B75 chipset: description, specifications. Seventh Intel Chipset Series

In May 2012, Intel introduced the B75 chipset. Initially, it belonged to the line of business solutions, but then it also found successful application in home computers. This chipset was intended for the processor socket LGA1155. It is his technical specifications that will be considered in this review.

Socket LGA1155. Chipsets

At the very beginning of 2011, Intel officially presented the processor socket LGA1155. He replaced the socket LGA1156. At the same time, the layout of the chips has undergone significant changes. Prior to this, the CPU included two separate semiconductor crystals, which were located on the same substrate. One of them included only computing units, and the second - an integrated graphics accelerator. In the case of LGA1155, these two elements were combined and were already part of the same silicon crystal. As a result, the speed of a personal computer based on such a CPU has increased significantly.

Initially, motherboards based on the 6X system logic family were intended for this platform. Such devices were designed to install microprocessors of the 2nd generation Core series. A year later, the range of Intel products was updated. New microprocessors of the 3rd generation appeared, manufactured according to the updated technological process. They were compatible with the 6X line of chipsets, but to maximize their capabilities, the manufacturer recommended using Intel 7-series chipsets. It was to them that the hero of this article belonged.

All chipsets of this line can be divided into two large groups. One of them was intended for the assembly of "home" computers. It included Z77, Z75 and H77. The second chipset group had a business specialization. To this group belonged Q75, Q77 and considered in the framework of this review B75. The distribution of chipsets within the framework of the LGA1155 platform is given in table 1.

Although motherboards were conventionally divided into two groups, logic sets for home PCs were used in business-class system units. And in the same way, the latter were successfully used in all other cases. The key factor in this case is which computer the user wants to assemble and what parameters for him come to the fore. It is based on it that the motherboard is selected.

Table 1 - Positioning of System Logic Sets

Positioning a set of system logic B75. His specialization

As previously noted, the B75 chipset was initially business oriented. But also in other cases, when its parameters for PC assembly were enough, it could be applied. It could not initially be attributed to the series of the most budget chipsets, to which only H61 belonged. Compared with the latter, the B75 had more advanced technical parameters, could address twice as much RAM, and the cost of such a chipset was much higher.

In turn, it could not be attributed to the line of premium sets of logic. To overclock the RAM or the microprocessor, he did not allow. But in business devices, such an opportunity is irrelevant. Therefore, motherboards based on such a set of logic made it possible to collect averages in terms of functionality and, from the point of view of technical specifications, personal computers. It is this beggar that is the main area of ​​use for the B75.

Main specifications of the B75 chipset. Parameters of a semiconductor crystal.

According to technology with tolerances of 65 nm, the Intel B75 chipset was manufactured. The characteristics of its semiconductor crystal indicated dimensions of 27 mm X 27 mm. The thermal package of this device does not exceed 6.5 watts. The number of PCI Express lanes is limited to 8, and from the specification they comply with the 2.0 standard.

Separately, it is also necessary to note the layout of this set of system logic. Previously, the chipset consisted of two mandatory elements. In the same case, the "north bridge" was included in the CPA. Therefore, only a second microcircuit could be found on the system board. The latter was called the "south bridge."

Microprocessors. CPU lineup

Now let’s figure out which processors the Intel B75 chipset supports. In its socket, you can install any chip that is designed for the LGA1155 socket. That is, a chip based on the architecture of the 2nd or 3rd generation Core can be mounted in this socket. The following CPU models fall into this list:

1. Chips Celeron G4XX, G5XX and G16XX. Such crystals were used only in office computers. Such chips had one or two code processing units, a low clock speed, a reduced cache size and a low speed.
2. Microprocessors Pentium G6XX, G8XX and 2XXX. Such devices had higher performance due to the increased clock frequency and increased cache memory.
3. Core i3 CPUs were equipped with 2 cores, but they could process the code in 4 threads. Therefore, the speed of such chips increased even more. They were marked as follows: 2XXX (Sandy Bridge line) and 3XXX (Ivi Bridge series).
4. The i5 CPU could even boast even greater speed. They were already equipped with 4 real cores. Also in the framework of this line was implemented TurboBust auto-acceleration technology. The clock frequency of their work also increased even more and the cache volume became even larger. The CPU markings for this line were as follows: 2XXX and 3XXX. In the first case, the chips belonged to the Sandy Bridge series, and in the second - Ivi Bridge.
5. The flagship speed was provided by i5 microprocessors. They were also equipped with 4 sides of code processing. But only within the framework of this series was NT technology support realized. With its help, 4 physical cores turn into 8 code processing threads. Another feature is the more aggressive use of TurboBust. Therefore, the clock frequencies of such chips were significantly higher than that of the younger line. Such devices were marked by analogy with i5: 2XXX and 3XXX.

RAM. Her features

Like the entire LGA1155 platform, the Intel B75 chipset was “sharpened” only for DDR3 format modules. Moreover, the manufacturer represented by Intel recommended using only slats with operating frequencies of 1333 or 1066 MHz. Slower modules were not allowed to be installed for the reason that the computer speed from this was significantly reduced. You could also use faster brackets, but they functioned in this case below their capabilities.

