GIGABYTE to Launch the Z87X-SLI
by Ian Cutress on December 2, 2013 9:20 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
- Intel
- Gigabyte
- Haswell
- Z87
Hearing the name ‘Z87X-SLI’ took me aback. Z87 supports SLI already, right? Why would a manufacturer need to confirm SLI usage on the Z87 chipset: it is geared up to get the SLI license from day one. What I think GIGABYTE are going for here is a cheaper end SKU with SLI capabilities – the motherboard is devoid of all extra controllers and excess that might appear on more expensive models. There are no extra SATA 6 Gbps ports (six total), no extra USB 3.0 ports (six total), and the power delivery looks like an 8+2 affair, combined with a Realtek NIC, ALC892 audio codec and four total fan headers. The Z87X-SLI is stripped out – the only thing left would be to use a lower end chipset or not use some of the chipset features at all.
Like all Z87 GIGABYTE boards, it comes with DualBIOS and Ultra Durable 4 as standard, along with their updated BIOS and software package for Z87 which we reviewed with the Z87X-UD3H. In actual fact, looking at the UD3H alongside this Z87X-SLI shows that it is a stripped down version. Clearly there is a customer that is looking for a basic overclockable + SLI Z87 model in the market.
Pricing for the UK is set to be £95 (inc VAT), which means US pricing would be around $130. That puts it in the firing line of several Z87 Gaming motherboards as well as a few of the Z87 ITX models as well.
Source and Images from GIGABYTE UK on Facebook.
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PC Perv - Tuesday, December 3, 2013 - link
While I agree that the need for PCI slots these days is almost non-existent, there isn't much you can do about it since there is only x16 amount of PCIe bandwidth. No matter how you slice it up, realistically you can only have 2~4 usable slots before you max out all the lanes. Adding additional chip to inflate the PCIe slots raises the cost (and very much likely the price) for questionable values.Hrel - Tuesday, December 3, 2013 - link
For that price I expect ALC 1150. Otherwise seems good.Cincybeck85 - Wednesday, December 4, 2013 - link
This board looks to have exactly the same layout as the "GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87." I guess minus the black PCB, the green connectors, Killer Nic, Creative Core3D, and high gold content audio connectors if you really want to count that. I'm sure it won't be this way for everyone, but I personally believe the extra $40 is worth the Creative chip with Headphone amp alone. I guess it's debatable whether the Killer E2200 is worth it. I've heard both rave reviews about the driver/software combo, and horror stories mostly with MSI boards causing instability and crashing. Either way I already have a G1.Sniper Z87 on it's way with the rest of the components of my new desktop, so I guess I will find out soon.C.C. - Sunday, December 8, 2013 - link
I agree, I would spend the extra $40 on the G1.Sniper Z87, even though I despise those ugly lime green connectors..As far as having at least one PCI slot, I was sad when I re-purposed my ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 (which has 2 PCI) to a new build for my father..I grabbed a great deal on an MSI Z77 MPower only to find it did not have a PCI slot to use my trusty Asus Xonar DG Soundcard..The DG is a wonderful card, blows any onboard solution (including the 1150) outta the water..I love that it has a separate dedicated Front Panel HeadPhone connector..I replaced it with a Creative SB Z, and while the Z is a great card, I honestly prefer the warmer sound of the DG..