Looking for a replacement motherboard, question about the specifics

[bad_boy_izzy_215]

My Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD4H suffered some damages recently, so much so that I needed to get a replacement. However, most of them are sold out and so I have to find something similar.

This is the motherboard that I currently have and am using. The full name according to Amazon is "Gigabyte LGA 1155 DDR3 1600 Intel Z77 SLI HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS GA-Z77X-UD4H"

My question is, what the "Intel Z77" specify?

I found a similar motherboard according to PCPartPicker's compatibility mode, which I may be able to replace my current motherboard with. The full name is

"Intel Media Series LGA1155 ATX H67 DDR3-1333 Intel HD Graphics Motherboard HDMI+DVI-I BOXDH67CL"

But that one has a H67 and not Z77. I know that the ATX is the form factor, but I don't know what the Z77 and H67 refers to. Is there a difference? Also, my motherboard used DDR3-1600 Memory, not DDR3-1333. Would that impact its performance?

Side note: If anyone knows a similar motherboard in stock I'd be happy to check it out, thanks!

 

[Satan-IR]

That's the Intel chipset/architecture. What CPU do you have? You might be able to use some motherboards with H67 chipset too.

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

Intel Z77 specifies the chipset used on that motherboard. The H67 cannot overclock the CPU if you got a K CPU but should still support your current CPU with a BIOS update.

 

[bad_boy_izzy_215]

The CPU I have is an i7-3770. Would that be compatible? It's not a k version, chose a normal one since I didn't have too much knowledge on overclocking and it was my first build.

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

Yes, then a H67 should be fine, but like i said, maybe it requires a BIOS update to run 3rd gen. CPUs on it.

 

[bad_boy_izzy_215]

From what I've gathered, The i7-3770 is an Ivy Bridge Chipset, and supports Sandy Bridge CPUs and motherboards, so I assume it'll be fine since the H67 is of a sandy bridge motherboard.

I learned something new today. Huh.

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

From what I've gathered, The i7-3770 is an Ivy Bridge Chipset, and supports Sandy Bridge CPUs and motherboards, so I assume it'll be fine since the H67 is of a sandy bridge motherboard.

I learned something new today. Huh.

Yes, but the Sandy Bridge motherboard may need a BIOS update to work with Ivy Bridge CPUs, unless the BIOS on the board you buy is already updated.

 

[bad_boy_izzy_215]

From what I've gathered, The i7-3770 is an Ivy Bridge Chipset, and supports Sandy Bridge CPUs and motherboards, so I assume it'll be fine since the H67 is of a sandy bridge motherboard.

I learned something new today. Huh.

Yes, but the Sandy Bridge motherboard may need a BIOS update to work with Ivy Bridge CPUs, unless the BIOS on the board you buy is already updated.

How difficult would you consider it to be, to upgrade the BIOS? I've never done it before. I'm sure there's probably a bunch of videos I could refer to, but I'd like to gauge it first beforehand.

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

It is not difficult, the problem is that if it needs a BIOS update you will need a working CPU in order to do that, and if it needs a BIOS update your 3rd. gen. CPU is NOT working until you have the update. So basically you need a 2nd gen. CPU to update the BIOS for it to work with your 3rd. gen. CPU.

 

[bad_boy_izzy_215]

It is not difficult, the problem is that if it needs a BIOS update you will need a working CPU in order to do that, and if it needs a BIOS update your 3rd. gen. CPU is NOT working until you have the update. So basically you need a 2nd gen. CPU to update the BIOS for it to work with your 3rd. gen. CPU.

Ouch, alright then. I'll get this motherboard, and hope it's already updated, I don't have much alternative anyway. I'll save up some extra dosh for a 2nd gen CPU. Much appreciated for the information.

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

If you need to update BIOS it's simple.

-Go to mobo manufacture website and fine your specific motherboard.
-Go to support section where you will also find drivers, and then locate and download latest BIOS version.
-Extract the files and copy to an USB thumb drive.
-Boot into BIOS and locate the update function and point to the files on the USB drive.
-All done.

 

[bad_boy_izzy_215]

Ooh okay, so I would be able to just grab the update through another computer then? Easy enough, I have a spare at least.

 

[Kasper Jorgensen]

Ooh okay, so I would be able to just grab the update through another computer then? Easy enough, I have a spare at least.

Yes, you can download from any computer.

 

[bad_boy_izzy_215]

Sounds good, I really appreciate all of the information, both of you. If I could pick both of you as a solution I would.