Intel DZ77GA-70K and Core i7-3770K Review
Test Setup
Published: 23rd April 2012 | Source: Intel | Price: |

Test Setup
As you may have noticed we're not covering the BIOS of the DZ77GA-70K. This is because our pre-production sample still has a lot of rough edges to be ironed out. However it's worth noting that it is supplied with the now standard UEFI BIOS and everything is laid out in a clear manner.
Our test setup for today's review bridges the gap between our old LGA1155 arrangement, and the one we'll be using going forwards. To this end we have a set of tests done with our GTX570, and also a set with the HD7970 which we'll be using from now on. Eagle-eyed readers will notice we have a new memory kit to test with, and a review of that will be upcoming. So our setup is as follows :
Intel DZ77GA-70K Motherboard
Intel Core i7-3770K
8GB G.Skill Trident 2400 @ 10-12-12-31
EVGA GTX570 with ForceWare 301.24
HIS HD7970 with Catalyst 12.3
Cougar CM1000 PSU
Corsair F80 SSD
Thermalright Silver Arrow
Windows 7 x64
As always with our first look at a new CPU we run just at the exact stock settings. Build the rig, and whatever the motherboard sets itself to is our stock settings. So our i7-3770K is, as you'd expect, at 3.7GHz and our memory is only picked up at 1600MHz. This is what we'll be using for our GTX570 side of the testing.
The HD7970 section will be running a mild overclock of 3.9GHz on the CPU, and 2133MHz on the RAM. Despite much prodding and poking the Intel board just wouldn't POST with the memory at 2400MHz, but 2133MHz should at least give a mild lift to performance, whilst also leaving us lots of headroom for our overclocking review.
Most Recent Comments
I will just sort my cooling out for my current 2700K and see what speed I can get at decent temps and voltages.
Might be worth keeping my eye out for the next revision if they do one that oc's better with better temps for the voltages.
I'm still on 1366. I'd only use MSI OC Genie to Overclock. For my upgrade, 2600K or 3770K? I can afford any of them.
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Some of the new boards look sweet, but the IB chips are just slightly more efficient SB chips which don't OC as well. To the couple people above me saying they're going to upgrade from SB to IB i say do NOT do it. There's no performance gains upgrading from SB to IB apart from the fact you can run memory much faster. Watch Tom's video review on it, he covers it all perfectly. The only time i'd upgrade from SB to IB is if i had a locked chip on a H67 chipset and wanted to get an unlocked IB chip with a Z77 board |
I need to buy a new board and cpu. I understand that in this case I should get the ivy bridge cpu with a z77 board however they have sales on now for the 2600k or 2700k cpu. Would it be better to get the older chip with the z77 board or go with the Ivy bridge 3770k cput?
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Okay say and read the review however question for you. I need to buy a new board and cpu. I understand that in this case I should get the ivy bridge cpu with a z77 board however they have sales on now for the 2600k or 2700k cpu. Would it be better to get the older chip with the z77 board or go with the Ivy bridge 3770k cput? |
The z77 boards look nice though, they are a refinement of the 68s but again, not worth upgrading from 68s.
I totally agree with TTL, if you have SB/z68 stick with it, if you haven't then go IB/z77 unless the prices are more than about 15% greater in which case grab an SB/68 setup.
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Well there we are, it's pretty meh really (kind of as we expected). I can't see a reason to upgrade from SB cpu to IB unless you are running 2x pcie3 cards, in which case you might actually use the extra bandwidth. You never will with one card. The z77 boards look nice though, they are a refinement of the 68s but again, not worth upgrading from 68s. I totally agree with TTL, if you have SB/z68 stick with it, if you haven't then go IB/x77 unless the prices are more than about 15% greater in which case grab an SB/68 setup. |
Aria are doing the 2600k for 209 at the mo,will be interesting in the least to see the price on Ivy,because unless I am missing a big something here,its a hard thing to justify going the extra.(those temps still have me worried,and yes I know its not the same thing,but they are still too high for me)
i´m still on 775
would you recon a 3930k is better than a 3770k?
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not what i expected... i´m still on 775 would you recon a 3930k is better than a 3770k? |
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Fantastic review as always Bryan No doubt the 3930k is better. You have to remember the 3770k is not competing with the 3930k so you can't really compare the two. The 3930k wins hands down and given the price difference (once we know IB prices) it would have to |
cheers mate!
i watched toms 2011 reviews again and the 3930k scores where higher then the 3770k ones!
are there different steppings or revisions for the 3930k?
thanks again
But i think we should reserve that gold sticker for when we get OCing results. I have seen a lot of other reviews where this chip gets VERY toasty when you put it past stock. It looks like they used TIM paste instead of fluxless solder between IHS and CPU die = 80's @ 4.6 while under water ( opposed to 50's/60's for a 2600k)
For an unlocked chip designed for OCing the temps have actually made this chip unappealing as an upgrade. People might as well pick up a 2600k cheap when the prices drop and they could get a higher clock = the same speeds over all. This is an enthusiast chip after all
Anyone who wants to upgrade should wait for another revision/ until they sort out the heat issues
SB is still an awesome processor hands down.
and only times will tell which is better. cause after watching Tom's review of the 3770k. im not so sure about the 3rd Gen.
Great review Bryan.
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I don't like to be pedantic, because the general point is a good one... but the measure of Watts is already a rate (a measure of energy used per second), so saving "1 watt per hour" doesn't make sense. You're just saving one Watt. |
I know where you're coming from, but there are lots of people who don't know that - lots of people who find 'watts per hour' easier to understand.
And anyway, what about kWh?


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