[ The PC Guide | Systems and Components Reference Guide | The Processor | Processor Physical Characteristics | Processor Packaging ]

Tape Carrier Packaging (TCP)

Intel has actually in the past made available certain chips in their raw form; a plastic roll with chips taped to them is sold to a system maker without any external packaging. The chips are then soldered directly onto a special motherboard designed to use them in this fashion. This is far more complicated than simply using a socket, but has the advantage of taking up much less space. This packaging is used for notebook PCs.

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