Intel LGA 1954 Socket Leaked: Same Size, More Pins, Cooler Compatible

A leaked photo reveals Intel's next-generation LGA 1954 socket for the first time. The image, published by LC Tech Leaks, shows a dual lever design. This socket will replace the current LGA 1851 used with Arrow Lake processors.

Dual lever design revealed in first photo

The LGA 1954 socket is designed for Intel's upcoming Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs. Nova Lake-S is expected to feature up to 52 cores. The platform will use the Z990 chipset, which provides up to 48 PCIe lanes and supports DDR5-8000 memory.

Spec comparison

Despite the pin count increase from 1851 to 1954, the socket dimensions remain unchanged at 45 x 37.5 mm. This means existing LGA 1851 coolers are compatible with the new socket. Users upgrading to Nova Lake-S can reuse their current cooling solutions.

Z990 chipset brings 48 PCIe lanes

The Z990 chipset is the flagship for the LGA 1954 platform. It offers substantial PCIe lanes and high memory bandwidth. These specs position Nova Lake-S as a high-end desktop offering.

Intel has confirmed that Nova Lake will launch in late 2026. However, the desktop retail version may not arrive until around CES 2027. This timeline is based on a leak and should be treated as a rumor.

The leaked photo comes from LC Tech Leaks, a source known for hardware leaks. Noctua and Gigabyte have also been mentioned in connection with the socket, but their involvement is not detailed. The information is unconfirmed by Intel.

The LGA 1954 socket increases pin count while maintaining cooler compatibility. Nova Lake-S will bring up to 52 cores and DDR5-8000 support. The platform is expected in late 2026, with retail availability possibly in early 2027.