GIGABYTE brings HDMI and DVI to value segment motherboards

HDMI has been around for ages, but it is still not found on entry level systems – until now that is. Yesterday we announced the new HD series of motherboards featuring HDMI with an entry level price tag. You could see this as a sign that HDMI has finally become mainstream, and of course we’d like you to see it as GIGABYTE adding value to our higher volume products.

Some models include HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort connectors while others have only HDMI and DVI, plus of course the standard DSub (aka VGA or RGB) connector that is normally found on entry level boards. The main benefits of having digital video out connectors like HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI are that they allow for higher resolution signals and of course HDMI and DisplayPort combine hi-def audio so that you only need one cable between your system and TV/monitor.

Here is what the new HD motherboard series I/O panels look like:

If you’re interested in learning more about the new HD series of GIGABYTE mobos be sure to check out our microsite or the product launch announcement.

GIGABYTE Attends AMD OC Event, Takes Records Home

I’m proud to say that last week I took part my first ever live overclocking event. AMD invited us to the AMD Extreme OC Show in Taipei, an overclocking demonstration event to officially launch their new Piledriver and Trinity platforms. As a relatively novice overclocker, this was my first taste of a live OC event and I can honestly say that thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

Several other motherboard vendors were also in attendance. Although the OC teams were not officially representing their respective companies, touting names such as ‘OC Style’ and ‘Boundless OCer’. HiCookie, John Lam and myself (a.k.a. S.Dougal) used the moniker ‘The Killers’ in homage to the GIGABYTE G1.Killer gaming motherboard series.

AMD had made efforts to stress that the event was an OC demonstration, not a competition. However the presence of several motherboard vendors under one roof inevitably ensured plenty of good natured rivalry and a thoroughly competitive atmosphere. The idea was simple; each team had both AM3+ and FM2 platforms on the bench, tasked with pushing the clock speed as high as possible. In terms of motherboards we came equipped with GIGABYTE F2A85X-UP4 and GIGABYTE 990FXA-UD3 motherboards.

AMD FX-4320 CPUs hit over 8GHz with GIGABYTE 990FXA-UD7

Looks like AMD is coming out with some hot new entry level CPUs called FX-4320. There is nothing overclockers like more than an entry level CPU (reads INEXPENSIVE) with monster overclocking potential and that is exactly what these new FX-4320 CPUs are all about.

AMD has just put out a monster and I have no doubt people will buy large quantities to find the golden silicone capable of the magic 9GHz barrier. Only time will tell but judging by the latest couple of overclockers from some German enthusiasts, the CPUs are already hitting past 8GHz. Motherboard of choice for top 2 scores is GIGABYTE 990FXA-UD7.

Can’t wait to try a few myself on LN2!

Congrats on first place HIBBLE!

GIGABYTE leads 4K Ultra HD revolution - First to support 4K displays with Dual Thunderbolt ports

When we first showed off our Dual Thunderbolt motherboards several months ago, the message was pretty simple. Two ports are better than one, allowing you to connect double the number of devices you can daisy chain as well as giving you the option of dual DisplayPort monitors at the end of each chain. Pretty neat.

However, yesterday we announced one other major advantage of packing dual TBT ports, and is that it also gives you enough raw bandwidth to pump out enough pixels for 4K displays – the next revolution in HD entertainment.

Although 4K resolution content and displays are still some way off in the consumer segment, the technology is gaining momentum and will eventually become the defacto HD standard – branded Ultra HD for consumers. Right now of course 4K capable screens are still very expensive, but rest assured, the technology is destined for eventual ubiquity.

We currently have three ‘Thunderbolt’ capable motherboards – aptly featuring a TH suffix. Two full ATX boards in the form of the Z77X-UP4 TH and Z77X-UP5 TH, plus the Micro-ATX sized Z77MX-D3H TH. All three boards support our dual Thunderbolt implementation, a GIGABYTE exclusive as we currently are the only board vendor that has passed Intel certification for dual ports.

