Intel Nova Lake-S socket to last beyond Razor Lake
Jaykihn has shared new details on Intel’s LGA-1954 desktop platform, the socket expected to launch with Nova Lake-S processors.
According to the leaker, LGA-1954 will support CPUs beyond Razor Lake on motherboards equipped with 64MB SPI ROM. He adds that this should include all Z-series boards. This would mean that at least some Intel 900-series motherboards may support more than the two CPU families currently linked to the platform.
64MB SPI ROM could be required
The new claim suggests that BIOS flash capacity may be one of the requirements for extended CPU support. This would not be unusual for platforms that need firmware support for several CPU generations, although Intel has not confirmed any such plan for LGA-1954.
LGA1954 will include support beyond Razor Lake on boards with 64MB SPI, which includes all Z-series boards.
— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) June 2, 2026
LGA-1954 is expected to replace LGA-1851 and launch with Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs. These processors are currently expected under the Core Ultra 400S series. Earlier leaks also pointed to the Intel 900-series chipset lineup, including B960, Z970, Z990, Q970 and W980 .
Jaykihn backs our 2L-ILM leak
Jaykihn also confirmed our earlier report about Intel’s new 2L-ILM mechanism for LGA-1954. According to him, the successor to the LGA-1851 RL-ILM is a two-lever design meant to improve IHS flatness.
The successor to LGA1851’s RL-ILM is LGA1954’s 2L-ILM, a two-lever solution improving IHS flatness.
Alike RL-ILM, it requires a thermal solution that can apply 35lbf of mechanical load for compatibility.
— Jaykihn (@jaykihn0) June 2, 2026
We reported in April that Intel was preparing an optional 2L-ILM , or two-lever independent loading mechanism, for Nova Lake-S boards. At the time, the mechanism was said to target enthusiast and overclocking-focused designs where flatter IHS contact is preferred.
Source: Jaykihn
