Z890 motherboards for Intel Core Ultra 200 compatible with a single generation of processors
Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
Introductory price €379
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Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Introductory price €729
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With the arrival of Core Ultra 200 processors for desktop PCs, Intel is introducing a new socket, the LGA 1851. As a reminder, the socket is the component that attaches the processor to the motherboard. It provides the electrical connection between the processor contacts and the motherboard pins, thus making their communication possible.
The LGA 1851 socket is identical to the LGA 1700, only the number of pins changes. © Asus
A little tour and then leaves
Intel has made a habit of changing sockets every two to three generations of processors. The previous socket, LGA 1700, accommodated the 12th, 13th, and 14th generation Core processors, providing the transition from DDR4 to DDR5. Therefore, if you had purchased a motherboard when the 12th generation Cores were released, you could consider updating your PC with a 13th or even 14th generation Core, and thus improve the performance of your configuration at a lower cost.
2021 Intel Roadmap for Desktop PCs. ©Intel
LGA 1851 motherboards already obsolete?!
For the LGA 1851 socket and the Z890 motherboards that include it, the future seems much more uncertain. Originally, the LGA 1851 socket was to accommodate a version for desktop PCs with the Meteor Lake architecture, which was canceled. We were also supposed to have the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture next year, but this also seems to be canceled.
The next Core Ultra, 300 if we rely on the new nomenclature, should therefore be based on the Nova Lake architecture planned for 2026. Problem: Intel has not specified the socket that would be used for this processor.
This would therefore condemn LGA 1851 motherboards to only know one generation of processor, without any possibility of updating. The only consolation is that LGA 1700 compatible cooling systems are fully compatible with the LGA 1851 socket.
Fan mountings are identical between the LGA 1700 socket and the LGA 1851 socket © Noctua
We therefore contacted several motherboard manufacturers to find out the possible lifespan of this new socket, but they all gave up and referred us to Intel. So we asked Intel the question during a broadcast on Twitch dedicated to the launch of the Core Ultra 200 : how durable is the LGA 1851 socket? The answer being: 'At this time, we do not have any plans to share on our next products', if this were to reassure us, it failed.
AMD has it all figured out
As for the competition, we are rubbing our hands since AMD's AM4 socket, introduced with the arrival of the first Ryzen in 2017, still accommodates compatible processors. Of course, it's not the latest in architecture, but the point is there.
The last socket change at AMD (AM5) dates from 2022 during the transition to DDR5 with the Ryzen 7000. A change without DDR4/DDR5 transition, but AMD has already officially committed to the lifespan of the AM5 with support until at least 2027.
AMD is committed to the socket until at least 2027. © Les Numériques
Intel would be well advised to clarify the lifespan of its sockets so that users can be fully aware of the lifespan of their component and thus invest wisely, since in view of the prices of Z890 motherboards between 240 and 1,500 euros (!), we can really talk about an investment.
