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Ivy Bridge/1155 question

dpk33

Senior member
I've been really out of date on processors and motherboards, so I have a few questions.

1. Will there be a new chipset release with Ivy Bridge?

2. If there will be a new chipset release, will there be anything in the new chipset that isn't included in... Let's say an Asus Z68 board right now?

3. What is a good, future proof Z68/P67 board?


EDIT: Oh yes, I'm not from the States, but I will be there during boxing week. Will Microcenter be having any insane deals for 1155 stuff on boxing week? If so, is it just as simple as going into the store and finding stuff?
 
Major addition is fully integrated USB 3.0 support, with up to 4 USB 3.0 ports supported. Sandy Bridge motherboards have to use 3rd party chipsets to get the same functionality and thus only include 2 ports (anything more usually means a hub is involved cutting max bandwidth if all ports are used).

But nothing really special I think.
 
So there isn't much that actually uses USB 3.0, is there? There are flash drives and external hard drives. What else? Either way, these are of no use to me. So I should just get a Z68 right now?
 
Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $115 AR (dual-GPU, PCIe 3.0) is the best bang for buck. If you want microATX, Asrock Z68M-USB3 $90. If you want longer warranty and/or USB3 also in the case front panel (needs USB3 case obviously), Asus P8Z68-V LE $133 (single GPU, PCIe 2.0) or Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 $150 (dual-GPU, PCIe 3.0).

If you have a Microcenter nearby, the Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3 can be had for $90 when combo'd with a 2500K, I think. So it's easily the best bang for buck in that case. Z68X-UD3H $10 more, it's also a good choice. Black PCB 🙂

I don't think it's worth it paying for other more expensive boards. They don't really offer anything apart from unnecessarily big heatsinks and features and connectivity you're very unlikely to need.
 
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Okay, so I got an Asus P8Z68-V Pro Gen 3 mobo for $140 with pruchase of a 2600k (which I will be selling in a few months for Ivy), since the guy at Microcenter recommended it over the AsRock Z68. Did I make the right choice?
 
So will Ivy Bridge have its own socket or is it going to be 1155 only????

It will first come out in socket 1155 (March/April timeline) then at the end of the year in socket 2011 as Ivy Bridge-E as well. We know Z68 and supposedly P67 boards should support IB as long as bios updates are released. I'm not sure if X79 will support IB-E though?
 
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Okay, so I got an Asus P8Z68-V Pro Gen 3 mobo for $140 with pruchase of a 2600k (which I will be selling in a few months for Ivy), since the guy at Microcenter recommended it over the AsRock Z68. Did I make the right choice?

Yes, I have an Asus P67 Deluxe MB and love it. ASROCK is the cheaper ASUS MB's. They are ok, but IMO the ASUS are the better built MB's of the two.

I have no issues using ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte, have used all three and no issues with any of them. I like the Intel MB's also, but they don't seem to have the features sets as the other three, Intel will dump old standards before the others will, so guess its all in what you want.

BTW Ivy Bridge will work on the that board so now worries. And as for PCi-e 3.0 unless you are going to be doing GPGPU calculations no benefit from it as of now. PCi-e 3.0 SSD maybe or NIC cards....
 
This is the best board on the market for z68 and overclocking.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131760

If you buy it though I will be jealous.

As would I. Even so, look at the phase power design on the Maximus IV Extreme-Z, and compare to the P8Z68-V-Pro. Check again, but I think they're the same.

Even so -- there are "extras" to be had with the Maximus. Not even so important among those, if you have a digital multi-tester, it has little receptacles on the board to stick the probes for any of the voltages you want to measure.
 
As would I. Even so, look at the phase power design on the Maximus IV Extreme-Z, and compare to the P8Z68-V-Pro. Check again, but I think they're the same.

Even so -- there are "extras" to be had with the Maximus. Not even so important among those, if you have a digital multi-tester, it has little receptacles on the board to stick the probes for any of the voltages you want to measure.

Also worth noting that it's Extended ATX, which will limit your case options somewhat, as the board will overhang into the area that many mid towers use for cable management.
 
There is now point in getting a z68 now if OP wants an Ivy Bridge which may be released 3-4 months from now. Wait for IB and then buy the board. There may be more options to choose from, incl newer or cheaper z68s aside from the newer chipsets/boards for IB.
 
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