TeamAU take 3DMARK03 world record with Z77X-UP7

TeamAU guys from Australia put up a new world record in 3DMARK03 today with a GIGABYTE Z77X-UP7 and 4WAY 7970 ATI Crossfire. Slick looking setup this one, check it out!

That sweet looking piece of copper sitting on the GIGABYTE Z77X-UP7 motherboard socket is Kingin Venom 6.66 Liquid Nitrogen CPU cooler.

Custom PC build like no other!

It’s Friday and hobbyist are coming out, no doubt, to do some projects in the garage this weekend! Some guys take it to the extreme like this particular PC mod I’m about it show you. It’s mind blowing to say the least…

CoolerMaster is running a cool mod competition and have received some sweet entries. One that really stood out for me was done by an end user calling himself “Paslis” with an incredible PC desk mod. Here is the thread with lots of photos. I’ll leave you with a couple of interesting shots and a video showing off the hydraulics.

He’s got a good taste in hardware, I spy a GIGABYTE X79-UD3 motherboard!

GIGABYTE X79S-UP5-WiFi Featured in Tom’s Hardware 2012 Gift Guide

I always enjoy seeing the latest “tech” in Tom’s Hardware’s yearly gift guide. This year Tom’s truly outdid themselves, both in terms of beauties holding tech, and Tom’s recommendation for the GIGABYTE X79S-UP5-WiFi motherboard! Click to here to see the rest of Tom’s 2012 Buyers Guide.

GIGABYTE USB Blocker now available on AMD Platforms

Good news today ladies and gents, our exclusive USB Blocker utility that has been available on Intel platforms since August is now also available on both AMD FM1/FM2 and AM3+ platforms. For those of you who have missed it, the GIGABYTE USB Blocker is very simple utility that you can download and install for free on the gigabyte website that allows you block certain USB device types on your PC. This is a simple way to control what kind of devices can connect to your PC over USB, useful for example when you want to block USB thumb drives and hard drives on a public computer.

The GUI (above) is simple to use. You simply select the class of USB device that you would like to block, enter the password, select to block or unblock and you're done. Devices classes that are blocked will subsequently be ignored by the Windows 7 OS.

To start using the GIGABYTE USB Blocker:

• Go to your motherboard’s download page on the GIGABYTE website
• In the drop down menu, select ‘Utility’
• You’ll find the download link for USB Blocker on the list of available utilities
• Right click on the destination closest to your location
• Save to a specific folder on your hard drive
• Click on the installer and follow the on screen instructions

Note: USB Blocker requires that you have Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (full Version) installed. You can get that directly from Microsoft here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17718

AMD Trinity Overclocking Guide on GIGABYTE F2A85X-UP4 by der8auer

Hi guys,

Man, do I have a great read for you today! A friend from Germany who goes by the nickname der8auer on the forums has put together a fantastic AMD Trinity based overclocking guide which I wanted to share with you all. This one’s a MUST READ, check it out!

Excellent work Roman!!!

On the 2nd of October AMD published the Trinity APUs. In my review of the brand new GIGABYTE F2A85X-UP4 I already provided a more detailed look on the new performance and features. In this guide I'd like to show to you how you can get a lot of free power using these APUs.

Index:

AMD Trinity basic knowledge
Overclocking Basics
Basic Overclocking Step-by-Step

Step 1: Voltages
Step 2: Reference clock and CPU multiplier
Step 3: Turbo & power saving options
Step 4: Memory settings
Step 5: Test your settings

Advanced Overclocking

Detailed voltages
Loadline calibration
RAM-Overclocking
Overclock the iGPU
BCLK Overclocking

AMD Trinity basic knowledge:

