processor compatibility, relevance, specifications and more

The LGA 1851 socket will be the new industry standard for the period from 2024 to 2026 at least

Sockets, like processors, are not an eternal story. Therefore, over time, both of them undergo certain changes. One of these transformations should be the launch of a new Intel socket codenamed LGA 1851. It promises to be the basis for the next generation of high-performance Intel Arrow Lake processorssuccessors to the current Raptor Lake, and likely even Meteor Lake.

What is known about the Intel LGA 1851 socket

According to rumors, Intel did not plan to release processors based on Meteor Lake architecture for desktop computers, focusing their creation primarily on the needs of laptops. Therefore, the LGA 1851 socket was supposed to become the domain of Arrow Lake processors, whose release is scheduled for 2024. But, apparently, the company changed its decision, as evidenced indirectly by materials from IBASE, a manufacturer of motherboards.

He has already set up production lines to produce MP with LGA 1851 socket and even published some specifications, specifying, in particular, that the future board will be compatible with Meteor Lake-PS Core Ultra series processors. Of course, this could be a mistake, given that Meteor Lake should be shipped soldered onto the motherboard with built-in RAM, but what the heck. In the end, Intel can simply make a separate version for desktop platforms, and nothing will happen to it.

Intel decided to keep the LGA 1851 socket dimensions the same as the LGA 1700 for backward compatibility with older coolers

LGA 1851 platform was developed to meet the growing needs of modern processors, which are becoming more and more powerful. This is necessary for launching new games, training artificial intelligence, running heavy applications and performing other resource-intensive tasks.

Go to new LGA 1851 socket will be marked by the use of more modern hardware and software technologies that will significantly increase the performance of the next generation of Intel processors:

Improved Intel Xe 2 graphics processor, which will be the basis for both integrated and dedicated Intel GPUs. New graphics cores promise increased performance in hardware-accelerated games and applications.
Built-in hardware accelerator AI Engine to accelerate machine learning and artificial intelligence tasks. Chip Intel AI Engine designed to provide high processing speed for neural network calculations.
Integration PCIe 5.0 interface with support for 20 lanes, which will provide increased bandwidth compared to PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0×16..

Differences between LGA 1700 and LGA 1851 sockets

One of the key differences between LGA 1851 and its predecessor LGA 1700 is the increased number of contacts, which, as the code name suggests, will now be 1851 instead of 1700. An additional one and a half hundred pins will allow increasing throughput while maintaining high energy efficiency.

Despite the planned increase in contacts, the landing itself LGA 1851 socket it will practically not become more than LGA 1700. Maintaining the same dimensions will allow it to be used in conjunction with new generation processors coolers targeting LGA 1700. Thus, users will have access to the opportunity to upgrade their computer assembly at a less costly cost, albeit not without reservations.

Motherboards with LGA 1851 sockets will not support DDR4 RAM

In particular, the LGA 1851 socket will not be supported DDR4 RAMlike LGA 1700, and can only accept a newer standard in the assembly DDR5. Fortunately, recently the cost of more modern RAM is almost equal to the previous generation. This way you can buy a newer solution with more overclocking potential for the same, and sometimes even lower, price.

LGA 1851 backwards compatible

Despite a number of innovations in LGA 1851, Intel listened to users' wishes to maintain compatibility. The first LGA 1851-based motherboards are expected to use familiar Intel 700 series chipsetssuch as the Z790, but solutions based on the 800 series will be added to their number, which will offer new technical capabilities.

Surprisingly, even Intel Meteor Lake could be released in a desktop version for LGA 1851

The move to the new LGA 1851 socket opens the door to increased performance and new technologies. Combined with keeping drives and RAM backwards compatible, this should make system upgrades smoother and less expensive for many users. At the same time, increased number of pins and area of LGA 1851 will provide additional potential for further improvements in the future.

It is expected that the LGA 1851 socket will remain relevant over the next 3 years, at least until 2026 inclusive. Some would probably like this period to be even longer. But practice shows that processors are improving too quickly, and focusing on one single platform for manufacturers can be fraught with negative consequences.