AMD AM5 – all you need to know

AMD’s new 4^th generation (7000 series) Ryzen processors (Ryzen 9 7950X, Ryzen 9 7900X, Ryzen 7 7700X, Ryzen 5 7600X etc.) are based on the entirely new AM5 (LGA1718) socket. Since the stack-up height (height of the CPU and socket combined) as well as the backplate threads and their pattern are identical on AM4 and AM5, all Noctua coolers and mounting kits that support AM4 are upwards compatible with socket AM5, except the NH-L9a-AM4 and the NM-AM4-L9aL9i. Here is all you need to know:

Mounting support

All Noctua AM4 mountings except the ones of the NH-L9a-AM4 and the NM-AM4-L9aL9i attach to the threads of the standard AM4 stock backplate. Since these backplate threads and their pattern are identical on AM4 and AM5, our AM4 mountings that attach to the standard AMD backplate also support AM5. This means that all SE-AM4 models as well as all Noctua multi-socket coolers purchased since 01/2019 already support socket AM5.

For coolers that do not yet include AM4 mounting hardware, we offer free-of-charge mounting-upgrade kits (NM-AM5/4-MP83 for coolers with 83mm mounting pitch and NM-AM5/4-MP78 for coolers with 78mm mounting pitch). Please see this FAQ to check which kit is required for your cooler.

The NH-L9a-AM4 and the NM-AM4-L9aL9i are not compatible with AM5 because they require replacing the standard AMD backplate with a custom one, which isn’t possible on AM5. Therefore, Noctua has announced the new NM-AM5-L9aL9i mounting-kit that will allow upgrading NH-L9a, NH-L9a-AM4 and NH-L9i heatsinks to AM5. The NH-L9i-17xx cannot be used because it has been tailored to the different height specifications of the LGA17xx platform. Like the other mounting-kits, the NM-AM5-L9aL9i will be available free of charge via Noctua.at. A new version of the NH-L9a cooler that already includes AM5 mounting hardware is planned for Q1 2023.

A proof of purchase of both an eligible Noctua CPU cooler and either an AM5 CPU or an AM5 motherboard is required for ordering the kits free of charge via our website. Alternatively, customers can purchase the kits on Amazon for a service charge of EUR/USD 7.90 for the regular kits, or 8.90 for the chromax kits.

Socket compatibility overview

Please refer to the socket compatibility overview in the Noctua Compatibility Centre to quickly identify which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with the AMD AM5 platform.

Motherboard compatibility lists

Please refer to the motherboard compatibility list in the Noctua Compatibility Centre to check which Noctua CPU cooler is compatible with which AM5 motherboard.