Gigabyte X48T DQ6 Living Review - Page 23

supershanks · #**221** 13-05-2008, 16:17

The 2 CPU GTLReF Voltage ratios are hidden and can only be accessed from the main menu using [CTRL] + [F1] from the main bios menu screen.
The Options available are somewhat limited the only options being:-
CPU GTLREF1

CPU GTLREF2

Nowhere is the default given. reading around
Raja's The Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 - Redefining the High End? - FSB Overvoltage Control

Quote:

Unfortunately, we have no direct control over GTL (Gunning Transceiver Logic) reference values, which are locked at 67% of VTT for CPU die 1 and 63% of VTT for CPU die 2

seems correct, & coincidently ties up with the Default value for the GTL REF & VTT Voltage Settings - DFI X48 LT-UT. This togetherr with a bit of testing gives some logic to the settings:-

On this board running 45nm Wolfdale I have found that the best settings are 64%(-3%) & 60%(-3%)
Previous experience on the Abit with 65nm Quads I found 67% /66% worked best which here means Auto(67%) and Normal(63%) are the closest.

Ace-a-Rue · #**222** 13-05-2008, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by supershanks

correct but given that those parameters are the same on both boards, why is the x48 hd performance up ??
Maybe, had forgotten that

that is my best estimation on what is the reason for the 636 point bump in hard drive score from the P35 to the X48...i remember running HDTach on DFI's X38 board with the areca card in a 16x speed slot and i saw about 5% increase in burst speed...interestingly, that is the same percentage of increase for the above hard drive score from the P35 in a 4x speed slot to a 16x speed slot (acknowledged that the card will operate only at 8x speed.)

supershanks · #**223** 13-05-2008, 16:43

Features , Layout & Package
The X48 is basically identical to the X38 DQ6, The same observations apply:-

1) The copper heatpipes and mounting provide a benchmark that other manufacturers should follow.
2) Board layout is very good the only issues are relatively minor :-
2-a) Reaching the Clear Cmos jumper if using Crossfire it may be fiddly as it’s between both graphics slots which are quiet close

together.Clr_Cmos. It would also be nice if Gigabyte provided a jumper. The Bios recovery is

probably the best around, but occasionally the jumper is needed

2-b) A minor point , really down to my own preference. I preferred the PCI-E retention clips on the X38
2-c) Access to memory sockets is tight when graphics card is in PCI-EX1 position, but the same complaint applies to virtually every P35/X38 motherboard. I normally

use PCI-E 2 with a single graphics card, but did make sure my Dominator Ram Cooler was insulated with self adhesive paper, before mounting it. In fairness the same

can be said of almost all X38/X48 boards.
2-d) I think on balance that there may now be over many connections on this board. Personally I see little or no need for an LPT header, I'd like to see the Front

Audio header moved to replace the LPT header, giving better cable management. The inclusion of a Com port header may also be overkill.

3) The included package is good with some excellent innovative features, the E-Sata Connections are to my knowledge unique & extremely useful. It also means you plug

in the bare drive & save money on enclosures.

I gave the X38 10/10 for this section I'm being stingy and knocking off 0.5 , mainly because we have the same things repeated.
9.5/10

Overclocking & Bios
I've spent the majority of this review with F5A BTA
Performance has been little short of excellent. The board used together with
Wolfdale CPU and CellShock PC3-14400 (DDR3-1800) 2GB DDR3 has been a joy.

Continuing on from the X38 the failed over clocking recovery feature is very smooth, I’ve only had to clear the cmos once.

Bios features are the only real area of criticism, and are identical to the X38

For an Enthusiast motherboard these settings are a little limited.
See CPU GTLREF for detail. Other than this I found the bios options are a nice balance between tweakability and complexity. Gigabyte are unique in using the volage controls as an increment over stock voltage. As an example take DDR3 Voltage, the JDEC Default is 1.50v so to run memory at say 1.90v you need to dial in +0.40v This is all very well assuming you know what the stock voltages are

It would be simpler just to work with the absolute values in the first place. The default values are shown Bios Template and
MotherBoard Intelligent Tweaker (MIT)

9/10

[b]Value:[b/b] As usual being an early adapter I ended up paying a higher price £200($400), looking around at current prices I see £175($350) which at the lower price makes this board a great buy. This is reinforced when comparing to the it's nearest rival the P5E3 Premium/WiFi-AP @n which retails for £223($446)
10/10

Overall

Continuing with the solid features of it's predecessor, the board has a classy, understated quality. There are no major issues or compromises. As stated in the intro this board is the 3rd generation and has evolved into the greatest board so far.

Features......9.5
Overclocking..9.0
Value........10.0
Overall.......9.5

Ace-a-Rue · #**224** 13-05-2008, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by supershanks

The 2 CPU GTLReF Voltage ratios are hidden and can only be accessed from the main menu using [CTRL] + [F1] from the main bios menu screen.

