Launched at the beginning of the year, Intel"s 32nm Sandy Bridge processors arrived alongside the new socket LGA1155 and two accompanying 6-series chipsets, the P67 and H67. Each platform presented a different value perspective: the pricier P67 supported Intel"s unlocked "K" series enthusiast processors with advanced overclocking options, while the cheaper H67 had access to Sandy Bridge"s built-in graphics.
Intel has released the Z68 chipset, which is somewhat of a hybrid of the P67 and H67: it allows you to overclock while simultaneously using the baked-in graphics engine. But there"s more to it...
Along with combining the functionality of its previous chipsets, Intel has infused the Z68 with some impressive new features that should make it more appealing to a broader demographic, namely Smart Response Technology (SRT) and LucidLogix Virtu GPU virtualization. By cramming more features into the Z68, the company has effectively created a new enthusiast-grade chipset, while the P67 has been demoted to somewhat of a mid-range offering.
Read: Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Motherboard Review & Intel Z68"s Smart Response Technology Tested
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