Comment [35] 35 comments Email to Friend Email to Friend

Gigabyte P67A-UD7 Review

Introduction and Technical Specifications

Published: 14th January 2011 | Source: Gigabyte | Price: £276 | Author: Tom Logan

Gigabyte P67A-UD7 Review

Introduction

With the recently released P67 chipset from Intel supporting their latest LGA1155 socket, a replacement for the LGA1156, it's not surprising to see many manufacturers releasing new boards to support this.

We've looked at a couple so far, the Maximus IV Extreme from ASUS, and the reference design board from Intel themselves.

However there has been a motherboard that for a long time we've been waiting to test. When we first got a glimpse of it a few months ago we were so stunned with its beauty that we had to show you a preview.

Now it's finally here we can get cracking and see if the performance lives up to the looks.

Technical Specifications

There is some seriously high-end technology going on with the UD7. The Realtek ALC889 audio is the best on-board solution around. Twin, team-able, GigaLAN connections. The only x16/x16 Crossfire/SLI motherboard we've tested so far (both the other two run x8/x8). 4 SATA 6Gbp/s connectors and 2 6Gbp/s eSATA ones. 6x USB3.0 connectors and Dual-BIOS.

Normally we let the technical specifications table speak for itself, but having been heartily disappointed with the technology available on the ASUS offering it's only right to highlight how much more up-to-date and acceptable the Gigabyte UD7 is.

CPU
  1. Support for Intel® Core™ i7 processors/Intel® Core™ i5 processors/ Intel® Core™ i3 processors/Intel® Pentium® processors/Intel® Celeron® processors in the LGA1155 package
  2. L3 cache varies with CPU
Chipset
  1. Intel® P67 Express Chipset
Memory
  1. 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 32 GB of system memory
  2. Dual channel memory architecture
  3. Support for DDR3 2133/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules
  4. Support for non-ECC memory modules
  5. Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules
Audio
  1. Realtek ALC889 codec
  2. High Definition Audio
  3. 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
  4. Support for Dolby® Home Theater
  5. Support for S/PDIF Out
LAN
  1. 2 x Realtek RTL8111E chips (10/100/1000 Mbit)
  2. Support for Teaming
  3. Support for Smart Dual LAN
Expansion Slots
  1. 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x16 (PCIEX16_1, PCIEX16_2)
    * For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16_1 slot; if you are installing two PCI Express graphics cards, it is recommended that you install them in the PCIEX16_1 and PCIEX16_2 slots.
  2. 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x8 (PCIEX8_1, PCIEX8_2)
    * The PCIEX8_1 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16_1 slot and the PCIEX8_2 slot with PCIEX16_2. The PCIEX16_1/PCIEX16_2 slot will operate at up to x8 mode when the PCIEX8_1/PCIEX8_2 is populated.
  3. 1 x PCI Express x1 slot
    (All PCI Express slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
  4. 2 x PCI slots
Multi-Graphics Technology
  1. Support for 2-Way/3-Way ATI CrossFireX™/NVIDIA SLI technology
Storage InterfaceChipset:
  1. 2 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (SATA3_0, SATA3_1) supporting up to 2 SATA 6Gb/s devices
  2. 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (SATA2_2~SATA2_5) supporting up to 4 SATA 3Gb/s devices
  3. Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10
    * When a RAID set is built across the SATA 6Gb/s and SATA 3Gb/s channels, the system performance of the RAID set may vary depending on the devices being connected.
2 x Marvell 88SE9128 chips:
  1. 2 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (GSATA3_6, GSATA3_7) supporting up to 2 SATA 6Gb/s devices
  2. Support for SATA RAID 0 and RAID 1
  3. 2 x eSATA 6Gb/s connectors (eSATA/USB Combo) on the back panel supporting up to 2 SATA 6Gb/s devices
  4. Support for SATA RAID 0 and RAID 1
USBChipset:
  1. Up to 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 on the back panel, including 2 eSATA/USB Combo, 4 via the USB brackets connected to the internal USB headers)
2 x Renesas D720200 chips and 2 x VLI VL810 hubs:
  1. Up to 10 USB 3.0/2.0 ports (6 on the back panel, 4 via the USB brackets connected to the internal USB headers)
    * The USB 2.0 signals of the 6 USB 3.0/2.0 ports on the back panel are from the Chipset.
IEEE 1394T.I. TSB43AB23 chip:
  1. Up to 3 IEEE 1394a ports (2 on the back panel, 1 via the IEEE 1394a bracket connected to the internal IEEE 1394a header)
Internal I/O Connectors
  1. 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
  2. 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
  3. 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
  4. 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
  5. 1 x CPU fan header
  6. 3 x system fan headers
  7. 1 x power fan header
  8. 1 x Chipset fan header
  9. 1 x front panel header
  10. 1 x front panel audio header
  11. 1 x S/PDIF Out header
  12. 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
  13. 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 headers
  14. 1 x IEEE 1394a header
  15. 1 x clearing CMOS button
  16. 1 x power button
  17. 1 x reset button
Back Panel Connectors
  1. 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
  2. 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
  3. 1 x coaxial S/PDIF Out connector
  4. 2 x IEEE 1394a ports
  5. 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
  6. 6 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports
  7. 2 x eSATA/USB Combo connectors
  8. 2 x RJ-45 ports
  9. 6 x audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out/Rear Speaker Out/Side Speaker Out/Line In/Line Out/Microphone)
I/O Controller
  1. iTE IT8728 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/System fan speed control
    *Whether the CPU/system fan speed control function is supported will depend on the CPU/system cooler you install.
BIOS
  1. 2 x 32 Mbit flash
  2. Use of licensed AWARD BIOS
  3. Support for DualBIOS™
  4. PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 1.0b
Unique Features
  1. Support for @BIOS
  2. Support for Q-Flash
  3. Support for Xpress BIOS Rescue
  4. Support for Download Center
  5. Support for Xpress Install
  6. Support for Xpress Recovery2
  7. Support for EasyTune
    8. * Available functions in EasyTune may differ by motherboard model.
  8. Support for Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2
  9. Support for Smart 6™
  10. Support for Auto Green
  11. Support for eXtreme Hard Drive (X.H.D)
  12. Support for ON/OFF Charge
  13. Support for Cloud OC
  14. Support for Q-Share
Form Factor
  1. ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm
«Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next»

