Socket FP4 socket: CPUs, chipsets and cooler fit
Socket FP4 is AMD ball grid array package for G-series Prairie Falcon embedded processors. The package carries 769 contacts and solders directly to thin client and industrial boards. Databases list the package as FC-BGA with Socket FP4 for the GX embedded family.
Quick facts
| Maker | AMD |
|---|---|
| Package type | BGA |
| Contacts | 968 |
| Package size | n/a |
| Introduced | 2016 |
| Status | Legacy |
| Memory | DDR3-2133 and DDR4-1600, one or two channels, ECC not supported |
| PCIe from the CPU | PCIe 3.0 with up to 8 lanes from the APU |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
| Replaces | None |
| Replaced by | None |
Overview
The package serves 6 W to 15 W dual core SoCs with Radeon R1E and R2E graphics for basic display without discrete cards. The GX-220IJ runs 2.0 GHz base to 2.2 GHz boost at 10 W, while the GX-212JJ runs 1.2 GHz to 1.6 GHz at 6 W. Both share 1 MB of shared L2 with no L3.
Memory stays DDR3 or DDR4 depending on the SKU, with one or two channels and no ECC on these parts. PCIe runs at version 3.0 with up to 8 lanes for storage and board devices. Because the chips solder down, core count and memory wiring are fixed at board design.
Processor generations
| Codename | Marketing name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie Falcon | G-series 3rd Gen | 2016 to 2018 | Excavator based embedded SoCs with 2 cores and Radeon R1E or R2E graphics, launched in June 2018 with GX-220IJ and GX-212JJ on Socket FP4. |
| Toronto | Opteron X3000 series | 2017 | Excavator based server SoCs with 2 or 4 cores and Radeon R7 graphics, launched in June 2017 with X3216, X3418 and X3421 on Socket FP4. |
| Stoney Ridge | Stoney Ridge mobile | 2016 | Dual core Excavator SoCs with Radeon R4 and R5 graphics, launched in May 2016 on Socket FP4 with DDR4 support. |
| Bristol Ridge | FX and A-series Bristol Ridge mobile | 2016 | Excavator based mobile APUs including FX-9800P at 2.7 to 3.6 GHz and FX-9830P at 3.0 to 3.7 GHz, launched in May 2016 on Socket FP4 with DDR4. |
| Carrizo | FX Carrizo mobile | 2015 | Excavator based mobile APUs including FX-8800P at 2.1 to 3.4 GHz and 15 W with Radeon R7 graphics, launched in June 2015 on Socket FP4 with DDR3. |
Who Socket FP4 serves
Socket FP4 processors belong in thin clients and industrial controllers where low power and basic graphics matter: point of sale terminals, kiosk boards and small automation nodes with passive cooling. The 6 W to 15 W envelope allows sealed boxes without fans.
Within Prairie Falcon the choice runs from the 6 W GX-212JJ with R1E graphics for the smallest nodes to the 10 W GX-220IJ with R2E graphics for slightly larger displays. Both offer two cores without simultaneous multithreading. Buyers who need more CPU should look at larger embedded families instead.
Memory and PCIe
Memory support covers DDR3 up to 2133 MT per s on dual channel SKUs such as GX-220IJ and DDR4-1600 or DDR3-1333 on single channel SKUs such as GX-212JJ. Bandwidth peaks near 34.1 GB per sec on dual channel designs. Most shipping boards solder memory for cost reasons, so the order time choice matters.
PCIe arrives as version 3.0 with up to 8 lanes from the APU, wired to NVMe or board devices per embedded design. There is no chipset graphics slot as on desktop sockets. Storage through eMMC or SATA shares board space with the soldered APU.
Identifying and servicing Socket FP4
Identification is simple in databases: Socket reads AMD Socket FP4 and Package reads FC-BGA. CPU-Monkey lists the same package as BGA 769, which matches the 769 ball count. That line separates FP4 from FT3 Kabini boards with different contacts. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide explains soldered trade offs.
Service follows embedded practice. There is no retention bracket and no cooler to swap from retail stock. Thermal pads and chassis conduction follow the board maker manual. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows where maker specs list the socket.
CPUs on Socket FP4
13 processor pages in the database, newest first.
| Processor | Cores / threads | Base / boost | TDP | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD GX-212JJ | 2 / 2 | 1.2 / 1.6 GHz | 6 W | Jun 2018 |
| AMD GX-220IJ | 2 / 2 | 2.0 / 2.2 GHz | 10 W | Jun 2018 |
| AMD Opteron X3216 | 2 / 2 | 1.6 / 3.0 GHz | 15 W | Jun 2017 |
| AMD Opteron X3418 | 4 / 4 | 1.8 / 3.2 GHz | 15 W | Jun 2017 |
| AMD Opteron X3421 | 4 / 4 | 2.1 / 3.4 GHz | 15 W | Jun 2017 |
| AMD FX-9800P | 4 / 4 | 2.7 / 3.6 GHz | 15 W | May 2016 |
| AMD FX-9830P | 4 / 4 | 3.0 / 3.7 GHz | 35 W | May 2016 |
| AMD A6-9210 SoC | 2 / 2 | 2.4 / 2.8 GHz | 15 W | May 2016 |
| AMD A9-9410 SoC | 2 / 2 | 2.9 / 3.5 GHz | 15 W | May 2016 |
| AMD GX-215JJ | 2 / 2 | 1.5 / 2.0 GHz | 6 W | Feb 2016 |
| AMD GX-224IJ | 2 / 2 | 2.4 / 2.8 GHz | 10 W | Feb 2016 |
| AMD FX-8800P | 4 / 4 | 2.1 / 3.4 GHz | 15 W | Jun 2015 |
| AMD FX PRO-8800P | 4 / 4 | 2.1 / 3.4 GHz | 15 W | Jun 2015 |
Frequently asked questions
Can a Socket FP4 processor be replaced or upgraded?
No. The processors solder to the board. Upgrading means replacing the board or the whole device.
What is the difference between Socket FP4 and Socket FT3?
Socket FP4 at 769 contacts serves 6 W to 15 W Prairie Falcon SoCs with Radeon R1E and R2E graphics. Socket FT3b serves earlier Kabini SoCs with different contacts. The two do not interchange.
What memory does Socket FP4 use?
Boards use DDR3 up to 2133 MT per s or DDR4 up to 1600 MT per s depending on the SKU, in one or two channels. ECC is not supported on these embedded parts.
What PCIe does Socket FP4 provide?
PCIe 3.0 with up to 8 lanes from the APU for storage and board devices. Exact wiring follows the embedded board design.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .