Thread: Gigabyte X48T DQ6 Living Review

Living Review

If you rate it please :-


It's not often we see this, but this board is in effect a grandchild, the 3rd board using the DQ6 layout and style.
Grandad - GA-P35T-DQ6
Father GA-X38T-DQ6 (rev. 1.1)
Son GA-X48T-DQ6
Showing that Gigabyte is defiinately into evolution, not revolution.

BTA Bios
F5A & F5D
Note: F5C is flawed changes to FSB aren't saved

Index
1) The Box (1 of 2)
2) The Box (2 of 2)
3) Specifications
4) Features
5) The Motherboard (1of2)
6) The Motherboard (2of2)
7) Round the motherboard - (1of4)
8) Round the motherboard - (2of4)
9) Round the motherboard - (3of4)
10) Round the motherboard - (4of4)
11) The Package
12) Crazy Cool Heatsinks
13) Removing CrazyCool Heatsink
14) HeatPipes (1of2)
15) HeatPipes (2of2)
16) Bios 1
17) Bios 2
18) MotherBoard Intelligent Tweaker (MIT)
19) After market Cooling & Compatibility
20) GTLREF
21) Voltage Measuring Points & tests

Clocks, Benches & Settings
E8200 Wolfdale
22) E8200 8x400@4.00B 1600Mhz DDR3
23) E8200 7.5x500 @3.33D = 166DDR 7-6-5-18
24) E8200 7.5x510@3.33D 1700Mhz DDR3
25) Command Rate Comparison
26) TRD - Performance Comparison
27) E8200 3,900 7.5x520Mhz @2.40B = 1,248Mhz 5,5,5,12
28) E8200 3,825 7.5x511Mhz @3.33D = 1,700Mhz 7,7,7,12
29) E8200 3,750 7.5x500 @3.33D 1650Mhz 6-6-6-12
30) E8200 4,160Mhz 8x520@2.40B 5,5,5,12
31) E8200 4,005 534x7.5
32) E8200 4,125 7.5x550@3.33D = 1,833Mhz 8,7,6,20
E8400 Wolfdale
33) E8400 4,125 1st Shot 4,320 9x480@3.33D 1,600Mhz 6,6,6,12
34) E8400 4,250Mhz 8.5x500@3.33D 1667 6,6,6,12
35) E8400 4,320 8x540@3.33D 1800Mhz 8,7,6,14
36) E8400 9x480@3.33D 1,600Mhz 6,6,6,12
37) E8400 4,400Mhz 8x550@3.33D 1,832Mhz 8,7,6,18
38) E8400 4,336 8x542@3.33D 1,807 8,7,6,14
E8500 Wolfdale
39) E8500 1st Shot 4,250 8.5x500 @3.33D 1,665 6,6,6,12
40) E8500 Max Clock on Coretemp VID
41) E8500 4,240 8x530@3.33D 1,767Mhz
42) E8500 4,344 9.5x455@4D 1,820Mhz ddr3
43) E8500 4,335 8.5x510@3.33D 1,700 7,7,7,12
44) E8500 4,370 9.5x460@3.33D 1,533 6,6,6,12
45) E8500 4,420 8.5x520@3.33D 1,732 7,7,7,14

Overview & Rating

These Boxes sem to get bigger :lOl; the depth of this seems huge
Front

Opening the Velcro fastened flap for more blurb

Left Hand Side Blurb

Right Hand Side Blurb[/B]

Rear

Inner Box - Usual excellent packaging


Mobo Tray
Click to Enlarge

Introduction
Designed for enthusiasts with extreme over-clocking and blistering gaming performance in mind, the GIGABYTE GA-X48T-DQ6 is based on the killer combination of the newest Intel X48 chipset plus support for the latest multi-core processors up to FSB 1600MHz, including the Intel 45nm processors. The GA-X48T-DQ6 is CrossFireX™ enabled with true dual PCI-E 2.0 x16 connectivity for the ultimate in extreme gaming performance. Built tough to provide maximum stability, durability and performance for even the most hard-core gamers, the GA-X48T-DQ6 delivers several advanced GIGABYTE innovations including the Ultra Durable 2 design, featuring top quality electronic components which provide optimized power savings, ultra cooling and extended system durability.

