What are the "organic" packages in newer CPUs made out of anyway?

[Electrode]

I think the title says it all. I know that a lot of older CPUs use ceramic packages, whose composition is obvious, but I really haven't the slightest idea what the "organic" packages used in more recent CPUs are made out of. Anyone mind telling me?

 

[Evadman]

The XP I cracked for fun after I cracked the core ( please, no laughing ) had fibers like fiberglass, but a different texture.

 

[Eskimo]

Originally posted by: Electrode
I think the title says it all. I know that a lot of older CPUs use ceramic packages, whose composition is obvious, but I really haven't the slightest idea what the "organic" packages used in more recent CPUs are made out of. Anyone mind telling me?

It's usually fiber reinforced Bismaleimide Triazine (BT) resin. It's used due to its favorable thermal expansion coefficient. Its TEC lies between that of the silicon die and the copper used for the vias and pins on the package.

 

[Electrode]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Zepper]

For organic, think organic chemistry - Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen hooked together in various ways with some other elements doped in. In Other Words, plastic... Cheaper and lighter than ceramic.
.bh.

 

[Whitecloak]

Originally posted by: Zepper
For organic, think organic chemistry - Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen hooked together in various ways with some other elements doped in. In Other Words, plastic... Cheaper and lighter than ceramic.
.bh.

wrong. plastics are just a portion of the compunds that can be formed from CHON.

 

[grant2]

whenever i see "organic" displays or "organic" packaging i get the feeling that they GROW the material... like in algae vats

 

[bolsen]

Originally posted by: Evadman
The XP I cracked for fun after I cracked the core ( please, no laughing ) had fibers like fiberglass, but a different texture.

Maybe they are picking up the Apple theme and using hemp

 

[DeRusto]

Originally posted by: grant2
whenever i see "organic" displays or "organic" packaging i get the feeling that they GROW the material... like in algae vats

Almost makes me glad I'm using a 1.4 Thunderbird in its CERAMIC packaging

 

[Electrode]

Strangely enough, the 950 MHz T-bird I ordered a few months ago had organic packaging. I guess AMD has upgraded the entire line.

 

[DeRusto]

Wow, I never would have even thought they would do something like that..

Although, I suppose if they are still making them, it would be cheaper to keep them all on the same material..

 

[pm]

I don't know that I'd consider organic packages to be an "upgrade". Looking at the characteristics of the ceramic packages used in the high-end CPU's, the move to OLGA's looks more like a financial decision (OLGA's are much cheaper) than a technical one since ceramics definitely seem to have a substantial lead over organics in terms of electrical characteristcs.

What's your take, Eskimo?

 

[Eskimo]

Yes cost is a major advantage of organic over ceramic. However as I understand the electrical characteristics are actually better on organic substrates. The lower dielectric constant of the organic packaging is helps with transmission characteristics. Also as I stated earlier organic packaging has superior thermal properties

Ceramics have the advantage of allowing for higher packing densities and match thermal coefficents better with silicon than organics. But theylimit your choice of metals you can effectively use as conductors due to the way in which they are manufactured. I don't believe copper can be integrated easily into ceramic packaging.

In the end I believe that cost is the primary motivating factor in the move, however package technology is not an area i'm well versed in.

 

[DeRusto]

Well, I still like my old school Athlon in its ceramic packaging because it looks cool..

Yeah, its WAY cool