ASUS and MSI Show off LGA-1155 Motherboards based on P67 Chipset

[btarunr]

Following Biostar's display of its socket LGA-1155 motherboard, market-heavyweights ASUS and MSI were also seen exhibiting their LGA-1156 motherboards based on the Intel P67 chipset. The ASUS P8P67D EVO uses 12+2 phase CPU VRM, has four DIMM slots for dual-channel DDR3 memory, and expansion slots which include two PCI-Express x16 (electrical x8 when both are populated), two PCI, and three PCI-E x1. MSI's P67A-GD65 uses an 8+1 phase VRM with High-C capacitors. Both models feature SATA 6 Gb/s, USB 3.0, and other features commonly found in today's P55-based motherboards, with the difference of the LGA-1155 socket that will fit next-generation Sandy Bridge processors. LGA-1155 is not compatible with LGA-1156, probably except for the cooler mount hole spacing. LGA-1155 platform will likely be introduced in early 2011, looking at how major motherboard vendors are ready with their products in time for this year's Computex event, which is the large major IT exposium before next year's CES.



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[Fourstaff]

Two questions: it looks like one of the "bridges" is missing, and why is there a VIA chip on both the mobo?

 

[DannibusX]

Next to the lower right part of the socket of the ASUS board it says TPU. I really have nothing else to add.

 

[_JP_]

The VIA chip will probably be the NIC. That or the USB controller. I can't really see a VIA chip like that doing anything else than being a controller (SATA, USB, LAN, not sound though, that's usually Realtek).

 

[erocker]

VIA makes way better onboard sound than Realtek currently. The CH4 uses VIA audio and sounds great.

 

[_JP_]

Oh, didn't know that. I know VIA also does sound, but I've rarely seen a board with it. It's only the top ones, right? because that would explain why I don't see them that often.
My board has a VIA chipset + NIC, but sound is Realtek...

 

[erocker]

Realtek has been on every mobo I've purchased in the past couple years. I've had to use sound cards due to poor sound quality and low volume levels. I'm not sure if this is a whole new chip VIA is using but it really sounds excellent and I no longer need a sound card.

 

[Hockster]

My P7P55D Deluxe has Via audio as well, it's way better than the Realtek garbage.

 

[Zubasa]

Well, it all depends on which Realtek they use.
If you compare to those lower end garbage, of course VIA sounds much better.
The ALC889 on my board sounds nice.

 

[Flanker]

I thought VIA chipsets have better sounds quality,
and rubbish drivers, or has the driver issues been fixed?

on topic: I appreciate the fact intel has at least made the HSF mount holes compatible

 

[malakite321]

Two questions: it looks like one of the "bridges" is missing, and why is there a VIA chip on both the mobo?

There is no more two chipset on new motherboards I think that x58 is the last intel motherboard made with a north and south bridge. The P55 only have one chipset (cuts down on the cost have just one I guess

 

[leemerlord]

VIA makes way better onboard sound than Realtek currently. The CH4 uses VIA audio and sounds great.

i back you up on that one. i have a new asus p5q pro turbo and its onboard is VIA and it sounds SOOO much better then Realtek does on my old xfx 750i

 

[Xiphos]

I wonder if these boards will feature 100% SATA 3.0 and full USB 3.0 ports
unlike the current boards with only 2 SATA 3.0 and 2 USB 3.0 ports each

 

[HillBeast]

Oh dear. Asus are going for that rubbish new blue look that they had on P55. I thought that they were just going through a phase but I guess we have to put up with it. It looks revolting compared to their older boards.

On another note, so Sandy Bridge is getting called Core i7? Nice work differentiating from old models Intel. At least have the courtesy to call it Core i7-2 or Core x7 or something different.

 

[Fourstaff]

VIA makes way better onboard sound than Realtek currently. The CH4 uses VIA audio and sounds great.

Yeah, my £370 laptop comes with VIA onboard, sounds better than the Realtek ones.

 

[shevanel]

Ive only found realtek useful if I'm running optical out into a stereo system or a mixamp or headphone amp like the zero dac.

For analog stuff the sound is "hollow" and the volume doesn't get high enough for some headphones.

 

[Lipton]

On another note, so Sandy Bridge is getting called Core i7? Nice work differentiating from old models Intel. At least have the courtesy to call it Core i7-2 or Core x7 or something different.

Yeah, I reacted on this also. What a nightmare. :/

 

[eidairaman1]

Intel- yet again changes sockets... They should be the color green for greed.