More conspiracy - KBL and CFL have same CPU package size, shape, AND NOTCHES!

[VirtualLarry]

WTF were they thinking? If the pinout is different enough to truly be incompatible, why did Intel place the CPU package notches in the SAME PLACE? Generally the notches are used to differentiate electrically-incompatible chips, that use the same package size.

Could this be a cost-cutting measure, such that Intel wouldn't have to re-tool their testing hardware? And that that socket mfgs might realize economies of scale by not changing the notch on their sockets?

Still, very user-unfriendly. Imagine if DDR4 and DDR5 have the same same notches, but are electrically-incompatible.

Source:
https://www.anandtech.com/show/1185...-lake-review-8700k-and-8400-initial-numbers/3

Edit: Or does this imply, that Z370 boards, could be backwards-compatible with SKL and KBL CPUs, with an appropriate BIOS flash?

 

[jpiniero]

I think Kaby is compatible with 300 series... but not with Z370.

 

[Rifter]

Its typical intel. New platform for no good reason. So they can sell more chipsets. There has been decades of examples of this its nothing new or surprising.