Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS), the world's top 3 motherboard maker, has already announced its Z77 Golden Board OC Contest on HWBOT. Meanwhile, ECS is proud to announce its official partnership with HWBOT. "We would like to express our gratitude to ECS Elitegroup for the help in making HWBOT financially viable and enabling us to continue promoting overclocking and supporting its communities. With ECS Elitegroup's support, we have found extra motivation to make the site as pleasant as possible for the overclocking community! Thank you ECS Elitegroup!" quoted from HWBOT homepage.

ECS Z77 Nonstop OC Contest on HWBOT is sponsored by GeIL and Coolermaster for the top three winner prize. The top three winner teams can also get ECS Z77 Golden Board Limited Edition for prize! The Nonstop OC Contest is held until 15 July, consisting of four stages: SuperPI-32M, 3DMark11 IGP, Memory Clock and PCMark05. The top three participant teams with the highest scores can be the winners. HWBOT is a well-known OC platform for extreme overclockers and performance enthusiasts. It holds several overclocking competitions per year and is discussed on thousands of message boards, which can reach real overclockers, real records, and real interaction.

LucidLogix (Lucid), GPU virtualization software leader, today announced that Virtu and Virtu MVP GPU virtualization product family is now found in more than 100 Intel and AMD motherboard models, setting the standard for improved integrated and discrete GPU utilization, visual quality, power management and system responsiveness.

"High quality products and great service are what Asus products are all about. Virtu MVP adds that value across our line of motherboards, allowing users to enjoy best of both Intel graphics on one hand and on the other, enjoy discrete graphics with sharpest images and highest frame rates with MVP's Virtual Vsync," said Joe Hsieh, Asus Corporate Vice President & General Manager Motherboard Business Unit & Desktop System Business Unit. "We understand the importance of a responsive immersive gaming experience and with Virtu MVP's HyperFormance, we are able to provide that for the majority of popular PC titles."

Sapphire's growing motherboard lineup as a new entry in the form of the Pure Platinum Z77i. This socket LGA1155 motherboard is based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, and is built in the super-compact mini-ITX form-factor, making it ideal for gaming PCs that are LAN party-animals. The motherboard is designed to draw power from a 24-pin ATX, and a 4-pin CPU power connector. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a simple 4-phase VRM, which uses ferrite-core chokes and compact driver-MOSFETs. The VRM should be strong enough to handle CPUs that aren't heavily overclocked.

The LGA1155 socket on the Pure Platinum Z77i is wired to a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot, and two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory. The Z77 PCH gives out two internal SATA 6 Gb/s, and two SATA 3 Gb/s ports. Display connectivity includes one each of DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, and DisplayPort. There are a total of four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two by headers. Rounding off the connectivity are 8-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth.

ASRock showed off its new high-end socket LGA1155 motherboard for overclocking, the Z77 OC Formula. The new product sits several notches above its Extreme and Fatal1ty series. Its design focus is on CPU overclocking potential, with ASRock cramming in strong VRM circuitry, active-cooling for the CPU VRM area, and a load of overclocker-friendly features, at the expense of connectivity.

The CPU is powered by a 12+4 phase DigiPower VRM that uses high-current chokes, tantalum capacitors, and active cooling to the MOSFETs. The VRM active-cooler packs a coolant channel, as well as a 40 mm fan. The CPU is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting dual-channel DDR3-3000+ MHz memory, by overclocking. A staggering 8-phase VRM powers the memory, preventing even the slightest voltage droop.

G.SKILL - manufacturer of world leading high performance memory and SSD, debuts the largest memory computer system that runs a total of 96GB (8GBx 12) RipjawsZ DDR3 1600MHz kit on the latest EVGA SR-X motherboard at Computex 2012.

G.SKILL also displays the fastest memory of G.SKILL's TridentX which achieved the amazing speed over DDR3 3000MHz CL11 16GB (4GBx4) on both ASUS Z77 MAXIMUS V FORMULA and GIGABYTE Z77A-UD5 motherboards.

