Testing out Mystery Chinese CPUs
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Promos
Join the drop for the Massdrop x Beyerdynamic DT 177X Go Headphones at dro.ps Buy CORSAIR's Hydro X on Amazon: geni.us Buy CORSAIR's Hydro X on Corsair: geni.us We found some super cheap laptop CPUs that have been adapted to work in a desktop... with varying degrees of success. Buy a BGA to LGA CPU: lmg.gg Buy a reasonable CPU: On Amazon: geni.us On Newegg: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: lmg.gg Get a VPN today with PIA at geni.us Get a Displate Metal Print at lmg.gg Get a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime at lmg.gg Linus Tech Tips merchandise at lttstore.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our Test Benches on Amazon: amazon.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Twitch - twitch.tv Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com
Testing out Mystery Chinese CPUs is a deep dive into an unusual hardware hack: laptop CPUs in desktop motherboards using a custom BGA to LGA adapter and a specially engineered shim. The host walks through the physical setup, highlighting the bare die exposure, the unusual carrier PCB, and the purpose of the shims to protect the CPU during mounting. Early in the video, the sponsor segment is teased, then the project reveals a mix of engineering samples and semi legitimate CPUs that are not standard desktop parts. The team explains the theory behind the adapters, including how the su-phc component helps mount and how a shim helps prevent CPU chips from cracking under cooling pressure. They emphasize that the operation is experimental, with caution around BIOS support, cooling adequacy, and motherboard compatibility. The video blends hands-on assembly with candid commentary on the risks and potential performance upside of this unconventional approach.
Topics · technology · hardware · science & technology · DIY
Questions answered
- What is the core concept behind using BGA laptop CPUs on a desktop motherboard?
- The idea is to solder laptop CPUs, which are BGA chips, onto a thick adapter PCB that routes the ball grid array to an LGA 1151-compatible surface, allowing desktop cooling solutions to be used with non-standard CPUs.
- Are these CPUs legitimate desktop parts or engineering samples?
- Most of the CPUs shown are engineering samples or qualifying samples, not retail desktop CPUs, and some are not officially supported for desktop use.
- What cooling solutions are tested in the video?
- The video tests both traditional air cooling using an Intel stock cooler and a Corsair Hydro X water cooling setup, including custom shims and mounting plates.
- What BIOS or motherboard limitations are discussed?
- The hosts note that BIOS support is not guaranteed, and a modded BIOS may be needed; compatibility depends on the chipset and whether a BIOS modification is available.