Gigabyte x99 gaming 5 review

Gigabyte leader in the manufacture of motherboards, graphics cards and peripherals has sent us for analysis one of the best motherboards on the market, the Gigabyte X99 Gaming 5 with it we will be able to overclock, fully enjoy overclocking and get the most out of it to multiGPU system. Want to know more about her? Here we go!

We appreciate the trust placed by the Gigabyte Spain team in the transfer of this exclusive nationwide:

Technical characteristics

GIGABYTE X99 GAMING FEATURES
CPU	Support for Intel® Core ™ i7 processors in the LGA2011-3 socket. L3 cache varies by CPU.
Chipset	Intel® X99 Express Chipset
Memory	Supports DDR4 3400 (OC) * / 3333 (OC) / 3200 (OC) / 3000 (OC) / 2800 (OC) / 2666 (OC) / 2400 (OC) / 2133 MHz RAM up to 64 GB. XMP Profile Architecture for 4 memory channels Support for non-ECC memory modules
Multi-GPU Compatible	2 x16 PCI Express slots, runs at x16 (PCIE_1 / PCIE_2) * For optimal performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIE_1 slot; If you are installing two PCI Express graphics cards, it is recommended that you install them in PCIE_1 and PCIE_2.2 slots x16 PCI Express slots, running at x8 (PCIE_3 / PCIE_4) * The PCIE_4 bandwidth slot shares with slot PCIE_1. When the PCIE_4 slot is filled, the PCIE_1 slot will work up to x8 mode. * When an i7-5820K CPU is installed, the PCIE_2 slot works up to x8 mode and the PCIE_3 operates up to x4 mode. (All PCI Express x16 slots meet PCI Express 3.0 standard.) 3 x1 x PCI Express slots (PCI Express x1 slots conform to the PCI Express 2.0 standard.) 1 x Socket M.2 1 connector for wireless communication module (M2_WIFI) 4-way / 3-way / 2-way support AMD CrossFire ™ / NVIDIA ® SLI ™ * The 4-Way NVIDIA ® SLI ™ configuration is not supported when an i7-5820K CPU is installed. To establish a 3-way SLI configuration, refer to “1-6 AMD / CrossFire ™ NVIDIA®SLI ™ Configuration Configuration. "
Storage	Chipset: 1 x PCIe M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280 SATA and PCIe x2 / x1 SSD support) 1 x SATA Express connector 6 x SATA 6Gb / s connectors (SATA3 0 ~ 5) Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 * Only for AHCI mode is supported when installing a PCIe M.2 SSD or SATA Express device. (M2_10G, SATA Express, and SATA3 4.5 connectors can only be one second-hand at a time. The SATA3 5.4 connectors will not be available when an M.2 SSD is installed in the M2_10G connector.) Chipset: 4 x SATA 6Gb / s connectors (sSATA3 0 ~ 3), IDE and support only AHCI modes (An operating system installed on the SATA3 0 5 connectors ~ cannot be used on the sSATA3 0 ~ 3 connectors.)
USB and ports.	Chipset: 4 x USB 3.0 / 2.0 ports (2 ports on the rear panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB connector) 8 x 2.0 / 1.1 USB ports (4 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB headers) Chipset + Renesas ® uPD720210 USB 3.0 Hub: 4 x USB 3.0 / 2.0 ports on the back panel
Net	Qualcomm ® Chip Atheros Killer E2201 LAN (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Audio	Sound Core 3D chip creative Support for Sound Blaster Recon3Di TI Burr Brown ® operational amplifier OPA2134 High definition audio 2 / 5.1 channels Support for S / PDIF out
Rear connectors	1 x PS / 2 keyboard port 1 x PS / 2 mouse port 6 USB 3.0 / 2.0 ports 4 x USB 2.0 / 1.1 ports 1 x S Optical PDIF Out Connector / 1 x RJ-45 port 5 x Audio Jacks (Center Speaker / Subwoofer Out, Rear Speaker Out, Line In / Mic, Line Out, Headphones) 2 x Wi-Fi antenna connector holes
BIOS	2 x 128 Mbit flash Using AMI UEFI BIOS license Support for DualBIOS ™ Q-Flash Plus support PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0
Format	ATX format with measures 30.5cm x 24.4cm
Price	280 € approx.

Gigabyte X99 GAMING 5

We find a "Premium" presentation with robust packaging that ensures that our motherboard will arrive in perfect condition in our hands. The characteristic logo of this Gaming series, the model and the compatible certificates of this model are printed on the cover. In the rear area we have all the features and benefits of this fantastic motherboard.

Once we open the box we see that we have two compartments, in the first we find the motherboard and in the second all the accessories. The bundle is made up of:

Gigabyte X99 Gaming motherboard 5.Instruction manual. Quick guide. CD with drivers and applications. Back plate. SLI bridges. SATA cables.

