Intel Haswell Could Be Last Upgradable Desktop Microprocessor
According to a media report starting from code-named Broadwell generation of processors, Intel Corp. will only offer mainstream desktop chips in BGA packaging, which will eliminate upgrade options as well as increase risks for PC makers. According to Japanese PC Watch web-site, code-named Haswell microprocessors may be the last desktop chips in LGA packaging, which enabled easy switch of CPUs on mainboards. Starting from Broadwell chips, which are due in 2014, all mainstream desktop processors will be available in BGA packaging, which means that they will have to be soldered to mainboards, something that can be done in relatively sophisticated manufacturing facilities.
Both Intel and Advanced Micro Devices supply two different desktop platforms these days, making a very clear difference between mainstream and high-end desktop. Still, mainstream PCs with simplistic processors may easily be upgraded with very fast processors thanks to the fact that the chips are interchangeable and come in the same LGA1155 form-factor. Unfortunately, the ease of upgrade may come to an end in two years as starting from Broadwell generation of central processing units (CPUs) mainstream chips will cease to use land grid array (LGA) and micro pin grid array (µPGA) packages and will only be available in in ball grid array (BGA) form-factors, just like Intel Atom processors reports xbitlabs.
Due to the market trends towards low-power microprocessors, Intel will offer various Broadwell multi-chip modules – which will contain Broadwell CPUs with integrated memory controller, graphics core, etc. and Wildcat Point input/output controllers – with various thermal design power envelopes, e.g., 10W, 15W and 47W/57W, according to the report.
The BGA MCMs should provide advantages to makers of high-performance tablets, ultra-thin notebooks as well as all-in-one desktops as ball grid array packaging ensure small footprint. However, when it comes to fully-fledged desktops, BGA means that system makers will have to keep a large amount of different mainboards with various features and dissimilar microprocessors in order to provide the right choices for their clients. Such stockpiling increases business risks to smaller makers and decreases abilities to differentiate for mainboard makers.
While mainstream chips will reportedly be only supplied in BGA form-factors soldered to mainboards, which eliminates upgrade possibility, it is likely that high-end desktop (HEDT) platforms will still be supplied in LGA packaging. What remains to be seen is how expensive will such chips be. For example, at present the most affordable LGA2011 HEDT chip costs $294, whereas the most expensive performance-mainstream LGA1155 processor costs $332. In case upgradeable platforms remain on the HEDT’s price levels of today, that will essentially mean the end of upgrades of the mainstream PCs.
Intel did not comment on the news-story.
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Senior Member
Posts: 19051
Joined: 2009-01-25
They just single handedly killed the desktop and enthusiast markets if they do this across the board. It makes sense in the low-end, low power market segments, but not mid-range and up.
deltatux
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Posts: 871
Joined: 2009-09-10
Intels making the wrong move....they will sink themselves.
Senior Member
Posts: 4824
Joined: 2004-05-20
This doesn't make sense at all.
I'll believe it when I see it happen, maybe what they mean to say is that 'broadwell' will come in BGA packages for certain applications, considering they would still have to deliver socketed parts for servers.
Senior Member
Posts: 3719
Joined: 2010-05-16
If this happens it will go a long ways towards shooting the little guy (like me) right between the eyes. People won't bring me a computer for an upgrade if no upgrade path is available... they will instead go to Best Buy and get a brand new one. That person will spend more money over time and I won't have anything either.

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Posts: 12508
Joined: 2010-05-22
Its not so much a crap idea, but a way of avoiding bad contacts with very small contact points.
Its possible they can avoid having to do it if a new method of reliably connecting the motherboard and CPU are developed that doesnt result in easy accidental damage.