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IT Support & Hardware · Foundational

Pin Grid Array (PGA)

A CPU package design where the pins are on the underside of the processor and fit holes in the socket.

Definition

With PGA, the CPU carries the pins and the motherboard socket has matching holes, usually in a zero insertion force (ZIF) socket with a lever. AMD AM4 desktop processors are a common PGA example. Pins can be bent if the CPU is dropped or forced, preventing proper seating.

Example

An AMD Ryzen 5 5600X uses the PGA-based AM4 socket.

Exam tip

A bent pin on a PGA CPU or a bent pin in an LGA socket can both cause no-POST or missing memory channels.

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