Now that Intel has officially announced its new 200-Series Arrow Lake CPUs, you might be wondering about cooler compatibility. Will your current cooler work fine on the new processors? Or will you have to get a whole new cooler? Let’s take a look.
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Yes, because the Ultra Core 200-Series CPUs have almost identical dimensions to the previous generation and the new LGA 1851 socket doesn’t use a different mounting pattern compared to the previous LGA 1700 socket.
For those on the hunt for more detail about this, we’re happy to oblige. In order for a CPU cooler to work properly, it must be positioned so as to fully cover the IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader). Additionally, it must have enough pressure on that IHS to facilitate good thermal transfer.
The IHS, for those not in the know, is the metal plate on the top of the CPU. The part with the model name printed on it. The actual CPU, alongside some other stuff, is hidden underneath this metal plate.
Our CPU coolers come with all the mounting hardware you need. The Intel LGA 1700 mounting brackets will work with the new Core Ultra 200-Series CPUs.
Positioning remains unaffected as the new LGA 1851 socket, and therefore any motherboard with that socket, has the mounting holes in the exact same positions as the previous LGA 1700 socket. This means that the mounting posts that come with air coolers, AIOs, and custom cooling CPU waterblocks will fit correctly. Those posts are still going to be in the same place so that they can connect to the mounting bracket that affixes the cooler to the posts.
Ok, but what about the pressure? Well this is not a concern either. Technically, the new Ultra Core CPUs are a tiny bit higher than the previous generation. something along the lines of 0.1mm.
This illustration shows the process for screwing the cooler onto the CPU. You only need to screw it on tight, a small variance in the height of the CPU won't change that.
This is not enough of a change to affect existing coolers. This is because that when you mount your cooler onto the posts around the socket were talking about earlier, you screw it in. As the new CPU is simply a little higher up, the screws will still screw in far enough to apply sufficient pressure. Some coolers even come with springs that help evenly distribute the pressure. It's ok. Everything will be fine.
So yes, if you're upgrading from a 14th-gen Intel CPU to a new 200-Series CPU, go ahead and keep using your current cooler. Just remember that you should clean the old thermal paste off the heatsink, and apply some new stuff. CORSAIR XTM70 thermal paste actually comes with an applicator kit that makes it easy to apply just the right amount.
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