Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) today reveals its first motherboard with Thunderbolt support, the Brand-New Black Series Z77H2-A5X Deluxe, based on the new Intel Z77 chipset. The Black Deluxe Series was created with power users and overclockers in mind. The Z77H2-A5X Deluxe embodies these qualities by providing all solid capacitors, triple thickness gold plating and overclocking friendly heatsinks and heatpipes.

The Z77H2-A5X Deluxe combines the latest motherboard technology with the above industry quality control standards set by ECS on the Black Series.

In the highly competitive world of extreme performance, MSI has once again grabbed the reigns with its Z77 MPOWER and R7970 Lightning Graphics card. Inspired by the availability of the MSI Z77 MPOWER several professional overclockers have started challenging the top scores in 3DMark 11. With the synergy of the MSI Z77 MPOWER mainboards and MSI Lightning series graphics cards, some incredible new scores have been set including the first single graphics card system to break 18000 marks in the 3DMark 11 Performance benchmark by Ukraine's T0lsty.

Few things in life are more complicated than the ports on a motherboard's rear panel. Not only do they disguise themselves in different shapes and sizes, they also serve for unique purposes and offer distinct performance. However, currently there is one in particular that stands out and deserves recognition - Thunderbolt! The leading motherboard manufacturer ASRock is joyous to announce that its new motherboard Z77 Extreme6/TB4 is equipped with two new Thunderbolt ports that support the revolutionary new file transfer technology.

For those who haven't taken a leap to Intel's Z77 and Ivy Bridge combo yet, either you're cultivating self discipline or you're planning to prey upon something big. Well, now is the big moment, because ASRock is releasing its beastlike Z77 Extreme11!

This tiptop motherboard has 8 SAS2/SATA3 connectors supported by an LSI SAS2308 PCIe 3.0 x8 controller. For extreme graphics, 3-Way SLI/4-Way CrossFireX is supported via a PLX PEX 8747 bridge. The LAN solution is also tempting. Two Intel LAN chips to support dual LAN and teaming, while there's also a 2T2R Dual Band WiFi & Bluetooth 4.0 module and a bundled Wi-SB Box. Specially designed for computer enthusiasts, Z77 Extreme11 possesses unbeatable hardware and extreme powers waiting to be unleashed.

ASUS released the P8Z77-I Deluxe/WD, a variant of the P8Z77-I Deluxe socket LGA1155 motherboard based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, in the mini-ITX form-factor. Essentially identical to the original, its WLAN controller features Intel Wireless Display Technology (WiDi), which lets you stream high-definition video to displays and projectors wirelessly. The P8Z77-I Deluxe/WD features a 10-phase Digi+ CPU VRM, two DDR3 DIMM slots, a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot, two each of SATA 6 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s ports, and connectivity that includes 6-channel analog and 8-channel digital audio, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort display outputs, and a number of USB 3.0 ports. ASUS could charge a small premium over the original's US $199 price-tag.

Behold, the new world record of CPU overclocking! The World's Legendary Overclocker Nick Shih has overclocked an Ivy Bridge Core i7 377oK processor to a mind blowing 7.136GHz with the newly released ASRock Z77 OC Formula. The world leading motherboard manufacturer, ASRock Inc., is overjoyed to announce that we have landed on the number one spot on HWBOT and also set a new overclocking world record.

The overclocking world champion, Nick Shih, exclaimed "Hitting number one on HWBOT makes my day, but scoring number one with the motherboard I designed is like the wildest dream come true! Thanks to everyone who helped make my dream, ASRock Z77 OC Formula, into reality.

Gigabyte launched its pair of mini-ITX form-factor motherboards based on Intel 7-series chipset, supporting processors in the LGA1155 package. These include the Z77-based GA-Z77N-WiFi, and H77-based GA-H77N-WiFi. The two are virtually identical, with the exception of the Z77-based model supporting CPU overclocking. This is made possible due to the fact that Z77 and H77 PCH chips are pin-compatible, and it's only a matter of pairing either of those with compatible micro-code. The GA-H77N-WiFi has been detailed length in our older article. The two are perhaps the only mini-ITX motherboards in the industry to feature three network interfaces (two gigabit Ethernet and an 802.11 b/g/n WLAN). Further, the WLAN adapter supports Intel Wireless Display Technology (WiDi), adding to three other ways to connect your display to it: HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI.

