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Z77 boards now available at newegg

already got deals for it
The ones for sale ATM
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---Not in order (sorry, uploaded them out of order)---

Anand's mobo combos
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Don Karnage said:
Is the Z77 chipset on intels 22nm process or is it 32nm?
Click to expand...

Lol, you don't pay much attention to chipset processes, do you?

If lucky, it's 45nm, but the last several generations have been 65nm (at least since x58).
I've speculated that they're "due" for a shift to 45nm, but that's only based on how many gens have been 65nm and that they were probably dragging their feet on USB 3 integration into x79 so they could do it at the same time as a shrink with Panther Point. I've yet to see a preview article mention die size or process, though some have mentioned "package size" of 27mm x 27mm... that has to be the full BGA, as it would be HUGE if it was silicon (729 mm2? lol.)

Oh, and I see NOTHING compelling about Z77 over Z75. 3 way Crossfire instead of 2 way? SRT? Yay.
Why would someone want a Z77? Why are there a hundred Z77 boards and zero Z75s on release day? There's virtually no reason to buy a Z77.
 
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Intel17 said:
Neither. Most likely the 65nm process that Z68 and X79 are on.
Click to expand...

Concillian said:
Lol, you don't pay much attention to chipset processes, do you?

If lucky, it's 45nm, but the last several generations have been 65nm (at least since x58).
I've speculated that they're "due" for a shift to 45nm, but that's only based on how many gens have been 65nm and that they were probably dragging their feet on USB 3 integration into x79 so they could do it at the same time as a shrink with Panther Point. I've yet to see a preview article mention die size or process, though some have mentioned "package size" of 27mm x 27mm... that has to be the full BGA, as it would be HUGE if it was silicon (729 mm2? lol.)
Click to expand...

Thank you guys. Any reason why they don't bring it down to atleast 32nm?
 
Right I understand that. If your switching from an older board why go with Z68. Might as well grab Z77 but I see no logic going from Z68 to Z77 but thats my opinion.
 
Don Karnage said:
Thank you guys. Any reason why they don't bring it down to atleast 32nm?
Click to expand...

Cost.
They are already likely constrained on the newer processes.
Older fabs are still functional and get good yields, so it's beneficial to be using them to produce parts which don't require the latest and greatest process technology, such as chipsets.
Otherwise they would either be sitting idle, or be getting refitted. There's only so much money to spend on upgrading a fab, so making use of older process tech where possible makes the most sense for the company.
 
Don Karnage said:
Thank you guys. Any reason why they don't bring it down to atleast 32nm?
Click to expand...

Tom's Hardware does mention that Z77 is on a smaller process than Z68's 65nm, but they don't specify which one. I'm going to agree with Concillian that it's probably on 45nm. It seems like they tend to produce chipsets on processes that are no longer used for manufacturing anything else. I believe that with the exception of Atom, low volume Itanium/Tukwila, and a few obsolescent Nehalem-EX CPUs, all 45nm processors are now officially EOL, so that process is now freed up for chipsets. There are still many high volume processors in mass production on the 32nm process, including the ridiculously high margin Xeon E5s, so it wouldn't make sense to manufacture something with as low a profit margin as a chipset on that process yet.
 
Don Karnage said:
Thank you guys. Any reason why they don't bring it down to atleast 32nm?
Click to expand...

So they can utilize fully depreciated capital equipment.

They likely need a certain amount of area for pads anyway, and TDP on a chipset is something like 6 watts peak... so there isn't a whole lot of advantage to shrink it. It could end up pad limited and save almost no silicon and maybe 0.5 to 1 watt at typical power loads.
 
gplnpsb said:
Tom's Hardware does mention that Z77 is on a smaller process than Z68's 65nm, but they don't specify which one. I'm going to agree with Concillian that it's probably on 45nm. It seems like they tend to produce chipsets on processes that are no longer used for manufacturing anything else. I believe that with the exception of Atom, low volume Itanium/Tukwila, and a few obsolescent Nehalem-EX CPUs, all 45nm processors are now officially EOL, so that process is now freed up for chipsets. There are still many high volume processors in mass production on the 32nm process, including the ridiculously high margin Xeon E5s, so it wouldn't make sense to manufacture something with as low a profit margin as a chipset on that process yet.
Click to expand...

Noticed most of the boards seem to have smaller heatsinks. They must run cool.
 
Nice, i was thinking of going with the Asus Z77-V (vanilla, $209) but there is no eSATA which kinda dealbreaker. So now its the cheaper Z77-V LE ($175) or maybe an Asrock. I see a lot of issues here and there with asrock, but there are a few ppl who are happy and you get crammed with features for cheaper. What do you guys think of Asrock so far? Maybe if the Sabertooth drops to under $200 i might just spring for that when Ivy is out. Also that Maximus V looks pretty nice, but i have full size Lian Li cases to fill, so might as well get full atx.
 
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