We tested: LGA6 motherboard with 7 types of 1155-series PCH

Here’s EB, it’s summer, most people try to sit in front of the TV from 18pm if they can, we’re one of them. However, we would like to provide meaningful and interesting reading for the non-match period. In our previous big test, we found out how Intel managed to put together the Ivy Bridge, and now we wanted to put together a motherboard overview in which products of different categories and prices with a Series 7 PCH competed. We hope you succeeded!

GIGABYTE G1.SniperM3

GIGABYTE has further expanded its family of motherboards brought to life, this time with a further increase in the number of Sniper models in the G1.Sniper M3. The novelty this time competes in the micro-ATX size and category, accordingly the printed circuit board is 24,4 × 24,4 cm. This allows us to make not only a powerful but also a tiny and light gaming machine with it. The predominant colors of PCB and components are black and flashy green, as is always the case with this family of GIGABYTE.

The power supply circuits are located in an L-shape around the LGA1155 socket. 6 + 1 +1 phases for processor, 1 for PCH and 1 for memory. Cooling is only on the left, with a black, thickly lamellar rib performing the task. To the right of the CPU socket are four DIMM slots with dual-channel DDR3 support, up to 32 GB capacity, up to 2400 MHz (OC). It is not possible to use ECC modules, but XMP profiles are of course supported.

The board is powered by a 24-pin and a 4-pin auxiliary power connector, and not far from here, a USB 3.0 front terminal is also waiting for its task. The SATA section on the edge of the PCB consists of four pieces, the two white SATA 3.0 and the two black are 2.0 standard. The black in the corner is also a SATA2 port. The Z77 PCH is cooled by a small, flattened, black rib, spiced with a green GIGABYTE label. Four Smart FAN connectors have been placed on the PCB, which in practice means that four PWM-controlled fans can be used. In the bottom row you will find the usual pin terminals, including three USB “headers”, one of which is highlighted in red, the ports connected to this will have GIGABYTE ON / OFF charge capability.

The Intel gigabit LAN controller with PCH on the G1.Sniper M3 provides the wired network, but what deserves much more attention is the integrated sound generator. The chip is a Creative CA0132 model with Sound Blaster Recon 3Di support, 2 or 5.1 channel operation, S / PDIF output. This is complemented by integrated headphone amplification and the use of high-quality Nichicon capacitors. Together, they guarantee quality sound for games, whether it’s surround sound or stereo headphones. Although the G1.Sniper M3 is a tiny motherboard, the engineers somehow managed to conjure up three full-width PCI Express 3.0 rails on it.

Only the first two can be used for a video card, ie two-way SLI and CrossFireX are supported (in × 16; or × 8 / × 8 mode). Among the many long slots, there was even room for a tiny × 1 PCI Express connector. In addition to the excellent hardware features, the G1.Sniper M3 has everything that is typical of more serious GIGABYTE motherboards these days: 3D UEFI BIOS, 3D Power, Dual UEFI, It's Smart Response, Lucid Virtu MVP, and more. Moreover Ultra Durable 4 we are talking about a model that is the next step in evolution.

Let's see what the back cover offers:

It’s a smart thing to have a combined PS / 2 connector, plus two USB 2.0 companies. We won't be tied to using IGP either, as D-Sub (VGA), DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort are all on the back, so we can't ask for more. Then again two USBs come with an eSATA (6 Gb / s), then we can see the RJ45 ethernet connector with two USB 3.0 companies, and then the jack ports close the line, between which is also an optical digital output.

Full specification:

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H

The GIGABYTE Z77X-UD5H is the manufacturer's upper-mid-range Z77 PCH model. The exterior has changed slightly compared to the Z68 releases. The installation of the black printed circuit board is standard ATX size, i.e. 30,5 cm × 24,4 cm, so it should not be a problem in a normal ATX housing. The layout is also very similar to the predecessor series, the LGA1155 socket is in its usual position, next to it is the L-shaped PWM section, which operates with 12 phases.

To the right of the socket are four DIMM sockets that, of course, support DDR3 modules with dual-channel mode, unofficially up to 2400 MHz. The maximum capacity can be 32 GB, although this can be achieved with four 8 GB modules. There is no ECC support on the Z77, but XMP profiles can be used without further ado. The system is powered in the usual way, ie with an 8-pin accessory and a 24-pin power connector. In addition to the latter, we find a few more useful things: a physical power button, debug LED, RESET, and Clear CMOS button, which are little things but make life much easier for those who may not be using a (closed) enclosure (like us).

Another interesting feature is the nearby OC-PEG, which has a mysterious sound but is not Spanish wax. Additional molex connectors on the motherboards have so far provided extra power to the graphics subsystem, if multiple video cards have been used, OC-PEG is also used for this, using not only molex but (two) SATA power connectors. It is worth using for three or four cards. Cooling the sheet is nice and easy. Of course, they added to the design, but the point wasn’t to make Mona Lisa grin back from the PCH rib in 3D, but to make the system efficient. Accordingly, all three ribs are relatively flat but nevertheless bulky, and all are lamellar.

