Some CPUs lack pins because they are designed for specific architectures or use alternative communication methods.
Some CPUs lack pins because they are designed for specific architectures or use alternative communication methods.
amd ryzen processors (excluding threadripper, ty monibois) feature pins while current intel desktop cpus lack them. modern amd motherboards don't include pins, whereas current intel motherboards do. personally, i'm unsure if the benefit of having pins is worth the risk of damage from careless handling—intel might have preferred a simpler design.
The choice between PGA and LGA isn't due to a single factor. Your P4 with an LGA configuration is simply more recent, aligning with Intel's shift to LGA around 2005.
Paul created a video comparing PGA and LGA CPU connections a few years back. For regular users, the choice doesn't really matter much. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper uses LGA, meaning pins are on the motherboard rather than directly on the CPU.
pins offer advantages for users since they’re simpler to fit into sockets and less likely to harm the motherboard if something falls on it. They slightly raise the chance of CPU damage upon dropping, but fixing a CPU is far more straightforward than replacing a socket. The investment needed for repairs is minimal compared to the cost of new components. Pads are preferred by CPU makers because they reduce returns due to broken or bent pins, simplify manufacturing by cutting down steps, and allow more pin density. They also improve signal quality by shortening the distance between the CPU die and traces. In reality, the difference often isn’t significant. Threadripper and Epyc processors chose LGA sockets (pads) because designing a larger, precise socket would be extremely challenging and costly.