One of the main features of this new chipset is that it features support for Intel’s latest 2011 socket processors. These new processors are geared toward the enthusiast market and they are replacing Intel’s last enthusiast level processors, the 1366. These new processors deliver nearly server level performance and thus far have absolutely no rivals.
This new chipset has some very interesting features and comes with a very unusual design. One of the first things that you’ll notice when you take one of these out of the box is that there are ram slots on both sides of the CPU socket. This is to enable support for Intel’s new memory architecture that uses four channels of memory. This is meant to boost performance by giving the processor better memory access. It also features support for memory speeds in excess of 2400MHz with overclocking and support for up to 64 gigs of installed memory. For the extreme enthusiast this is going to be really useful and for those that are into advanced media encoding this platform is going to be perfect.
A feature that Intel has added to this new chipset is their Platform Controller Hub technology. This isn’t really new for Intel, but is different than their competitor’s traditional design. What this technology does is it combines the traditional North Bridge and South Bridge into a single controller. This has the potential to reduce latency, boost performance, and reduce power requirements and overall temperatures. Intel’s previous enthusiast level chipset was notoriously hot and throughout our testing this controller never produced temperatures that made the heat sink hot to the touch. This new controller hub also features up to 40 PCI express 2.0 lanes and 8 lanes for PCI express 3.0. This new interface still needs to be paired with a processor and video card that supports it before it can be fully utilized.
Features
Now that we’ve covered the basic features of the new Intel X79 Chipset, let’s see what features Gigabyte have added to set this board apart from the competition.
This board comes with a BlueTooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi card for wireless connectivity with many of your wireless devices. This is a really great feature because it will make sinking up all of your wireless devices very simple and hassle free. The Wi-Fi card supports the latest 802.11n connectivity interface for up to 150 Mbps. Gigabyte has included these features for the convenience of their users and it shows that they understand that these are the types of features that help to set them apart from their competition.
Another feature that Gigabyte has added to this board is that it features support for their new 3-Way Digital Engine. This feature offers digitally precise control of your voltages for both of your memory channels, and your CPU. This is really important for enhancing overclocking potential and is something that enthusiasts will drool over. This feature will also offer the ability to set your own over voltage protection for your memory and precise Load-line Calibration to prevent Vdroop. With this level of precision control you are certain to be able to squeeze every last bit of performance out of your system.
This board also features Gigabyte’s Ultra Durable 3 feature set. This feature set starts off with adding twice the normal amount of copper into the PCB. This has the potential of reducing temperatures, lowering EMI, and enhancing ESD protection. It also features the use of all Japanese solid capacitors for better overclocking and stability. This feature also adds ferrite core chokes to also enhance stability and power efficiency. These features have become very popular and are a major reason why Gigabyte has become such a popular brand. These features are also beginning to be used by more manufacturer’s for this same reason.A really nice feature of this board is that it also supports 3-Way CrossFireX and 3-Way SLI. This is just what gamers and enthusiasts would want from a board like this. With this many graphics options there aren’t too many that would find this board to be anything other than perfect for their next major build. There aren’t that many that would even use this feature, but for those with the drive and wallet to do so it sure is a nice feature to have. It also means that future upgrades in the graphical department won’t be very difficult either. With most cards all you’ll need to do is add a second or third to boost your graphical performance.
Next in Gigabyte’s arsenal of features is their 3D Power Utility. This feature will give you a very easy to use graphical interface to control all of your motherboard performance settings. The first of these is Voltage Control. This will allow you to adjust all of your voltage settings so that you can reach your maximum overclocking potential. Second of these is Phase Control. This will allow you to set and calibrate your over current protection for your processor, integrated memory controller and your system memory power levels. Third in this lineup is their Frequency Control. This will allow for precise adjustment of your processor’s VRM to enhance power delivery. This can have dramatic effect on overclocking potential and system stability.
Gigabyte also offers support for their new 3D BIOS with these boards. This is one of the nicest graphical interfaces that we’ve seen for a BIOS of this type. It really is nice to see your motherboard with all of the various features mapped out for you. To find the area of the board that you want to enhance all you have to do is move your mouse over that particular area of the motherboard. It’s just that simple. If you want more precise controls you have their Advanced Mode as well. This is where you’ll find more advanced controls for overclocking and setting your voltages. Either way you will find exactly what you need by simply following the tabs at the top of the screen.
Gigabyte also offers their @BIOS utility with this board. This is one of the very best solutions for updating your BIOS over the internet. It is also one of the simplest to use. Of course this board also features a dual BIOS so that if you corrupt one you can always default to the backup to get your system up and running again. One thing that caused us some issues was Gigabyte’s Easy Tune6 utility for monitoring and overclocking. We could never really get it to work for this board and with many of the other boards that we’ve tested; this utility was spotty at best. Personally, I feel that you are much better off using your BIOS for overclocking than any included utility. Not only will your performance usually be better, but so will your stability.
his board also features support for Gigabyte’s Quick Charge technology and Dolby Home Theater audio. This Quick Charge technology is great because it can dramatically speed up the amount of time that it would normally take to charge your Apple device. Just be aware that there are some limitations with this technology when used with certain phones. Gigabyte’s Dolby Home Theater audio support produces some of the very best sounding integrated audio. There are those that will still want to opt for a dedicated sound card, but honestly the sound produced this this integrated audio solution is just amazing. You do need a really good set of speakers though to do it justice. Movies and games sound very realistic and music is very nicely reproduced. This is one of the best discrete audio solutions on the market.
Performance
