Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6
- Thread starter Rob Williams
- Start date
Rory Buszka
Partition Master
This is really a fantastic review - and the loads of comparison data make it even better. Way to go, Rob!
NicePants42
Partition Master
I also appreciate piles and piles of comparison data - very nice.
As far as layout goes, there are two things I would change:
Backpanel: Instead of 8 USB ports on the back, how about 6 USB ports and two 2 eSATA ports. A clear CMOS switch would be nice also.
SATA ports: Use 90 degree SATA ports.
Other than that I like the layout, especially the locations of the AUX power connections. My IP-35 Pro has the 4-pin AUX connection right under the first PCI-E 16x slot.
And one other thing - what ever happened to those little front panel pin blocks where you could plug all your case front panel connections into a single connector, and then plug that connector onto the front panel pins on the motherboard? That was a great idea that just didn't seem to catch on.
As far as layout goes, there are two things I would change:
Backpanel: Instead of 8 USB ports on the back, how about 6 USB ports and two 2 eSATA ports. A clear CMOS switch would be nice also.
SATA ports: Use 90 degree SATA ports.
Other than that I like the layout, especially the locations of the AUX power connections. My IP-35 Pro has the 4-pin AUX connection right under the first PCI-E 16x slot.
And one other thing - what ever happened to those little front panel pin blocks where you could plug all your case front panel connections into a single connector, and then plug that connector onto the front panel pins on the motherboard? That was a great idea that just didn't seem to catch on.
Later on, a comparison with the Asus Maximus Formula would be great.
Btw, there's a typo in the Need for Speed Carbon results.
Regarding the Maximus, stay tuned
As for NFS: Carbon, I realize I am an idiot, but I don't notice it? I won't bother fixing it though regardless, as I plan to follow-up this entire review with Quad-Core results and a slightly upgraded methodology. I wish I had more time with this board before publishing so I could have done that then...
I agree completely, although I personally have no use for eSATA. Instead of including them as separate components to plug into the board, it should be included in that location. The a CMOS clear button would be nice as well, considering they don't include a jumper for the manual method.
NicePants42 said:
That's ridiculous. The worst I've experienced was with the eVGA 680i board. That one locates the ATX connectors between the DIMM slots and the 24-Pin motherboard connector.
NicePants42 said:
I believe this to be due to the fact that those FP connectors are not always laid out in the same manner on each motherboard. This is why ASUS includes their Q-Connector, which allows you to plug them into an all-in-one connector first, and then into the motherboard.
NicePants42
Partition Master
Yes! That's what I was talking about, I couldn't remember the name of it or who made it since I've never had the pleasure of using one. Why don't more board companies do this??
MakubeX
Partition Master
Regarding the Maximus, stay tuned
As for NFS: Carbon, I realize I am an idiot, but I don't notice it? I won't bother fixing it though regardless, as I plan to follow-up this entire review with Quad-Core results and a slightly upgraded methodology. I wish I had more time with this board before publishing so I could have done that then...
Alright, can't wait!
And the typo is no big deal. The name of the mobo is wrong. It says Gigabyte X38-DQ9.
Haha. Woops. That's bound to happen after typing it into Excel 14 times I guess :/
D
Daniel Vermaak
Guest
Crossfire and SLI
Hi
I stumbled across this site by accident and must say it looks great. It isnt easy finding an uptodate hardware review website. Keep up the good work.
Many motherboards say they are Crossfire ready. Does that mean that I cant have a SLI setup on the Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 mobo?
Regards
Hi
I stumbled across this site by accident and must say it looks great. It isnt easy finding an uptodate hardware review website. Keep up the good work.
Many motherboards say they are Crossfire ready. Does that mean that I cant have a SLI setup on the Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 mobo?
Regards
NicePants42
Partition Master
As of now, no Intel chipset supports nVidia SLI - including X38. If you want to use SLI, you need an nVidia chipset (like 680i). Intel chipsets only support ATI crossfire.
With regard to supporting both technologies:
I have heard that Intel's somewhat-soon-to-be-released 'Skulltrail' chipset will support SLI, but it will also cost an arm and a leg.