Welcome to the future. The EVGA Z77 and Z75 motherboards offer the perfect combination of performance and features, delivering a solution that is designed for the next generation of high performance computing! EVGA has three motherboards in the lineup:

EVGA Z77 FTW: This motherboard delivers the ultimate enthusiast Intel Z77 Chipset based motherboard with 4-Way SLI support, dual 8pin CPU power connectors, 300% increase in gold content in CPU socket, and a right angled 24pin power connector. Designed from the ground up for overclocking, the EVGA Z77 FTW offers the flexibility and support that enthusiasts demand. In fact, the EVGA Z77 FTW has won over 8 awards from leading editorial sites!

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced the GIGABYTE Classic Challenge II, the latest GIGABYTE overclocking competition hosted on HWBOT.org.

Open from September 1st through September 30th 2012, the GIGABYTE Classic Challenge II combines two exciting stages based on classic 3DMark01 and SuperPi 31M benchmarks. The overclocker with the highest points tally from both rounds will win a recently announced GIGBAYTE Z77X-UP7, with a 2nd place finish earning a GIGABYTE Z77X-UP5 TH. Another Z77X-UP7 will be awarded to the entrant with the most GIGABYTE Classic Challenge II submissions on HWBOT.

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) is pleased to announce their newest advancement in motherboard durability and stability with the implementation of Hyper Alloy Choke. The next generation of ECS' gold plated Alloy Choke technology, the Hyper Alloy Choke are ideal for overclocking because of their high energy efficiency and heat reduction.

Under unstable currents or high stress workloads, standard chokes are more likely to burn out or result in a system shutdown. ECS' Hyper Alloy Choke offer 1.5x more stability thanks to ECS' advancements in choke technology and the high-quality raw materials that make up these chokes.

Here are some of the first pictures of EVGA's upcoming Z77 Mini ITX motherboard. EVGA's newest creation is one of the first mini-ITX motherboards with CPU socket north of the chipset, clearly a response to community feedback. EVGA's Z77 Mini ITX is geared for overclocking, with the LGA1155 socket bolstered by an 8-phase VRM that uses International Rectifier PowIRphase driver-MOSFETs. The board draws power from 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors. The LGA1155 socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots supporting up to 32 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory; and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot.

In terms of storage connectivity, the EVGA Z77 Mini ITX is equipped with two each of SATA 6 Gb/s and SATA 3 Gb/s ports, and an mSATA 3 Gb/s slot wired to the Z77 PCH; and two eSATA 6 Gb/s driven by a Marvell-made controller. Display connectivity includes HDMI and mini-DisplayPort. High-bandwidth connectivity includes six USB 3.0 ports (four on the rear panel, two via headers), and two eSATA 6 Gb/s. 8+2 channel HD audio (Realtek ALC898 CODEC), gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, and a number of USB 2.0/1.1 ports make for the rest of the connectivity. The board is driven by UEFI BIOS. Find more pictures at the source.

MSI, one of the world's leading graphics card and mainboard manufacturers, is extremely happy to announce the availability of the MSI Z77 MPOWER, world's first OC Certified mainboard. With the Z77 MPOWER, MSI is changing the game for everyone looking to get the best performance out of their CPU without worrying about long-term stability. Thanks to the OC Essentials, Military Class III components and Twin Frozr IV based thermal design the MSI Z77 MPOWER can withstand extreme loads in long duration overclocking tests. All in all, the MSI Z77 MPOWER promises to be the best choice for gamers and overclockers alike.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today launched their latest overclocking powerhouse Z77X-UP7 motherboard, featuring the industry's most robust 32+3+2 power design with Ultra Durable 5 high current capable components including 60A rated IR3550 PowIRstages chips from IR.

"With the Z77X-UP7 and its 32+3+2 power phase design featuring Ultra Durable 5 technology, we have created the very best CPU power design of any motherboard available today," commented HiCookie, GIGABYTE In-house Overclocking Expert. "Not only does this help extreme overclockers to reach 7GHz+ on their Intel Core i7-3770K CPUs and take down benchmark records, but it also provides System Integrators with a platform cool and stable enough to withstand the rigors of an always-on, overclocked water cooled system for their customers."

Gigabyte cracked Core i7-3770K clock speed record, achieving 7102 MHz. The feat was made possible with its newest Ultra Durable 5 motherboard, the Z77X-UP7. The UP7 is geared for overclocking, but unlike some of its predecessors such as the X79-UD7 and X58-OC, the new board focuses as much on graphics card overclocking and multi-GPU capabilities, as CPU overclocking. In the CPU overclocking department, it is armed by over 32 phases of CPU VRM that use PowIRstage chips.