Most Recent Comments

14-01-2011, 03:14:22

tinytomlogan
Next in line from the new P67 Chipsets is the high-end UD7 from Gigabyte. A thing of pant-wetting beauty. Does it perform as well as it looks?

Continue ReadingQuote

14-01-2011, 03:45:11

Zeals
1.044v to get 4.9GHz???? HOLY S****!!!!Quote

14-01-2011, 03:45:34

Stromatolites
Very nice review, the UD7 is one hell of a board to look at.Quote

14-01-2011, 03:47:24

SnW
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeals View Post

1.044v to get 4.9GHz???? HOLY S****!!!!
CPUZ reports it (Vcore) wrong IIRC....Quote

14-01-2011, 03:49:32

tinytomlogan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeals View Post

1.044v to get 4.9GHz???? HOLY S****!!!!
Yeah read the review not just look at the pictures! Its 1.4v but cpu isnt reading it correctly.Quote

14-01-2011, 03:49:54

thestepster
yeah just watched the vid and he says its wrong its set at 1.4vQuote

14-01-2011, 03:50:17

Zeals
On another note, Tom do you think you would be able to go over 5GHz on this board when the bios are fully matured?

EDIT: But the pictures are so pretty Quote

14-01-2011, 04:05:08

tinytomlogan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeals View Post

On another note, Tom do you think you would be able to go over 5GHz on this board when the bios are fully matured?

EDIT: But the pictures are so pretty
You can now, if you bother to read the review or watch the video youll know why mate.Quote

14-01-2011, 05:52:28

Zeals
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinytomlogan View Post

You can now, if you bother to read the review or watch the video youll know why mate.
I'm the skip to conclusion type of guy xDQuote

14-01-2011, 06:01:36

Alicarve
I wonder if all the gigabyte boards will be as gd as this oneQuote

14-01-2011, 06:03:19

jsy982002
hi tom. Uhmm can you help me with one quesiton.

I am planning to buy this board but due to the height of the NF200 heatsink, I know

that my X-Fi Titanium HD Soundcard will not fit.

Can I use the other PCIx16 or PCIx8 slots for my soundcard? Will it still be compatible?Quote

14-01-2011, 06:34:33

tinytomlogan
any pcie slot is fine.Quote

14-01-2011, 06:35:17

Zeals
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsy982002 View Post

hi tom. Uhmm can you help me with one quesiton.

