3 ms·

I don't think that is true. Consider that IC manufacturers use gold plating on pins and connectors. If Zinc was just as effective, I think they would use it ins

by zafka 12y ago

I don't think that is true. Consider that IC manufacturers use gold plating on pins and connectors. If Zinc was just as effective, I think they would use it instead. I know zinc protects steel as a sacrificial anode, I am not sure if it does as much for copper.

jacquesm 12y ago
As the size if the pin decreases and the frequencies go up the advantages of gold plating relative to the increase in price look better. Quite possibly there is a point where this balance tips over in the favour of gold. Zinc is not used in a sacrificial sense here, just as the main contact surface. There is gold in a few more places in a CPU, typically the bonding pads surface and the wires connecting them to the pins. It is quite possible the skin effect is at play here and that gold's superior resistance against oxidation is what gives it an edge. (we're talking GHz after all!).