5CEFA2F23C7N vs 5CEFA4F23C8N

The 5CEFA4F23C8N and 5CEFA2F23C7N are both Intel (formerly Altera) Cyclone V FPGAs in the same 484-pin FBGA package (F23). The primary differences are logic density and speed grade: the 5CEFA4F23C8N offers approximately 49,000 logic elements (LEs) with a speed grade of 8, while the 5CEFA2F23C7N offers approximately 25,000 LEs with a faster speed grade of 7. The 5CEFA4F23C8N also provides more embedded memory, multipliers, and transceiver resources than the 5CEFA2F23C7N.

Both devices are offered in the same 484-pin FBGA (F23) package, and Intel documents the Cyclone V F23 package with a common pinout across device densities within the same family and package. However, designers must verify the specific pin assignments, I/O bank voltages, and dedicated function pins against the official Cyclone V pin-out files, because not all I/O or transceiver pins are available or identical across densities.

No. Although both share the F23 package, the 5CEFA2F23C7N has lower logic density and fewer embedded resources than the 5CEFA4F23C8N. A design that fully utilizes the 5CEFA4F23C8N's logic, memory, or DSP resources will not fit in the 5CEFA2F23C7N. Additionally, the speed grade difference (7 vs 8) affects timing closure, so the design must be re-timed and re-verified before any substitution.

The 5CEFA4F23C8N uses speed grade 8, while the 5CEFA2F23C7N uses speed grade 7. In Intel's Cyclone V speed grade nomenclature, a lower number indicates a faster speed grade. Therefore, the 5CEFA2F23C7N has faster maximum operating frequencies and tighter timing specifications than the 5CEFA4F23C8N, even though it has lower logic density.

Both the 5CEFA4F23C8N and 5CEFA2F23C7N are specified with a commercial temperature range of 0°C to 85°C junction temperature (TJ), as indicated by the "C" in the ordering code. Industrial-temperature versions would carry a different suffix. Always confirm the exact temperature grade from the Intel Cyclone V device datasheet and the specific ordering information for each part number.

The 5CEFA4F23C8N belongs to the Cyclone V A4 density tier, which provides approximately 49,000 logic elements (LEs). The 5CEFA2F23C7N belongs to the A2 density tier, which provides approximately 25,000 LEs. The higher-density 5CEFA4F23C8N also includes more M10K memory blocks, more variable-precision DSP blocks, and additional high-speed transceiver channels compared to the 5CEFA2F23C7N.

Selection depends on the design's resource and timing requirements. Choose the 5CEFA4F23C8N if the design needs higher logic density, more embedded memory, or more DSP and transceiver resources. Choose the 5CEFA2F23C7N if the design fits within approximately 25,000 LEs and benefits from the faster speed grade 7 for higher clock frequencies. In all cases, resource utilization and timing must be validated using Intel Quartus Prime with the exact target device.

Intel Cyclone V devices, including the 5CEFA4F23C8N and 5CEFA2F23C7N, are offered in RoHS-compliant packages as indicated by the "N" suffix in the ordering code, which denotes lead-free (Pb-free) construction. Designers should confirm the specific compliance documentation, including any exemptions, from Intel's product material declarations or authorized distributor datasheets such as DigiKey or Mouser.