Intel Reportedly Launching New CPUs on a Five-Year-Old Socket to Allow DDR4
October 9, 2026 - 5:42 pm
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Gigabyte has updated the BIOS across its entire B760 and H610 lineup, enabling support for new Intel processors that will arrive on the five-year-old LGA1700 socket in early 2027. The reason behind this is the current memory market, where AI has pushed prices to records, making DDR4 a more cost-effective option than DDR5.
Gigabyte's Announcement and Intel's Response:
Gigabyte emphasizes that its BIOS update ensures "existing stock stays fresh and relevant," aiding system builders and retailers in Europe, where desktop shipments are expected to decrease significantly this quarter.
Intel's Robert Hallock previously stated that LGA 1700 is still a robust socket and that older parts remain a crucial part of their portfolio. However, the company is considering splitting mainstream and enthusiast product lines due to pricing pressures.
The Impact of Memory Prices:
AI demand has significantly impacted memory prices, with DDR2 prices rising by 55% to 60% in a quarter. Now, a five-year-old socket is being revisited for new processors, reflecting the current market crunch.
Context predicts a substantial drop in desktop shipments across Europe this quarter and almost 30% in the fourth. Currys, a UK retailer, has also warned of rising memory costs. TrendForce expects conventional DRAM contract prices to increase by 13% to 18% this quarter.