It has a standard format, it is an ATX motherboard with dimensions of 30.5cm x 24.4cm, so we should have no problem when purchasing a tower, since 99% of the market are compatible. Its design is quite sporty with the red color combination and matte black PCB. Regarding refrigeration, it has two large refrigeration zones in the supply phases and the southern bridge. After our tests we have seen that they are very efficient, so we should not worry about overclocking since it will measure up to our needs.

The Gigabyte X99 Gaming 5 has 8 + 4 power phases controlled by high-end controller IR3580 with PWM rectifier and PowIRstage IR3556 50A Mosfets, Cooper Bussmann R15-1007R3 76 / 70A inductor and Nippon solid- state capacitors Chemicon 10K DuraBlack. What difference do we have between this and the rest of motherboards? Gigabyte has run on batteries using its own custom processor socket with 2, 083 pins. The reason for these extra pins is that it helps to improve the processor and the DDR4 RAM memory to overcome extreme conditions with greater energy efficiency (which allows it to be "more chic"). As with all Gigabyte motherboards, it features an extra gold coating on the socket pins to improve connectivity and corrosion resistance.

Like other ATX models, it includes 8 DDR4 RAM sockets that allow us to install up to 64GB with frequencies of up to 3400 Mhz using the XMP profile.

Installation detail on an X99 motherboard with M.2 support.The layout of the PCI Express ports is very good, allowing us 2/3/4 way with Nvidia SLI or AMD Crossfire graphics cards. We detail how we can connect the cards and their speeds with a 40 LAN processor .

1 Graphics card: x16.2 Graphics cards: x16 - x16.3 Graphics cards: x16 - x16 - x8.4 Graphics cards: x16 - x8 - x8 - x8.

Regarding storage, it is equipped with 10 shared SATA ports with SATA Express at 6Gb / s. It also includes the fashionable connection to the M.2 with a maximum theoretical speed of 20Gb / s (Turbo M.2. Per Gigabyte).

Although we are on a motherboard to compete, not all of its useful life is going to be fighting for world records within the reach of very few. Therefore it is equipped with an excellent AMP-UP sound card with Realtek ALC1150 chip with a 115dB headphone amplifier that is ideal for playing high quality music, movies and series.

To finish we indicate the rear connections:

PS / 2.4 x USB 2.0.5 x USB 3.0.1 x Intel 10/100/1000 LAN. 7.1 Digital Audio. Plate adapted for Wifi antennas.

Test bench and tests

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	Intel i7 5820k
Base plate:	Gigabyte X99 gaming 5
Memory:	16GB DDR4 @ 3000 MHZ
Heatsink	Noctua NH-D15
HDD	Samsung 840 EVO.
Graphic card	Nvidia GTX 780.
Power supply	EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2

To check the stability of the processor and motherboard, we have overclocked up to 4300mhz with Prime 95 Custom and air cooling. The graphics that we have used is an Nvidia GTX780, without further distractions let us see the results obtained in our tests with a 1920 × 1080 monitor:

BIOS & Easy Tune

The BIOS is very refined and has nothing to do with the first versions that Gigabyte released for this platform. After performing our overclock tests we have the expected result, excellent performance. I have seen fit to tell you a bit about its new renewed software " Easy Tune" that allows us to overclock with several clicks from Windows: fast administration, advanced control of the processor, memory and the power phases. Everything changes for the better…

Final words and conclusion

The Gigabyte X99 Gaming 5 is an ATX format motherboard positioned among the best in the high-end X99 chipset. Its design is very sporty, it combines red and black colors and it has an imposing lit appearance. Although not everything is coverage and includes high-end components: Ultra Durable technology, 8 + 4 power phases, high-end Nippon Chemicon 10K DuraBlack solid-state capacitors and an ideal layout to mount a 3 Way SLI or CrossFireX.

In our tests we have reached 4500 mhz with an excellent voltage of 1.31v with relative ease. The new BIOSes have improved a lot and the debugging level is perfect. The performance offered at both benchmark and gaming level is fantastic (see the table above).

There are two points that make it different from a normal motherboard:

Excellent Creative 3D sound card with AMP-UP technology and Realtek ALC1150 chip with 115dB headphone amplifier . That is, an ideal card for the most gamer and sound lovers. Killer network card with 10/100/1000 capacity that will offer us lower latency and excellent traffic rates.

In short, the Gigabyte X99 Gaming 5 is one of the best options on the market for a price of 280 euros. Currently few motherboards can give so much for so little money (for this socket): overclock, quality sound, aesthetics and a bios increasingly refined. Great Gigabyte job!

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ AESTHETICS.
+ OVERCLOCK CAPACITY.
+ POSSIBILITY TO MOUNT 4 WAY SLI.
+ M.2 AND SATA EXPRESS CONNECTIVITY.
+ HIGH-RANGE SOUND CARD.
+ BIOS.