Intel may once more retain cooler compatibility when moving to its next-gen processors. The brand’s upcoming LGA1954 socket, debuting along its Nova Lake chips, should play nice with current LGA1700 and LGA1851 mounting mechanisms, reducing the cost of platform ownership for anyone who has built a machine over the last four years or so.
According to a shipping manifest spotted by X user RubyRapids, Intel’s upcoming LGA1954 socket should sport the same dimensions as LGA1851. In other words, unless there is a major IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader) height change, all air and liquid coolers that are compatible with 12th Gen Core processors or newer should work with Nova Lake CPUs without issue.
That said, being compatible doesn’t guarantee optimal performance. Aside from any increase in the chips’ TDP, the Nova Lake hotspot could shift and nullify the benefits of offset frames. Thankfully, if that’s the case, you can bet cooler brands such as Arctic and Noctua will offer mounting kits to remedy such problems.
Though Intel still has plenty of catching up to do, as AM4 coolers dating back to 2017 still work with modern AM5 processors, this move certainly puts it on the right track. Should these rumours prove true, this will mark four years of support spread across at least five generations of processors. Any means to stretch out the value of a component purchase is a worthwhile endeavour in my eyes.
Keep in mind that while this looks promising on paper, anything regarding Nova Lake is subject to change until Intel cements socket dimensions and support. We should get an official word from Team Blue next year, as we’ve the Arrow Lake Refresh to look forward to before any LGA1954 CPUs make it to market. In the meantime, I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
