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Today we are checking out two of the very best Intel Z77 based motherboards money can buy. From Gigabyte we have the newly released Z77X-UP7 while from Asrock it’s the Z77 Extreme11 that attempts to include every feature possible. With both motherboards sharing the same retail price of $400, we plan to find out which is the best option...
Earlier this year we got our first preview of the upcoming Intel Z77 'Panther Point' chipset which was to be released along with the new Ivy Bridge architecture. Continuing its tick-tock release cycle, Intel unveiled its new CPU microarchitecture at the end of April 2012.
Codenamed Ivy Bridge (tick), the update brought a 22nm die shrink to the then current 32nm Sandy Bridge technology (tock), bringing greater efficiency and allowing Intel to cram more into the same size die. Intel is often criticized for introducing too many new chipsets and sockets, but this isn't usually the case with "ticks" as the microarchitecture is largely the same as the preceding "tock." This was the case with Ivy Bridge, which uses the same LGA1155 socket introduced early last year alongside Sandy Bridge. Folks who already own Cougar Point (6-series chipset) motherboards were able to upgrade to Ivy Bridge without purchasing a completely new platform. Besides the fact that manufacturers will have to supply a BIOS update to add Ivy Bridge support on 6-series motherboards, compatibility is guaranteed. Although backwards compatibility with 6-series motherboards will be available, Intel couldn't resist the opportunity to accompany its latest architecture with a fresh round of chipsets. Codenamed "Panther Point," the new 7-series chipsets include half a dozen parts, with the Z77 being Intel's new flagship. In short the new 7-series chipsets offered few improvements and the addition of USB 3.0 support via four ports being the only thing worthy of mention. Nevertheless 8 months has now passed since the release of the Ivy Bridge architecture, meaning anyone wanting to buy into the LGA1155 platform now must buy a motherboard based on a 7-series chipset. Given that the Ivy Bridge architecture provides some of the most powerful desktop processors available, it is unsurprising that many power users and gamers are turning to the platform. Those wanting to go all out by buying a high-end Z77 motherboard have a few options and today we are going to look at two of the best. |
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Pumpkin |
Posted on: 01/10/2013 10:37 PM
Come on Gigabyte why orange? No other hardware or cases match that so you have created a Halloween special edition motherboard :S |
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elpc |
Posted on: 01/13/2013 11:28 AM
Nice that Asrock can offer that SAS controller at this price. Really nice looking board but for the money wouldn't an X79 board make more sense? |