Intel Intros New Z68-based Extreme Series Desktop Boards

[btarunr]

Intel released two new Desktop Board Extreme Series motherboards based on the Z68 chipset, supporting Core processors in the LGA1155 package, the DZ68ZV and DZ68BC. The DZ68ZV uses the same exact PCB as the DP67BG, replacing the P67 PCH with Z68 (they're pin-compatible). It lacks display connectivity. The only plus here is support for Intel Smart Response Technology. It uses a 8-phase active-swiching/load-balancing digital PWM power circuitry for the CPU, and quite a few overclocking features. Expansion slots include two PCI-Express 2.0 x16, three PCIe x1, and two PCI. Storage connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s four SATA 3 Gb/s and one eSATA 3 Gb/s. Then there's 8-channel HD audio, USB 3.0, and Intel GbE controller.

The DZ68BC is a completely new design that is tailored for the Z68 chipset, complete with overclocking features, as well as display connectivity. The CPU is powered by an 8-phase digital PWM VRM, makes use of improved VRM cooling, expansion slots include two PCI-Express 2.0 x16, three PCI and two PCIe x1, storage connectors consist of four SATA 6 Gb/s, four SATA 3 Gb/s, and two eSATA. There's 8-channel HD audio, Intel GbE connections, display IO that includes DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI, USB 3.0, and possibly FireWire. Lucid Virtu comes bundled, that provides active switching between the integrated and discrete GPUs.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[micropage7]

for intel board it looks good and promising
but we need a benchmark to put verdict on that

 

[BernardV]

The information provided seems somewhat inaccurate, this is from Intel :

Audio Intel® High Definition Audio subsystem in the following configuration:
10-channel (7.1+ 2 independent multi-streaming) audio subsystem with six analog audio outputs w/optical S/PDIF out port

Expansion capabilities
One PCI Express* 2.0 x 16 bus add-in card connector or switchable to 2x8 PCIe 2.0 connectors

Peripheral interfaces
Two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports
Fourteen USB 2.0 ports
Two Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
Four Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s ports, One eSATA ext. port
One IEEE 1394a header

 

[Mussels]

an intel board with lucid? interesting

 

[TheMailMan78]

I like the screw spacers. Makes them easy to find. Dislike the skull.

 

[entropy13]

Dislike the skull.

They light up!

 

[NHKS]

The information provided seems somewhat inaccurate, this is from Intel :

Audio Intel® High Definition Audio subsystem in the following configuration:
10-channel (7.1+ 2 independent multi-streaming) audio subsystem with six analog audio outputs w/optical S/PDIF out port

Expansion capabilities
One PCI Express* 2.0 x 16 bus add-in card connector or switchable to 2x8 PCIe 2.0 connectors

Peripheral interfaces
Two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports
Fourteen USB 2.0 ports
Two Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
Four Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s ports, One eSATA ext. port
One IEEE 1394a header

Bernard, you are right about the PCI-E spec, it should be two x8 or one x16. However, I am not sure if there is an error with the SATA 6Gbps ports. the link you provided is for DZ68ZV which rightly has 2 SATA 6Gbps. But the article also mentions another board, DZ68BC, which has Four Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s ports , Four Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s ports & one eSATA 6.0 Gb/s. you can check this link: Intel DZ68BC
I do wonder if the DZ68BC board has an additional chipset for the extra 2 SATA 6Gbps ports since Sandy bridge platforms natively support only 2 SATA 6Gbps.

 

[BernardV]

ck this link: Intel DZ68BC

I am just wondering why the article addresses an Intel® X58 Express Chipset when the title of the article suggests information about Intel's new Z68 performance boards?

 

[Mussels]

I am just wondering why the article addresses an Intel® X58 Express Chipset when the title of the article suggests information about Intel's new Z68 performance boards?

The DZ68ZV uses the same exact PCB as the DP67BG, replacing the P67 PCH with Z68 (they're pin-compatible).

^ that, is my guess. they're reusing boards.

 

[NHKS]

^ that, is my guess. they're reusing boards.

right! according to the source of news > VR Zone - it says "The DZ68ZV is in actual fact using the same PCB as the DP67BG motherboard....".

the site(VR Zone) also mentions "The DZ68BC is available right now for around US$225.." and 2 additional new boards in the pipeline DZ68PL and DZ68AF> I hope one of these is of microATX or even miniITX form factor! (i know this may seem crazy , but when there are extreme SFF cases like Silverstone SG-07 & Lian-li PC-Q08 with respectable cooling, why not have a compact gaming setup).

 

[Jegergrim]

What is the point of these boards? They don't even have PCI-e 3.0?

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

Wow a pair of intel boards that look fully featured . . . now if they could just trim down their bios so it doesn't look like it was made for engineers or better yet go UEFI.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

The skull does light up, well it does on the dp55kg anyway.