Do you get all features of Z77 with SB CPU?

Roverno

Roverno

Roverno

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Hi all,

i might be upgrading my mobo but fancy keeping my 2500k as it is a bit of a legend.

I know i wont get pci 3.0 but with a single 7970 on its way. that makes no difference on my single monitor. Will i be missing out on anything else worthwhile? should i just go and get an IB cpu as well?
 
As you say, PCIE gen3 is the big one. The only other big difference in terms of the motherboard is the compatibility with really high-speed memory and the power of the onboard graphics (which affects performance of Intel Quick sync and Lucid virtu). However, unless you use these things then there really won't be much difference.

If you already have an i5 2500K (and you don't use quick sync) then I would stick with what you have.
 
cmndr_andi said:
As you say, PCIE gen3 is the big one. The only other big difference in terms of the motherboard is the compatibility with really high-speed memory and the power of the onboard graphics (which affects performance of Intel Quick sync and Lucid virtu). However, unless you use these things then there really won't be much difference.

If you already have an i5 2500K (and you don't use quick sync) then I would stick with what you have.
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The reason i am considering an upgrade is because im going to RMA by current board and i need a pc in the mean time, i was considering getting a z77 board over this period then use my return board in another PC or for my friend who wants a pc. So upgrading now might be a good opportunity, I dont use quicksync or virtu atm. What about the small pci cards etc that i have seen in the ASUS boards in videos etc. are they IB only?
 
That certainly sounds like a good reason to upgrade to a Z77 board. They cost the same as a Z68 board now and offer more features/upgradability.

Since you won't be using virtu or quick sync then I wouldn't suggest upgrading to an Ivy bridge CPU. These new CPUs do offer ~5-10% performance boost - however this isn't a massive increase for a lot of money/hassle.

When you say small PCI cards, may I ask what you mean specifically? Do you mean the PCIE x1 add-in cards for audio connections and such? If so, these work just as well on Sandy as Ivy.
 
Im not too sure what they were called. But i think ASUS used it for their wifi go card which mounts at the i.o panel on a mini pci or something. Also i believe they mentioned the support for thunderbolt in the future.
 
I don't think there is any reason why these features won't work with a Sandy Bridge CPU in a Z77 boards - the CPUs really aren't too different.

For example Sandy bridge macs happily run thunderbolt ports - so I would imagine upcoming Z77 thunderbolt boards will also work fine with Sandy bridge.

Some boards do have mini-PCI express slots or mSATA slots - however these all work with Sandy bridge or Ivy bridge CPUs - as they connect to standard existing buses, just in a different arrangement.
 
Ok, thanks for all the help. Nice to get such quick and certain answers.

And thanks again
 
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Thats exactly what i thought, Asrock or sabertooth. Im not fussed about going asrock again since i got a faulty board first time and they dont seem to OC that well. Since im going under Water id like to be able to OC plently.

Im not sure if this is a crazy stupid idea, let me know if it is, but i am seriously considering getting this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-388-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2261

and this:

http://www.vinyldye.co.uk/Brillo Vinyl Spray Dye White
(another type of paint may be better??)
(very sure they don't compete)

And then removing the heatsinks, taping up the back side, and spraying them white... Would look pretty supreme and i have seen somebody on here that makes vinyl stickers and i could possibly ask (and pay) for a black gigabyte sticker to replace the white text into black...

Thoughts?
 
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And then removing the heatsinks, taping up the back side, and spraying them white... Would look pretty supreme and i have seen somebody on here that makes vinyl stickers and i could possibly ask (and pay) for a black gigabyte sticker to replace the white text into black...
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I would ask in Case Central and get some advice, before spraying anything.
 
As far as i am aware, the quality of their components is not as high as with other manufacturer. They are more budget focussed brand. I think perhaps they OC well because SB OC well, rather than being a particularly good board?

Im not certain on this. If you have some proof of their quality etc i would really like to see it. << As sarcastic as that sounds, it isnt.
 
Well I suppose their lower cost boards could be of slightly less quality although the Asrock Extreme6 I paid £170 for should OC damn well. Ill find out by thursday and will let you know if you like.
 
Ollie1132 said:
Well I suppose their lower cost boards could be of slightly less quality although the Asrock Extreme6 I paid £170 for should OC damn well. Ill find out by thursday and will let you know if you like.
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That would be great, thanks. Very helpful :) (much more so than your first comment :p)
 
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