WILL YOU NEED A NEW CPU COOLER?

While we hear that some cooler brands are getting ready to supply adapters for your existing CPU coolers to make them compatible with the 12th Gen Core processors, it probably isn't a safe option. The 12th Gen Core processor is quite a bit different in physical size, has a rectangular package rather than the squarish packages of the past, plus not to mention all the improvements made under the hood of the integrated heat spreader which might result in minor height differences between different generations of processors. Simply put, there are too many differences that could contribute to a less than desirable outcome from using older coolers with adapters to pair with the 12th Gen Core processors. One can't deny that all of the changes above would result in not having the right pressure applied across your brand new 12th Gen Core processor when re-using older coolers.