Choose leaded Arria II GX for new design?

Question

Does it make any sense to choose a non-lead free (leaded) FPGA for a new design? Will these soon be phased out by Altera?

Given that cheaper PCB materials can be selected and that rework will be easier when leaded solder is used, it simplifies (assuming the leaded parts are available).

I'm using the Arria II GX (EP2AGX45DF29).

Leaded: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?detail&name=ep2agx45df29c6-nd

Non-leaded: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?detail&name=ep2agx45df29c6n-nd

I'm observing that the non-leaded part is around $40 cheaper though so may make sense to just go with a RoHS process. It would be interesting to find out if anyone still uses leaded BGAs.

altera_forum · Answer

The aerospace and military markets still use leaded processes a lot, so those components won't be phased out soon. However as you noticed the leaded components are more expensive, and usually harder to order (or at least with longer lead times and/or higher minimal order).

Rework isn't harder with lead-free parts, you just need the right tools and know how to use them correctly ;) And most of the customers (except on the markets mentioned earlier) now ask for lead free products.

altera_forum · Answer

Thanks. I will go with a RoHS design due to the cheaper parts.

altera_forum · Answer

In this case, yes:  http://search.digikey.com/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?detail&amp;name=ep2agx45df29c6-nd  http://search.digikey.com/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?detail&amp;name=ep2agx45df29c6n-nd

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Choose leaded Arria II GX for new design?

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