Intel 486 DX Ceramic CPU – Vintage Gold Recovery Processor with Math Coprocessor for Precious Metal Scrap Recycling
Buy Intel 486 DX Ceramic CPU – vintage processors with built-in math coprocessor. High gold content pins, gold lid, and bonding wires. Ideal for gold recovery and e-waste recycling. Contact us for bulk orders. Delivery by air, land & sea worldwide. Standard & express shipment available.
The Intel 486 DX Ceramic CPU (i486 DX, 80486 DX) is a highly sought-after vintage processor for precious metal recovery. Introduced in 1989, the 486 DX was the first x86 processor to include a built-in floating-point unit (math coprocessor), eliminating the need for a separate 487 chip. These CPUs were manufactured in a high-quality ceramic Pin Grid Array (PGA) package, making them rich in recoverable gold.
Unlike later plastic-packaged CPUs, the ceramic 486 DX features a visible gold-plated lid (heat spreader), gold-plated pins (typically 168–238 pins depending on socket), gold bonding wires connecting the silicon die to package leads, and thick-film gold traces on the ceramic substrate. For e-waste recyclers and precious metal refiners, the Intel 486 DX ceramic series offers excellent gold yield per kilogram.
Gold-Bearing Components in Intel 486 DX Ceramic CPU:
| Component | Gold Content (Approx.) | Recovery Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Gold-plated lid / heat spreader | Moderate to High | Easy (mechanical removal) |
| Gold-plated pins (168–238 pins) | High | Moderate (depopulation or chemical stripping) |
| Gold bonding wires (internal) | Very High | Requires chemical refining |
| Thick-film gold traces on ceramic | High | Requires chemical refining after crushing |
Typical gold yield range: 0.7 – 1.3 grams per kilogram of ceramic 486 DX CPUs.
Key Specifications:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Intel Corporation |
| Family | Intel 80486 (i486) DX |
| Package Type | Ceramic Pin Grid Array (PGA) – 168, 196, 238 pins (Socket 1, 2, 3) |
| Clock Speeds | 25 MHz, 33 MHz, 50 MHz (DX2 and DX4 variants also available) |
| Bus Speed | 25 MHz (DX), 25/50 MHz (DX2), 25/33/100 MHz (DX4) |
| Integrated FPU | Yes (built-in math coprocessor) |
| Die Size | 81 mm² (1µm) down to 43 mm² (0.6µm) |
| Pin Count by socket | Socket 1 (168 pins), Socket 2 (196 pins), Socket 3 (238 pins) |
| Pin Material | Gold-plated Kovar or copper |
| Lid Material | Gold-plated copper or nickel-copper with gold flash |
| Markings | Intel® i486™ DX, Intel logo, clock speed (±), S-spec number, batch code |
Common Models in This Series:
| Model | Clock Speed | Bus Speed | Socket | Pin Count | Relative Gold Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 486 DX-25 | 25 MHz | 25 MHz | Socket 1/2 | 168/196 | High |
| 486 DX-33 | 33 MHz | 33 MHz | Socket 2 | 196 pins | High |
| 486 DX-50 | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | Socket 3 | 238 pins | Very High (more pins) |
| 486 DX2-50 | 50 MHz (internal) | 25 MHz | Socket 3 | 238 pins | Very High |
| 486 DX2-66 | 66 MHz | 33 MHz | Socket 3 | 238 pins | Very High |
| 486 DX4-75 | 75 MHz | 25 MHz | Socket 3 | 238 pins | Very High |
| 486 DX4-100 | 100 MHz | 33 MHz | Socket 3 | 238 pins | Very High |
Key Applications:
-
Precious metal recycling and gold recovery from e-waste
-
Bulk gold scrap trading and refining feedstock
-
Vintage computer restoration (non-working units for display or parts)
-
Laboratory assaying and precious metal content analysis
-
Educational demonstrations of e-waste gold content
Distinguishing Features – 486 DX vs 486 SX vs 486 DX2/DX4:
| Model | FPU (Math Coprocessor) | Internal Clock Multiplier | Typical Gold Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 486 DX | Built-in | 1x (no multiplier) | High |
| 486 SX | Disabled / absent | 1x | Moderate-High (similar pins) |
| 486 DX2 | Built-in | 2x | Very High |
| 486 DX4 | Built-in | 3x | Very High |
| 486 OverDrive | Built-in | 2x or 3x | Very High (often gold pin adapter) |
Available Quantities:
-
Single units or small batches (for testing or display)
-
Small lots: 10–50 pieces
-
Wholesale lots: 100–500 pieces
-
Bulk boxes: by weight (e.g., 2 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg boxes)
-
Full pallets (mixed ceramic CPU lots, including 486 DX)
-
Full 20ft / 40ft containers of mixed ceramic CPUs
Quality & Condition:
-
Sold as untested, non-functional scrap – no guarantee of electrical operation
-
Pins may be bent, oxidized, tarnished, or slightly missing – still valuable for gold recovery
-
Ceramic may have minor chips or discoloration – does not affect gold recovery
-
Gold lid may be scratched or dull – gold content remains fully recoverable
-
Some units may have original thermal paste or adhesive – included in weight
-
No heatsinks or fans attached (unless originally glued)
Processing Tips for Refiners:
| Step | Method |
|---|---|
| 1. Lid removal | Heat with hot air gun (200-250°C) → pry off with blade |
| 2. Pin depopulation | Decapsulation tool, heat plate, or chemical stripping (nitric acid – professional only) |
| 3. Ceramic body processing | Crush in ball mill → screen → process with aqua regia or cyanide leach |
| 4. Safety | Always use fume hood, PPE (gloves, goggles, apron), proper waste disposal |
Comparison – Intel 486 DX vs Other Ceramic CPUs for Gold Recovery:
| CPU | Gold per kg (Typical) | Pin Count | Scarcity | Collector Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel 486 DX | 0.7–1.3 g | 168–238 | Common | Low |
| Intel Pentium (P5) | 0.8–1.5 g | 273–387 | Common | Low |
| Intel Pentium Pro | 1.5–3.0 g | 387+ pins + cap | Moderate | Moderate |
| AMD 486 ceramic | 0.6–1.1 g | 168–238 | Uncommon | Low-Moderate |
| Cyrix 486 ceramic | 0.5–1.0 g | 168–238 | Uncommon | Moderate |
Why Choose Our Intel 486 DX Ceramic Scrap?
-
Authentic Intel ceramic CPUs – no counterfeit or fake chips
-
Clean, dry, and ready for processing
-
Pre-sorted to exclude broken or worthless units
-
Competitive pricing based on weight and typical gold yields
-
Ideal for bulk e-waste recyclers and mid-size refiners
For more inquiries or to place an order (sample, small lot, or bulk wholesale quantities), please contact us. We deliver by air, land, and sea — internationally. Standard and express shipment options available.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.