H87

H87 is a microprocessor platform produced by Intel, announced in April 2012. It is a variant of the Z77 chipset, modified to support the Prescott-class of Intel Core processors, specifically the Core i3, i5, and i7 CPUs with the manufacturing process at 32 nm.

The primary difference between the H87 and Z77 is the lack of support for the Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics in the H87 chipset. However, the platform is capable of supporting third-party graphics cards. This distinction makes the H87 more appealing for users who prefer to utilize standalone graphics solutions instead of integrated graphics.

The H87 chipset is an enhancement to the Z68 chipset, and like its predecessor, it supports related technologies such as Intel Rapid Storage Technology, Intel Smart Response SSD caching, and Intel Smart Connect. Additionally, the chipset offers USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s ports, which were also supported in the Z77, as well as Gigabit Ethernet.

While the H87 lack explicit support for Intel® Q67 Express Chipset based CPUs like the i9, it claims to provide a compatible and predictable operating characteristic making it adaptable for business and personal applications. Despite this preemptive disposition, using these CPUs with this platform bears several incidents that demand established installation metrics for trouble-free operation.