If you thought the GIGABYTE Z77X-UP7 with its 32-phase CPU VRM was over the top, check out the Z77 Wolverine from ASUS. A design concept for the time being, this beast packs 40 (yes, forty) CPU VRM phases. The VRM makes use of compact chokes and driver-MOSFETs, with 20 phases on each side of the PCB. Given that it draws power from just one 8-pin EPS connector, the only idea we see behind this concoction is reducing load per "phase", resulting in lower temperatures per driver-MOSFET, perhaps even letting the motherboard do away with with VRM area heatsinks altogether.

ASUS insists that the CPU VRM of the Z77 Wolverine features Digi+, so we assume it uses the same EPU controller found on several other P8Z77-V series motherboards. The bottom half of the Z77 Wolverine is nearly identical to that of the P8Z77-V Deluxe, including the layout of expansion slots (3x PCIe 3.0 x16, 3x PCIe 2.0 x1). The board's connectivity resembles that of the P8Z77-V Deluxe, too. This include four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, four SATA 3 Gb/s ports, and two eSATA 6 Gb/s ports; eight USB 3.0 ports (6x rear-panel, 2 via header); dual gigabit Ethernet; and 802.11 b/g/n + Bluetooth module.

As promised, Walton-Chaintech made a comeback to the PC motherboard and graphics card markets, by partnering with Colorful. The duo launched a full-fledged lineup of motherboards across various sockets (including LGA1155, AM3+, FM2), and graphics cards. Leading the lineup on the motherboard front are the Z77 X5 and X990FX X7.

Based on the Intel Z77 chipset, supporting the Core "Ivy Bridge" and "Sandy Bridge" processors, the Z77 X5 makes use of the entire feature-set of the platform. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a 8-phase VRM with special branding "Smart Power Engine 3," which gives user. fine control over the VRM via BIOS. Expansion slots include two each of PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (red, x8/x8, when both are populated), PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and legacy PCI. AMD CrossFireX is the only multi-GPU technology supported. 8-channel HD audio, 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, 2x SATA 6 Gb/s + 4x SATA 3 Gb/s, are among its features.

ASUS showed of three new design concepts for the otherwise boring-looking thermal armor of the TUF Sabertooth Z77 motherboard. The designs were sourced from the PC enthusiast community. The top design is entitled "Ammo depot," and makes use of props that look like grenades and shells. The next design is entitled "Gears of TUF," and bears a rustic industrial look. The final design concept is called "Desert Warrior," and features a non-digital desert camo design with a few rounds lying on it. For now, these are merely design concepts. ASUS probably found its newest product designer out of the exercise.

Late last week, we came across teaser pictures of a certain new Big Bang series motherboard. Our source didn't reveal its name, but mentioned that we were close in guessing its name to be "ZPower", which we admitted we could go wrong with. It turns out that the new line is named "MPower", and includes not just a new socket LGA1155 motherboard, the Z77 MPower, but also a new LGA2011 one, the X79 MPower. The two are beefed-up versions of the Z77A-GD65 and X79A-GD65 (8D), respectively, with stronger CPU VRM, relaxed warranties that are overclocker-friendly, and a new black+yellow color-scheme, which is consistent with that of its Lightning series graphics cards (such as the R7970 Lightning).

GIGABYTE showed off some of its first Ultra Durable 5 motherboards, which included its first Thunderbolt-equipped ones, the Z77X-UP4 TH and the Z77X-UP5 TH. The two are slated to be notches above the current-generation Z77X-UD3H and Z77X-UD5H, respectively. Their most striking feature is the Thunderbolt interface, which gives high-bandwidth devices (such as DAS) access to 10 Gb/s of bandwidth. The Thunderbolt interface is also wired to the Intel Flexible Display Interface (FDI), which routes the Intel HD 4000/2500 series graphics of the processor through a common Thunderbolt + mini-DisplayPort, which can then be daisy-chained between 6 devices, including a monitor. The two also feature high-grade CPU VRM, which utilize new high-current chokes and PowIRstage IR3550 driver-MOSFETs, and a VRD12-compliant VRM controller, also made by IR. The Z77X-UP4 TH and the Z77X-UP5 TH are otherwise similar to the UD3H and UD5H, respectively, in terms of other features.

