Are CPU pins plated or solid gold
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Hello, I was wondering if the PINS on a INTEL PENTIUM CPU 478 PIN 1.8 processor are PLATED or SOLID GOLD I'm looking at my question, and thinking NO WAY is it SOLID GOLD, but maybe they are and I would like a definitive answer as to the Content of GOLD on JUST the PINS alone and ONLY a simple PLATED or SOLID answer would be sufficient. Thanks for your time. James
James L. Johansen- Mpls, Minnesota, USA
First of two simultaneous responses -- ++++++
Only gold plated.
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor in the 478-Pin Package:
Pin plating consists of 0.2 micrometers Au over 2.0 micrometer Ni
(diffusion barrier between Au & the Cu pin).*
Pin diameter is 0.305 (+,-)0.025 mm.
Pin height is 2.030 (+,-)0.080 mm, seated in a solder (either 63/37 or 60/40 tin/lead) ball.
http://www.intel.com/design/pentium4/datashts/24988703.pdf
You won't get rich. A quickie calculation yields 0.000176 cc of gold per CPU, worth $0.059 @ $660/troy ounce. It will cost more to separate the gold from the copper, nickel, lead, tin, etc. and dispose of the hazardous waste generated. Also, it is difficult to sell gold w/o having it assayed (perhaps $200 for a one-time test).
*The mPGA478 Socket contains thicker plating (0.76 micron Au); see Appendix Z.2 of the linked document to figure out the geometry.
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Ken Vlach - Goleta, California |
| Ken received a special "Contributor of the Year" award from finishing.com for his numerous helpful and well researched responses |
Second of two simultaneous responses -- ++++++
Between 50-75 microinches of plated gold.
Mark BakerEngineer - Phoenix, Arizona
April 5, 2008
Q. is the cpu itself (not the pins) inside intel 286-centrino, xeon etc.. looks like gold... is it?
thanks
D.L.
- Los Angeles, California
A. Hi, Dave. I can't think of anything which is made of solid gold for an engineering purpose. While gold bullion, gold coins, and gold jewelry might be made of solid gold to maximize their intrinsic value, electronics would never involve more gold than a thin plating, with the possible exception of thinner-that-a-hair gold wires from the die to the pins.
Regards,
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. RET finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
November 16, 2010
Q. how much gold is in 1 lb. of gold plated test pins? I have about 10 to 15 pounds of them
Terry Simmonsbuyer,seller - Dallas, Texas
November 6, 2012
Q. I have an Intel I200 processor with pins. It uses socket 7. I want to know whether it has any gold content? And if yes, approximately how much?
- Mumbai, Maharashtra, INDIA
