Do I need a different motherboard?

I have a Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD5 motherboard. The updated BIOS supports Intel Generation 3 with 22 nm (Ivy Bridge). Would there be any advantage using Z77 motherboard with the i7 3770k processor. In other word should I purchase a Z77 motherboard.

Thanks, Marshall

The Z77 boards support PCI-Express 3.0, which has double the theoretical data rate of PCI-E 2.X. I've read that all current graphics cards show no performance improvement with 3.0, though. (One exception: GPU computing. Few people use that.)

The Z77 boards also have native USB 3 support. Older boards provide USB 3 through a third-party controller.

I'm not sure that either would justify upgrading the motherboard. If you have a high-end Sandy Bridge CPU (2600k or 2700k), going to a 3770k may not be sensible regardless of motherboard. (Something like a 10% improvement.)

Thank you all for your responses. I was figuring that I could sell my i7 2600k on ebay for at least 200 and purchase the i7 3770k for 329.00 or lower. So for 100 bucks get the 3700k. I must admit my current build has handled everything I have asked it to do. I just like to keep upgrading because I enjoy it so much. It looks like if I wish to make a significant jump in performance I would need to go to a 2011 board and the 3930k. I may just do it too, LOL.

Thank you all for your responses, Marshall

These guys have it covered pretty much. There isn't much difference and other than native USB 3.0 support, you probably won't notice any difference going to the new platform. If you have the bug to upgrade, either go Socket 2011, or wait until June and check out Haswell. If you are on a budget and want to get the most use out of a rig, the next logical step from Sandy Bridge is whatever comes after Haswell. If you DO have the money, and it is burning a hole in your pocket, build a Haswell rig. If I'm not mistaken, Sandy Bridge rigs are creeping up on 2+ years old and honestly will be good for that much again. You have to decide how much mileage you want to get out of your rig. I went from an AMD Athlon 64 X2 rig to an Intel 3570K Ivy Bridge rig........because IB had just came out and it was the logical upgrade path. I've never recommended anyone who currently has SB to upgrade to IB.

Short version: If your current SB rig is handling everything you throw at it, get more mileage out of it. Upgrade when there are significant advances in hardware, such as DDR4, SATA Express, or PCI based storage......which will be out before you know it.

Britton30 said:

Even with a BIOS update a Z68 board can't support all the advantages of an Ivy Bridge CPU.

Such as?

(I'm too lazy to look 'em up.)

Britton30 said:

Since you seem to have "upgrade-itis" go with this little gem. Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition Sandy Bridge-E 3.3GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73960X - Newegg.com

And guess what ebay has a new 3960x for 860.00. Check it out Intel Core i7 3960X 3 3 GHz Six Core BX80619I73960X Processor 0675901135603 | eBay.

But I will have to wait a month or two to work that into my budget.

Marshall Moore said:

Britton30 said:

Since you seem to have "upgrade-itis" go with this little gem. Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition Sandy Bridge-E 3.3GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73960X - Newegg.com

And guess what ebay has a new 3960x for 860.00. Check it out Intel Core i7 3960X 3 3 GHz Six Core BX80619I73960X Processor 0675901135603 | eBay.

But I will have to wait a month or two to work that into my budget.

I trust FleaBay not quite as far as I can spit upwind in a stiff breeze.