CPU cooler compatibility by socket
Mounting hole spacing for Intel and AMD sockets, which coolers carry over between sockets, and what else to check before reusing a cooler.
Updated
A cooler fits a socket when its brackets line up with the four mounting holes around it. The spacing of those holes is set by the socket, and manufacturers reuse the same pattern across several generations. This guide lists the patterns for the sockets in the database and explains the common reuse cases.
Mounting hole spacing
| Socket | Hole spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LGA 775 | 72 × 72 mm | Smaller than every later Intel socket. Intel's boxed coolers used push pins. |
| LGA 1155, LGA 1150, LGA 1151, LGA 1200 | 75 × 75 mm | One shared pattern. LGA 1156 uses it as well. |
| LGA 1700, LGA 1851 | 78 × 78 mm | A new pattern, shared by the two sockets. |
| AM3+ | 48 × 96 mm | The same pattern as AM2 and AM3. |
| AM4, AM5 | 54 × 90 mm | AM5 boards have a built-in backplate that cannot be removed. |
Hole spacing is the first check and not the only one. A cooler also needs the right bracket hardware for the socket, enough height clearance, and a contact plate that covers the processor's heat spreader.
Common reuse cases
LGA 1155, 1150, 1151 and 1200. A cooler for any of these generally fits the others, because the 75 mm pattern is shared. This makes it easy to carry a cooler from an older Intel build to a newer one on the same pattern.
From LGA 1200 or older to LGA 1700. The holes move from 75 mm to 78 mm, so an older bracket does not line up. Many cooler makers sell an LGA 1700 mounting kit for their older models. Check the maker's list for the exact cooler.
From LGA 1700 to LGA 1851. Both sockets use 78 mm holes, so coolers that support LGA 1700 normally carry over. Confirm that the maker's list names LGA 1851, since a few designs differ in mounting pressure or contact plate coverage.
From AM4 to AM5. The 54 × 90 mm pattern is unchanged, and many AM4 coolers work on AM5. The exception is a cooler that brings its own backplate, because AM5 boards have a fixed one. Those coolers need a mounting kit made for AM5, and some makers supply one.
From AM3 or AM3+ to AM4. The pattern changed from 48 × 96 mm to 54 × 90 mm, so an older AMD cooler needs an AM4 bracket or a new cooler.
Contact frames on LGA 1700
Some builders reported that the stock retention frame on LGA 1700 boards pressed the processor into a slight bow. Aftermarket contact frames from companies such as Thermal Grizzly and Thermalright were made to even out the pressure. They are accessories and not part of Intel's design. If you use one, check that your cooler's mounting hardware still fits with the frame installed.
Match the cooler to the processor
Cooling needs depend on the processor's power. Intel lists two figures: processor base power, which is the sustained rating, and maximum turbo power, which the chip can reach during heavy loads. The Intel Core i9-14900K has a 125 W base power and a 253 W maximum turbo power, while the Intel Core i5-12400F is rated at 65 W and 117 W. AMD lists a default TDP, and AMD processors can draw more than that figure under load. A cooler's rated capacity should cover the processor's higher figure for sustained work.
Some boxed processors include a cooler, and others do not. K-series Intel processors such as the Intel Core i7-10700K come without one, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X ships with AMD's Wraith Stealth. The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X come without a cooler.
A short checklist
- Find your socket. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how.
- Look up the cooler on its maker's site and check that your socket is on the compatibility list.
- Compare the cooler's height with your case, and its width with your memory modules and the board's heatsinks.
- Check whether the cooler needs a different backplate for your board, especially on AM5.
- Apply thermal paste or use the pre-applied paste as the maker directs, and tighten the mounting screws evenly.