It's good to see GIGABYTE back to doing high-end motherboards with overkill CPU power designs. Its latest creation, the Z77X-UP7, was shown to sections of the media, at a private exhibition, ahead of Computex. The Z77X-UP7 is the company's first motherboard to feature its Ultra Durable 5 motherboard construction technology, which is basically Ultra Durable 4 augmented with higher current 60A chokes, and International Rectifier PowIRStage IR3550 ICs (a highly potent driver-MOSFET implementation). The Z77X-UP7 is based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, and supports Core "Ivy Bridge" and "Sandy Bridge" processors in the LGA1155 package.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today introduced their latest Ultra Durable 5 technology, featuring a range of high current capable components including the industry's highest rated 60A IR3550 PowIRstage ICs that provide the best quality power delivery to the CPU for record-breaking performance, cool and efficient operation and extended motherboard lifespan.

GIGABYTE is yet again raising the bar of motherboard quality and durability with their Ultra Durable 5 technology, which includes high current capable components for the CPU power zone including the highest rated and awarded IR3550 PowIRstage ICs from International Rectifier, 2X Copper PCB and high current Ferrite Core Chokes rated up to 60A which together are able to deliver up to 60°C* cooler temperatures than traditional motherboards. Featured on a range of new motherboards based the Intel X79 and Z77 Express Chipsets, GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 5 technology is the next evolution in quality motherboard design.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced its latest overclocking competition in conjunction with HWBOT.org, the GIGABYTE 'High on Ivy Contest'.

Calling all HWBot members! From June 1st to June 30th, GIGABYTE invites you to push your unlocked Ivy Bridge processors as high as you possibly can, with a chance to win a next-generation GIGABYTE motherboard. The rules are simple; take any GIGABYTE Z77 board and aim for the highest scores possible across four unrelenting stages.

Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced it is shipping HyperX dual-channel kits engineered especially for the new Intel third-generation Core i7 and i5 processors (Ivy Bridge). Kingston HyperX memory is available in 16GB and 8GB kits of two at 1600MHz, 2133MHz, 2400MHz and soon to be speedy 2666 MHz frequencies.

"The new 22nm architecture of this processor allows significant performance gains for benchmarkers, enthusiasts and overclockers," said Mark Tekunoff, senior technology manager, Kingston. "Enthusiasts who want to push the performance boundaries of the new processors will want to pair it with Kingston HyperX memory. Our 2666 MHz kit combined with the top CPU in the Ivy Bridge family will allow unparalleled performance."

MSI is working on its first Big Bang series motherboard based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, supporting Core "Ivy Bridge" and "Sandy Bridge" processors in the LGA1155 package, which is called Big Bang ZPower (we could be wrong with the name), carrying an MSI internal model number MS-7751 v 3.0. The model number seems to suggest that the PCB design is similar to that of the Z77A-GD65. For now we only have two cutout teaser pictures with us.

The pictures reveal the ZPower to be a bustling metropolis with a swanky heatsink design that keeps up with the theme of MSI's Lightning series graphics cards. The motherboard will be designed for 3-way multi-GPU setups, although a PLX-made bridge chip won't be used. Instead it will use Pericom PCIe lane switches to split the x16 link from the processor into x8/x8/NC or x8/x4/x4. The focus of this board will be towards overclocking, a lot of overclocker-friendly features, options (in the UEFI BIOS setup program), and a strong VRM will be added to the mix. MSI is likely to exhibit the new motherboard at the upcoming Computex event.

