Is the Z68 chipset still ok?

[Josh123]

I just upgraded from an i3-2120 to an i5-2500K but I've been held back because I've been pairing it with an old Lenovo motherboard. I've found a deal on an ASrock Z68 motherboard for about $40 but would it be a bad idea to go with the older chipset? How well does it compare to the Z77?

I'd like to be able to atleast get my i5 to 4ghz so what do you guys think?

 

[darckhart]

if that's your only requirement, then yes. in fact, you could get > 4 GHz without too much work.

 

[ljtatej]

You might get as much as 4.6-4.8 with some voltage tweaks. Had an Asrock Professional Z68 that kept a 2600k at 4.8@1.32v.

 

[2is]

You'll be missing out on native PCIe and USB 3... Actually just USB 3 in your case. PCIe 3 also requires ivy bridge.

 

[Black Octagon]

You'll be missing out on native PCIe and USB 3... Actually just USB 3 in your case. PCIe 3 also requires ivy bridge.

My ASRock Z68 motherboard has USB3...

 

[Black Octagon]

PCIe 3 also requires ivy bridge.

Or SB-E (just to be pedantic!)

 

[Face2Face]

I have a Z68, I have never owned a Z77 board so I cannot comment on them. My particular board has PCI-E 3.0 and accepts Ivy Bridge CPU's. Overclocks pretty well to boot. I would think your Z68 board should be fine until your next upgrade.

 

[Josh123]

Well I went ahead and got it. I bought it off a trader here on AT.

 

[Face2Face]

Well I went ahead and got it. I bought it off a trader here on AT.

I have that same motherboard you just bought. I think you will be happy with it. Just don't bend the pins in the socket. Now mine is useless..

 

[2is]

My ASRock Z68 motherboard has USB3...

I said "native" USB 3. z68 boards use a 3rd party chipset for usb3

 

[nenforcer]

I believe the Z68 was found to be electrically compatible with PCI-E 3.0 devices as long as an Ivy Bridge CPU is installed. It may depend upon a BIOS update from the manufacturer, as well, though.

 

[nightspydk]

It doesn't really matter does it. One might offer usb 3,0 support, but it's jus a socket my man. The differences. Allright they are not really present. Take that from me, though I have some things to attend to right now. Have you ever lost anybody. I'll give you a full explanation, just not now.

 

[aarontpx]

I would not be concerned as long as the board is in good shape.

 

[Mir96TA]

All People doubting about ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 with Ivy Bridge are just being silly.It has USB3 being Native or not....... Makes no difference!

 

[billyevans]

If all you need is an overclock, Z68 is fine.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

I have overclocked on a Z68 chipset based board and ran the Intel® Core™ i7-2600K for a long time.

 

[piasabird]

I have an Intel Z68 motherboard with a 2500k, but I use it as a HTPC. Know nothing about overclocking. Does an ivy bridge motherboard cost that much more?