Specifications
(from Gigabyte

Intel® X48 + ICH9R Chipset

1. Revolution energy saving design with DES technology
2. Supports Intel® Core 2™ multi-core and 45nm processors.
3. 1600 MHz FSB (Front Side Bus) support.
4. DDR3 1900 memory with Intel® XMP enables new levels of memory performance.
5. High quality CPU power module with Ferrite Core Chokes, Lower RDS (on) MOSFETs and Lower ESR Solid Capacitors.
6. Supports ATI CrossFireX™ with Dual PCI-E 2.0 x16 graphics for extreme gaming performance.
7. High speed Gigabit Ethernet with Green design for power consumption
8. ALC889A with DTS Connect enables high quality Full Rate Lossless Audio and support for both Blu-ray and HD DVD.
9. Features SATA 3Gb/s with Quad eSATA 2 interface.
10. Quad BIOS for an extended level of protection.
11. Quad-Triple Phase Power Design for ultimate system stability.
12. 2 Gigabit Ethernet LAN through Teaming.


CPU

1. Support for an Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme processor/ Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor/Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor/ Intel® Pentium® processor Extreme Edition/Intel® Pentium® D processor/ Intel® Pentium® 4 processor Extreme Edition/Intel® Pentium® 4 processor/ Intel® Celeron® processor in the LGA 775 package
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
2. L2 cache varies with CPU
3. 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz FSB

Chipset

1. North Bridge: Intel® X48 Chipset
2. South Bridge: Intel® ICH9R

Memory

1. 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 8 GB of system memory
2. Dual channel memory architecture
3. Support for DDR3 1900/1600/1333/1066/800/MHz, XMP memory modules.

Please refer "Memory Support List" for memory support information.
Audio

1. Realtek ALC889A codec
2. High Definition Audio
3. 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
4. Support for DTS (dts NEO:PC)
5. Support for S/PDIF In/Out
6. Support for CD In

LAN

1. Realtek 8111C chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)

Expansion Slots

1. 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (The PCIE_16_1 slot supports x16; the PCIE_16_2 supports x16.)
2. 3 x PCI Express x1 slots (share with the PCIE_16_2 slot)
3. 2 x PCI slots

Storage Interface South Bridge:

1. 6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (SATAII0, SATAII1, SATAII2, SATAII3, SATAII4, SATAII5) supporting up to 6 SATA 3Gb/s devices
2. Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10

GIGABYTE SATA2 chip:

1. 1 x IDE connector supporting ATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices
2. 2 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (GSATAIIA, GSATAIIB) supporting up to 2 SATA 3Gb/s devices
3. Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, and JBOD

iTE IT8718 chip:

1. 1 x floppy disk drive connector supporting up to 1 floppy disk drive

IEEE 1394

1. T.I. TSB43AB23 chip
2. Up to 3 IEEE 1394a ports (2 on the back panel, 1 via the IEEE 1394 bracket connected to the internal IEEE 1394 header)

USB

1. Integrated in the South Bridge
2. Up to 12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (8 on the back panel, 4 via the USB brackets connected to the internal USB headers)

Internal I/O Connectors

1. 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
2. 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
3. 1 x 4-pin PCIe 12V power connector
4. 1 x floppy disk drive connector
5. 1 x IDE connector
6. 6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
7. 1 x CPU fan header
8. 2 x system fan headers
9. 1 x power fan header
10. 1 x North Bridge fan header
11. 1 x front panel header
12. 1 x front panel audio header
13. 1 x CD In connector
14. 1 x S/PDIF In header
15. 1 x S/PDIF Out header
16. 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
17. 1 x IEEE 1394a header
18. 1 x parallel port header
19. 1 x serial port header
20. 1 x power LED header
21. 1 x chassis intrusion header

Back Panel Connectors

1. 1 x PS/2 keyboard port
2. 1 x PS/2 mouse port
3. 1 x coaxial S/PDIF Out connector
4. 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
5. 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
6. 2 x IEEE 1394a ports
7. 2 x RJ-45 port
8. 6 x audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out/Rear Speaker Out/Side Speaker Out/Line In/Line Out/Microphone)

I/O Controller

1. iTE IT8718 chip

H/W Monitoring

1. System voltage detection
2. CPU/System temperature detection
3. CPU/System/Power fan speed detection
4. CPU overheating warning
5. CPU/System/Power fan fail warning
6. CPU fan speed control

BIOS

1. Supports QuadBIOS
2. 2 x 8 Mbit flash ROM
3. Use of licensed AWARD BIOS
4. PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.3, ACPI 1.0b.

