Ivy Bridge 3770k Released!

[Subhadip Sen]

Thanks, Subhadip. (I was far too lazy to seek out the roadmap. Yes, THAT lazy.) Can we expect the next release after this (whether it's an 8-core SB-E or 6/8 core IB-E) to use their "current" socket (SB-E on 2011 and IB on 1155)? Haswell will use LGA 1150, yes?

EDIT: I'm sure I'll be building a new system with a Z77 motherboard/3770k, and I'm sure that'll be solid for for a while. This is just my curiosity more than anything. :)

Ivy Bridge is the end of the road for LGA1155. So your Z77 motherboard doesn't really have an upgrade path beyond minor speed bumps like 3780K or 3790K. Ivy Bridge-E will use the same LGA 2011 socket as SB-E. Haswell will require a new motherboard, socket LGA1150 using Z87 & family chipsets. Haswell-E will also require a separate new socket. These two sockets will then be upgradeable to Broadwell / Broadwell-E in 2014/15.

Is Ivybridge bringing thunderbolt to pc?

Natively no, but a few laptops and motherboards are shipping with the new Cactus Ridge TB controller. Intel, MSI and Gigabyte have motherboards with Thunderbolt, Asus will be releasing a Thunderbolt expansion card in May.

As for laptops, Asus has a couple (one of which is posted in this forum) out already, many of the new Thinkpads, etc. A whole host of ultrabooks will feature Thunderbolt, those will release around Computex time (June). Of course Macbook Air/Pro and Sony Vaio Z have had it since 2011.

[Corey Culp]

Ivy Bridge is the end of the road for LGA1155. So your Z77 motherboard doesn't really have an upgrade path beyond minor speed bumps like 3780K or 3790K. Ivy Bridge-E will use the same LGA 2011 socket as SB-E. Haswell will require a new motherboard, socket LGA1150 using Z87 & family chipsets. Haswell-E will also require a separate new socket. These two sockets will then be upgradeable to Broadwell / Broadwell-E in 2014/15.

Then maybe I'll go with an X79/3820k anticipating a potential CPU upgrade to IB-E in the future. This will still be a massive performance improvement from my 2nd gen Mac Pro. :)

[Subhadip Sen]

Then maybe I'll go with an X79/3820k anticipating a potential CPU upgrade to IB-E in the future. This will still be a massive performance improvement from my 2nd gen Mac Pro. :)

Indeed, that is a good option. It will also get you 2.5x PCIe lanes and twice the memory bandwidth. Do note that 3820 has multiplier limited to 43x (hence non-K), but unlike Z77 X79 does allow base clock adjustments. So it still overclocks better than 3770K on air or water cooling, although it's a little bit more complicated.

[Cid J Salcido Uyarra]

about time!




as always Subhadip thx for the insight.

I'm a fan of ASUS boards so I'll have to wait for their TB support; until then time to get in line for a GTX690!

[Gary Paul Walker]

Bah.. just as I was configuring a pc for the i7 3930K; now I'll have to rethink...
processors are definitely my knowledge gap!