Gigabyte GA-P55-UD5 Review

[jabski]

Introduction
The GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD5 motherboard is designed with industry's leading quality Ultra Durable™ 3 components, set to unleash the optimum performance of Intel's latest P55 Express chipset with LGA1156 Intel® Core™ i7 and Intel® Core™ i5 processors. Leading technology of 12 phase power design brings unequalled power efficiency and the lowest temperature to power users, enabling maximum overclocking ability and the best power delivery.

The GA-P55-UD5 enables a new level of smart and simplified computing with its Smart 6 technologies. Designed with user-friendliness in mind, GIGABYTE Smart 6 features a combination of 6 innovative software utilities that provide easy and intelligent PC system management. Coupled with the unique GIGABYTE Dynamic Energy Saver2™ and Ultra Durable3™ technologies, the GA-P55-UD5 provides outstanding performance with optimized power efficiency and durability




Intel® P55 Chipset

1. Industry leading 12 phase power VRM design for optimum power efficiency and thermal solution
2. Leading quality standard of Ultra Durable™ 3 technology with 2oz copper PCB design
3. Innovative Smart 6 technology for Smarter PC management
4. Support Intel® Core™ i7/ Core™ i5 processors with LGA 1156 socket
5. New Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2 technology enables best energy efficiency
6. Support both ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI for ultimate graphics performance
7. Smart TPM provides 2048 bits key via Bluetooth cellphone
8. Smart DualLAN with Intelligent LAN port auto-switching
9. XHD technology accelerating hard drive performance with ease
10. AutoGreen technology Greening your PC via Bluetooth cellphone
11. Integrated eSATA/USB combo connectors for enhanced storage flexibility
12. Patented GIGABYTE DualBIOS™ technology delivering highest level failure protection
13. Supports Dolby Home Theater audio to create a stunning surround sound listening experience
14. The Precision OV provides more precision voltage control for system
15. Compatible with Windows 7 to deliver the best operation experience

Ultra Durable 3

Ultra Durable 3
GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 3 design, featuring 2 ounces of copper for both the Power and Ground layers which dramatically lowers system temperature by delivering a more efficient spreading of heat from critical areas of the motherboard such as the CPU power zone throughout the entire PCB. GIGABYTE's Ultra Durable 3 also lowers the PCB impedance by 50%, which helps to reduce electrical waste and further lowers component temperatures. A 2oz Copper layer design also provides improved signal quality and lower EMI (Electromagnetic Interference), providing better system stability and allowing for greater margins for overclocking...more

Benefits of 2 oz Copper PCB


• Cooler than traditional motherboards
• Enhanced durability
• Improved energy efficiency
• Greater margins for overclocking... more
Smart 6- A Smarter way for PC system Management
GIGABYTE Smart 6™ is designed with user-friendliness in mind, and offers a combination of 6 innovative software utilities that provide easier and smarter PC system management. Smart 6™ allows you to speed up system performance, reduce boot-up time, manage a secure platform and recover previous system settings easily with a click of the mouse button.




Windows® 7 WHQL Certified

The motherboard has obtained WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certification for Windows 7 from Microsoft®, setting the standard for future Windows 7 certified motherboards...more

Smart Dual LAN

GIGABYTE Smart Dual LAN technology features intelligent LAN port auto-switching between the 2 physical Gigabit LAN chips; offering hassle free, zero downtime, high speed network connectivity.

Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2

GIGABYTE Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2 incorporates a host of intelligent features that use a proprietary hardware and software design to considerably enhance PC system energy efficiency, Reduce power consumption and deliver optimized auto-phase-switching for the CPU, Memory, Chipset, VGA, HDD, and fans with a simple click of button.

Intel® Core i7/ Core i5 LGA 1156 Processors


The Intel brand new computing architecture based on the innovation of micro-architecture transforms 3-chip solutions to a 2-chip platform. The next generation Intel® Core i7/ Core i5 ™ processors with LGA1156 package integrate graphics and memory controller to support dual channel DDR3 memory. Supporting Intel Turbo Boost technology and Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel® Core i7/ Core i5 ™ processors provide the overwhelming performance with optimized power efficiency.

DDR3 2600+ Support

P55-UD5 support Intel Core™ i7/ Core™ i5 processors delivering native support for DDR3 memory up to 2600+MHz by the enhanced design of GIGABYTE, Intel Core™ i7/ Core™ i5 processors feature the memory controller integrated directly into the processor die, rather than as part of the Northbridge as in previous generations, allowing for faster memory performance.
* Please refer "Memory Support List" for memory support information

Smart TPM - A smarter , better way to protect your data

GIGABYTE Smart TPM provides the industry's highest level of data protection with 2048 bit hardware encryption. Smart TPM allows users to store their digital key on a USB thumb drive. In addition, Smart TPM allows users to lock the protected data remotely using a Bluetooth® enabled mobile phone.

eSATA/USB combo

eSATA/USB combo ports provides significant convenience by supporting eSATA and USB devices in one port, and requires no additional power source when connecting eSATA/USB combo devices through the applicable cable.

XHD (eXtreme HardDrive)-Accelerating hard drive performance with ease

Accelerating system performance is made easy with the user friendly GIGABYTE eXtreme Hard Drive (X.H.D). GIGABYTE eXtreme Hard Drive (X.H.D) provides a quick and easy way to boost your hard drive performance simply by adding another hard drive.

AutoGreen- Greening your PC via Bluetooth cellphone

AutoGreen technology can automatically save power for you simply by your bluetooth cell phone when you are away from your computer

Multi-display support with ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI™

P55-UD5 supporting both ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI™ delivers the ultimate in graphics performance for gaming enthusiasts who demand the highest frame rates without compromising on resolution.

Thermal Design

Inspired by the performance and sleek lines of today's modern racing vehicles, GIGABYTE's stylish thermal solution is designed for extreme performance and ultra coolness

Dolby Home Theater Support

Delivers vivid surround sound for music, movies, and games, using two to eight speakers or any set of headphones

Inside The Box



A Look Around The Board

Overview





The Socket





Back Panel



Sata Connectors



Power , Reset & Clear Cmos

[jabski]

Bios

First Page



M.I.T Page



M.I.T Current Status



Advanced Frequency Settings



Core Features



Voltage Settings



Memory Settings

[jabski]

Testing

On Air this board with a Intel i5 750 would run at 4Ghz easily. Also with the turbo feature enabled you would have 4.2Ghz.
i5 cpu's are very sensative to temps. unfortunatly my cascade was too cold for the cpu to boot but managed to get some quick results. The Pcmark was done with Ln2 @ i38









Max Bclck 238 (Thou that could be the cpu)



http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=824793

Conclusion

This is a cracking board. If someone was looking to go I5 on air then as mentioned 4Ghz + is no problem. Under cold aslong as you have the cooling to suite the cpu then this board will deliver. One thing now thou is Gigabyte have the P55A range of boards with USB3 and SATA3

Many thanks to Gigabyte Uk for their support

[Bustah]

nice one James, this is a strong mobo for sure.

[PeterStoba]

Nice review, short and sweet

I like Gigabyte lots

[El Gappo]

sure has better slot placement than their new x58 board.
great job on the clock's m8 very impressive, i now see why they've been pushing advertisement on this board so much.

[jabski]

Originally Posted by El Gappo

sure has better slot placement than their new x58 board.

Yes slots are alot better now

[sacha35]

Nice looking board with lots of SATA Connectors, well done on the review James.

[jabski]

Originally Posted by sacha35

Nice looking board with lots of SATA Connectors, well done on the review James.

thanks mate. P55 is a joy to use compared to x58.