The CPU socket area is very clean with no solid caps in sight which will please the extreme cooling aficionados. The large VRM heatsink should not be high enough to pose too many problems for those looking to air cool although we would advise users of this platform looking to obtain high overclocks would do well to consider basic watercooling as a minimum due to the heat generated by these CPUs.


The new LGA2011 v.3 socket is near identical to prior sockets. The twin levers on the v.3 are angled slightly which may look a little odd but helps upon CPU installation. If you are familiar with this type of socket it should pose no problems however those new to Intel's enthusiast platform would do well to peruse the manual beforehand to prevent bent pins and broken sockets as there is a lot of clamping force going on here.


Above is a close-up of the new pin layout. Note that previous generation CPU's will not work in the new socket. Aside from the redesigned pin layout, the CPU notches are aligned differently.


Pin out comparison of 4960X vs. 5960X