For various reasons, ASUS confined its Z77 Express-based Republic of Gamers (ROG) lineup to just the micro-ATX Maximus V Gene, and although we've got to see its ATX sibling, the Maximus V Formula on several occasions, ASUS didn't officially launch it. According to a new report by VR-Zone, ASUS will be offering two SKUs of the Maximus V Formula. The company is known to offer these tiny sub-variants with its ROG products. Sometimes the differences between such sub-variants are as major as inclusion/exclusion of a component (eg: Crosshair V Formula/ThunderBolt), and as minor as inclusion of a game (eg: Rampage IV Extreme/Battlefield 3). In this case, it's the inclusion/exclusion of a component called ThunderFX, which makes up the two variants.

ThunderFX is a USB sound card and headphones amplifier. Backed by the C-Media CMI6631 chipset, the device could be used for headphones amplification. The CMI6631 has been implemented on several other solutions for console headset noise-cancellation. It is possible that ThunderFX does the same, using an external microphone array. That aside, the motherboard has a headphones amplifier of its own. The motherboard's onboard audio is backed by a TI 6120A2 amplifier, the same kit found on high-end sound cards such as ASUS Xonar Essence ST/STX. Find other fine details about the Maximus V Formula in our previous article.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced the record highest validated CPU clock speed on the Intel Core i7 3770K processor using a GIGABYTE Z77X-UD3H motherboard, as well as the new world record highest DDR3 memory speed using the GIGABYTE Z77X-U5H motherboard.

The 7.0 GHz milestone was surpassed using an Intel 3rd generation Core i7 3770k processor (aka Ivy Bridge) by renowned overclocker HiCookie, pushing the GIGABYTE Z77X-UD3H motherboard to a fully validated 7.03 GHz using liquid nitrogen cooling. This is regarded as the current #1 highest Ivy Bridge CPU frequency and a world record according to respected global overclocking website HWBot.org.

BIOSTAR, a world famous manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, industrial computing systems and peripherals, starts sales of the next-generation BIOSTAR TZ77B boards based on the latest Intel Z77 chipset and meant for powerful desktop systems with an excellent price/performance.

The boards are designed for the latest third-gen Intel Core CPUs (Ivy Bridge) manufactured using the 22 nm fab process based on the 3D transistors and retain the full backward compatibility with the second-gen Intel Core CPUs (Sandy Bridge). They support all Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 chips for the LGA 1155 socket with the TDP up to 95 W including Intel K-Series chips with the unlocked multiplier.

Further demonstrating its market leading innovation, ASUS has announced the launch of its P8Z77-V PREMIUM motherboard - the flagship of the P8Z77 Series and the first Intel certified motherboard in the market to offer the latest Thunderbolt connection interface. The PREMIUM designation has been reserved for only the best motherboards with the latest technologies, and the P8Z77-V PREMIUM maintains this standard. In addition to the onboard Thunderbolt connection on the P8Z77-V PREMIUM, ASUS also offers the same technology on the P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT to give consumers a wider range of choices.

"Intel and Asus have worked closely on the implementation of Thunderbolt technology onto Asus motherboards," said Jason Ziller, Intel's Director of Thunderbolt Marketing. "The P8Z77-V PREMIUM is the first Thunderbolt certified motherboard in the industry, a testament to its solid design and compatibility."

Intel is ready to top off its Desktop Board Extreme Series 7-series "Panther Point" lineup with the DZ77RE-75K. Its most characteristic feature is Thunderbolt I/O. Along with a handful other high-end socket LGA1155 motherboards featuring the 10 Gb/s interconnect, the DZ77RE-75K will be launched early next week.

To a very large extant, the DZ77RE-75K resembles the DZ77GA-70K, which Intel topped its Desktop Board "Panther Point" lineup with. In fact, the two share the same PCB design. The only distinguishing feature of the DZ77RE-75K is the presence of a mini-DisplayPort+Thunderbolt connector, and a DSL3310 Thunderbolt controller driving it, in tandem with Intel FDI. The DSL3310, unfortunately, is a slim variant in Intel's Thunderbolt controller lineup, and only takes advantage of PCI-Express 2.0 x2, so Thunderbolt might not perform to its fullest.