The developers integrated the RAM controller into the CPU. On the one hand, this solution significantly increased the speed of the PC. This result was achieved due to the fact that the time spent on information exchange between the central processor and RAM was minimized. But on the other hand, the controller was “sharpened” for a strictly defined type of modules. In addition, it was recommended to use trims with specified frequencies.

The RAM controller itself was dual-channel. That is, it was preferable to use two slats with less RAM than one with twice as much volume, for example. That is, it is more correct to complete a PC with two 1 GB modules than one with 2 GB. As the tests showed, such a simple solution allowed to increase the PC speed by 10-15 percent. The maximum amount of RAM that this chipset can address is 16 GB. That is, in the most complete set of RAM on the motherboard on the basis of this set of logic, you can find 4 strips of 4 GB. Modules with 8 GB and a large amount of RAM do not support such devices.

Drives

Another important feature of the B75 was that obsolete types of drives could not be directly connected to it. That is, in the motherboard based on this chipset there was no IDE connector. That is, a hard disk or a CD-ROM drive cannot be connected to such a PC without additional tools. The same goes for the FDD port. That is, the built-in floppy drive with a standard port can also not be directly connected to the B75-based motherboard.

The specifications of this chipset include support for SATA. Moreover, up to 6 such drives can be connected to the computer at the same time. At the same time, one of the ports complies with SATA 2 specifications. Therefore, it has more information transfer speed. It is recommended to connect SSD-drives to it. But there is no support for the M2 interface in this chipset. Therefore, such high-speed drives cannot be connected.

Communication ports

An impressive set of communication ports were equipped with devices based on the B75. First of all, it included support for two PS / 2 ports. One of them was used exclusively for connecting the keyboard, and the second - the manipulator. Also, such devices were equipped with graphic ports. And there were two of them. One of them is analog - VGA, and the second digital - DVI. Also, in some cases, this list was supplemented in some cases by an HDMI jack. In this case, the picture was also displayed using a digital signal. This list was supplemented by 12 USB ports. And 8 of them worked in 2.0 mode. But the remaining 4 connectors had a higher speed and corresponded to the specifications of the USB 3 0 standard.

Expansion slots. Their number

A sufficiently large number of internal PC devices can be installed in expansion slots for a B75-based motherboard. The technical specifications of the latter include support not only for the most advanced PCI Express bus, but also outdated PCI. In the first case, their number may be 8. But in practice, manufacturers equipped their devices with 4 such slots. This amount is enough to install one productive video card, and there is a place for three internal controllers. That is, problems with the functionality of the system unit certainly will not arise. A similar number of obsolete PCI slots can most often be found on a motherboard with such a chipset. Again, all the controllers necessary for the normal operation of the PC are placed in them without problems.

Organization of the graphic subsystem. General recommendations

The graphics subsystem of this motherboard is organized in a special way. Initially, it is based on a video card built into the processor. But since the latter provides extremely low speed, the PC is additionally equipped with a discrete accelerator with high speed. Moreover, he has a separate memory.

Now let's figure out what a discrete graphics card means. This device, which is made in the form of a separate circuit board with its own cooling system. Also, such an adapter is equipped with a separate RAM. Moreover, it can only store information processed by the accelerator and only the GPU has access to it.

But when the PC is equipped with two video cards, it is recommended to use LucidLogix Virtu MVP technology. It allows you to optimize the use of hardware resources of the graphics subsystem. For example, if it is better to use a discrete card for the game, then it is precisely on it that the processing of such data is entrusted. But in the case of encoding video in the background, it is better to use the built-in video core, then this data is redirected to it. To do this, it is recommended to additionally install the LucidLogix Virtu program on the computer. It is its presence that allows the most rational use of PC resources in this case.

Cost

You can still purchase new motherboards based on the B75 chipset. Now they can be purchased for 4,500-6,000 rubles at various trading floors in the "global" web. You can also buy such a device and in maintained condition, in this case the cost will already be 2500-3000 rubles. You can only buy such a motherboard to repair an existing computer. But to assemble a new computer on its basis is impractical. This platform is out of date. Therefore, when assembling a new system unit, it is now better to use devices based on LGA1151 - v2.

Relevance

At the time of the start of sales, the B75 logic set was really relevant. As part of the LGA1155, it still continues to be relevant. But this platform is still outdated. Therefore, when assembling a new PC, such devices are not practical to use. But to repair an existing computing system, you can still apply such a board.

Reviews

Owners of Intel B75 characterize such devices as follows at the moment:

1. High level of reliability.
2. Sufficient functionality for mid-range computers within the LGA1155.
3. Acceptable performance for personal computers by current standards.
4. Low cost compared to premium motherboards.

The minus of this chipset is only one. It is based on an outdated modification of the processor socket. It is not practical to assemble a new PC on it. It is easier to assemble a system unit with a high speed on a newer socket. The difference in price will be minimal. But the performance gain will be really impressive. Therefore, it is recommended to assemble new computers on the LGA1151-v2 or AM4 socket.

Conclusion

In this article, the B75 chipset was reviewed. It was introduced in 2012 and today it is impractical to implement a new computer on its basis for the reason that it managed to become obsolete. But it is still too early for owners of PCs based on it to think about their modernization. The capabilities of LGA1155 to run any software is still enough. Therefore, such computers are still relevant.