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Any downside running SB cpu on Z77 board?

C

cadred

Member
I'm building a new PC (as noted in my other thread) and I'm thinking about getting a Z77 board to have the latest chipset, but wanted to save a few bucks by pairing it with a 2600k Sandy Bridge processor.

I understand that Ivy Bridge brings some PCI-3 integration to the table, but I'm not sure if that applies to the Z77 chipset or the IB cpu's themselves.

So is there any downside to running this combo?
 
With a Z77 board, an Ivy Bridge CPU is the only method of actually getting PCIe 3.0 support as well as Ivy Bridge's built-in Intel USB 3.0 controller..
The Z77 motherboard bios is optimized for Ivy Bridge, although it can secondarily support Sandy Bridge. Some Z68 boards could also, after a bios update, support PCIe 3.0 with an installed Ivy Bridge CPU. However, Z68 board bioses are optimized for Sandy Bridge.
You'd also lose the Intel USB 3.0 controller, when using an Ivy Bridge CPU in a Z68 board.
Ideally, you'd be better off using a motherboard bios optimized for the target CPU.
 
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piasabird said:
What about pin count?
Click to expand...

Unless I'm wrong both Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge are both LGA 1155?

vailr said:
With a Z77 board, an Ivy Bridge CPU is the only method of actually getting PCIe 3.0 support as well as Ivy Bridge's built-in Intel USB 3.0 controller..
The Z77 motherboard bios is optimized for Ivy Bridge, although it can secondarily support Sandy Bridge. Some Z68 boards could also, after a bios update, support PCIe 3.0 with an installed Ivy Bridge CPU. However, Z68 board bioses are optimized for Sandy Bridge.
You'd also lose the Intel USB 3.0 controller, when using an Ivy Bridge CPU in a Z68 board. Same with putting a Sandy Bridge CPU in a Z77 board.
Ideally, you'd be better off using a motherboard bios optimized for the target CPU.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification!
 
vailr said:
With a Z77 board, an Ivy Bridge CPU is the only method of actually getting PCIe 3.0 support as well as Ivy Bridge's built-in Intel USB 3.0 controller..
The Z77 motherboard bios is optimized for Ivy Bridge, although it can secondarily support Sandy Bridge. Some Z68 boards could also, after a bios update, support PCIe 3.0 with an installed Ivy Bridge CPU. However, Z68 board bioses are optimized for Sandy Bridge.
You'd also lose the Intel USB 3.0 controller, when using an Ivy Bridge CPU in a Z68 board. Same with putting a Sandy Bridge CPU in a Z77 board.
Ideally, you'd be better off using a motherboard bios optimized for the target CPU.
Click to expand...

You sure that the USB 3.0 support is on-board the CPU? I've not yet seen any southbridge features integrated into the CPU, only northbridge features. I think you're mistaken, and that the USB3.0 support is in the Z77 chipset, along with SATA 6G, etc.
 
@VirtualLarry:
Would a Sandy Bridge CPU provide for PCIe 3.0 in either board: (updated bios) Z68 or Z77?
I could be wrong, but I don't think it would.
As to whether you'd have the Intel USB 3.0 port functionality when using a Sandy Bridge CPU in a Z77 board: don't know for sure.
Regardless: my advice would still be to avoid using a Sandy Bridge processor in a designed for Ivy Bridge Z77 board.
 
vailr said:
@VirtualLarry:
Would a Sandy Bridge CPU provide for PCIe 3.0 in either board: (updated bios) Z68 or Z77?
Click to expand...

No, Sandy Bridge only has PCIe 2.0.

vailr said:
As to whether you'd have the Intel USB 3.0 port functionality when using a Sandy Bridge CPU in a Z77 board: don't know for sure.
Click to expand...

Chipset%20Diagram.png


USB 3.0 is built into the chipset.

vailr said:
Regardless: my advice would still be to avoid using a Sandy Bridge processor in a designed for Ivy Bridge Z77 board.
Click to expand...

