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1. Select Processor

2. Select Motherboard

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About

One of the most common pitfalls in PC assembly is the socket mismatch. While it may seem obvious that an Intel CPU won't fit an AMD board, nuances within the same brand are tricky. For instance, an LGA1700 CPU fits both Z690 and Z790 boards, but the Z690 may require a firmware (BIOS) flash before it can even boot the newer chip.

This utility goes beyond physical dimensions. It evaluates the Thermal Design Power (TDP) requirements. A high-end i9 processor might physically fit into a budget H610 motherboard, but the motherboard's Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs) may lack the phases to supply sufficient power, leading to severe thermal throttling. This tool provides a holistic compatibility analysis including Socket, Chipset, and Power constraints.

pc parts picker socket checker cpu compatibility bios check motherboard chipset

Formulas

The VRM sufficiency is estimated by comparing the CPU's max turbo power with the motherboard's power phase rating:

Safe TDPcpu_max < VRMcapacity

BIOS Version requirements are determined by release dates:

Requires Update =
{
TRUE if Datecpu > Datemobo_releaseFALSE otherwise

Reference Data

SocketSupported CPUsTypical Chipsets
LGA 1700Intel Core 12th, 13th, 14th GenZ790, B760, Z690, B660
AM5AMD Ryzen 7000, 8000, 9000 SeriesX670E, X670, B650E, B650, A620
LGA 1200Intel Core 10th, 11th GenZ590, B560, Z490, H410
AM4AMD Ryzen 1000 to 5000 SeriesX570, B550, B450, X370, A320
LGA 1151Intel Core 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th GenZ390, Z370, Z270, Z170 (Note revision splits)

Frequently Asked Questions

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the firmware on the motherboard. When new CPUs are released after a motherboard is manufactured, the board needs new software instructions to recognize the new processor. This is done via a USB update.
No. Ryzen 7000 uses the AM5 socket, which has pins on the motherboard (LGA), whereas AM4 has pins on the CPU (PGA). They are physically incompatible.
Mostly for connectivity and overclocking. A Z-series (Intel) or X-series (AMD) chipset allows CPU overclocking and has more USB/PCIe lanes. A B-series is usually sufficient for performance but limits tweaking options.