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Gigabyte's latest BIOS update hints at Intel's Raptor Lake Next launch in 2027 — new CPUs may support both DDR4 and DDR5 memory
Gigabyte has just confirmed Intel’s plans to introduce new processors compatible with existing LGA 1700 motherboards, with an expected launch in early 2027. According to a press release, Gigabyte is rolling out a new BIOS update to extend support for the upcoming processors across its entire lineup of Intel B760 and H610 motherboards. Owners of supported boards will be able to flash the latest BIOS and upgrade to the new CPUs without replacing their motherboards.
The most interesting bit is that the update covers both DDR4 and DDR5 variants of these motherboard families, allowing existing systems to remain compatible with the upcoming processors. The continued availability of DDR4 compatibility is particularly relevant as rising memory prices have increased the overall cost of building and upgrading a PC. Notably, the announcement does not include certain motherboard series like the Z690, Z790, and B660, which also feature the same LGA 1700 socket.
Gigabyte has not disclosed SKUs, specifications, or pricing of the upcoming processors. However, the early 2027 launch window aligns with previous reports about Intel's rumored Raptor Lake Next lineup. According to previous coverage, Intel is preparing a third refresh of its Raptor Lake architecture based on the LGA 1700 socket, which debuted with the 13th-gen Core desktop processors and was succeeded by the 14th-gen lineup.
Intel’s Robert Hallock, vice president and general manager of Intel’s enthusiast channel business, told Tom’s Hardware Premium in an interview back in August, “LGA 1700 is still a good socket. Lots of people are still interested in DDR4, so we’ll keep offering, and you'll see pricing smooth out over time. It'll come back to normal. That's the plan.” By extending support for the LGA 1700 platform, Intel could potentially give budget-conscious PC builders another option for reusing existing memory and motherboard hardware instead of moving to a completely new platform.
In a separate report, it has been speculated that Raptor Lake Next could adopt Intel's Core 200 branding, spanning across Core 3, Core 5, and Core 7 models. According to leaked specifications shared by tipster Jaykihn, the range could include a 20-core Core 7 model with 8 Performance cores and 12 Efficient cores rated at 65W; a 16-core Core 5 with 8 P-cores and 8 E-cores rated at 125W; a 10-core Core 5 with 6 P-cores and 4 E-cores rated at 65W and equipped with 24MB of L3 cache; and an entry-level, four-core Core 3 featuring only P-cores, also rated at 65W.
Kunal Khullar is a contributing writer at Tom’s Hardware. He is a long time technology journalist and reviewer specializing in PC components and peripherals, and welcomes any and every question around building a PC.
Dead platform since 2022 just like AM4 has been dead since 2022.
If you already have as good a RPL as you want then these are sidegrades. If you have older less capable hardware then these are decent for several years to come and worth it if the price is good enough.
I'm happy enough with my RPL that I have no desire to upgrade them to anything currently for sale. But you could do better, especially next year.
Plenty of corporate PC's that just need a processor in the socket with decent performance. Intel can keep the OEM's supplied for this market with older, paid off fabs, leaving the newer cutting edge fabs for AI.
Plenty of corporate PC's that just need a processor in the socket with decent performance. Intel can keep the OEM's supplied for this market with older, paid off fabs, leaving the newer cutting edge fabs for AI.
I would like Intel to make more Alder Lake-S 6P + 0E silicon. i5-12500(T)/i5-12600(T) with 6c/12t and UHD 770 (32 EUs) is good enough for any corporate PC not intended to utilize an NPU.
Alder Lake-U with 2P + 8E and 96 EUs on MODT boards would also be good, with improved graphics. I think that has been refreshed 3 times already (Alder Lake-U, Raptor Lake-U, Core Series 1, Core Series 2).
The article states that the z690 board is not one that will allow the new cpu’s. However, when I updated the bios on my ddr4 version of the z690 to F34 it stated that this update was to support new upcoming cpu’s.