I wholeheartedly disagree with this advice. Z77 is nothing but Z68 done right. The fact that Z77 has integrated USB 3.0 that doesn't eat up PCIe lanes and the abundance of front panel USB 3.0 headers makes Z77 the clear choice from a features perspective. It also doesn't cost any more than Z68 boards.
 
mfenn said:
No, Sandy Bridge only has PCIe 2.0.

USB 3.0 is built into the chipset.

I wholeheartedly disagree with this advice. Z77 is nothing but Z68 done right. The fact that Z77 has integrated USB 3.0 that doesn't eat up PCIe lanes and the abundance of front panel USB 3.0 headers makes Z77 the clear choice from a features perspective. It also doesn't cost any more than Z68 boards.
Click to expand...

The OP was asking specifically about PCIe 3.0 support when inserting a Sandy Bridge CPU into a Z77 motherboard. The answer appears to be "No. PCIe 3.0 support is present only with an Ivy Bridge CPU; you would only get PCIe 2.x when using a Sandy Bridge CPU in a Z77 board."
So: there are minor negatives either way, when using the wrong CPU for the target chipset. You either lose PCIe 3.0 support (SB CPU in a Z77 board), or you deny yourself Intel USB 3.0 (IB CPU in a Z68 board).
Also: you're ignoring possible motherboard bios optimization differences, which could affect overclocking, memory compatability and system stability.
 
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There are no downsides on running SB on a 7 series board. Its only benefits. Unless its cheaper, its just plain silly to buy a series 6 board today.

And PCIe 3.0 requries IB CPU, since the PCIe controller for the x16 lanes are on the CPU.
 
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Z77 boards oc better as well, and with lower volts. I agree that Z68/P67 days are over unless you already own a good one in which case upgrading is optional 🙂
 
ShintaiDK said:
There are no downsides on running SB on a 7 series board. Its only benefits. Unless its cheaper, its just plain silly to buy a series 6 board today.
Click to expand...
"Unless its cheaper" it would also be "plain silly" to choose a SB CPU instead of the appropriate (for the Z77 chipset) IB CPU. There ARE certainly multiple "downside" considerations of choosing to mix a SB CPU with a designed-for IB chipset.

Edit: That is: the Z77 chipset and it's accompanying Ivy Bridge-centric motherboard bios.

Which was the point I was trying to explain to the OP.
Even if you could buy a similar performance SB CPU for less $$'s than a corresponding IB CPU, you should still weigh the "downsides" (as well as any possible "upsides") of investing your funds in such a system build. Including such considerations as: thermals, power usage, overclock potential, PCIe 3.0 availability, etc.
The OP had not yet purchased either a SB or an IB CPU. However, for someone that ALREADY has a SB CPU in hand and is wondering whether to then purchase a Z68 board vs. a Z77 board, the 90% obvious answer would be: a Z77 board. With the caveat that a Z77 board's bios would still be OPTIMIZED for it's targeted CPU: Ivy Bridge.
Luckily, bioses are flash upgradeable.
 
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There aint any "designed" for IB or SB chipset.

They are both designed for both chips. Only difference is that 7 series got USB 3. Rest of the chipset is basicly copy/paste of 6 series.

All 7 series boards are optimized for SB as well.

The only issue is if the 6 series boards got a BIOS update for IB. Or if they used PCie 2.0 switches for P67/Z68 boards when splitting the CPUs x16 lanes. So you wont have PCIe 3.0 if you use crossfire/sli or simply use the second x8 slot.

And the chipset is so irrelevant today when the main x16 lanes are on the CPU as well as memory controller. Unless you use USB3 you couldnt tell the difference between 6 and 7 series if your life depended on it.
 