Unique Features

1. Support for Dynamic Energy Saver
2. Support for @BIOS
3. Support for Download Center
4. Support for Q-Flash
5. Support for EasyTune
6. Support for Xpress Install
7. Support for Xpress Recovery2

Form Factor

1. ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm

Remark

1. Due to different Linux support condition provided by chipset vendors, please download Linux driver from chipset vendors' website or 3rd party website.
2. Due to most hardware/software vendors no longer offer support for Win9X/ME. If some vendors still has Win9X/ME drivers available, we will publish on website.
3. Duo to chipset limitation, Intel ICH9R RAID driver does not support Windows 2000 operating system.

Features
1. Revolution energy saving design with DES technology
2. Supports Intel® Core 2™ multi-core and 45nm processors.
3. 1600 MHz FSB (Front Side Bus) support.
4. DDR3 1900 memory with Intel® XMP enables new levels of memory performance.
5. High quality CPU power module with Ferrite Core Chokes, Lower RDS (on) MOSFETs and Lower ESR Solid Capacitors.
6. Supports ATI CrossFireX™ with Dual PCI-E 2.0 x16 graphics for extreme gaming performance.
7. High speed Gigabit Ethernet with Green design for power consumption
8. ALC889A with DTS Connect enables high quality Full Rate Lossless Audio and support for both Blu-ray and HD DVD.
9. Features SATA 3Gb/s with Quad eSATA 2 interface.
10. Quad BIOS for an extended level of protection.
11. Quad-Triple Phase Power Design for ultimate system stability.
12. 2 Gigabit Ethernet LAN through Teaming.

Overview

Introduction
Designed for enthusiasts with extreme over-clocking and blistering gaming performance in mind, the GIGABYTE GA-X48T-DQ6 is based on the killer combination of the newest Intel X48 chipset plus support for the latest multi-core processors up to FSB 1600MHz, including the Intel 45nm processors. The GA-X48T-DQ6 is CrossFireX™ enabled with true dual PCI-E 2.0 x16 connectivity for the ultimate in extreme gaming performance. Built tough to provide maximum stability, durability and performance for even the most hard-core gamers, the GA-X48T-DQ6 delivers several advanced GIGABYTE innovations including the Ultra Durable 2 design, featuring top quality electronic components which provide optimized power savings, ultra cooling and extended system durability.
GIGABYTE Dynamic Energy Saver


GIGABYTE Dynamic Energy Saver

is a revolutionary technology that delivers unparalleled power savings with the simple click of a button. Featuring an advanced proprietary hardware and software design, GIGABYTE Dynamic Energy Saver is able to provide exceptional power savings of up to 70% and up to 20% improved power efficiency without sacrificing computing performance...more

Ultra Durable 2 -Designed with Top Quality Highly Efficient Components

Ultra Cooling - Low RDS(on) MOSFET Design
Low RDS(on) MOSFETs specially designed to produce lower switching resistance for faster electric current charging and discharging.
Ultra Cooling

Low Power Loss - Ferrite Core Choke Design
Ferrite core chokes comprised of a compound of iron oxide and other metal elements whose properties hold energy much longer than common iron core at high frequency.
Low Power Loss

Longer Life - All-Solid Capacitor Design
Solid capacitors contain a solid organic polymer, while electrolytic capacitors use a common liquid electrolyte, hence, the terms solid capacitor versus electrolytic capacitors.
Longer Life

Intel® Core™ 2 multi-core and 45nm processors
GA-X48T-DQ6 supports Intel latest high performance CPU delivers the most energy-efficient performance available today. Based on Intel's Micro Architecture, the Intel multi-core processors with 4 cores and two shared L2 caches provide the best capability-per-watt solutions and are an ideal choice for multi-media enthusiasts and intensive multi-tasking environments. This cutting-edge processor offers significant performance boosts and provides an overall more energy efficient platform.

