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GIGABYTE P35T-DQ6

GIGABYTE comes out of the gate swinging, with the latest addition to their much vaunted DQ6 motherboard line. The P35T-DQ6 boasts full support for the latest Intel technologies, including a 1333MHz CPU FSB and DDR3 memory, and seems to be GIGABYTE’s latest bid for the performance crown.

Introduction

GIGABYTE is among the top motherboard manufactures in the world, with a track record for producing stable and high performing products. In recent years, the company has been able to do a 180 with its enthusiast market reputation, going from minimal overclocking ability at all to products boasting some of the highest overclocking numbers recorded.

GIGABYTE continues to exemplify this trend with their latest motherboard series.

The P35T-DQ6 is the fore-runner in the GIGABYTE motherboard line featuring the next generation Intel chipsets. The board is designed around the Intel P35 chipset, with in-built support for LGA 775 type processors with a base FSB of 667MHz and above, DDR3 DRAM modules operating in Dual Channel mode up to 1066MHz, and PCI Express x16 graphics cards. The P32T-DQ6 is a feature complete solution, needing an Intel LGA 775 style processor, DDR3 memory, drives, and a PSU for an operational system. GIGABYTE integrated the following components in to the P53T-DQ6: 6 SATA II ports (RAID 0, 1, 0+1 and 5 capable) on the Intel ICH9R controller; 1 ATA-133 IDE port, and 2 SATA 2 port (RAID 0 and 1 capable) on the GIGABYTE controller; 12 USB 2.0 capable ports (4 in rear panel, and 4 onboard headers supporting 2 ports each); 2 IEEE 1394 capable ports (1 in rear panel, and 1 onboard header); 1 Realtek GigE Ethernet port in the rear panel; Realtek 8-channel HD audio codec featuring an S/PDIF RCA component and optical output ports; and parallel, serial, and PS/2 port support integrated in to the rear panel.

Main Specifications Overview:

Detailed Motherboard Specification List:

Packaging

GIGABYTE chose to use a simple design for packaging the P35T-DQ6, prominently featuring the DQ6 series logo in blue and white. The supported board features, included CPU and chipset, are clearly marked on the box front as well. The board itself has been packaged in an insulated plastic clamshell, offering more than adequate protection to the motherboard during shipment from almost anything. The P35T-DQ6 comes standard with the following components: ATA-133 and floppy ribbon cables; SATA driver and dual ended power cables; the rear panel shield; rear brackets for USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 ports; 2 rear brackets for converting the onboard SATA 2 ports to e-SATA ports, with power and e-SATA cables included; and the normal complement of manuals and drivers discs. Note that the included driver disk is a DVD-ROM disk, not a CD-ROM disk.

Board Layout

The layout of the P35T-DQ6 was well thought out, with adequate room given between all onboard components, including around the CPU socket area. Notice the 2 copper heat sinks on the back of the board, the larger one covering the CPU socket / Northbridge chipset area, and the smaller covering the Southbridge chipset. By adding this to the board’s back, GIGABYTE very effectively reduces the overall heat of the power components and adds a degree of rigidity to both the CPU socket and Southbridge chipset areas. My biggest concern with the board was the placement of the CMOS battery and reset jumper in between the two onboard PCI Express x16 slots. With an overly large card seated in the primary slot, both the battery and reset jumper would be a chore to get to. Unfortunately, GIGABYTE chose not to include any type of revision or serial number marking on the board itself. As is becoming a current trend with the market leaders, GIGABYTE chose to use all high quality metal solid state capacitors for the P35T-DQ6.

With capacitors and power circuitry in close proximity to the CPU socket on 2 sides, it appears that there is little if any room for a CPU cooler. However, GIGABYTE carefully chose low profile components that do no interfere with cooler placement and seating. The board uses the standard LGA775 style hold down mechanism for the CPU cooler. The Northbridge chipset is located to the right of the CPU socket, covered by a large, thinly finned copper heat sink. This heat sink is part of an elaborate heat pipe chain that starts on the Southbridge chipset and snakes around three quarters of the CPU socket area. To the upper left of the CPU socket are the front panel audio connector, hidden behind the massive Northbridge chipset, and the CPU_FAN header. The 8-pin ATX12V power connector and SYS_FAN1 header are located to the upper right of the CPU socket.

