The first few months of this year are going to be quite hectic in the tech world, we have already seen the launch of Intel's new Kaby Lake processors but we also have AMD's Ryzen launch coming in early March. As a result of these huge launches, CPU cooler makers are in the process of ensuring compatibility with new motherboards and today, Cooler Master released its complete list of compatible products.
As expected, all of Cooler Master's current liquid and air coolers are compatible with Kaby Lake. AMD's new AM4 platform is really the only area where things start to get tricky with some CPU coolers not currently compatible with the AM4 socket. However, Cooler Master will be joining other cooler makers in offering Ryzen upgrade kits for some modes. You can refer to the chart below to see which coolers are natively compatible and which ones will be getting an upgrade kit.
Newer versions of Cooler Master's CPU coolers will start shipping with AM4 mounts by default but there may still be old stock floating around in the meantime, in which case you will need an upgrade kit.
As for power supplies, Cooler Master has tested its MasterWatt Maker series, V Series, GM Series and New GX Series with Ryzen and Kaby Lake to ensure compatibility.
KitGuru Says: If you have a Cooler Master CPU cooler and are worried about compatibility when upgrading to Ryzen, then this list should help you out. From the looks of it, most CPU coolers will eventually support the new socket.
PSU’s? Please excuse my ignorance but why would a PSU be incompatible, excluding actual power consumption (which I’d expect to be more of a concern to GPU choice anyway)?
Ryzen and Kaby Lake compatible CPU coolers and PSUs. CPU cooler cause of different socket design, PSU cause of different and numerous power states, not all PSU can handle ultra low power or constant variance in swing for power output the capacitors, rectifiers etc can only do so much, there is more to a PSU then raw wattage or amperage, the various “rails” i.e 3.3v-5v-12v, ripple, noise all of this matters a great deal.
Thank you Maurice, for explaining why PSUs could be incompatible, I hadn’t realised that variations in power were of such significance.
TIL…. 🙂