I've also heard that Gateway's top of the line gaming machine uses an nVidia 680i motherboard (ASUS Striker Extreme) and can run ATI Crossfire with a trick BIOS.
With regard to supporting both technologies:
I have heard that Intel's somewhat-soon-to-be-released 'Skulltrail' chipset will support SLI, but it will also cost an arm and a leg.
I've also heard that Gateway's top of the line gaming machine uses an nVidia 680i motherboard (ASUS Striker Extreme) and can run ATI Crossfire with a trick BIOS.
Thanks for the nice comments
The lack of SLI is so foolish, I find. It's due to the lack of a certain switch on the motherboard, which I assume costs next to nothing. I'm no business major, but I'd assume it would be a smart idea for NVIDIA to support SLI on all motherboards. All it means to them is that they will be selling more GPUs. Though the 680i boards are great, Intel has seen two chipset revisions since it's launch... it would be nice for people to be able to keep up to date and still use SLI.
And yes, Skulltrail will support SLI, but you can expect the motherboard and Quad-Core (required) to cost at least $1,500.
The lack of SLI is so foolish, I find. It's due to the lack of a certain switch on the motherboard, which I assume costs next to nothing. I'm no business major, but I'd assume it would be a smart idea for NVIDIA to support SLI on all motherboards. All it means to them is that they will be selling more GPUs. Though the 680i boards are great, Intel has seen two chipset revisions since it's launch... it would be nice for people to be able to keep up to date and still use SLI.
And yes, Skulltrail will support SLI, but you can expect the motherboard and Quad-Core (required) to cost at least $1,500.
Daniel Vermaak
Obliviot
Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated.
Unfortunately i only have one arm left after buying myself the 8800GTX.
ITO the ASUS Striker Extreme wouldnt the FSB1066 be limiting if i'm trying to build a high end gaming system? And what about 45nm processors support?
To cut a long story short, i'm have been looking for a high end mobo for several months and cant make up my mind on which on to buy.
Could you possibly, you guys being rocket scientists/geniuses and all, tell me which mobo would be able to support SLI, has a FSB of 1333 or above 1333 and supports 45nm processors?
And what do you think of the GA-N680SLI-DQ6? could it be considered a decent mobo?
Unfortunately i only have one arm left after buying myself the 8800GTX.
ITO the ASUS Striker Extreme wouldnt the FSB1066 be limiting if i'm trying to build a high end gaming system? And what about 45nm processors support?
To cut a long story short, i'm have been looking for a high end mobo for several months and cant make up my mind on which on to buy.
Could you possibly, you guys being rocket scientists/geniuses and all, tell me which mobo would be able to support SLI, has a FSB of 1333 or above 1333 and supports 45nm processors?
And what do you think of the GA-N680SLI-DQ6? could it be considered a decent mobo?
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NicePants42
Partition Master
The ASUS Striker Extreme is an enthusiast board, and as such can overclock to well past FSB1066 speeds. 45nm support shouldn't be a problem either as long as the CPU uses the LGA775 socket. In short, the only way that the Striker Extreme could 'limit' a gaming system is with DDR2 vs. DDR3.
Just about any 680i board will support SLI, 1333FSB, and 45nm CPUs. I'm not aware of any that wouldn't do all that. Features/price should help you decide.
Daniel Vermaak
Obliviot
Thank you
U
Unregistered
Guest
i bought a ga-x38-dq6 mobo and still waiting for my cpu to get shipped , i only knew that
it dont support sli after its too late as i have a 7950 gx2(2 gpu ) , does my mobo support my card??
it dont support sli after its too late as i have a 7950 gx2(2 gpu ) , does my mobo support my card??
Merlin
The Tech Wizard
Why do you want to use SLI ??
Are you using a huge, high end, ultra dpi monitor?
( I have not seen any as yet )
Are you really interested in a good system or just for bragging?
Just get an.....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188024
DDR2 1200 as opposed to your 800 and with PCIe 2.0 as opposed to your PCI 1.0
good for a year anyways, if you just have to have SLI
Merlin
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