What socket do Intel 12th Gen CPUs use?

Intel 12th Gen Corei5 Chip Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Key

All-time respond: Intel's 12th Gen Core "Alder Lake" processors (CPU) employ a new LGA 1700 socket. This is a replacement for the previous LGA 1200 socket that was used for 10th and 11th Gen Intel CPUs. There is so far just one Z690 chipset available for motherboards with the LGA 1700 socket.

What's new with the LGA 1700 CPU socket?

Intel processors and motherboards link upwardly through a socket with protruding pins that make contact with the bottom of a CPU. Each CPU has a certain number of apartment connectors that corresponds to the number of pins in the socket. When a CPU manufacturer like Intel changes up the number of pins and the shape of the fleck, sockets must also change to accommodate these CPUs.

Intel 12th Gen Hero Corei9 Chip Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal

Intel'due south new LGA 1700 socket is a replacement for the LGA 1200 socket that was used for 10th and 11th Gen Intel CPUs. There have been quite a number of unlike sockets used over the years, but this change brings a rare redesign. The LGA 1700 socket is taller with an asymmetrical design. That means older CPUs won't work with the LGA 1700 socket, and the new twelfth Gen Intel Core CPUs won't work with older sockets (like the LGA 1200). Since you can't swap out the socket on a motherboard, you lot're likely looking at a considerable rebuild if you're upgrading to a 12th Gen Intel CPU.

The redesign also means about CPU coolers designed for previous Intel chips won't piece of work properly with the new hardware. Yous might get lucky and notice an LGA 1700 adapter kit for your specific cooler. Notably, Noctua was 1 of the first companies to announce a free upgrade for the new socket.

Which twelfth Gen Intel Core CPUs tin can y'all buy now?

Intel 12th Gen Core I9 Hero Boxes Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental

So far there are vi desktop-class processors available from Intel'due south 12th Gen Core "Alder Lake" lineup. The Intel Cadre i5-12600K and its i5-12600KF counterpart (without integrated graphics) are fantabulous choices for anyone who needs superb performance at a small-scale toll. They come with 10 cores and 16 threads.

The Intel Core i7-12700K and Cadre i7-12700KF (without integrated graphics) are a decent step up for those who need extra cores for heavier multitasking workloads. They come with 12 cores and twenty threads. And the Intel Core i9-12900K and i9-12900KF (without integrated GPU) are for ultimate performance. They have 16 cores and 24 threads. It tin be a bit catchy to figure out which CPU is best for your specific needs, but our guide on how to choice the right twelfth Gen Intel Core CPU tin assist.

And since you're no dubiety going to need a new motherboard for your 12th Gen Intel Core CPU, we've also rounded upwards the all-time motherboards for Core i5-12600K, best motherboards for Core i7-12700K, and best motherboards for Core i9-12900K to assistance ensure yous go exactly what y'all need.

12th Gen Intel Core i5

Intel Core i5-12600K

The Core i5-12600K is a groovy value processor from Intel, offer 10 cores and 16 threads for less than $300. It's strange to consider this level of operation as "mid-range."

12th Gen Intel Core i7

Intel Core i7-12700K

Stepping information technology up a gear from the i5 brand is the impressive Core i7-12700K. It has 12 cores, xx threads, and room for overclocking if you've got plenty thermal capacity.

Intel Core i9-12900K

Intel Cadre i9-12900K

Yous likely don't need something like the Core i9-12900K, simply information technology would be amazing to have one installed inside your PC. These monsters take 16 cores and 24 threads, and tin can turbo boost all the fashion up to 5.2GHz.

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Best motherboards for Intel Core i7-12700K 2022

All-time motherboard

All-time motherboards for Intel Cadre i7-12700K 2022

The Core i7-12700K can brand good use of the best motherboards with a Z690 chipset. Connect DDR5 RAM and the latest GPUs, and y'all've got one amazing gaming machine. Here are some of our favorite boards.