Information continues to leak that Intel will adopt a new LGA 1851 socket for its upcoming Arrow Lake CPUs, but current reports indicate that the physical size of the CPU will likely be the same as the previous generation, but with a higher pin count. This has led to some speculation as to whether coolers designed for the older LGA 1700 sockets will be compatible with the new CPUs, but the release of AZZA's latest Cube 240 and Cube 360 AIO units may confirm this.

According to Videocardz, the product manuals for these two coolers state that they are not only compatible with the LGA 1851 socket, but also use the same spacer and bracket mounts as the LGA 1700. This could be good news for users with cooling solutions built for older socket types, as upgrading the platform is an expensive proposition as it is without having to purchase a new cooler.

This is not the first time we have seen cooling manufacturers suggest that interchangeability exists between these different socket types. Noctua's NH-U12A packaging, found in Japanese electronics retailers earlier this year, lists LGA-1851 support on the side, and a closer look at the manual also suggests that mounting bars and spacers are shared between both existing and upcoming platforms

The manual also states that the LGA-U12A package is supported on the side.

Cooler compatibility between generations is not unheard of; AMD also maintained support between AM4 and AM5 sockets, and Intel managed to maintain the same level of compatibility between LGA 1200 and LGA 1700.

That said, the new Arrow Lake CPUs are not scheduled for release until 2024, but it is worth remembering that if you are already using a proper cooler in an LGA 1700 system, the switch to this new socket type may be less of a headache than expected Perhaps the compatibility crossover is a nice little bonus for users planning to make the leap next year, as platform migration can be something of a complex task if you're trying to keep up with the latest in CPU technology.