With graphics card overclocking, not only does the board provide up to four PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots using PLX PEX8747 chips, but also a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot that's directly wired to the CPU, for single card overclocking. This is done by wiring all 16 lanes from the CPU through 2-way switches before making it to the PEX8747 chips. If a graphics card is populating the black PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot, the PEX8747 is automatically cut off, and all 16 lanes from the CPU root complex it routed to it. This way, single card overclockers overcome the latency issues of bridge chips. The Z77X-UP7 is armed with countless such OC-friendly features, find out more at the source.

Thermal Solutions specialist GELID Solutions has teamed up with ASRock to offer multi award-winning "GC-Extreme" thermal compound for ASRock's first OC-oriented mainboard "Z77 OC Formula". Exclusively designed by the world's OC legacy performer, Nick Shih, this board aims at the enthusiast end of the market and is full to the brim with features. This celebrity board opens up overclocking possibilities and delivers control opportunities in every way, featuring the most detailed and considerate design of any overclocking motherboard.

In addition to that, the "GC-Extreme" makes the OC oriented mainboard even more attractive as the ultimate heat conductivity makes the "GC-Extreme" the leader of all thermal compounds. It doesn't just help to break records but even makes overclocking with LN2 possible. "GC-Extreme" is non-electrical conductive, non-corrosive, no bleeding and non-curing. Created for the extreme users, the "GC-Extreme" thermal compound provides the best heat transfer from your CPU, VGA or even Chipset.

MSI launched the Z77IA-E53 mini-ITX motherboard, which was first pictured in July. Based on a markedly different PCB as the recently-launched B75IA-E33, the Z77IA-E53 is based on the feature-rich Intel Z77 Express chipset, and packs a formidable CPU overclocking muscle thanks to its 7-phase CPU VRM. The board draws power from 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS connectors, and packs overclocker-friendly features such as OC Genie II, one-touch OC, and ClickBIOS UEFI firmware utility.

The LGA1155 socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory; and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. The only other expansion slot is an mPCI-Express 2.0, wired to the Z77 PCH. Storage connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s, two SATA 3 Gb/s, and an eSATA 3 Gb/s. The Z77 PCH gives out four USB 3.0 ports, two of which are on the rear panel, and two available via headers. There are several other USB 2.0 ports, including a high-current header that charges mobile devices faster.

Intel made it possible for SSDs to utilize the TRIM command feature when striped in RAID 0, provided a few meaty requirements are met. The TRIM command feature works to minimize write performance degradation on SSDs, but thus far it has been impossible to enable the feature on any other host controller mode than standalone AHCI, due to the manner in which the feature works at a physical level.

According to a report, TRIM over RAID 0 will be made possible with Windows 8 operating system, provided the system is running an Intel 7-series chipset (such as Z77 Express), has RAID BIOS (Option ROM) version 11.5 or higher, and Rapid Storage Technology (RST) device driver version 11.5 or higher. While obtaining the required Windows and driver versions is relatively easy, the RAID Option ROM version is in the hands of motherboard manufacturers, who have to release motherboard BIOS updates that include the required RAID Option ROM updates.

Hightech Information System (HIS) today introduces HIS 7970 X. The card is not only of HIS top class but is also the best of the best among 7970 cards. The 4-way crossfire HIS 7970 X achieved the number 1 world records on both 3dMark Vantage and 3Dmark 11 with 84669 and 29937 marks respectively. The card also won the ASRock Z77 Overclocking Competition on 3Dmark.com

HIS 7970 X is overflown with special features such as X elements, IceQ X², iTurbo, PowerTune with Boost, OC equipment and more. The card carries the special X elements, including the extra 18+1+1 PWM phrases, LED indicators, outputs that support both Eyefinity 5 & Eyefinity 6, making HIS 7970 X one of the most luxurious cards in the market.

Gigabyte released the first motherboard in the micro-ATX form-factor to feature two Thunderbolt interfaces. The Z77MX-D3H-TH from Gigabyte is built in the standard 240 x 240 mm micro-ATX form-factor, and based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, supporting socket LGA1155 Core "Sandy Bridge" and "Ivy Bridge" processors. The board uses an Intel DSL3510L dual channel Thunderbolt controller to drive its two ports.

