Z77 w/USB 3.0 Header w/SB

[box o rocks]

Will the on-board 19 pin USB 3.0 header on a Z77 motherboard still work if I use a Sandy Bridge processor instead of an Ivy Bridge processor? Example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130646

Or is it a function of the processor?

 

[abekl]

It doesn't matter which cpu you use, they both support usb 3.0

 

[box o rocks]

I thought SB did not support USB 3.0 natively like IB.

 

[abekl]

Excuse me, I misspoke. The Z68 chipset (Sandy Bridge) does not natively suppo4rt USB3, but MB makers put 3rd party USB3 controllers from the likes of Marvell and Jmicron on the MB.

The z77 chipset (Ivy bridge) does natively support two USB 3 ports. However, since that isna't enough, MB makers put 3rd party controllers onto these MB's also.

 

[box o rocks]

Excuse me, I misspoke. The Z68 chipset (Sandy Bridge) does not natively suppo4rt USB3, but MB makers put 3rd party USB3 controllers from the likes of Marvell and Jmicron on the MB.

The z77 chipset (Ivy bridge) does natively support two USB 3 ports. However, since that isna't enough, MB makers put 3rd party controllers onto these MB's also.

OK. Got ya. Now, the board in the link above specs say that the USB 3.0 is:

• 2 x USB 3.0 rear IO ports by Intel® Z77
• 1 x USB 3.0 onboard connector by Intel® Z77

Does that mean the Z77 chip set needs an IB processor to provide USB 3.0 to the header, or does the chipset itself produce the USB 3.0?

 

[abekl]

Those specs are in error. The board supports 2 usb 3 at the back panel via Intell Z77 and 2 usb 3 at mid-board via 3rd party controller. Typical MSI. I'd have to enumerate the devices in devoce manager to see who makes the 3rd party controller.

 

[box o rocks]

Those specs are in error. The board supports 2 usb 3 at the back panel via Intell Z77 and 2 usb 3 at mid-board via 3rd party controller. Typical MSI. I'd have to enumerate the devices in devoce manager to see who makes the 3rd party controller.

But the Z77 chip set does provide 4 USB 3.0 ports. http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/chipsets/performance-chipsets/z77-express-chipset.html
That's why I'm wondering if the board even has a 3rd party controller.

 

[abekl]

OK. That's something I didn't know. I thought it was two ports. Then the spec is right and I'm wrong.

 

[box o rocks]

OK. That's something I didn't know. I thought it was two ports. Then the spec is right and I'm wrong.

So, here's my issue. I was under the impression that IB procs had native USB 3.0 support and provided the ability for the Z77 to supply USB 3.0. Then I thought I read that the Z77 chip set itself provided the USB 3.0 support independent of the processor. Now I'm wondering if using a SB proc will mean no USB 3.0?

 

[abekl]

It's not the chip that provides support for usb 3 it's the chipset. At least that's what I think.

 

[box o rocks]

OK. Thanks for talking it through with me. I'm going to sleep on it some before I make a purchase anyway...

 

[abekl]

No problemo

 

[box o rocks]

Best answer selected by box o rocks.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr