Intel P35 / X38 Motherboards Roundup
Gigabyte X38-DQ6 (Intel X38; DDR2)
Gigabyte X38-DQ6 has proved to be one of the first models based on Intel X38 chipsets. However, to accelerate the development progress, the engineers at Gigabyte decided not to implement 3 PCI Express x16 ports or introduce any unique features, or technologies. As a result, X38-DQ6 at its specifications is very similar to P35-DQ6 and differs from it in only the full-featured support for the Crossfire technology (following the 16+16 scheme), and in the second Gigabit LAN controller.
Apart from the pair of Gigabit LAN controllers, the board uses 8-channel audio subsystem (with the ALC889A chip used as the codec), there is a chip to support the Firewire (3 ports). The board also supports 12 USB 2.0 ports and offers an additional SerialATA II/ParallelATA RAID JMB363 controller. In combination with the capabilities of the south bridge ICH9R, it allows for plugging in 10 hard disks: 8 - to the SerialATA-II, and 2 - to the ParallelATA.
The layout of expansion slots is almost standard: two PCI Express x16 slots, three PCI Express x1, and two regular PCI slots.
The board's rear panel is of "abundant" configuration:
Above all, we note the lack of LPT- and COM-ports which are implemented with a bracket (missing in the bundle). On the other hand, there are eight (!) USB2.0 ports on the rear panel, two Firewire (of two types) ports, as well as optical and coaxial SPDIF-outputs.
The BIOS of Gigabyte X38-DQ6 is based on the Award BIOS Phoenix version.
The memory settings are gathered in the overclocking section and become visible only upon pressing the "Ctrl+F1" key combination in the BIOS main menu.
The board displays the current temperature values of the CPU and the system, as well as the rotational speed of the four fans. Unlike the previous Gigabyte motherboards, the model X38-DQ6 displays current voltage levels. Note that the CPU cooler is able adjusting the rotational speed depending on the CPU temperature.
On the board, there are two BIOS chips (on the left - the mater, on the right - the standby).
We should also note the feature for saving the BIOS settings as a profile. Gigabyte X38-DQ6 maintains 8 profiles, and saves part of them on its own:
Let's list the overclocking tools: FSB adjustable within 100 to 700 MHz, raising the CPU voltage to 2.35 V, on the memory - to +1.55 V, on the north bridge - by +0.375 V, and on the FSB bus - by +0.35V. The board also supports the C.I.A. 2.
The actual overclocking results are perfect: stable FSB speed = 556MHz.
In conclusion, we can't help noting the absolutely new software for Gigabyte motherboards - the multifunctional EasyTune Center utility which integrates all the previous development by Gigabyte. Using it, you can keep track of the system monitoring readings from within Windows.
Another example - one of the sections includes the @BIOS utility which is meant to update the BIOS:
Interim conclusion: Gigabyte X38-DQ6 is quite a good implementation of the Intel X38 chipset, offers rich expansion options, and a superb overclocking capability.
Pros:
- High stability;
- 12-phase power scheme;
- Two PCI Express v2.0 x16 slots (16+16);
- Support for SerialATA II/RAID ( 8 lines; ICH8 + Gigabyte SATA2);
- Support for one P-ATA channel (Gigabyte SATA2);
- Integrated 8-channel audio and two LAN (Gigabit Ethernet) controllers;
- Support for USB2.0 (12 ports) and IEEE-1394 (Firewire, 3 ports);
- Rich selection of Gigabyte's proprietary technologies (DualBIOS, C.I.A2, EasyTune Center, FaceWizard, @BIOS, etc.);
- Passive system for cooling the chipset and the power supply module;
- Functional rear panel;
Cons:
- The board's package bundle does not meet the top-end level;
The board's specific features:
- Superb results of overclocking the CPU and memory;
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