I am planning to buy this board but due to the height of the NF200 heatsink, I know

that my X-Fi Titanium HD Soundcard will not fit.

Can I use the other PCIx16 or PCIx8 slots for my soundcard? Will it still be compatible?
Your soundcard will fit and work in any PCIe slot.Quote

14-01-2011, 08:42:45

killablade
Such an AMAZING board. Wow.Quote

14-01-2011, 08:51:49

thestepster
have to fight the urge! i fear i am loosing tho! Quote

14-01-2011, 11:55:55

khorngor
Tom, do you know if Gigabyte will add UEFI to the board later?

The improved boot times over standard BIOS seems to make it a must have on such a high end board.

It seems they can fit one on the bios chips are they are 4mb, or is it totally out there beliving they will add it later on.Quote

14-01-2011, 11:57:49

tinytomlogan
Quote:
Originally Posted by khorngor View Post

Tom, do you know if Gigabyte will add UEFI to the board later?

The improved boot times over standard BIOS seems to make it a must have on such a high end board.

It seems they can fit one on the bios chips are they are 4mb, or is it totally out there beliving they will add it later on.
The Asus didnt boot any quicker but I have heard they will update it as a downloadable upgrade down the lineQuote

14-01-2011, 12:02:00

khorngor
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinytomlogan View Post

The Asus didnt boot any quicker but I have heard they will update it as a downloadable upgrade down the line
Damn that was a fast reply.

Sounds awesome, was having second thoughts since i really wanted UEFI, but ill go ahead and buy it and hope they do that down the line.

Judging from your review i wont regret my decision Quote

14-01-2011, 12:03:35

jsy982002
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeals View Post

Your soundcard will fit and work in any PCIe slot.
thanks for the reply and above.

Was just scared for a moment as i tried it on my Asus Rampage III extreme but failed to work. After goind around a bit, realized that the drivers were messed up due to my previous sound card.

Quote

14-01-2011, 14:25:58

sheroo
I have just bought an ASUS P8P67 Deluxe, as I thought it was the best bang for my buck @ £180. I did contemplate this board but thought it a little pricey. Then having heard you rave about it so much, almost as much as the Noctua, it started me thinking. In your opinion, is this board worth the additional £75 over the ASUS? I'm still waiting on my chip, so could send it back as I haven't played with it yet?

I will probably have this board for 3-4 years. I hate making the wrong h/w purchase - it kinda drives me nuts...Quote

14-01-2011, 14:50:09

Xeno_Crux
Just looking at the board makes me say wow.Quote

14-01-2011, 15:59:28

sotonswan
I just wanted to say thanks to TTL and the support crew for the Youtube vid, and subsequent review. I had picked the UD7 as my preferred board for 2 x GTX570 SLI by Wednesaday evening and was in the process of trying to talk myself down. But the YT vid removed the final doubts and I ordered last night.

Today's review just puts it in black and white. It all takes time. It's hard work. Appreciated.

I still think it's an expensive board and if I were buying 1366/X58 I'd probably go Sabretooth. (The 1155 Sabretooth looks like a dust trap ugh.) And if I already had an 1366/X58 system I'd undoubtedly stick and wait for 2011. But that's not where I am, so this is the board for me.

If I had to nit pick, it's going to be a tight fit for 2xSLI at X16 - right up against each-other, but I'm not losing sleep over it with th HAF-X.

Thanks guys.Quote

14-01-2011, 17:36:53

SadButTrue
Quote:
Originally Posted by sotonswan View Post

The 1155 Sabretooth looks like a dust trap ugh.
Verily. I seriously doubt the wisdom of the 'thermal armour' idea behind all that plastic. Shouldn't they be trying to maximize the airflow over the board? You don't armour yourself against heat when the primary source of heat is likely to be the board itself. It's like putting on a sweater on a hot day if you ask me.Quote

14-01-2011, 18:14:05

jsy982002
by the way, does it not include brackets or connectors for the USB 3.0 mid board pins? Kind of dissapointing for them not to include this accessory. Does anyone know where to buy one of these?Quote

14-01-2011, 18:14:52

murphy7801
Such pretty board but think I will stick with my rampage 3 extremeQuote

