yes lga 1155 is the socket core i2nd gen and 3gen proccy's require,and yes if you want more performance,you will have to get a d-gfx card.there are these chipsets for lga 1155
67,H61,H67,H77,Z68,z67 and B75.the p67,h61,h67 and z68 are old now,as they launched with sandy bridge proccy's.
To understand the H67 chipset it helps to first realize that all socket 1155 Core i3, i5 and i7 processors have built-in graphics capabilities. To enable use of that functionality, though, the motherboard must have video output connections – and this is H67’s specialty. Most motherboards using this chipset will have a variety of output options (VGA, DVI, HDMI, and sometimes DisplayPort as well), with up to two connections being usable at the same time. A dedicated video card can also be used, and the onboard video can be used *alongside* such a card in order to provide support for several monitors for a fairly low price.
The downside is the H67 supports only very limited overclocking, keeping it from being a platform for gamers (who wouldn’t want to use the onboard graphics anyways) and some enthusiasts. It is more marketed toward home and business use, and particularly the home-theater crowd. The onboard graphics is very well suited to playing back videos, even in high definition, and being able to do that without a higher-end video card cuts down on cost, heat and noise.
P67-This chipset variant, which was available alongside H67 at the launch of the Sandy Bridge platform, does not support the use of integrated graphics – but in trade supports the ability to run two dedicated video cards (for Crossfire or SLI, if motherboard manufacturers license those technologies). It also is capable of being overclocked, and that combination of features have made it popular for gamers and other demanding users.
H61 is a cut down version of h67.
The Z68 chipset is a late arrival, but combines the performance-oriented features of P67 with the onboard graphics options of H67. This opens up the option for enthusiasts who want to have a powerful video card while also being able to access features of the on-chip Intel HD graphics, like Quick Sync, without needing multiple monitors. However, using both of those together requires third-party software from LucidLogix – which isn’t ideal, as it means depending on yet another layer of complication in order to access all the features of the hardware. Quick Sync in particular is also only supported by a few video transcoding programs, so unless you use software that is designed to work with it then there would be no need for Z68 over P67.Lastly, Z68 supports a new feature called SSD Caching. It allows use of a solid-state drive as a cache for a larger hard drive – which can be of limited use for folks who want faster drive performance but can’t afford a full-sized SSD.
Read the above paragraphs and you will understand.
Difference between z77 and h77:
Basically the difference is that a Z77 motherboard allows overclocking and Crossfire/SLI while a H77 does not. H77 is also, obviously, cheaper. So the choice is very easy.
Diffeence between z68,z77 and h77:
Z68-This chipset represents the pinnacle of Intel’s second-generation, mainstream Core processor platform (also known as Sandy Bridge). It combined the key features of the earlier P67 and H67 chipsets, as we havepreviously discussed. It supports splitting the main PCI-Express x16 connection into two x8 slots, allowing SLI or Crossfire functionality for improved gaming. It also allows for overclocking of select processors, and was the first Intel chipset to add Smart Response Technology – Intel’s fancy name for SSD caching of a traditional hard drive. Use of the onboard graphics on Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors is also supported, with up to two simultaneous monitor outputs.
Newer motherboards using this chipset have even been designed to be compatible with the upcoming third-gen Core processors; the Asus P8Z68-V Pro Gen3 is one such example. Those modified in this way claim to support PCI-Express 3.0, once equipped with a new 3rd-generation processor that supports the new standard.
Z77-this is the direct successor to Z68, with almost the exact same feature set. It has everything Z68 does and then some. For example, USB 3.0 has been integrated into the chipset; four USB 3.0 ports can be powered in this way, along with several of the older USB 2.0 ports. That means an add-on controller chip is no longer required, though many motherboards will still have one so that they can sport more than four USB 3.0 ports. SSD caching, overclocking, dual PCI-Express x8 slots, etc are all still available as well.
Another aspect of the chipset that has been improved is the support for onboard graphics. Once the matching 3rd-generation processors are out, motherboards will be able to offer three simultaneous monitor outputs instead of just two. Onboard graphics will also be faster, but both of those are functions of the newer processors; when paired with older Sandy Bridge CPUs, the speed will be the same as Z68 and the number of monitors supported at a time will still be two.