Intel® X48 Express Chipset
The Intel® X48 Express Chipsets support the latest multi-core processors with FSB 1600MHz, including the upcoming 45nm processors, with its record breaking performance and greater energy efficiency. Intel® X48 chipset, with optimized system memory capabilities, chipset over-speed protection removed for maximum overclocking, providing faster boot and application load times and additional power savings. Intel® X48 chipset also offer options for both DDR2 and DDR3 memory support, providing scalable options for users wanting to take advantage of higher memory performance with less power consumption to run next generation applications such as high-definition video and 3D visualization.

Smaller, Faster and More Efficient
GA-X48T-DQ6 motherboards paired with Intel 45nm CPUs deliver the very best platform for multitasking, multimedia and high performance gaming. Not only do GIGABYTE's latest motherboards based on Intel Bearlake chipsets all support Intel's new generation, 45nm multi-core processors.

Dual Channel DDR3 1900
Experience maximum system performance with advanced DDR3 1900 memory technology, featuring higher bandwidth and increasing performance with lower power consumption. * Please refer "Memory Support List" for memory support information.

Windows Vista Premium Logo Certified
Windows Vista Premium promises to deliver a streamlined computing experience designed to fundamentally change how users view, find and organize their digital information...more

PCI-E 2.0 Interface
PCI-E 2.0 doubles the bus standard's bandwidth from 2.5 Gbit/s to 5 Gbit/s, meaning a x32 connector can transfer data at up to 16 GB/s in each direction. PCIe 2.0 also features improvements to the point-to-point data transfer protocol and its software architecture.

SATA 3Gb/s storage interface
The SATA specification doubles bus bandwidth from 1.5Gb/s to 3Gb/s. Native Command Queuing is a new specification that enables out-of-order execution of commands for efficient retrieval of data. Hot Plug support allows users to insert and remove hard disk drives without shutting off power to the system.

IEEE1394 motherboard
This motherboard with IEEE1394 FireWire interface from Texas Instruments (TI). With the transfer speed up to 400Mb/s, the new generation IEEE1394 interface further enhances PC connectivity with consumer electronics audio/video (A/V) appliances, and storage peripherals.

ALC889A with DTS Connect Enables a Superior Audio Experience

Excellent Audio Performance
High-performance DAC (Digital-Analog Converter) with 106 dB Signal-to-Noise ratio playback quality, designed especially for Windows Vista Premium PCs.

Blu-ray/HD DVD Full Rate Audio Support
The ALC889A enables high quality Full Rate Lossless Audio for content protected media and support for both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats for an exhilarating home theater entertainment experience.

7.1+2 Channel High Definition Output
The ALC889A provides support for 7.1 sound playback, plus 2 channels of independent stereo output (multiple streaming) through the front panel stereo outputs.

Intel® Matrix Storage Technology
Intel® Matrix Storage Technology, can deliver up to 80% faster storage performance with PCs equipped with two hard drives using RAID 0 data striping. Using RAID 1 data mirroring can protect against a hard drive failure by mirroring all data among two hard drives. In addition RAID 5 offers the fault-tolerant capability to automatically back up your most important files, while also providing faster disk access and adding storage capacity.

2 Gigabit LAN through Teaming
The GA-X48T-DQ6 with Teaming functionality enabled allows 2 single connections to act as 1 single connection for twice the bandwidth, improving overall throughput with lower CPU utilization.

Prevents network downtime by transferring the workload from a failed port to a working port.

Receive Side Scaling balances the network traffic load evenly between 2 CPU cores in order to improve performance.

Adjusts power consumption automatically according to your LAN cable lengths, up to 10% power savings.

ATI CrossFireX
With support for ATI CrossFireX, GIGABYTE pushes the envelope once again by delivering highly optimized performance and flexibility demanded by power users and extreme gaming enthusiasts. Designed to provide unmatched multi-GPU support with dual PCI Express connectivity, the GA-X48T-DQ6 allows users to take advantage of the ultra smooth 3D rendering, blazing-fast frame rates and enhanced visual quality possible with a dual graphics card solution.