The two ports, electrically-compatible with mini-DisplayPort, double up as display outputs that are routed to the Flexible Display Interface (FDI) taking display from the processor's integrated graphics core. With the included Lucid Virtu MVP software, graphics processed by discrete graphics cards can be output though the FDI, and hence these Thunderbolt ports.

MSI, the most popular overclocking brand is excited to introduce an all-new standard for overclocking stability. MSI's OC Certified standard is the new baseline for overclocking mainboards. the new MSI Z77 MPOWER, which is OC Certified, is submitted to a Military Class stress-test for overclocking. Where other motherboard manufacturers only test for a limited duration, MSI Z77 MPOWER is submitted to a 24 hour OC stress-test. Only mainboards surviving 24 hours of Prime95 while heavily overclocked. The conditions of the OC Certified test are rigorous high temperature, no airflow testing.

MSI is working on a new socket LGA1155 motherboard based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, and some of its first pictures were leaked to the web. The Z77IA-E53 from MSI is designed not only to provide a feature-rich board in its tiny footprint, but also one that's fit for CPU overclocking. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a 7-phase VRM that uses DrMOS and tantalum capacitors. The board draws power from 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors. The processor is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory, and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot.

To make the most out of the limited board area, MSI stuck to the feature-set of the Z77 PCH. Storage connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s, two SATA 3 Gb/s, an eSATA 3 Gb/s, and an mSATA 3 Gb/s. The mSATA slot shares its board space with an mPCIe 5 GT/s slot, which is stacked on top of it. The board provides four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two via headers, all of which are driven by the Z77 PCH. Display outputs include D-Sub and HDMI. Other connectivity includes 6-channel HD audio (Realtek ALC892), gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth. The board is driven by UEFI BIOS with ClickBIOS II setup program. More details are awaited.

BIOSTAR, major manufacturer of motherboards, VGA cards, industrial computer systems and other peripherals, officially launches their latest edition to their high-end motherboard lineup, the Hi-Fi Z77X.

This newest ATX form factor motherboard supports all Socket 1155 CPUs and offers native support for SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and dual-channel memory up to DDR3-2600 in overclocking mode. But what sets the BIOSTAR Hi-Fi Z77X really apart from all the rest of the competition is exactly the integrated BIOSTAR Hi-Fi technology called "Puro Hi-Fi Technology", targeting audiophiles, HTPC enthusiasts and high-end gamers alike, Puro Hi-Fi sports an integrated independent audio power design with a built-in amplifier.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced the GIGABYTE Classic Challenge, its latest overclocking competition hosted on HWBOT.org. Open until August 15th 2012, the GIGABYTE Classic Contest combines two classic stages, great prizes and a small twist.

Overclockers are asked to compete on two classic benchmarks 3DMark 01 and Super Pi 32M with a GIGABYTE X79S-UP5 motherboard and a GIGABYTE X79-UP4 up for grabs. The twist? Simple. If one entrant has the raw talent to claim both stages, GIGABYTE will also award a bonus prize of a forthcoming GIGABYTE F2A85X-UP4.

Cyberpower Inc., a manufacturer of custom gaming machines, notebook systems, and high performance workstations, today announced its Power Mega II series - a family of Intel Sandy Bridge-E, Ivy Bridge, and Xeon-based professional workstation PCs with NVIDIA Quadro graphics that set the bar for high-performance graphics workstations.

CyberpowerPC has teamed with Intel and NVIDIA to deliver an advanced workstation series that can tackle today's most demanding CPU and GPU-intensive applications out of the box. Offered in three versions and six configurations, the Power Mega II series provides stability and ease-of-use. All models have been tested for compatibility with the leading business, graphics and CAD applications. These advanced performance workstations are perfect for 2D and 3D professional applications, professional and home animation, matte painting, compositing, CAD/CAM, modeling, and graphics rendering.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced the latest GIGABYTE 7 series motherboards, the very first to offer fully certified dual onboard Thunderbolt ports. Capable of connecting up to 12 devices plus 3 digital displays simultaneously, with breathtaking data transfer speeds that can transfer 1 TB of data in only five minutes, GIGABYTE Thunderbolt motherboards offer the fastest connection interface ever on the desktop PC.

GIGABYTE Thunderbolt motherboards allow users to daisy chain up to 12 devices simultaneously via an incredible bi-directional 10 Gbps data pipeline that includes both PCIe and DisplayPort traffic. GIGABYTE Thunderbolt motherboards redefine desktop PC connectivity to make it far easier to connect multiple high speed storage devices and HD displays to your PC than ever before.