The two smaller ones cool the PWM, the larger one the PCH, between which a flattened, nickel-plated copper heat pipe holds the connection. Where it used to be a northern bridge, there is now an mSATA connector to decorate the reception of a compatible SSD, of course to activate Intel Smart Response Technology, which also causes significant acceleration as a small SSD cache for an HDD-based system. using. 8 of the SATA connectors rest rotated on the edge of the PCB, of which the two whites support the 6 Gb / s standard from the PCH, the 4 blacks only SATA2. The remaining 2 are gray from the Marvell controller, as are the ones hidden at the bottom of the page, these are SATA3s.

Of course, there is no shortage of expansion rails on the UD5H either, we get 3 of the full-width PCI Express bus, while 1 of the short × 3, and even a traditional PCI. Of course, both SLI and CrossFireX are supported, up to 3 cards, of course. The wired network is handled by two gigabit controllers, one powered by Intel from the PCH, the other by an Atheros model, and sound generation by a Realtek ALC 898 chip. Of course, we will also find the things we are already used to. Microswitch-adjustable dual-BIOS, USB port with Quick Charge technology, EZ Smart Response technology, Lucid Virtu MVP (switchable graphics), 3D UEFI BIOS, and new Z77 capabilities: Intel Radid Start and Intel Smart Connect.

The list of capabilities is almost endless, but the 7-series GIGABYTE boards have also stepped up physically. This is thanks to Ultra Durable 4. We are already at the fourth stage, but the philosophy has not changed over the years: the use of more reliable, faster, and more resistant components. The PCB has a new design and no longer contains one, but two copper layers. The result of the "New Glass Fabric" process is that the board is much more resistant to high humidity and moisture. The excellent components guarantee that the system can withstand an operation with a possible higher operating temperature without any problems, and the special ICs and other services provide protection against electrostatic effects. Learn more about Ultra Durable 4 capabilities here you can read.

What's left out is a description of the back section, here:

The first two lines are the picture and the sound, here is everything you need. D-Sub (VGA) and DVI connectors, native HDMI and DisplayPort, dotted with optical audio output. This is followed by two USB 2.0, one FireWire and one eSATA (6 Gb / s), followed by two RJ45 LAN connectors and four USB 3.0. The line is closed by the analog audio connectors. 

Full specification:

GIGABYTE GA-B75M-D3V

This little thing about GIGABYTE is not built on the Z77, but on the B75. An interesting creature is this B75, except for tuning, it knows most of what the Z77 does, but it is a kind of entry-level business solution that is emphasized by the Intel Small Business Advantage service package. The package offers various security features such as Software Monitor, Data Backup & Restore (even when off) and USB Blocker2.

These are network-based, remote operations, options that all benefit small and medium-sized businesses, but can also benefit them when used at home. This is complemented by technologies such as PC Health Center (even when turned off), Energy Saver (adjustable when machines turn on and off by themselves, for example, to be ready for all PC stuff by 8 a.m., but no system should work unnecessarily at night), and the Intel Wireless Display is also available through an Intel Wi-Fi module. It knows exactly what its name means: picture and sound transmission (1080p, 5.1 audio) using wireless technology. Its benefits do not need to be brushed in particular. More information about the Intel SBA is available here.

In Hungarian, this page offers an extra with the PCH itself and its nature, but the advantages of the Z77 (Intel Rapid Start, Intel Smart Connect, Intel Smart Response) should not be given up. In addition, the letter M in the model name refers to the micro-ATX design, which in practice means 24,4 cm × 17,4 cm in size, meaning that extremely small yet bull-strong machines can be built with it. By its very nature, the GA-B75M-D3V is an entry-level product despite its many features and services. The printed circuit board has been given a traditional blue color, and around the LGA1155 we find 5 phases (+ 2 at the memories) that are not cooled by ribs.

Only two DIMMs are available from the RAM slot, with dual-channel DDR3 support officially up to 1600 MHz, up to 16 GB, XMP can be used. Power is provided by a 24-pin and a 4-pin power connector. Since we are talking about micro-ATX size, let's calculate with the appropriate equipment. The SATA connectors are spread over a larger area, for a total of 6 pieces. Only one of these, SATA 0, supports the 6 Gb / s standard, the others allow speeds of 3 Gb / s. On the B75 PCH, a tiny aluminum rib rests, almost barely noticeable in its presence. We also get only the most necessary for the expansion busses, a full-width PCI Express for discrete graphics or any other card, two × 1 PCI Express busses can be used, and the good old PCI is also represented. There is a wired LAN, this is provided by a Realtek 8111F chip, as well as 7.1 channel audio, here a Realtek ALC 897 chip works.

On the back, we get those from both the past and the present that an average workstation might need. Two USB 2.0 combined PS / 2 ports, one D-Sub (VGA) and one DVI, above them a printer port (!), Then two USB 3.0 connectors, LAN and two additional old USB, then analog terminals.

GA-B75M-D3V is true to the saying: "The pepper is small, but strong". Compared to its size, it has a surprisingly large store of knowledge (including some that were not available in a traditional desktop line in this price category) and it is also strong, since, like the other 7-series GIGABYTE motherboards, it is made with the Ultra Durable 4 process and has UD4 properties.

Full specification: