Intel 15th gen Socket – What socket will Intel’s 15th gen use?

Getting to the bottom of the 15th gen socket

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Intel is on track to release its next generation of CPUs, there has been some confusion thanks to leaks from various sources as to what the 15th generation will be named. One thing we do know, however, is thanks to a leak over on Benchlife, we know the socket next in line, the heir to the LGA 1700 throne. Here’s the Intel 15th-generation socket.

Everything we are about to reveal was posted over on Benchlife and translated using Google Translate, so this, as always, should be taken with a pinch of salt.

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Intel 15th gen socket – Socket LGA 1851

From a post on Benchlife, we have an image containing technical specifications for the new LGA 1851 socket. According to this post, the LGA 1851 socket will keep the same pin count all the way up to 2026. if that remains to be true, that means Lunar Lake will most likely use the same socket.

Interestingly enough, the new Arrow Lake LGA 1851 socket appears to be 0.05mm deeper than that of Raptor Lake’s LGA 1700 socket. That could suggest the new Arrow Lake CPUs have a re-designed IHS, for better cooling and heat transfer, as we know, Intel IHSs aren’t always the best. So an improvement in that department would be much appreciated, considering how hot the current Raptor Lake CPUs run.

The socket does remain the same size, however, hopefully meaning we can retain CPU cooler compatibility, much like AMD did with the switch from AM4 to AM5. This helped users save a buck or two on an all-new redesigned cooler, which is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to the thermal performance of the latest CPUs.

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Socket LGA 1851 specifications

According to HWcooling, the LGA 1851 socket is expected to retain its support for a PCI Express 5.0 ×16 interface for GPUs, indicating that a transition to PCI Express 6.0 is not yet on the horizon. Unfortunately, TCL does not provide specific details regarding the bifurcation option for connecting multiple GPUs or SSDs through this interface. As for the LGA 1700 platform (featuring Z690, Z790, H670, and H770 chipsets), it currently supports only an ×8/×8 split.

However, the noteworthy development lies in the improved connectivity for SSDs directly attached to the CPU, enabling Intel to narrow the gap with AMD. Presently, the LGA 1700 platform offers a single PCIe 4.0 ×4 interface for SSDs (resulting in PCIe 5.0 SSDs having to utilize eight lanes originally intended for graphics cards if the board supports them).

With the introduction of the LGA 1851, a dedicated PCIe 5.0 ×4 interface will directly connect to the CPU, alongside the ×16 slot for GPUs, thereby providing native support for the latest and fastest SSDs. Moreover, the processor will incorporate a secondary PCI 4.0 ×4 interface for additional SSDs.

However, it is important to note that this capability falls slightly behind what AMD’s AM5 platform offers. In the case of AM5, the CPU boasts a PCIe 5.0 ×16 interface for attaching GPUs, along with two PCIe 5.0 ×4 interfaces for SSDs (in the case of Ryzen 7000 processors, the GPU slot can also be split into ×8/×4/×4 configurations on AM5, leading to certain boards offering four PCIe 5.0 ×4 slots).

It’s going to be very interesting to see what Intel has in store for the LGA 1851 socket, and as always we won’t know anything for sure until Intel officially announces the socket.

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Final word

In conclusion, the leaked information regarding Intel’s upcoming 15th gen socket, the LGA 1851, has sparked excitement and speculation within the tech community. While it’s important to approach these leaks with caution, they provide some intriguing insights into the potential advancements that may accompany this new socket.

The LGA 1851 socket is expected to maintain the same pin count until 2026, indicating potential compatibility with future processors such as Lunar Lake. Interestingly, the socket appears to be slightly deeper than its predecessor, suggesting a redesigned Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) that could lead to improved cooling and heat transfer – an area where Intel has faced criticism in the past. This could be a welcome improvement, especially considering the heat generated by current Raptor Lake CPUs.

Fortunately, the socket size is expected to remain the same, which may offer compatibility with existing CPU coolers—a feature reminiscent of AMD’s transition from AM4 to AM5. This could be a cost-saving measure for users while potentially raising questions about thermal performance.