for tablets at 3 W. |
Soldered tablet package
BGA 518 processors solder with 518 balls and cannot be removed or replaced. There is no lever, no pin grid and no cooler mount. Thermal design uses a spreader for fanless 3 W operation, with the board, battery and display sharing one sealed body.
Because the chip cannot be swapped, the check before buying a used BGA 518 tablet is the whole device. Battery health and screen condition matter more than the 300 MHz gap between the Z650 and Z670. A board replacement is the only CPU path.
Memory and I/O
BGA 518 designs use DDR2-800 in a single 32-bit channel for up to 2 GB, often soldered beside the processor. The narrow bus fits tablet power budgets while feeding the single core and GMA 600 graphics together.
No PCIe comes from the CPU per ARK. Board I/O hangs off the SM35 companion chip over a dedicated link, covering USB, SATA, SD, display and audio. Later tablet platforms added PCIe root ports that this generation lacks.
Platform lifecycle
BGA 518 spans Moorestown in 2010 through Oak Trail in 2011. Intel later moved tablets to Clover Trail on BGA 617 and Bay Trail on BGA 1170 with newer graphics and DDR3 memory. New BGA 518 tablets are not current retail.
For a working tablet the useful work is a light operating system and battery care, since RAM and storage lock at purchase. A platform move means a new tablet on a current package. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the package.
CPUs on BGA 518
9 processor pages in the database, newest first.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base / boost | TDP | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Atom Z650 | 1 / 2 | 1.2 GHz | 3 W | Apr 2011 |
| Intel Atom Z670 | 1 / 2 | 1.5 GHz | 3 W | Apr 2011 |
| Intel Atom Z600 | 1 / 2 | 1.2 GHz | 1.3 W | May 2010 |
| Intel Atom Z605 | 1 / 2 | 1.0 GHz | 2.2 W | May 2010 |
| Intel Atom Z610 | 1 / 2 | 0.8 GHz | 1.3 W | May 2010 |
| Intel Atom Z612 | 1 / 2 | 0.9 GHz | 1.3 W | May 2010 |
| Intel Atom Z615 | 1 / 2 | 1.6 GHz | 2.2 W | May 2010 |
| Intel Atom Z620 | 1 / 2 | 0.9 GHz | 1.3 W | May 2010 |
| Intel Atom Z625 | 1 / 2 | 1.5 / 1.9 GHz | 2.2 W | May 2010 |
Frequently asked questions
Can a BGA 518 processor be replaced or upgraded?
No. The chip solders with 518 balls in a sealed tablet body.
Which processors fit BGA 518?
Lincroft tablet parts such as the Z650 and Z670. Netbook Atoms use the larger BGA 559 package.
What memory does BGA 518 use?
DDR2-800 in a single 32-bit channel, up to 2 GB, usually soldered.
Does BGA 518 provide PCIe lanes?
No. ARK lists no PCI support on the CPU; board I/O comes from the SM35 companion chip.
Sources and verification
- Intel Atom Z670 Specifications (ARK archive, T-PBGA518)
- List of Intel Atom processors (Wikipedia, BGA rows)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .