What you need to know
- Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake-S CPUs and Noctua's CPU coolers are suffering from incompatibility issues.
- To remedy the problem, Noctua is providing free mounting upgrade kits.
- NH-L9i series coolers will be exempt from this mounting kit process.
Noctua cooler fans don't have to worry about Intel's 12th Gen Alder Lake-S processors thanks to a recent announcement from Noctua stating that those who've purchased either an LGA1700 CPU or an LGA1700 motherboard, as well as a Noctua CPU cooler, will be entitled to a free mounting upgrade kit to ensure their cooler and CPU work together as intended.
You can check out the full press release from Noctua at its website (via PC Gamer). There, the company details the upcoming LGA1700 platform and what it means for those already in ownership of a Noctua cooler.
Upgrades are on the table for most, though a few folks will be left out in the cold. For example, those who own NH-L9i series coolers aren't getting a free upgrade kit due to "severe compatibility restrictions." However, said coolers will be getting LGA1700-friendly revisions in October.
However, Noctua's not just stopping at making prior coolers compatible via free-of-charge mounting kits. It's also ensuring current coolers won't need retroactive measures for compatibility with Intel's latest. "Additionally, most of Noctua's current multi-socket cooler models will soon include LGA1700 mounting hardware and the popular NH-L9i low-profile coolers will come in new, dedicated LGA1700-revisions," Noctua's press release reads.
As for details on the kit and comprehensive motherboard compatibility breakdowns, Noctua's press release says the following:
The new NM-i17xx-MP83 and NM-i17xx-MP78 SecuFirm2 mounting kits will allow Noctua coolers with both 83 and 78mm mounting pitch to be upgraded to LGA1700. True to the SecuFirm2 tradition, the kits combine outstanding reliability, optimal contact pressure and easy, straightforward installation with a fixed-strut backplate that doesn't require any pre-assembly or adjustment. Detailed motherboard compatibility lists that indicate which coolers are compatible with individual LGA1700 motherboards will be provided in the Noctua Compatibility Centre (NCC) once the motherboards become available.
If you're keen on receiving a free kit from one of the best CPU cooler brands out there, make sure you have your receipts handy.
