Intel will stop making desktop PC motherboards

I found this to be rather startling in a way. The sounds of changing times.

Intel will stop making desktop PC motherboards after the next generation of its chip technology arrives, the company has announced. The fourth-generation Core processors, codenamed "Haswell," will be the last line of chips for which Intel will build desktop motherboards, and it will fully wind down the business over the next three years.
To clarify, Intel is halting the manufacturing of motherboards — the component of a PC that holds the CPU, RAM and connectivity elements — not desktop processors themselves. Various manufacturers — such as Asus and Gigabyte — will continue to make desktop motherboards, AnandTech reports, and enthusiasts who build their own PCs already have many third-party suppliers to choose from.

http://mashable.com/2013/01/23/intel-stops-making-motherboards/
 
I saw that this AM and it made me sad. I love Intel motherboards, but I understand that it's the hobbyists, enthusiasts and gamers who build their own systems and they want to overclock and Intel boards don't provide overclocking capabilities... Not ALL want to overclock, but the home user market is too small for Intel...
 

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    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
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    1GBps Ethernet ports
I read another article and Intel boards appear to be very low sellers:

Snyder declined to say why Intel chose to shutter the division but one can guess it wasn’t a huge money maker for the multi-billion company. While bad from a PR standpoint, the decision to exit from consumer boards isn’t likely to be felt too far and wide either. In fact, Maximum PC had a difficult time even nailing down exactly how many boards Intel currently sells to consumers. Asus currently is the leader with Gigabyte, Asrock, and then MSI falling into place. Asus and Gigabyte combined account for roughly 70 percent of all motherboards sold worldwide, according to Taiwan-based news site, DigiTimes.com. With these numbers, it’s no surprise that most enthusiasts didn’t even know Intel made motherboards.

Intel to Quit Making Motherboards | Maximum PC
 

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    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Meh. Third parties are there to offer more for less.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    OCZ 500 watt
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    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
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    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
It saddens me as well. On some desktops at work, I overclock and when I do I usually pick an Asus board. For other things, like whitebox vmware ESXi boxes, I want stability more than anything else and best likelyhood of driver availability...for these purchases I have always gone with an Intel board.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
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    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Reliability of intel motherboards is more legend of the past than true thing.. i have seen Intel motherboards that have failed, and considering that they are fairly rare failure rate is quite high.. even nowadays same price segment intel board dont use solid caps when you can get gigabyte, msi etc. board with more advanced technology jap solid caps etc.
I never had driver problems with MSI, Asus, gigabyte, asrock or other motherboards.. you can get chip set drivers from intel and it works on non intel mb without any problem.. and when it comes to driver quality intel is not so great.. intel GMA and its open GL support is good example..
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 7 uiltimate, Windows 8.1 pro 64bit, Windows server 2008R2, Windows 10 TP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
My luck with mobos has always been good, only failure was ide controllers on an old gigabyte board.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I didn't even know they made motherboards and I've been upgrading my pc for 15 years! Maybe they weren't that good?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 860 @ 3.6GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P7P55-M
    Memory
    Crucial 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon R9 220 Series
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster HS-1100 Arena USB Surround Sound Head
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 3D 23" VG236H 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    120GB OCZ Agility 3 SATA3 + 2.5TB Total SATA2
    PSU
    Antec TruePower 650W Modular PSU
    Case
    Antec P183 Noise Reducing case
    Cooling
    4x120mm Antec 3-speed fans + Arctic Cooling Freezer7 CPU fan
    Keyboard
    G15 (orange backlight)
    Mouse
    Logitech G9
    Internet Speed
    80Mb/s BT Infinity
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    Steel Series Metal mouse matt
I didn't even know they made motherboards and I've been upgrading my pc for 15 years! Maybe they weren't that good?
Oh, they are popular. But they aren't overclocker or tweaker boards. And they tend to be more expensive. That's probably why you didn't notice them before, I'm sure you just filtered them out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I didn't even know they made motherboards and I've been upgrading my pc for 15 years! Maybe they weren't that good?
Oh, they are popular. But they aren't overclocker or tweaker boards. And they tend to be more expensive. That's probably why you didn't notice them before, I'm sure you just filtered them out.

