Review: gigabyte z97m

Not everything in this life is going to be high-end in computer components. This time I want to present you one of the best selling motherboards of the year, it is the Gigabyte Z97M-D3H with MicroATX format, compatible with fourth or fifth generation processors and the possibility of configuring a multiGPU CrossFire system for a knockdown price.

We appreciate the trust placed by the Gigabyte Spain team:

Technical characteristics

GIGABYTE Z97M-D3H FEATURES
CPU	Supports Intel® Core ™ i7 / Intel® Core ™ i5 / Intel® Core ™ i3 / Intel® Pentium® / Intel® Celeron® processors in LGA1150 socket L3 cache varies by CPU
Chipset	Intel® Z97 Express Chipset
Memory	4 x DDR3 DIMM sockets with 32GB of system memory capacity * Due to a limitation of the 32-bit Windows operating system, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed by the operating system may be less than the size of the installed physical memory. Dual Channel memory architecture Support for DDR3 3100 (OC) / 3000 (OC) / 2933 (OC) / 2800 (OC) / 2666 (OC) / 2600 (OC) / 2500 (OC) / 2400 (OC) / 2200 (OC) memory modules / 2133 (OC) / 2000 (OC) / 1866 (OC) / 1800 (OC) / 1600/1333 MHz Support for non-ECC memory modules Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules
Multi-GPU Compatible	Integrated Graphics Integrated graphics processor: Maximum shared memory: 512 MB 1 x D-Sub port, capable of maximum resolution of 1920 × 1200 @ 60Hz 1 x DVI-D port, capable of maximum resolution of 1920 × 1200 @ 60Hz * DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter. 1 x HDMI port, capable of a maximum resolution of 4096 × 2160 @ 24Hz or 2560 × 1600 @ 60Hz * HDMI version 1.4a support. Capacity for 3 screens at the same time 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, at x16 speed (PCIEX16) (The PCIEX16 slot complies with the PCI Express 3.0 standard.) * For optimal performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, it should be installed in the PCIEX16 slot. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, at x4 speed (PCIEX4) (The PCIEX4 slot complies with the PCI Express 2.0 standard.) 2 x PCI slot Multi Graphics Technology Support for 2-Way AMD CrossFire ™ Technology
Storage	Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 6 x SATA 6Gb / s connector
USB and ports.	6 x USB 3.0 / 2.0 port (4 ports on the rear panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB connector) 8 x USB 2.0 / 1.1 port (2 ports on back panel, 6 ports available through internal USB connectors)
Net	Realtek® GbE LAN chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Bluetooth	Do not.
Audio	High definition audio Codec Realtek ALC892 2/4 / 5.1 / 7.1-channel
WiFi connection	Do not.
Format.	Micro ATX format: 24.4cm x 22.5cm
BIOS	2 x 64 Mbit flash DualBIOS ™ Support License for the use of UEFI BIOS by AMI PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0

Gigabyte Z97M-D3H

Gigabyte presents us with compact packaging with a hard box. On its cover we see that the predominant logo is the "Ultra Durable", on the back we have all the technical characteristics. Inside we find:

Gigabyte Z97M-D3HC SATA Cable Motherboard Installation disk Back plate Instruction manual and quick guide

The motherboard is quite aggressive in design with gold colored heatsinks and a black colored pcb. As we can see in the third image, it is a micro ATX size motherboard: 24.4cm x 22.5cm. In the previous part of the plate we did not find any news.

As we have reviewed in the Gigabyte 9 series all motherboards come with the gold plated socket five times more (15µ). Offering greater reliability and durability of the processor. It is compatible with all 4th and 5th generation Intel Haswell processors: i7, i5, i3, Pentium and Intel Xeon. We have four sockets for DDR3 memory that allows us to install a total of 32GB with speeds of 3100 mhz overclocking and it has active XMP profiles

Regarding cooling, it brings two heatsinks in the area of the 4 power phases and in the south bridge for the Z97 chipset, more than enough to give stability, durability and a slight overclock to our unlocked processor.

Now we have to talk about the PCI Express expansion ports, we have two PCI Express slots: The first is PCI Express 3.0 and the second 2.0. We do not have certification for multi-GPU SLI connection but we do for CrossFireX. It also includes two normal PCI that will be great to connect a network card or any card from our previous team.

The board comes very complete with 6 SATA 6.0 Gb / s connections to the chipset.

Finally we see the rear connections:

PS / 2.2 connection x USB 2.0.D-SUB.DVI.HDMI. 4 x USB 3.0.1 x Gigabit LAN. Sound output.

Test bench and tests

TESTING BENCH
Processor:	Intel i7-4770k
Base plate:	Gigabyte Z97M-D3H
Memory:	8GB DDR3 at 1600mhz.
Heatsink	Corsair H60.
HDD	Crucial M500 250GB
Graphic card	GTX 780
Power supply	Antec HCP 850

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:

TESTS
3dMark Vantage	P49001
Vantage	P14722 PTS
Crysis 3	52 FPS
CineBench R11.5	10.2 FPS.
Metro Last Night	60 FPS.

conclusion

The Gigabyte Z97M-D3H is a Micro ATX format motherboard (24.4cm x 22.5cm) that is positioned in the mid-range area and that incorporates large components that offers greater longevity to all our components. Where it stands out the most is in the incorporation of the latest version of Ultra Durable technology with peak voltage protections, against humidity with the new PCB “Glass Fabric” and a completely renewed dissipation design that allows the 4 digital phases maximum freshness and stability.

Regarding performance we have carried out our tests with an i7-4770k at 4200 mhz and a GTX 780 graphics card and the performance has been excellent with 60 FPS in Metro Last Night and 52 FPS with Crysis 3.

Although the points we would have liked is that it included the SLI certification and the new SATA Express connections.

In short, if you want to build a small computer, that you have a solid motherboard, that allows you to overclock, it is fresh and a very stable BIOS. The Gigabyte Z97M-UD3H is its motherboard, its store price ranges from € 95.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ DESIGN.	- DOES NOT SUPPORT SLI.
+ M.2 AND SATA EXPRESS CONNECTIONS	- DOES NOT INCLUDE SATA EXPRESS.
+ OVERCLOCK CAPACITY
+ LED LIGHTING SYSTEM.
+ EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE.
+ PRICE.