AMD Trinity is part of the Virgo platform. This includes the said AMD APUs and a appropriate Mainboard. You can find them with the chipsets A55, A75 and A85X. The latest A85X chipset was published with the AMD Trinity APUs and provides the best features and OC-configurations for Trinity. Therefor I am using the F2A85X-UP4 from GIGABYTE for this OC-Guide with an AMD A10-5800K. This APU includes the HD 7660 D graphics.
Reading this guide you might realise that the overclocking of these APUs is quite similar to the Llano or Bulldozer CPUs.
Here you can see a small overview of the Trinity APUs:

Enter the GIGABYTE UEFI BIOS Survey and win a GIGABYTE 990FXA-UD3 motherboard

Today we’re asking all you guys and gals to contribute your thoughts on a very important issue; motherboard BIOS! In order to better understand the personal preferences of today’s DIY builder and PC enthusiast when it comes to BIOS, we’re conducting a short survey on the subject. Once you’ve completed the survey below, you will be entered in a prize draw to win a GIGABYTE 99FXA-UD3 motherboard. Good luck!

You can find the GIGABYTE UEFI Survey here on our GIGABYTE Motherboard Tech Column Facebook page.

Christian Ney breaks global RAM frequency world record on GIGABYTE A75-UD4H!

Champion Swiss overclocker Christian Ney is at it again with his insane memory frequency overclocking. He’s set the global memory frequency world record in the past and hasn’t let up hence a new bar has been raised to 1950.3(3900.6)MHz. CRAAAAYZEEE!

Christian used a GIGABYTE A75-UD4H, Gskill TridentX & AMD A8-3870 Llano CPU. Killer RAM clocking combo.

More info can be found at OCAHOLIC forum and result itself is at HWBOT.ORG.

HiCookie takes out Intel memory frequency W.R. with GIGABYTE Z77X-UD4H

GIGABYTE has a new Z77X-UD4H board coming out next week and it’s a bit of a RAM clocker some might say .

HiCookie just posted the Intel Z77 world record frequency and highest clock on any Intel platform to date. The rig was running dual channel at 3353.8MHz with G.Skill TridentX modules and GIGABYTE Z77X-UD4H. Score was validated at HWBOT and CPUz website.

Christian Ney still holds the overall global ram frequency world record on GIGABYTE A75-UD4H.

Correction: Some keen-eyed members over at HWBOT let us know that there was a higher RAM frequency on Intel platform that does not seem to be on HWBOT database done by blue ant on GIGABYTE P55-UD6. Here is that score for reference. Trouble we have sometimes is referencing all the scores and HWBOT tends to be the website to go to for anything and everything OC related and still will be. The Z77 based score is nonetheless impressive and once again highlights GIGABYTE’s ability to take RAM OC world records no matter the platform whether Intel or AMD chipset, old or new!

Take a video tour of the GIGABYTE Z77X-UP7 with Sin0822

Our buddy Sin0822 actually posted this video a few weeks ago, but nevertheless, it’s probably the most comprehensive tour of our flagship Z77X-UP7 motherboard that you will ever see, examining pretty much every component on the board in true Sin0822 style.Well worth a look people.

 

Here’s a written review on Overclock.net that you can also check out.

GIGABYTE UP7X-UP7 microsite is here.

Some guys got extreme cooling idea all wrong (or right?!?)

OCstation guys from Thailand put a hilarious photo of their new air cooler on facebook today. You can check it out here.

No sure if CPU cooler or skyscraper . Looks fantastic though!

It reminds me of that Crocodile Dundee movie when he pulls out his knife and tells the NYC gangers the infamous line: “That’s not a knife, that’s a knife”

TeamAU freeze the GIGABYTE Z77X-UP7 for some more records!

TeamAU just put some big overclocking scores to place them into 4th spot in professional OC league on HWBOT. The motherboard of choice was GIGABYTE Z77X-UP7 with GIGABYTE 580SOC and 7970OC graphics cards.

Youngpro made a few comments in score submissions in regards to UP7, he was pretty happy with its performance and stability.

You can check out all the scores at hwbot.org or Team.AU profile.