H77-his is a scaled-back chipset option, suitable when overclocking and multiple video cards are not needed. It cannot split the main PCI-Express x16 slot into two connections, though the PCI-Express 3.0 standard is still supported (with the upcoming processors). Support for increasing the multiplier on unlocked processor models is also missing, hence the lack of overclocking support. Aside from those two limitations, though, it is effectively the same as Z77: the same number of SATA and USB ports are there, SSD caching, onboard Intel graphics, and more.
This situation makes Z77 ideal for most users, as it gives the largest range of performance and upgrade options, but H77 is a great fit when overclocking and more than a single video card are simply not feasible. For example, in small form factor systems like our Echo line the H77 chipset should be right at home.
It's a little long but reading it all will help you make sense of all the chipsets out there and help you make a decision on what you want to buy.cheers.
This is truly awesome! I feel like nominating you for the Nobel prize , if I had the means !!
I didn't mind the length ..in fact I couldn't have enough of it ...I really enjoy reading your stuff , these are simply Brilliant . Also as you can see , I have got up to read your posts at 3:00 AM .. your posts are simply worth the time we spend on it.
Perhaps We will continue after Dussehra, right now I may be traveling for a few days. So I may be absent from here for a while . Kindly bear with me.
Wishing you and your family , and every one else here a Very Happy Dussehra.Take care
Again your posts (also Alpha's) simply rock.Thank you so much.
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Now tell us what do you want to do with your system, the usage --
- Are you going to game?
- What is your budget?
- What is your usage pattern, if you are not gaming what all activities / programs will this computer run?
When you can explain the above three then we can tell you whether to go for Intel OR AMD. Why we are giving you that
particular choice.
Hope this helps, Cheerio!
Alpha both yours and Sudhanshu's information is simply awesome, this looks like the Bible of information. Truly golden words from both of you.
Are you going to game?: Even if I do not game I would like to keep my options open, But Honest answer , I do not think I will have time to game, but having gaming capabilities also means having good graphics, and I want good graphics , just to feel better and that I can game if I want to.
What is your budget? : lets says 15k would be realistic , +- 3
What is your usage pattern, if you are not gaming what all activities / programs will this computer run?
I have two main purposes
(1) I surf the Net and
(2) Watch TV on my monitor through Intex Internal TV tuner PCI card.
Slightly Side topic , but usage related .
This is a good point ,with respect to a new Tuner. Are there any tuners which have HDMI in. Now I know Digital media copyright issues prohibit coping HD content, so no one can record HD content or something like that. But I do not want to record, maybe manufactures can build a Tuner that will allow us to watch TV in HD but not allow us to record?
Because of no HDMI available in present TV tuner's I have to take HDMI out from STB to monitor to watch HD channels , it cannot go through the Motherboard.
So it means I cannot work on the net and let TV run in the back ground simultaneously. The TV is coming into the monitor say through HDMI in , the PC will come into the monitor Through DVI in , so I have to change the input source each time , I want to do some thing different.
Also TV will run in full screen mode, not allowing me to minimize , maximize, or run in back ground while I check my mails in the net.
So this is the disadvantage of having two different input sources, with no PIP.
Unless I take composite out from STB -- to TV tuner card in Mother board . As I cannot take HDMI from STB into TV tuner as discussed above.
So if I have STB -- Composite out -- PCIe, TV tuner card --Mother board HDMI output --Via HDMI --to monitor HDMI input , I can use the same input both for TV and computer simultaneously. The TV card will show as an Icon on the Desktop, when I click on that, TV will start.I can minimize, maximize , move in foreground back ground etc . I can multitask simultaneously.
But unfortunately the TV I view in this way will not be in HD, as from STB I have taken analog to TV card, through Composite out and not through HDMI out. This is exactly, what I have presently.
@ alpha as you can see its 3:30 am already, need to go to sleep ASAP. Will get back after Dussehra,kindly bear with me. we will arrive at a very good system, thanks to you guys.
Wishing you and your family and all readers here a Very Happy Dussehra. Take care.