Seeing as how some of the newest socket LGA1155 processors, such as the Core i7-3770K, competes with Sandy Bridge-E HEDT platform, and how today's GPUs are beginning to benefit from PCI-Express 3.0 in x8 and x4 configurations, ASRock decided to go beyond its Z77 Fatal1ty Professional, and launched a new Extreme series model, with a focus on features and connectivity. The Z77 Extreme9 from ASRock crams has every square inch of its standard ATX size PCB with features.

To begin with, the Z77 Extreme9 uses a fairly strong 8+4 phase VRM, which is similar to that of the Z77 Extreme6. The CPU VRM MOSFETs are cooled by a fairly big heatsink, which shares its head with a neighbouring heatsink, which cools a PLX PEX8747 PCI-Express 3.0 bridge chip, which takes in the lone PCI-Express 3.0 x16 link from the processor, and drives four of the board's six PCI-Express 3.0 x16 long slots, enabling 3-way and 4-way SLI/CrossFireX capability. The other slots are electrical PCI-Express 2.0, and wired to the Z77 PCH.

After revealing Xtreem DDR3 2800 CL11 dual-channel memory module ahead of any one in the market, Team Group Inc., one of the leading memory manufacturers in the world, beats everyone else once again by rewriting the history of over-clocking memory market.The limited version of Xtreem DDR3 3000 CL11 designed with higher standard is making the impossible possible.

Team Group, powerful and strong at what we are doing, has always been working every minute to develop over-clocking products that are equipped with higher specifications and speed. Every time a product rolls out in the market, the wows never stop. This time Team Group leads the industry by launching Limited Edition Xtreem DDR3 3000 CL11 which is not only the fastest available. It is about to detonate the explosive desire of all overclocking maniacs. Xtreem DDR3 3000 CL11 is made of specially selected chips from major manufacturers and passes rigorous testing and verification procedures.

MSI, the leading innovator in mainboard and graphics card technology is happy to announce the availability of the new MSI Z77A-GD80 mainboard with Intel Thunderbolt technology. With MSI's true integrated Thunderbolt design you don't have to worry about losing bandwidth or placing additional add-in cards as it is the most simple Thunderbolt solution available. Of course, the renowned Military Class III components are again available to deliver the highest quality and most stable components. OC Genie II boosts your overall CPU, Memory, Disk and Graphics performance and thank to its power saving hardware features such as Active Phase Switching (APS) and DrMOS II, the MSI Z77A-GD80 can combine its CPU performance with best power saving.

ECS revealed its newest value-segment LGA1155 motherboard based on the Z77 Express chipset, the X77H2-A3. Pictured below, the X77H2-A3 is a variation of the Z77H2-A3, with ECS' Super Alloy Chokes powering the CPU VRM, an all solid-state capacitor design, golden-colored VRM and PCH heatsinks, and slightly darker piano-black PCB. Besides these four, the X77H2-A3 is identical to the Z77H2-A3. It features a 4+1 phase CPU VRM, single PCI-Express 3.0 x16 expansion slot, two SATA 6 Gb/s, four SATA 3 Gb/s, four USB 3.0 ports (two front-panel, two rear), and display outputs that include DVI and D-Sub. Expect this model to be slightly pricier than its cousin.

The highly anticipated 3rd generation CPU from Intel has arrived at OVERCLOCKERS UK who is offering a wide range of Ivy Bridge CPUs as well as an extensive range of Z77 systems and Z77 overclocked bundles, constructed to allow you to get the very best performance from the latest Intel Core processors.

The new generation builds and improves on many Sandy Bridge features such as Intel Turbo Boost, Quick Sync and Rapid Response, whilst providing numerous performance gains and new features including increased speed and responsiveness and amazing graphics, with new 3D and display technology. Thanks to the ground-breaking, three-dimensional structure of the new Intel transistors, as opposed to the usual two-dimensional planar, dramatic improvements in the overall visual experience have been made meaning better than ever on-board graphics.