CPU D Grade (Slot CPU/ CPU Module) Buying scrap price

Learn more about CPU Scrap Classification

CPU-D Grade: Modern Metal-Top LGA and PGA Processors

What Qualifies as CPU-D?

CPU-D is a modern processor category within the Ohata CPU Classification System.

This grade primarily includes desktop, workstation, and server processors constructed with:

• an integrated metal heat spreader,

• a fiber-based processor substrate,

• flat LGA contact pads or PGA pins,

• a complete processor package,

• and physical characteristics that meet the CPU-D buying standard.

Unlike older ceramic processors, most CPU-D processors use lightweight organic or fiber-based substrates and a metal top plate designed to improve heat transfer.

Processor performance does not determine the grade. A high-performance processor and an entry-level processor may both qualify as CPU-D when their package construction is similar.

Three Easy Ways to Identify CPU-D

1. Integrated Metal Heat Spreader

Most CPU-D processors have a square or rectangular silver-colored metal plate attached to the top of the processor.

This plate is called an integrated heat spreader. It helps transfer heat from the internal processor die to the cooling system.

A metal heat spreader is one of the most important visual characteristics of CPU-D, but the complete processor package must still be inspected.

2. Fiber-Based Processor Substrate

Below the metal heat spreader, CPU-D processors normally have a green, blue, brown, or similar organic fiber substrate.

This substrate contains the internal electrical connections between the processor die and the socket contacts.

CPU-D processors do not normally use the heavy ceramic package construction found in older premium CPU grades.

3. LGA Contact Pads or PGA Pins

CPU-D may include processors with either of the following contact styles:

LGA processors

LGA processors have flat gold-colored contact pads on the bottom. The spring contacts are located inside the motherboard socket.

PGA processors

PGA processors have a grid of pins attached to the underside of the processor. Many AMD desktop processors use this type of construction.

Contact type alone does not determine the grade. The complete package construction must meet the CPU-D standard.

Common CPU-D Processor Examples

CPU-D is not defined by one manufacturer or one processor series. Instead, it includes processors whose physical construction satisfies the Ohata CPU-D classification requirements.

Examples may include:

• Intel Core i3

• Intel Core i5

• Intel Core i7

• Intel Core i9

• Intel Xeon (desktop and server LGA models)

• Modern Intel Pentium

• Modern Intel Celeron

• Green fiber processors with integrated metal heat spreaders

• Other processors that satisfy the Ohata CPU-D classification requirements

These names are provided as general examples only.

Not every processor in a particular product family automatically receives the same grade. Final classification depends on physical construction, completeness, condition, and inspection.

What Does Not Qualify as CPU-D?

The following processor types are generally classified under other Ohata CPU grades.

Final classification is always based on the complete physical processor.

CPU-D Compared With Nearby CPU Grades

CPU-D vs CPU-C

CPU-D primarily includes modern processors with integrated metal heat spreaders and LGA or PGA contact systems.

CPU-C generally includes selected green or brown fiber processors, older package styles, and other processors that meet the separate CPU-C construction standard.

The presence of a green substrate alone does not determine the grade.

CPU-D vs CPU-E

CPU-D processors are generally larger desktop, workstation, or server processor packages with metal heat spreaders and socket-based contact systems.

CPU-E primarily includes plastic processor chips, embedded processors, controllers, FPGAs, and other plastic semiconductor packages with lower recoverable material value.

CPU-D vs CPU-F

CPU-D processors should remain complete, identifiable, and reasonably clean.

A processor that would normally qualify as CPU-D may instead be classified as CPU-F if it is:

• severely broken,

• burned,

• heavily corroded,

• missing major package sections,

• heavily contaminated,

• or mixed with unidentified processor scrap.

Why CPU-D Processors Have Recycling Value

The recycling value of CPU-D processors results from the combination of recoverable materials incorporated into every processor package.

Common recoverable materials include:

• Copper

• Gold

• Silver

• Nickel

• Palladium

• Aluminum

• Silicon

• Precious-metal bonding wires

The Ohata CPU Classification System evaluates the processor as a complete engineered assembly rather than focusing on one individual material. Overall package construction, semiconductor density, manufacturing quality, and recoverable material profile together determine the processor's recycling significance.

Although individual CPU-D processors generally contain less visible precious metal than many older ceramic processors, their extremely high production volume makes them one of the most important processor categories handled by electronic recyclers.

Buying Conditions

Preferred Condition

CPU-D processors are generally preferred when they are:

• complete and unmodified,

• clean and dry,

• free from excessive corrosion,

• free from heavy thermal compound,

• free from glue, epoxy, oil, or paint,

• separated from other CPU grades,

• removed from heatsinks,

• removed from motherboard sections,

• and packaged safely for inspection.

Conditions That May Reduce the Buying Price

Purchasing values may be reduced when processors are:

• mixed with other CPU grades,

• broken or cracked,

• burned or heat damaged,

• heavily corroded,

• missing pins or contact sections,

• covered with excessive thermal paste,

• attached to heatsinks,

• attached to motherboard pieces,

• contaminated with glue, epoxy, oil, or dirt,

• or mixed with unrelated electronic scrap.

Each shipment is physically inspected before the final grade and purchasing price are confirmed.

Preparing CPU-D Processors Before Delivery

For faster inspection, customers are encouraged to:

1. Remove heatsinks and cooling assemblies.

2. Separate CPU-D from ceramic CPUs and plastic IC chips.

3. Keep processors clean and dry.

4. Avoid scraping or removing the metal heat spreader.

5. Do not break the processor package.

6. Package processors carefully to avoid bent pins or damaged substrates.

7. Keep damaged processors separate from complete CPU-D material.

Proper preparation helps protect higher-grade material from being downgraded because of mixing, contamination, or physical damage.

Ohata Inspection Process

Every CPU-D shipment is inspected before the final purchasing grade is assigned.

Our inspectors evaluate:

• package construction,

• metal heat-spreader configuration,

• substrate type,

• LGA pads or PGA pins,

• processor completeness,

• physical condition,

• cleanliness,

• contamination,

• sorting quality,

• submitted quantity,

• and recoverable material profile.

Processor manufacturer, clock speed, core count, generation, original computer performance, and original retail price are not the primary classification factors.

Official Ohata CPU-D Classification Statement

A processor may be officially classified as CPU-D Grade when its package construction, physical characteristics, recoverable material profile, completeness, and overall condition satisfy the requirements of the Ohata CPU Classification System.

Classification is based on the physical processor being inspected rather than its manufacturer, model number, original selling price, processor specifications, or advertised performance. Different processor models may qualify for the same CPU-D Grade when they satisfy the same inspection standards, while identical models may receive different purchasing values if they are damaged, incomplete, contaminated, or improperly sorted.

Final classification and purchasing prices are confirmed only after physical inspection according to current market conditions and the Ohata CPU Classification System.

Learn more about Ohata's CPU recycling classifications

• CPU SSS Grade Buying scrap price

• CPU SS Grade Buying scrap price

• CPU S Grade Buying scrap price

• CPU A Grade Buying scrap price

• CPU B Grade Buying scrap price

• CPU C Grade Buying scrap price

• CPU E Grade (Plastic IC and Processor Chips) Buying scrap price

• CPU F Grade ( Damaged,Dirty and Mix CPU) Buying scrap price