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Intel Keeps Raptor Lake and DDR4 Support as Nova Lake Is Slated for Desktop First

Preserving lower-cost DDR4 PC options signals Intel's plan to prioritize a desktop rollout for its next core.

Overview

  • Robert Hallock, Intel’s vice president for the enthusiast channel, said on Monday that Intel will continue supplying Raptor Lake (10nm) desktop processors and supporting the LGA 1700 socket and DDR4-compatible motherboards for years to come.
  • Hallock told Tom's Hardware that Intel expects Raptor Lake inventory to increase in the coming months but did not give details on volumes or specific models.
  • Intel confirmed its next major core will reach desktop PCs before servers, a strategy intended to put enthusiast buyers ahead of enterprise customers.
  • Several industry leaks and tipsters say Nova Lake desktop chips may use a new LGA-1954 socket and offer a 'bLLC' large L3 cache, and separate leaks claim a later Razor Lake family could be built on TSMC's N2X node, but those technical details remain unverified.
  • Keeping Raptor Lake and DDR4 support gives budget-conscious builders and OEMs a cheaper upgrade path while DDR5 prices stay high and could reduce immediate pressure on DDR5 demand and motherboard replacement cycles.