Can I Use an Older Intel CPU on a New DDR5 Motherboard?

[ronmurphy]

I am planning a new build and I’m eyeing a Z790 chipset, but I’m trying to save some money by reusing my 12th gen processor. Does a ddr5 motherboard maintain backward compatibility with older CPUs, or am I forced to buy a new chip to match the socket and memory controller?

I’m worried that the pin layout or the voltage requirements of a ddr5 motherboard might be strictly for 13th or 14th gen hardware. If anyone has successfully paired a 12700K with a newer board, please share your experience regarding BIOS updates and stability.

 

[ethanwalker]

Yes, you are quite able to do this. The hybrid architecture was in fact the 12 th gen chips, so a ddr5 motherboard can easily support a 12700K. My current setup is a 12900K on a Z790 board and it is absolutely stable.

 

[AngieMacal]

You're good to go. LGA 1700 socket is identical on 12 th, 13 th and 14 th generation. All you have to do is to ensure the particular ddr5 motherboard you purchase does not have a strangely old BIOS, however, typically, Z790 is compatible with 12th gen out of the box.

 

[HeatherMun]

Picture the purchase of a Z790 merely to install a 12th gen chip therein to make it look vintage. Not joking, it does work out very well. A majority of the individuals did not notice the fact that the memory controller at the 12 th -gen has been tailored to fit the gap to enable a ddr5 board.

 

[Gdeathswebscar]

I had made this very exchange last month. My 12400 still worked in a new MSI ddr5 board and did not even need to reformat Windows. Its pins are the same such that you do not have to be concerned with the voltage or layout.

 

[megamind]

Same here. The issue of backward compatibility was something I also had concerns with, but a ddr5 motherboard is being created with the flexibility to match the three particular generations of Intel. No stability difficulties on my part.

 

[Lugwig]

You are technically alright, but why? When you are spending the premium on the high-end ddr5 motherboard you may as well pick up a 14th generation chip and enjoy the full benefits of bandwidth.

 

[Ragnar Lothbrok]

It is, 12th gen, the first to make DDR5 anyway. Only have to ensure the QVL list of your specific ddr5 motherboard to make certain that your particular RAM sticks are supported by the CPU memory controller, which 12thgen is a little pickier regarding the faster speeds.

 

[jessicabell]

Me too. Installation of 12700K in an Asus Z790 ddr5 board. Literally zero issues. Even did not require an update of the BIOS since the board is more recent than the CPU.

 

[jameswill8520]

Wait, you would want to put an old engine into a new Ferrari? Seriously speaking, the ddr5 motherboard will know that chip immediately. It was what Intel did get right with the socket longevity in the recent past.

 

[AnnP111966]

I did this and succeeded, but I did some first boot loops. It turns out that I only had to re-seat the RAM. After it was posted, the ddr5 motherboard was able to run the 12thgen chip without any qualms.

 

[Ggranilel]

In earnest, Reddit is advice garbage that works in some cases but everybody is correct here. LGA 1700 is LGA 1700. The drdr5 motherboard will not discriminate between the 12th and 13th generation as long as it has the socket.

 

[robertsmith]

See your own manual, but 99 points out of 100 a z790 ddr5 motherboard is all the way compatible with 12th gen. My system is a video editing setup with 6 months of running that system and it has not gone dead.

 

[TaylorTravels]

All you have to do is to ensure that you have actually purchased a ddr5 motherboard and not the D4 version of the Z790. There have been some manufacturers of Z790s that continue to utilize DDR4, and that would certainly be an issue assuming you purchased new RAM already.

 

[Zmadislynd]

I am experiencing the same line of thinking at this moment loll. Happy that it did as I was not keen on spending another 400 dollars after having purchased the ddr5 motherboard and the case.