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Gigabyte has confirmed that Intel plans to launch new processors compatible with existing LGA 1700 motherboards in early 2027. A recent BIOS update extends support for these upcoming chips across Gigabyte’s entire lineup of B760 and H610 boards, allowing owners to upgrade CPUs without replacing their motherboards. This update covers both DDR4 and DDR5 variants, a move relevant as rising memory prices affect PC building costs. However, the announcement excludes Z690, Z790, and B660 series boards despite them sharing the same socket.

Intel has not released specific SKUs, specifications, or pricing for these new processors yet. The 2027 launch aligns with previous reports regarding Intel’s rumored Raptor Lake Next lineup, which represents a third refresh of its LGA 1700 architecture. This follows the debut of the 13th-gen Core desktop processors and their successor, the 14th-gen lineup. Robert Hallock, vice president and general manager of Intel’s enthusiast channel business, stated in August that LGA 1700 remains a good socket because many users still prefer DDR4, noting that pricing should smooth out over time.

Speculation suggests Raptor Lake Next may adopt the Core 200 branding, potentially including Core 3, 5, and 7 models. Leaked details from tipster Jaykihn indicate a range featuring high-core counts, such as a 20-core Core 7 model with eight Performance cores and twelve Efficient cores rated at 65W. Other rumored chips include a 16-core Core 5 rated at 125W, a 10-core Core 5 with 24MB of L3 cache, and an entry-level four-core Core 3 also rated at 65W.