8th Gen CPU On 7th Gen Motherboard | Is It Compatible?

As technology is becoming advanced at a rapid rate, the new generation of processors is releasing frequently. You may already know that upgrading your computer’s CPU can significantly enhance its performance and capabilities.

To use a newer generation in an older-generation motherboard, you need to understand their compatibility. So, if your motherboard support 7^th Gen, can you upgrade your CPU to 8^th Gen? The most straightforward answer is “No”. Because CPUs do not support backward or forward compatibility.

However, you need to consider some factors like socket compatibility, supported chipset, etc. to determine whether you can your 8^th Gen on a 7^th Gen motherboard. In this article, we explain the compatibility of an 8^th Gen CPU with a 7^th Gen motherboard and will provide you with an accurate answer to your question. 

Can You Use an 8^th Gen CPU on a 7^th Gen Motherboard?

To understand the compatibility between CPUs and motherboards, it is essential to consider the socket type and chipset of each component. The socket refers to the physical connector on the motherboard that houses the CPU, while the chipset is the set of circuits that handles the communication between various hardware components.

Both the 8th Gen and 7th Gen Processors use the LGA1151 socket on a motherboard. However, the 7^th Gen uses Intel 200 series chipset while the 8^th Gen uses Intel 300 series chipset.

So, an 8^th Gen processor may fit correctly on a motherboard that supports a 7^th Gen CPU, but as the chipset for each CPU does not match, you can’t use this generation of processor on your motherboard. Let’s explain in more detail below.

Why Can’t You Use an 8^th Gen CPU on a 7^th Gen Motherboard?

A CPU can only be used on a motherboard if it is compatible with the socket, chipset, and BIOS supported by the motherboard. Otherwise, you can’t use higher or lower-generation CPUs on the motherboard. Let’s check the compatibility of an 8^th Gen CPU with a 7^th Gen motherboard to understand why you can’t use it.

1. Socket Compatibility: As both 8^th Gen and 7^th Gen processors use the LGA1151 socket, an 8^th Gen processor can physically fit into a 7^th Gen motherboard. However, a 7^th Gen motherboard socket is unable to meet the power requirement of an 8^th Gen processor due to a different pin configuration.
2. Chipset Compatibility: Apart from socket compatibility, the motherboard’s chipset also plays a crucial role in determining CPU compatibility. 7th Gen motherboards generally feature the 200-series chipset, while 8th Gen processors are designed to work with the 300-series chipset.
3. BIOS Compatibility: The BIOS of a 7^th Gen motherboard can not recognize or function correctly with an 8^th Gen CPU. However, motherboard manufacturers release BIOS updates to add support for newer processors in some cases but it isn’t always guaranteed.

So, considering these factors, you cannot use an 8th Gen CPU in a 7th Gen motherboard due to compatibility issues.

What Happens If You Put A 8th Gen CPU In A 7th Gen Motherboard?

As we already have mentioned that an 8th Gen CPU can physically fit into a 7th Gen motherboard, you will face many issues that will make the CPU unusable on that motherboard.

Though it won’t damage any components of your PC, there’s a high chance of encountering stability problems or a system crash if you use a newer CPU to an older version of the motherboard.

So, if you’re considering upgrading to an 8th Gen CPU, investing in a compatible motherboard with the appropriate chipset and BIOS support will be the best option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

Can I Upgrade Intel 7th Gen To 8th Gen?

Yes, you can upgrade the Intel i7 7^th generation CPU to 8^th gen as both use socket 1151. However, the motherboard should be compatible with 8^th gen and you may need to upgrade the BIOS also if necessary.

Does Z390 Work With 7th Gen?

No, the Intel Z390 chipset won’t work with Intel 7^th Gen processor. It’s because the Z390 is a single-design chipset that supports Socket 1151 for 9th Gen and 8th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold, and Celeron® processors only.

Can I Use A 8th Gen CPU In A 6th Gen Motherboard?

No, you cannot use an 8^th Gen CPU in a 6^th Gen motherboard because the 8^th Gen processors aren’t backward compatible.

Can I Use A 9th Gen CPU In A 7th Gen Motherboard?

No, you cannot use a 9^th Gen CPU in a 7^th Gen motherboard. It’s because there is no forward or backward compatibility between the 6/7th gen and 8/9th series due to different power requirements in the LGA1151 socket.

Conclusion

To conclude, an 8th Gen CPU will fit correctly in a 7th Gen motherboard as they both use the same socket. However, the power requirement for different chipsets isn’t the same. For this, you cannot use an 8^th Gen processor on a 7^th Gen motherboard. To avoid compatibility issues, we’d recommend you pair your CPU with a motherboard that is specifically designed to support that generation of processors. Hopefully, you’ve got the answer to your question after reading this article. Thanks for reading.