Attention: When attempting to enable ATI CrossfireX Technology on this board. In case of unable to get Crossfire Technology working normally, please make sure to use ATI graphic cards that have hardware Crossfire bridge. (Please refer to ATI official website for more Crossfire Technology supporting details: ( Compatibility Charts)

Quad BIOS
Quad BIOS is a feature unique to GIGABYTE that includes DualBIOS™ and Express BIOS Rescue Technology. This combination delivers a safety assurance mechanism that sports a total of 4 copies of BIOS distributed between the Flash ROM, hard-disk and driver CD. This feature helps to reduce the affects of virus attacks or firmware damage and provides multi-layer BIOS protection that assures greater PC platform stability. How does Quad BIOS work?

Quad Cooling
This revolutionary cooling design combines Crazy Cool and Silent-Pipe technology that includes heat sinks covering MOSFET modules, the north bridge and the south bridge. Additionally, the Crazy Cool enhances heat dissipation of the rear side of CPU and north bridge of the motherboard. Quad Cooling allows users to enjoy longer component lifetime through lower temperatures and absolute silence combined with the ultimate thermal performance on chipsets, CPU power components and the PCB.

Quad e-SATA2
Four sets of external SATA ports based on the Serial ATA 3Gb/s storage specification allow effortless sharing and transfer of entertainment content and digital media on external devices. Designed for external SATA devices, Quad eSATA 2 delivers enhanced scalability and double the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saving On-The-Go.

Quad Triple Phase
An exclusive feature found only on GIGABYTE motherboards, this unique design incorporates Virtual 12 Power Phases to deliver steadier power and immediate current support for the CPU during heavy work loads or over-clocking. Additionally, Quad-Triple Phase helps to improve component lifespan system stability by delivering lower component temperature.

Quad-Core Optimized
GIGABYTE has implemented optimized Quad-Core FSB routing and a Quad-Triple phase power design to ensure the highest levels of performance and stability from Quad-Core processors. With 4 cores and 2 shared L2 caches, Quad-Core processors provide the industry's best capability-per-watt solutions, delivering significant performance boosts and extended energy efficiency, making them the ideal choice for multi-media enthusiasts and intensive multi-tasking environments.

Quad DDR3 Slots
Experience the boost in memory performance with new generation DDR3 technology featuring faster speeds and higher data bandwidth for memory intensive applications.

The MotherBoard
Click to Enlarge


CPU
Click to Enlarge


Ram Slots
Click to Enlarge

Sata & Southbridge
Click to Enlarge


PCI & PCI-E
Click to Enlarge

No wasted space on this motherboard, , love the way the 8pin 12v socket is located.


CPU
What must be one of the cleanest CPU sockets anywhere, an extreme cooler's dream.


CPUPWM Activity LED
Located just to the right of the VPhase LED text.

This display lights up more as the CPU PWM circuits are loaded.


Ram Slots Good news DDR3 1900/1600 , bad news is that awful pink colour Come on guys I ask you , what's wrong with red or sonething, anything but PINK ::
(Heatpipes have been lifted in this shot)

Floppy Header


IDE Header


Sata Ports
Purple = Jmicron aka Gigabyte Sata Yellow = Intel slots 0/1 are to the top.


USB
2 headers x2 usb connections to go with the 8 on the rear opanel.
Front Panel connections to the right of the USB headers. There is a 3 pin LED Power header just above the Front Panel header.

Board Revision
Board Revision Number , SPDIF_IN Header, LPT Header


PCI PCI-E Slots
From the bottom :-
PCIE_1 (x1)
PCIE_16_1
PCIE_2 (x1)
PCIE_3 (x1)
PCIE_16_2
PCI1
PCI2


Dual Bios
Like the X38 DQ6 The Clear CMOS jumper is just to the left of the battery (see above shot) , means it's a bit hard to get to if your using both x16 slots. The jumper is a 2 pin header, again, like the X38, Gigabyte leave you to supply a jumper


NB Fan Header & Front Audio header.
Personally I wish Gigabyte would ditch the legacy LPT and or COM port headers, this might mean that the audio cable didn't have to lay across the motherboard, a header where the LPT socket would be fine, much tidier for cables.