BPPC closeup photo question

[Jeff]

Just for the sake of curiosity what were the surface mount pads used for surrounding the BPPC's 603 CPU in a square formation? You can see them clearly in the photo below with the heatsink removed.
BPPC Closeup

-Jeff

[Piru]

603 is available in different packaging, BGA and QFP. Those pads are for the 603 QFP CPU.

Here's a picture of the QFP 603:
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/PowerPC-603/L_IBM-PPC603evFB200r.jpg

[Jeff]

Wouldn't it be easier then to refit the boards with the QFP version instead of the BGA version? I could probably even manage to solder the QFP version myself. I wouldn't even think of trying BGA work after all I have read about the special equipment needed.

A quick search also turns up QFP sockets and adapters. Not that I would ever try and modify a perfectly working board, just thinking out loud.

Thanks for the reply Piru.

-Jeff

[Piru]

As far as I know 603 is only available as BGA these days (at least the newer, faster models).

[delshay]

i think 603 QFP only went as high as 240Mhz.