The 4 integrated DDR3 memory slots are located just below the CPU socket and Northbridge chipset. Note that you may have problems between the memory slots and primary PCI Express x16 slot with an overly large video card installed. The memory slots are arranged in a 2-by-2 configuration, with Dual Channel memory mode activated by placing modules in like-colored slots across sets. The 24-pin ATX power connector, floppy port, and PCIE_12V power connector are located just below the memory slots, while the PWR_FAN header is located to their right. The PCIE_12V power connector accepts a standard MOLEX power input from the PSU, and is used to provide additional power to the PCI Express x16 slots. It is recommended to use this additional power port when using 2 graphics cards in the system.

The Southbridge chipset is located just under the secondary PCI Express x16 slot and is covered with a thinly finned copper heat sink. This heat sink is held to the chipset by 2 metal spring loaded screws, and acts as one end of the board’s heat pipe circuit. The chipset’s 6 SATA 2 ports are located to the lower left of the chipset, with orange colored connectors. The IDE ATA-133 port is just below those SATA 2 ports. The front panel header is located in the lower left of the board, with the GIGABYTE controllers SATA 2 ports just above it with purple colored connectors. The onboard USB 2.0 headers are to the immediate right of the GIGABYTE SATA 2 ports, while the IEEE 1394 headers are just above them.

The P35T-DQ6 comes standard with 2 PCI Express x16 slots, 3 PCI Express x1 slots, and 2 PCI slots. The SYS_FAN2 and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) headers are located along the outside edge of PCI slot 2, with the S/PDIF input header located just above them. The CD_IN header is just above the secondary PCI Express x16 slot, with the CMOS battery and reset jumper located between the primary and secondary slots. The NB_FAN header is located to the lower right of PCI Express x1 slot 1.

GIGABYTE chose in integrate the following ports in to the P35T-DQ6’s rear panel: PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports; parallel and serial ports; 1 IEEE 1394 port; 4 USB 2.0 ports; 1 Realtek GigE Ethernet port; and 6 analogue, S/PDIF RCA component, and optical output audio ports.

GIGABYTE EasyTune 5

For windows based monitoring and overclocking, GIGABYTE chose to package version 5 of their EasyTune software with the P35T-DQ6 main board. From the default overclocking screen, the application offers 2 modes of operation, Easy and Advanced. Easy Mode allows for increasing the current CPU FSB by percentage using the provided up and down arrow keys. Advanced mode allows for bus speed and voltage tweaking of most of the same options allowed through the BIOS including CPU, DDR, and PCI-Express bus speed and voltage.

The button marked CIA MIB gives access to the CIA/CIA2/MIB/MIB2 selection screen. Out of the box, the P35T-DQ6 supports CIA2, which stands for CPU Intelligent Accelerator. The CIA2 module allows for system automated overclocking through the use of 5 preset states: Cruise, Sport, Racing, Turbo, and Full Thrust. The Cruise mode is the least aggressive setting, while the Full Thrust mode offers the most aggressive automated overclock settings.

The PC Health button gives access to a variety of submenus for monitoring various system fan header activity and voltages, as well as the ability to control alerts. The Hardware Monitor option lists current values for all monitored system voltages, fan header readings, and temperatures. The Setting option allows for configuration of minimum allowable fan speed and maximum safe component temperature thresholds. The Alert Audio Setting controls the alert action taken by the system when one of the monitored fan header's speed goes below the minimum speed threshold, or if a monitored temperature goes above the maximum temperature threshold.

The Smart Fan button opens the Smart Fan control interface, which allows for tweaking of the CPU fan settings, including temperature threshold settings for minimum and maximum fan speed operation.