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vailr said:
With a Z77 board, an Ivy Bridge CPU is the only method of actually getting PCIe 3.0 support as well as Ivy Bridge's built-in Intel USB 3.0 controller..
The Z77 motherboard bios is optimized for Ivy Bridge, although it can secondarily support Sandy Bridge. Some Z68 boards could also, after a bios update, support PCIe 3.0 with an installed Ivy Bridge CPU. However, Z68 board bioses are optimized for Sandy Bridge.
You'd also lose the Intel USB 3.0 controller, when using an Ivy Bridge CPU in a Z68 board.
Ideally, you'd be better off using a motherboard bios optimized for the target CPU.
Click to expand...

I have a similar question (but reversed) -- if I put an IB chip (say i5-3570k) into a Z68 motherboard, will I be able to utilize 100% of the onboard HD 4000 chipset? or will it be 'gimped' in some way because I needed Z77?
 
AkumaX said:
I have a similar question (but reversed) -- if I put an IB chip (say i5-3570k) into a Z68 motherboard, will I be able to utilize 100% of the onboard HD 4000 chipset? or will it be 'gimped' in some way because I needed Z77?
Click to expand...

You will utilize that part fully.

Some Z68 boards may not support PCIe 3.0 when splitting the lanes into 2 x8. or if they use an addon chip for mroe PCIe lanes.
 
Well, from my limited experience of doing just what the OP is contemplating (putting a SB cpu into a Z77 motherboard), this is what I've seen so far.



My 2600k is running quite fine and stable on the Asus Maximus V Gene it just moved to. Runs a stable OC to 4.6GHz without an issue or any drama at all.....just like it did in the Z68 Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z board it was in before.


The USB 3.0 ports all work as they should. But the PCIe 3.0 will not function in 3.0 speeds as the cpu is a SB and not IVB. Then again, I expected this and am not disappointed. Outside this one caveat, I wouldn't hesitate to use a SB cpu in any Z77 mb, as long as you understand the PCIe x16 slots won't function with their 3.0 spec/speeds....only 2.0.
 
vailr said:
English is not your native language, yes?
Maybe it's your 3rd or 4th language?
Click to expand...

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. (See below)

vailr said:
The OP was asking specifically about PCIe 3.0 support when inserting a Sandy Bridge CPU into a Z77 motherboard. The answer appears to be "No. PCIe 3.0 support is present only with an Ivy Bridge CPU; you would only get PCIe 2.x when using a Sandy Bridge CPU in a Z77 board."
So: there are minor negatives either way, when using the wrong CPU for the target chipset. You either lose PCIe 3.0 support (SB CPU in a Z77 board), or you deny yourself Intel USB 3.0 (IB CPU in a Z68 board).
Also: you're ignoring possible motherboard bios optimization differences, which could affect overclocking, memory compatability and system stability.
Click to expand...

Are you dense? Please refer the diagram that I posted for your enlightenment. PCIe 3.0 is a feature of the CPU not the chipset. In fact, there are plenty of Z68 mobos that support PCIe 3.0.
 
mfenn said:
Please refer the diagram that I posted for your enlightenment. PCIe 3.0 is a feature of the CPU not the chipset. In fact, there are plenty of Z68 mobos that support PCIe 3.0.
Click to expand...

"Z68 mobos" do not provide PCIe 3.0 UNLESS you're using an Ivy Bridge CPU.

And would be a less than optimal build solution, IF STARTING TOTALLY FROM SCRATCH.
That is: no CPU or motherboard currently on hand.

The OP was ALSO STARTING FROM SCRATCH.
That is: no CPU or motherboard currently on hand.

Are you following this, so far?

Let me know, whenever you can spare the time....
 
cadred said:
I'm building a new PC (as noted in my other thread) and I'm thinking about getting a Z77 board to have the latest chipset, but wanted to save a few bucks by pairing it with a 2600k Sandy Bridge processor.

I understand that Ivy Bridge brings some PCI-3 integration to the table, but I'm not sure if that applies to the Z77 chipset or the IB cpu's themselves.

So is there any downside to running this combo?
Click to expand...

Yes, there are "downsides".
mfenn and ShintaiDK just aren't interested in acknowledging the facts.
 
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