It turns out you won’t need a new CPU cooler to support Arrow Lake, just a new mount
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The next generation of Intel processors is bringing a lot of change with it, from a lower power draw and fewer threads per core to excellent performance. However, there has been a slight change in the fundamental design.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's hotspot has seen a shift in positioning, which means that the normal cooling solutions won't be as efficient as they were with previous generation CPUs. However, that doesn't mean you'll have to purchase a new CPU cooler, just a different mount.
What’s new with CPU coolers for Core Ultra 200?
The hotspot of a CPU refers to the location of the Integrated Heat Speader (IHS), and that spot generates the most heat. Knowing the position of the hotspot is crucial for CPU cooler manufacturers as they can design and optimize the cooler's performance with the IHS in mind.
That said, according to a post from CodeCommando, the Arrow Lake series hotspot seems to have been moved a bit up from the center. The hotspot’s location for the i9-14900K was 19.1mm by 26.4mm, while the Core Ultra 9 285K's IHS position is 20.6mm by 29.8mm. So, it has been moved slightly up and to the right.
So, the next question was whether the CPU cooler would be able to efficiently cool the Arrow Lake processors or not. The IHS location in the center meant you'd just have to apply the thermal paste in the center, install the cooler, and call it a day.
With the position moved, it won't exactly work as well because the cooler's cold plate would be misaligned with the hotspot. That said, according to a post from HKEPC, MSI has the solution to this problem.
Instead of purchasing a new cooler, you can use an “offset mount,” which would adjust the position of the CPU to ensure the hotspot is in the middle for optimal cooling performance. So, if you were planning to make a new 285K build, wait for the new MSI MAG CORELIQUID I360 liquid cooler, as it'll come with a dedicated offset mount, but as mentioned in the post, you can also check if your existing cooler has a compatible offset mount from authorized resellers.
Cooling brand ARCTIC recently confirmed that LGA 1700 CPU coolers (those that currently work with Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th generation processors) will indeed support the new LGA 1851 socket, which Arrow Lake is moving onto.
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