Sounds about right! You had me at expensive! I like to get the best bang for my buck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 860 @ 3.6GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P7P55-M
    Memory
    Crucial 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon R9 220 Series
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster HS-1100 Arena USB Surround Sound Head
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 3D 23" VG236H 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    120GB OCZ Agility 3 SATA3 + 2.5TB Total SATA2
    PSU
    Antec TruePower 650W Modular PSU
    Case
    Antec P183 Noise Reducing case
    Cooling
    4x120mm Antec 3-speed fans + Arctic Cooling Freezer7 CPU fan
    Keyboard
    G15 (orange backlight)
    Mouse
    Logitech G9
    Internet Speed
    80Mb/s BT Infinity
    Other Info
    Steel Series Metal mouse matt
I didn't even know they made motherboards and I've been upgrading my pc for 15 years! Maybe they weren't that good?
Oh, they are popular. But they aren't overclocker or tweaker boards. And they tend to be more expensive. That's probably why you didn't notice them before, I'm sure you just filtered them out.

Sounds about right! You had me at expensive! I like to get the best bang for my buck!

Some would argue that Intel boards provide a great deal of bang for the buck. Very stable, drivers available and Intel NIC's are supported in practically every OS and version, unlike chipsets like Atheros, Broadcom, etc...which might not support everything else. They don't always provide the latest whizbangs features, but they have been rock solid stable for me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
The issue with being a student for my whole life is that I've always wanted maximum gaming performance from a fixed budget, so I think intel boards must have just slipped through the net for me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 860 @ 3.6GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P7P55-M
    Memory
    Crucial 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon R9 220 Series
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster HS-1100 Arena USB Surround Sound Head
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 3D 23" VG236H 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    120GB OCZ Agility 3 SATA3 + 2.5TB Total SATA2
    PSU
    Antec TruePower 650W Modular PSU
    Case
    Antec P183 Noise Reducing case
    Cooling
    4x120mm Antec 3-speed fans + Arctic Cooling Freezer7 CPU fan
    Keyboard
    G15 (orange backlight)
    Mouse
    Logitech G9
    Internet Speed
    80Mb/s BT Infinity
    Other Info
    Steel Series Metal mouse matt
Intel boards aren't gaming boards. You don't get lots of gaming features and overclockability. That is why they have never entered your radar.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Intel boards aren't gaming boards. You don't get lots of gaming features and overclockability. That is why they have never entered your radar.

Ahh i see! Well that explains it then!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 860 @ 3.6GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P7P55-M
    Memory
    Crucial 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon R9 220 Series
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster HS-1100 Arena USB Surround Sound Head
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 3D 23" VG236H 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    120GB OCZ Agility 3 SATA3 + 2.5TB Total SATA2
    PSU
    Antec TruePower 650W Modular PSU
    Case
    Antec P183 Noise Reducing case
    Cooling
    4x120mm Antec 3-speed fans + Arctic Cooling Freezer7 CPU fan
    Keyboard
    G15 (orange backlight)
    Mouse
    Logitech G9
    Internet Speed
    80Mb/s BT Infinity
    Other Info
    Steel Series Metal mouse matt
It's a strategic move by Intel, probably because the boards cost something but they are less popular than the processors.
They concentrate in making better processors. The nm size gets smaller and smaller with each version and it becomes more difficult to manufacture I guess.

They will remove the boards but the CPU's will definitely be soldered on any third party manufacturer mobo anyway.

I was against CPU soldering but I now understand the advantage: reduce electric resistance as good as possible for the lowest heat production and best speeds, then even higher frequencies are easier to handle. It all makes sense.

They provided good hardware until now and I wish them luck, no matter how powerful they are, in creating the next best thing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
It's a strategic move by Intel, probably because the boards cost something but they are less popular than the processors.
They concentrate in making better processors. The nm size gets smaller and smaller with each version and it becomes more difficult to manufacture I guess.

They will remove the boards but the CPU's will definitely be soldered on any third party manufacturer mobo anyway.

I was against CPU soldering but I now understand the advantage: reduce electric resistance as good as possible for the lowest heat production and best speeds, then even higher frequencies are easier to handle. It all makes sense.

They provided good hardware until now and I wish them luck, no matter how powerful they are, in creating the next best thing.

+1 to that!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 860 @ 3.6GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P7P55-M
    Memory
    Crucial 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon R9 220 Series
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster HS-1100 Arena USB Surround Sound Head
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus 3D 23" VG236H 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    120GB OCZ Agility 3 SATA3 + 2.5TB Total SATA2
    PSU
    Antec TruePower 650W Modular PSU
    Case
    Antec P183 Noise Reducing case
    Cooling
    4x120mm Antec 3-speed fans + Arctic Cooling Freezer7 CPU fan
    Keyboard
    G15 (orange backlight)
    Mouse
    Logitech G9
    Internet Speed
    80Mb/s BT Infinity
    Other Info
    Steel Series Metal mouse matt
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