Did MSI break the Z77 NDA?

reddev85 · 23 Mar 2012 at 19:05

I see MSI Z77 boards up for sale on an online retailer already.

They've been up and down from the site in recent weeks, but now they seem to be constantly for sale.

Anyone know how the hell this has happened?

I am rather tempted by the Z77A-GD65 for a rig I'm currently building for someone. Could then drop an Ivybridge chip into it when they are released.

Nelly · 23 Mar 2012 at 20:07

I'm not sure but...

First-tier motherboard makers drop 7 series motherboard prices
Monica Chen, Taipei; Joseph Tsai, DIGITIMES [Thursday 22 March 2012]

First-tier motherboard makers have recently dropped their Intel 7 series motherboard prices to compete for market share, although Intel has not yet officially announced the chipset, according to sources from motherboard makers.

As global copper pricing continues to rise, causing the cost of motherboard components such as printed circuit boards (PCB), to increase, first-tier motherboard makers originally planned to raise their motherboard prices to reflect the increasing costs, but since the motherboard market is already facing a slow down in shipment growth, the makers continue to compete fiercely over price.

Although Intel is not set to announce its 7 series chipset until early April, most first-tier motherboard makers already started selling their motherboards in retail channels in Europe and China in March to gain an advantage, while also greatly reducing their mid-range and entry-level prices to defend their market share.

In Europe, 7 series motherboards saw a price drop of about 3-10% recently, causing second-tier players to gradually lose their market share, the sources added.

Intel is set to announce the rest of its 7 series chipsets including Z77, Z75, H77, Q77, Q75 and B75 with the mainstream Z77 chipset being the major product segment that motherboard makers are competing for.

Source

reddev85 · 23 Mar 2012 at 20:14

Ah, thanks.

I thought Z77 was still under NDA - possibly not then.

Surveyor · 24 Mar 2012 at 00:12

Even if the NDA was broken it would be the retailer who broke it not MSI.

The Halk · 24 Mar 2012 at 01:16

As far as I understand they can't discuss Ivy Bridge, I remember reading a preview recently where they didn't come out and say the board supported Ivy Bridge... some kind of manoeuvring in order to claim they didn't break it, perhaps? I believe it was Gigabyte. ASRock boards are already on sale, as are Biostar...

Without the Ivy Bridge chips though I don't think it's smart to buy the boards early - much may yet be turned out in reviews.

Vimes · 24 Mar 2012 at 09:46

My local retailer seems to have the full range of MSI Z77 boards in stock and up for sale. They are a lot cheaper than I imagined so that is a good start.!

HighlandeR · 24 Mar 2012 at 14:28

Really weird situation, does seem many retailers are selling the z77 boards although not offical or announced. Shame Ocuk are not selling them.

Still it will be great if intel can just release the new ivys already

rossiboy001 · 24 Mar 2012 at 20:08

Look tempted by the GD65 , was holding out for a gigabyte ud5 . but this board is growing on me , though can someone confirm that their bios gives full overclocking potential , and the quality of their after sales in comparison to gigabyte .

Sparx · 24 Mar 2012 at 23:00

Just saw this myself on a competitor's website.. They are indeed a fair whack cheaper than I expected!

The Halk · 25 Mar 2012 at 04:11

I wonder if it's because Ivy Bridge is not much of an upgrade to Sandy Bridge. Clock for clock about 10% say the previews... they've not upped the frequency much... and initially they aren't reported to be any more overclockable.

Sandy Bridge was a huge upgrade - bigger than I think everybody seemed to feel at the time, but now AMD haven't managed to pull something good out of the bag then the pressure is off Intel and Ivy Bridge is a more profitable part and they've mainly focused on power efficiency and the graphics side of things.

That's, perhaps, why the motherboards aren't staggeringly expensive?

Destination · 25 Mar 2012 at 06:46

Hmm also intel are not exactly being pushed currently, and with little competetion they dont have to be platful with clocks and turbos.

Defy Belief · 25 Mar 2012 at 09:58

The Halk said:
I wonder if it's because Ivy Bridge is not much of an upgrade to Sandy Bridge. Clock for clock about 10% say the previews... they've not upped the frequency much... and initially they aren't reported to be any more overclockable.

Sandy Bridge was a huge upgrade - bigger than I think everybody seemed to feel at the time, but now AMD haven't managed to pull something good out of the bag then the pressure is off Intel and Ivy Bridge is a more profitable part and they've mainly focused on power efficiency and the graphics side of things.

That's, perhaps, why the motherboards aren't staggeringly expensive?

Could be, only time will tell.

Only just ordered myself a 2500k, will keep me more than happy for a few years .

The mobos may not be expensive but I wonder how much the chips will be. The more defining factor to me.

paradisiac · 25 Mar 2012 at 10:00

Defy Belief said:
Could be, only time will tell.

Only just ordered myself a 2500k, will keep me more than happy for a few years . The mobos may not be expensive but I wonder how much the chips will be. The more defining factor to me.

chips are expected to be similar to SB.