14-01-2011, 19:22:22

sheroo
The only problem with this board is that its beauty is hidden underneath that ugly ass Noctua, I hope that the new H60 due out in March is a real performer, because they would compliment each other perfectly.Quote

15-01-2011, 04:17:05

tinytomlogan
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsy982002 View Post

by the way, does it not include brackets or connectors for the USB 3.0 mid board pins? Kind of dissapointing for them not to include this accessory. Does anyone know where to buy one of these?
Our sample was a very early release and we had none of the accessories that a normal retail model would have sadly, so we reported what we could which was the performance Quote

15-01-2011, 06:03:12

THD
Great review! You mention that there seems to be some sort of cap at 4.9. I seen talk on even lower caps and argued that it could be due to the bios. You guys think that could be valid or is it much more likely the cpu itself (as you mentioned in the vid) ?Quote

15-01-2011, 06:09:18

tinytomlogan
Quote:
Originally Posted by THD View Post

Great review! You mention that there seems to be some sort of cap at 4.9. I seen talk on even lower caps and argued that it could be due to the bios. You guys think that could be valid or is it much more likely the cpu itself (as you mentioned in the vid) ?
Its not a cap just the limit of the CPU we tested.

Some other sites are saying they have lower limits but from what Ive seen its just uneducated overclockers.Quote

15-01-2011, 08:25:36

jsy982002
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinytomlogan View Post

Our sample was a very early release and we had none of the accessories that a normal retail model would have sadly, so we reported what we could which was the performance
It's a great review by the way.

Yet, even with the retail version of the board, USB 3.0 brackets were not included this was really a let down as it's currently almost impossible

to find a separate bracket that would fit the headers. I understand that currently there's still no standard setting for the pin headers and as such, mobo manufacturers have

been developing there own unique assignments. such a small flaw for a flagship board of this caliberQuote

15-01-2011, 14:21:05

SadButTrue
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheroo View Post

The only problem with this board is that its beauty is hidden underneath that ugly ass Noctua, I hope that the new H60 due out in March is a real performer, because they would compliment each other perfectly.
I saw a cooler recently called the Titan EVO, that was in a black and gold colour scheme. It would go SO well with this board. Sadly, I tried to find a Canadian price for it and it isn't available here. Newegg in the US has some Titan coolers, but not this model.

You can buy it in the UK for £36.98 inc. VAT at Aria. Take a look. The only thing it leaves you wishing for is a set of black and gold LED case fans.

One other comment on that: the idea of a black anodized finish on the cooling fins themselves is a really good one. Any physicist will tell you that black bodies radiate heat much more efficiently.Quote

15-01-2011, 14:47:11

sheroo
Quote:
Originally Posted by SadButTrue View Post

I saw a cooler recently called the Titan EVO, that was in a black and gold colour scheme.
noooo, that's just too blingy, its like pimp my ride on steroids. 2 images pop into my head, a duracell battery and James Bond - Goldfinger.Quote

15-01-2011, 20:11:59

SadButTrue
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheroo View Post

noooo, that's just too blingy, its like pimp my ride on steroids. 2 images pop into my head, a duracell battery and James Bond - Goldfinger.
Maybe, but there isn't that much gold on either the board or the cooler. I don't think it would be Mr. T. neckwear overwhelming or anything.

On a more serious note, I was just kidding about the black LEDs, but it turns out -- they make them! Who'd a thunk it?Quote

21-01-2011, 14:28:43

Luke:)
Nice Review and a great mobo by the looks of things.Quote

23-01-2011, 04:03:26

RJ1D
im leaning more to get this than the maximus iv for my i7 2600k. but seemed like its best paired with the i5 2600k?Quote

25-01-2011, 04:28:06

G.E.X
Nice review, awesome bord, i wanted to ask about pcie lanes, how they wil operate when 2xGPU + pcie sound card installed, x16/x8/x8 or x8/x8/x8?Quote
Reply

Related Content

x

Register for the OC3D Newsletter

Subscribing to the OC3D newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest technology reviews, competitions and goings-on at Overclock3D. We won't share your email address with ANYONE, and we will only email you with updates on site news, reviews, and competitions and you can unsubscribe easily at any time.

Simply enter your name and email address into the box below and be sure to click on the links in the confirmation emails that will arrive in your e-mail shortly after to complete the registration.

If you run into any problems, just drop us a message on the forums.