Gigabyte GA-G1 975X: Features

Gigabyte designed a generally well laid out board with all major connections easily reached. The board is lacking most clearance issues and was very easy to install in a mid-size ATX case. Gigabyte did an excellent job with the color coordination of the various peripheral slots and connectors.

The DIMM module slots' color coordination is correct for dual channel setup. The memory modules can easily be changed with a full size video card installed in the first PCI Express x16 slot. The power plug placement favors standard ATX case design and the power cable management is excellent. The floppy drive port connector and primary IDE port connector are conveniently located on the edge of the board along with the 24-pin ATX power connector. The 8-pin EATX power connector is located next to the memory slots and after installation in the case we actually favored this location over the traditional area near the processor.

The ITE 8211F IDE port connector and Intel SATA II ports are conveniently located in the bottom section of the board. The SATA II ports feature the new clamp and latch design. Gigabyte's standard Dual-Bios setup and additional Intel USB connectors are also located in this area.

The Northbridge (MCH) is passively cooled with a large heatsink designed to fit into the confine of the Turbojet cooling system. The heatsink was cool to the touch during our initial testing.

The CPU socket area has an ample amount of room for alternative cooling solutions. We utilized the stock Intel heat sink but also verified several aftermarket cooling systems would fit in this area during our tests. However, due to the Turbojet fan housings, installation of certain heatsinks could be problematic.

The rear panel contains the standard PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports, LAN (RJ-45) port, and 2 USB ports. The audio panel consists of 3 ports that can be configured for a variety of audio connections.

The board is equipped with the Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit (CA0106-Dat Codec) audio solution. We will be testing this audio solution against several on-board and add-in audio offerings in the full review.
Basic Features Overclocking & Test Setup
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  • bairjo - Monday, April 13, 2009 - link

    Can anyone tell me specifics on these fans? I need four new ones as they are failing. I can't seem to find information on these. I have not removed them yet but it does not look like they have a square mounting configuration like most fans. What is the voltage?
    Thanks for any help.
  • StriderGT - Saturday, November 12, 2005 - link

    Quote from Quick Take page 6:
    "from an Intel enthusiast viewpoint", a real rarity...
    endangered species :-P
  • Gary Key - Monday, November 14, 2005 - link

    Yes, there are very few of us, we tend to lurk in the shadows waiting for an FX-57 to drop out of the sky.... ;-> :-)
  • noxipoo - Saturday, November 12, 2005 - link

    that mobo looks like something from my nightmares. here i am trying to reduce fans and use bigger ones with fanbuses to reduce noise and this thing comes with 4 tiny ones. wouldn't all those fans be useless if your case do not move air well? just blow around the hot air inside the case.
  • Gary Key - Saturday, November 12, 2005 - link

    The noise level is okay, not as good as a fanless setup but so far not too bad. I will be conducting thermal tests with only the power supply running and a stock Intel heatsink/fan from a 820D to see how well the rear two fans exit air.
  • artifex - Saturday, November 12, 2005 - link

    How many hamsters does this habitrail hold?
  • Gary Key - Saturday, November 12, 2005 - link

    More like how much dog hair will the fans collect over the next week. ;-)
  • vailr - Friday, November 11, 2005 - link

    CPU-Z v.1.31 is out:
    http://www.cpuid.com/download/cpu-z-131.zip">http://www.cpuid.com/download/cpu-z-131.zip
  • Gary Key - Saturday, November 12, 2005 - link

    Thank you for the link.
  • AndrzejPl - Friday, November 11, 2005 - link

    - We will be comparing the thermal characteristics of this system to Asus's 8-phase power and fanless cooper heat pipe technology in the near future -

    Hi (as I'm new around here)...and a question. That Asus board is also 975x? :) cuz I'm rather keen on something less noisy then 4 60mm plastic fans. If I'd like a vacuum cleaner in a comp, I'd still stick to FX 5800 :). I'm really thinking of coming back to Intel, especially when Presler appears, but I don't want too much noise


    And 2nd question. Is it possible to have two x1800Xl on crossfire, and also squeeze the X-fi card on that board (I pressume that other 975x boards will have same PCI-PCI-ex design?)

    Andrzej

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