If you have just found a sweet deal on an Intel CPU and you wondering if you can use it with an AMD motherboard you already own, then unfortunately you will be disappointed.
The short and simple answer to the question “can I use intel processor on AMD motherboard?” is a resounding no. It is not possible to use an Intel CPU with an AMD motherboard.
Both the AMD and Intel CPUs and motherboard have sockets and chipsets designed for their respective series of processors.
Hence, even if you physically try, you will fail to plug an Intel CPU into an AMD motherboard.
CPUs are perhaps the only component that is not compatible across the brands. The rest of components such as graphics cards, hard drives, RAM sticks are all cross compatible with different brands.
In the following text I will talk in detail about why you cannot use Intel processor with an AMD motherboard (or vice versa). I will talk about three very basic reasons:
- The physical characteristics of Intel and AMD CPUs are different
- Motherboard for Intel and AMD have different CPU sockets
- The motherboard chipset is incompatible across brands
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Physical Characteristics of Intel and AMD CPUs are Different
The physical profile, the dimensions, the pin count as well as the surface mount technology of AMD and Intel CPU is entirely different.
In others words, even at the basic physical level, they would not be compatible with their rival’s motherboards.
Intel Uses LGA for Most of Its CPUs
Intel CPUs for desktops are almost all based around the Land Grid Array (LGA) arrangement.
In other words, instead of having pins on the CPU surface, LGA CPUs have pads called lands.
AMD Uses PGA for Most of Its CPUs
AMD, on the other hand, uses Pin Grid Array surface mount technology for most of its Ryzen series CPU. Albeit AMD is adopting LGA for 7000 series desktop CPUs.
The point of this discussion is that AMD and Intel CPUs are inheritably different physically. If you have any misconception about all CPUs being the same, then this should dispel that. CPU are NOT all same.
CPUs have Different Pin/Land Count
The number of pins or lands that you see on an Intel or AMD CPU vary drastically from generation to generation with the same brand.
For instance the Intel LGA 1200 based 10th and 11th gen CPUs have 1200 pins, the Intel LGA 1700 based 12th Gen CPUs have 1700 pins.
AMD AM4 socket has 1331 pins, the AM5 socket has 1718 pin.
In other words, even if you were to upgrade from one Intel or AMD CPU to another, you may need to change the motherboard. Let alone replacing an AMD CPU with an Intel.
Also Read: How Many Pins Does a CPU Have?
2. The Motherboards CPU Socket is Different for Intel and AMD CPUs
Another point closely related to the first point is that the motherboard socket for Intel and AMD CPUs are completely different.
A motherboard’s CPU socket is the placeholder where the CPU plugs into. Given that dimensions and the physical characteristics of AMD and Intel CPUs are different, you cannot use an Intel processor on an AMD motherboard.
Read in Detail: How to Check CPU Compatibility with Motherboard?
3. The Motherboard Chipsets is Different Across Brands
Both Intel and AMD motherboards use completely different chipsets. A Chipset is basically the main controller of the motherboard and it determines, among a plethora of other feature, whether a certain CPU is compatible with the motherboard or not.
For instance, the 11th Gen Intel CPUs require a motherboard with the Intel Z590, H570, B550 or the H510 chipsets.
AMD 5000 series require motherboards with AMD X570, B550 or the A520 chipsets.
Motherboard and CPUs Compatibility List
The following tables lists down the motherboard chipsets the different AMD and Intel CPUs are compatible with:
| Manufacturer | Chipset | Socket | CPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel | Z690 | LGA 1700 | 12th Gen Intel CPUs |
| H670 | LGA 1700 | 12th Gen Intel CPUs | |
| B660 | LGA 1700 | 12th Gen Intel CPUs | |
| H610 | LGA 1700 | 12th Gen Intel CPUs | |
| Z590 | LGA 1200 | 11th and 10th Gen Intel Gen | |
| Z490 | LGA 1200 | 11th and 10th Gen Intel Gen | |
| Z390 | LGA 1151 | 8th and 9th Gen Intel CPUs | |
| B560 | LGA 1200 | 11th and 10th Gen Intel Gen | |
| B460 | LGA 1200 | 11th and 10th Gen Intel Gen | |
| B360 | LGA 1151 | 8th and 9th Gen Intel CPUs | |
| H570 | LGA 1200 | 11th and 10th Gen Intel Gen | |
| H510 | LGA 1200 | 11th and 10th Gen Intel Gen | |
| X299 | LGA 2066 | X Series 10000 | |
| AMD | X570 | AM4 | Ryzen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Gen |
| B550 | AM4 | Ryzen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Gen | |
| A520 | AM4 | Ryzen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Gen | |
| TRX40 | sTRX4 | 3rd Gen Threadripper CPUs |
Again, AMD and Intel chipsets are proprietary to their brand.
So Can I Use Intel Processor on AMD Motherboard?
Again, reiterating the point, not only can you NOT use an Intel CPU with an AMD motherboard, sometimes when upgrading a CPU from the same brand, you may need to change the motherboard.
For instance, when changing from LGA1200 based Intel 11th Gen CPU to LGA1700 based Intel 12th gen CPU, you would need to change the motherboard.
Also Read: Computer Not Starting After Installing New Graphics Cards – How to Fix?
FAQ
What Happens if You Put an Intel Processor in an AMD Socket?
You physically cannot put an Intel Processor on AMD socket. Not only are the dimensions of the CPUs different, the Intel processor will not even come in contact with the socket itself.
Take for instance the AMD socket. This socket has holes intended for a PGA CPU with pins that slide into these holes.
If you were to place an Intel CPU, which are LGA based and have flat pads on the bottom, they will simply not come in contact with any electrical terminal at all to establish any sort of connection with the motherboard.
Can I Put an AMD Processor Into an Intel Motherboard?
Just as you cannot plug an Intel CPU into an AMD motherboard, the opposite is also true. You cannot plug an AMD processor into an Intel motherboard due to the same reasons as explained above.
Also Read: Can You Use AMD GPU with Intel CPU?
