Released in 2011, the LGA 1155 processor socket continues to be relevant. A motherboard with such a socket allows you to install very productive central processors that are capable of solving even problems of any complexity. It is about the sets of system logic for this computing platform that will be discussed later.
CPU socket background
In 2011, the LGA 1156 socket was replaced by LGA 1155. The motherboard with a new CPU socket did not allow the installation of 1st generation Kor chips. But at the same time, support appeared for more advanced processors of this same family of the 2nd generation. A year later, in 2012, sales of the 3rd generation Kor chips started. They can also be installed in motherboards of this series. Now stocks of components for this computing platform are still being sold. Therefore, it is still possible to assemble a personal computer based on LVA 1155. But taking into account prices, it is better to take the more recent “LVA 1150” or “LVA 1151” as the basis of the new PC. But these motherboards are of most interest to owners of PCs based on LVA1155, which for some reason decided to update their electronic computers.
Chipset series for this socket
Immediately 2 series of chipsets were oriented to use in LGA 1155. Motherboard could be based on 6 and 7 sets of system logic. The first of them were originally sharpened for the Sandy Bridge or CPU core chips of the 2nd generation and appeared on sale immediately with the launch of this platform in 2011. You can also install more recent 3rd generation CPUs in these motherboards, but this requires a BIOS flashing. Chipsets of the 7th series were more universal in this regard, which made it possible to use any CPU for this computing platform without updating the BIOS. But such solutions began to be sold in 2012, along with the start of sales of the Ivy Bridge chips (code name for the 3rd generation CPU “Kor”).
6th series of chipsets
As noted earlier, only the 6th series of chipsets was oriented to Socket 1155. In this case, the Intel motherboard could be based on such chipsets:
Entry-level solutions - H61. The package bundle in this case was this: only one slot for installing an external graphics adapter, 2 slots for RAM modules and forms — the MicroATX factor. These parameters, even now, are quite enough for organizing a PC for solving entry-level tasks.
In the middle price segment there were immediately 4 series of chipsets: Q65, B65, Q67 and H67. The most widespread are the last two sets of system logic. They allowed to overclock the CPU with unlocked multipliers and had improved technical specifications.
The premium segment could be based on the P67 and Z68. In the first case, the graphics accelerator integrated into the CPU was not supported. As a result, most systems in this case were built on the basis of the Z68 logic.
Updated line for this processor socket
In parallel with the update of the line of central processing units in 2012, an update was also made to the sets of system logic. Separately, it should be noted that for the organization of entry-level systems in this case, the same chipset was selected as in the previous generation - H61. As a result, the basis of all budget systems is precisely such a motherboard 1155 the socket was lying, and there was essentially no alternative to it in this case. Otherwise, the set of updated chipsets was as follows:
Mid-range systems could be based on the B75, Q75, Q77 and H77. With almost the same technical specifications, the cost was lower for the B75. It is on its basis that you can find motherboards in mid-range PCs.
Z75 and Z77 were the basis of the most advanced solutions of this platform. The first version of the chipset is not particularly widespread due to a small difference in cost with the flagship solution and more modest technical specifications. Therefore, for most of the most demanding users, the most interesting were solutions based on Z77. Flexible system settings and the best parameters combined such a motherboard. Socket 1155, Z77 and the Kor Ay7 processor made it possible to obtain the highest possible level of performance at that time.
Base motherboards
As noted earlier, the base motherboard S-1155 could be based on only one chipset - H61. The most affordable solutions in this part of the market were motherboards from Biostar. The quality of the products from this manufacturer is far from ideal, and this is indicated by many different kinds of reviews throughout the global web. But the cost in this case is 10 dollars lower than that of competitors. As practice shows, it is better not to save and report these extra 10 dollars and purchase a more reliable product. Therefore, the most optimal solution in this case is H61M-K from ASUS. This product has an improved passive cooling system based on an enlarged aluminum radiator. Therefore, even the most productive CPUs of this computing platform in combination with such a motherboard will function perfectly for more than one year. Otherwise, its technical parameters are identical to most analogues: 1 PSI slot - Express 16X for a video card, 2 slots for installing RAM (that is, a maximum of only 16 GB can be obtained in this case) and 2 PSI - Express 1 X expansion slots for installing additional controllers. There are no USB 3.0 ports in this case at all, and USB 2.0 - only 2. 4 USB 1.1 format ports. For the organization of the peripheral system in an entry-level PC, this is quite enough. There is also a built-in network adapter and an integrated sound card. You can also note the presence of DVI and D - Sub for connecting to a monitor on a PC. The graphics accelerator itself is integrated into the CPU. HUSM from ASUS can even be purchased for $ 55 now. A worthy alternative to the above solution is the P61M-P38 from MSI. The motherboard, Socket 1155 and a set of interfaces almost identical to the previous solution allow you to create exactly the same PC. But the radiator in this case is more “modest". Therefore, it is more correct in this case to use the maximum chips of the Kor Ay 3 and Kor Ay 5 series (without the K index) in this case. But the price in this case is lower - only 50 dollars.
Middle segment
For a mid-range PC, in this case it is most rational to use a motherboard based on the B75 chipset. An example is the GA-B75M from Gigabyte. Although it is made in the MicroATX form factor, it has 4 slots for RAM right away (that is, you can already get 32GB versus 16GB in entry-level solutions) and 2 slots for installing a graphics accelerator. In addition, it is necessary to note the presence of two more PCI slots for connecting expansion cards and one Serial ATA version 3.0 port for connecting a hard drive and a solid-state drive. In the first, we get more flexibility when creating a computer system, and in the second - increased performance. The cost of this solution today is $ 120. This is more than 2 times more in the initial segment. But on the other hand, the level of functionality in this case is much better.
Advanced solutions
The most functional motherboard for the 1155th socket should be based on the Z77 chipset. And in this case, it is best to use proprietary solutions from Intel. For example, DZ77RE-75K. This is a very expensive board, which now costs $ 380. But, on the other hand, such a solution is primarily aimed at installing chips with an unlocked multiplier (that is, with the “K” index). These are also expensive CPU models.
Recommendations
In entry-level solutions and with a processor no higher than “Cor Ay3”, the MSI P61M-P38 will look great. The same can be said about a similar motherboard from the ASUS model H61M-K. Only in the latter case, it is possible to install more efficient central processing units, including Kor Ai5 and Kor Ai7. The only chips that do not fit in this case are semiconductor crystals with the “K” index. The same can be said about the mid-level solution based on "Gigabytes". The best 1155 motherboard in the premium segment is devoid of this drawback, and any central processing unit for this platform can be installed in it. Only taking into account the level of functionality and the cost of the device, it is most optimal in this case to use only the most productive chips with an unlocked multiplier. In all other cases, the potential of this motherboard will not be revealed to the end.
Summary
This material describes the main options for collecting PCs based on the LGA 1155 platform. The motherboard is the central link in any computer. And it is to this component of the PC that the most attention was paid in this review.