Nowhere is the default given. reading around
Raja's The Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 - Redefining the High End? - FSB Overvoltage Control
seems correct, & coincidently ties up with the Default value for the GTL REF & VTT Voltage Settings - DFI X48 LT-UT. This togetherr with a bit of testing gives some logic to the settings:-

On this board running 45nm Wolfdale I have found that the best settings are 64%(-3%) & 60%(-3%)
Previous experience on the Abit with 65nm Quads I found 67% /66% worked best which here means Auto(67%) and Normal(63%) are the closest.

i am currently using the -3% for both GTLREF settings...i did that also for the E8500 plus the QX9650...of course, i did not push the 9650 up into the higher end of the FSB when doing the PCMark2005 benches since i wanted to keep the FSB exact as i had it on my Pro board.

when i initially tested the 9650 on the X48, i got to 475 FSB reliably but i can not remember what GTLREF i used...i might have that info in my thread...will check.

Ace-a-Rue · #**225** 13-05-2008, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by supershanks

Features , Layout & Package
The X48 is basically identical to the X38 DQ6, The same observations apply:-

1) The copper heatpipes and mounting provide a benchmark that other manufacturers should follow.
2) Board layout is very good the only issues are relatively minor :-
2-a) Reaching the Clear Cmos jumper if using Crossfire it may be fiddly as it’s between both graphics slots which are quiet close

together.Clr_Cmos. It would also be nice if Gigabyte provided a jumper. The Bios recovery is

probably the best around, but occasionally the jumper is needed

2-b) A minor point , really down to my own preference. I preferred the PCI-E retension clips on the X38
2-c) Access to memory sockets is tight when graphics card is in PCI-EX1 position, but the same complaint applies to virtually every P35/X38 motherboard. I normally

use PCI-E 2 with a single graphics card, but did make sure my Dominator Ram Cooler was insulated with self adhesive paper, before mounting it. In fairness the same

can be said of almost all X38/X48 boards.
2-d) I think on balance that there may now be over many connections on this board. Personally I see little or no need for an LPT header, I'd like to see the Front

Audio header moved to replace the LPT header, giving better cable management. The inclusion of a Com port header may also be overkill.

3) The included package is good with some excellent innovative features, the E-Sata Connections are to my knowledge unique & extremely useful. It also means you plug

in the bare drive & save money on enclosures.

I gave the X38 10/10 for this section I'm being stingy and knocking off 0.5 , mainly because we have the same things repeated.
9.5/10

Overclocking & Bios
I've spent the majority of this review with F5A BTA
Performance has been little short of excellent. The board used together with
Wolfdale CPU and CellShock PC3-14400 (DDR3-1800) 2GB DDR3 has been a joy.

Continuing on from the X38 the failed over clocking recovery feature is very smooth, I’ve only had to clear the cmos once.

Bios features are the only real area of criticism, and are identical to the X38

For an Enthusiast motherboard these settings are a little limited.
See CPU GTLREF for detail. Other than this I found the bios options are a nice balance between tweakability and complexity. Gigabyte are unique in using the volage controls as an increment over stock voltage. As an example take DDR3 Voltage, the JDEC Default is 1.50v so to run memory at say 1.90v you need to dial in +0.40v This is all very well assuming you know what the stock voltages are

It would be simpler just to work with the absolute values in the first place. The default values are shown Bios Template and
MotherBoard Intelligent Tweaker (MIT)

9/10

[b]Value:[b/b] As usual being an early adapter I ended up paying a higher price £200($400), looking around at current prices I see £175($350) which at the lower price makes this board a great buy. This is reinforced when comparing to the it's nearest rival theP5E3 Premium/WiFi-AP @n which retails for £223($446)
10/10

Overall

Continuing with the solid features of it's predecessor, the board has a classy, understated quality. There are no major issues or compromises. As stated in the intro this board is the 3rd generation and has evolved into the greatest board so far.

Features......9.5
Overclocking..9.0
Value........10.0
Overall.......9.5

i am with you with just about everything you mentioned above.

i finally pulled the heatpipe system when i put my 9650 back in...i was amazed at the those grey TIM's not even melted or were even tacky...they peeled right off the bases of the each chipset head....i replaced the TIM with AS ceramique.

i could finally feel the heat coming off the PWM heatsink after doing that mod...the only thing i could not do is replace the spring push-pins that secured the PWM heasink to that area...i thought i had some of the bolts left over from my Abit IP35 Pro heatpipe mod but nada.

i will need to make a run to the local hardware store to get a new set.

my rating would be about 9 out of 10.

supershanks · #**226** 13-05-2008, 19:20

I'd originally started with GTLREF on default , but found -3% on each gave me best option. Tried -6% , -6% but didn't give the same performance.

Sounds a decent idea re replacing the push pins

Quote:

my rating would be about 9 out of 10.

Well I'm about in the same ballpark then.