Are All Intel CPUs the Same Size? (Use the Same Socket)

A CPU needs to fit into a socket on the motherboard, so knowing whether a CPU will fit into a motherboard is very important.

Intel CPUs are not the same size. Each new generation of Intel CPU is a different size and uses a different socket. But an i5, i7, and i9 CPU of the same generation (year) will generally all have an identical socket that fits into a motherboard.

Below I will provide a detailed answer about whether Intel CPUs fit into other brands of motherboards, and different motherboards all made by Intel. As well as, whether all Intel i-series CPUs have the same socket if newer Intel CPUs fit into older motherboards, and how to check if a CPU you’re buying will fit into your motherboard or a specific motherboard you’re thinking about buying.

Are All Intel CPUs Compatible With All Motherboards (Same Size, Socket, etc)

Some electronic devices and components are universal and can plug into anything. Whereas, others are brand or model-specific, and also differ based on the country. Here’s how Intel CPUs and motherboards work and whether any Intel CPU can be plugged into any Intel motherboard.

All Intel CPUs are not compatible with all motherboards. Intel CPUs use different technology than the other motherboard manufacturers such as AMD, and ASUS. Intel CPUs only fit into Intel motherboards, every generation (year) also has a different socket.

As you may know, each year Intel brings out a new CPU, which they call a generation. For example, 11th-generation CPUs came out after 10th-generation CPUs. Each new generation of Intel CPUs has a completely different socket. Therefore, if you have a 10th-generation Intel CPU, you can’t get the 11th-generation Intel CPU and plug it into your existing motherboard.

Below, is a table that shows the recent 3 generations of Intel CPUs, and what sockets they have.

Intel CPU (Desktop only)	Socket
10th generation – i3	FCLGA1200
10th generation – i5	FCLGA1200
10th generation – i7	FCLGA1200
10th generation – i9	FCLGA1200
11th generation – i3	FCBGA1787
11th generation – i5	FCBGA1787
11th generation – i7	FCBGA1787
11th generation – i9	FCBGA1787
12th generation – i5	FCBGA1744
12th generation – i7	FCBGA1744
12th generation – i9	FCBGA1744

There are many different model numbers of Intel CPUs. And individual Intel CPUs can have different socket numbers. For example, here’s a list on the official Intel website of all of the 12th-generation i7 CPUs. On that list, you can see that there are 11 different 12th-generation i7 CPUs. 

Because of the many different Intel CPUs, it’s always best to check exactly what socket it has by looking at the specification page for it on the Intel website. You can do a search for the model number and it’s easy to find a tab to see the list of specs for it where it will say the socket number.

This info is readily available on the product info page of the CPU you’re planning on buying. To find the compatible socket for the CPU you’re planning to get look for the number next to ‘Socket’.

To see what RAM is compatible with the CPU look for the type of RAM next to ‘Memory’. There can be a lot of info on the specifications page, so a helpful trick is to use ‘Ctrl + F’ to bring up the ‘find’ text box. And in the search box type ‘memory’ and hit enter, note down the number, type ‘socket’, and hit enter a few times to find the socket number and write it down.

Then it’s a matter of finding out what motherboards have that socket, and getting the best one for you based on your budget and speed requirements. Or, you can find what socket your existing motherboard has, and then find Intel CPUs that have that socket.

Are All Intel i-Series CPUs the Same?

If you’ve been researching Intel CPUs you will have noticed that each generation of CPUs has 3 to 4 different models that have the conventions i3, i5, and i7 to denote which ones are more powerful than others.

All Intel i-Series CPUs are not the same size, they differ based on the generation (year).

Each year Intel brings out a new generation of CPUs. All of the i-series of that generation generally have the same socket.

For example, a 12-generation i5 CPU has the same socket as a 12-generation i7 CPU.

Are Intel CPUs From the Same Family Backward Compatible

There are Intel i-Series CPUs that have the same i-Series number. 12th generation Intel CPUs have an i5, and 11th generation CPUs have an i5.

Intel CPUs from the same family are not backward compatible. All Intel CPUs of the same generation are typically compatible with the same motherboard socket, but newer and older generations don’t fit into the same motherboard socket.

For example, an 11th-generation Intel CPU will not fit into a motherboard that is compatible with a 10th-generation motherboard.

How To Know If Your Motherboard Is Compatible With Newer CPUs

Upgrading your CPU is a great way to boost the performance of your computer, but getting a new CPU requires you to check if it is compatible with your motherboard, to do that follow the instructions below.

Check what socket type your motherboard has by searching on EatYourBytes.com, and once you know what socket your motherboard has you can see what socket the new CPU that you what to buy has. As a general rule, newer CPUs are not compatible with motherboards that are compatible with older CPUs.

Intel (one of the most well-known and liked CPU brands) changes the socket of their CPUs with each new generation of CPU they bring out. For example, the 12th generation i5 has a different socket from an 11th generation i5 socket.

Sources

• Eatyourbytes.com
• Intel.com: How to Choose a Motherboard
• Intel.com: Intel® Core™ Processor Family