The short version
- Gigabyte says new Intel processors for the LGA1700 socket are expected in early 2027.
- Owners of Gigabyte B760 and H610 boards, both DDR4 and DDR5 versions, should only need a BIOS update to use them.
- Intel hasn't announced the chips. There are no model names, specs or prices yet.
- The timing makes sense: memory prices are high, and LGA1700 is the last Intel platform that still runs DDR4.
What Gigabyte said
The news comes from a post on Gigabyte's own site, not from a leak. Gigabyte says its B760 and H610 motherboards are being readied for new LGA1700 processors that it expects to launch in early 2027. It describes the upgrade as a BIOS update followed by a straight CPU swap.
LGA1700 is the socket behind Intel's 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core desktop chips. Its last big launch was in 2023. PC Gamer expects these to be refreshed versions of that Alder Lake and Raptor Lake hardware, but that's inference. Gigabyte gave no details.
Why an old socket is getting new chips
The likely answer is memory. DDR5 prices have climbed sharply in 2026 as memory makers put more capacity into AI hardware. PC Gamer puts a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit at around $480 in the US and a 32GB DDR4-3600 kit at around $210. Both are well up on last year. Our DDR4 vs DDR5 explainer covers why this is happening and how much it matters for games.
Intel's newer desktop platforms only take DDR5. LGA1700 boards can run either type, depending on the model. Back in August, Intel's Robert Hallock said Raptor Lake would stay in the lineup "for years to come", and pointed to DDR4 demand as one reason.
What it means if you have an LGA1700 PC
On paper, it's good news for anyone who doesn't want to buy a new board and new RAM at today's prices. A drop-in upgrade on an existing DDR4 setup is the cheapest route to a faster CPU, if the new chips turn out to be faster.
That's still the open question. Until Intel names the chips and shares specs, nobody can say whether they're a real step up or a rebadge.
What to watch: Intel's own announcement, likely close to early 2027, and BIOS updates from other board makers.
Images: Intel Corporation.
