Modern CPU on a mid-range motherboard
Modern CPU on a mid-range motherboard
The 6th generation model—whether Z170 or Z270—isn’t compatible with standard user actions. While it might be possible to make it function electrically, it demands advanced hardware modifications. You’d need a specialized pin adapter to reach the correct pins on the 9900K/9700K, plus a complex BIOS update. Adding microcodes to the BIOS and adjusting the number of supported logical cores is essential; otherwise, hyperthreading won’t work. The source code comes from AMI, so third-party mods like those from Win-Raid won’t apply. If you can’t expand the core count in the BIOS (check Win-Raid for details), consider it a science experiment rather than a practical upgrade. Just don’t do it unless you enjoy the technical challenge.
You could technically dive into extensive arcane pin and BIOS modifications, but it's not a good idea.
I know this is an old thread but i don't think i should create a new one. My question is the opposite. Can a 6th gen i7 work on a 9th gen motherboard?
It's likely no, probably because the wiring differs. Feel free to ask for more details if you think otherwise.
They don't actually work together. The boundary between 6gen 7 gen and 8 gen 9 gen is flexible, indicating a software limitation. A Russian developer altered the BIOS on 1151 to enable running the 1151v2 CPU, but this restricts your motherboard to support only 8 and 9 gen. To run all generations simultaneously, you'll need a larger BIOS flash chip.
The BIOS update functions properly but the LGA 1151 version includes additional ground pins. It's not possible to supply more voltage to the 8th and 9th generation processors on Z170 and Z270 boards, which can affect stability for higher core counts.
Certainly, the 1151v2 was built to support newer processors, yet it doesn't negate Intel's efforts to increase profits through software limitations on boards. By altering the BIOS, a device can still operate at 8-9 generations without needing hardware changes.
It seems questionable that Intel excluded compatibility, yet there’s a real hardware variation between the sockets that boosts performance for the 1151V2.
They might have chosen a different name for the pin configuration, as long as the diagrams are accurate online. A straightforward label like LGA 1152 would have resolved much of the confusion. Considering their issues with 14nm stock, it seems likely they were aiming to cut production expenses, and reusing the same socket while changing its electrical connections could have saved some money.