Intel X79 Chipset, Gigabyte G1.Assassin2

Different the original Sandy Span processors that launched with multiple chipsets, the LGA2011 platform volition be supported by a single chipset -- or should we say by a single flake.

Similar to the relatively new Z68 bit of the LGA1155 platform, the X79 is a Platform Controller Hub (PCH) and will take on the full responsibility of a southbridge along with some of the duties of a northbridge.

So what does the Intel X79 have in store for us? Nosotros had heard rumors that the PCH would include more than a dozen SATA ports and most would be 6GB/southward capable and set to suit SAS drives.

Unfortunately what we have on manus is very unlike. The X79 fails to differentiate itself from the Z68 as users still only get six SATA ports and shockingly merely two of them are 6Gb/southward capable. USB 3.0 support is nowhere to be found just you lot get the same 14 USB 2.0 ports as on the Z68.

All in all the chipsets are near enough to identical, which is disappointing for Intel'south new flagship platform. If you compare the features of the X79 to the older X58/ICH10R chipset combination, it's hard to believe afterward 3 years so little has changed. Essentially users are getting two actress USB ports, ii actress PCIe x1 lanes and a pair of SATA 6Gb/s ports, though the overall amount of SATA ports remains the same.

Gigabyte G1.Assassin2 motherboard

Although the Intel X79 is very bland, motherboard manufacturers still have a chance to jazz it up with third-party controllers providing ameliorate network support, USB 3.0, additional SATA 6Gb/s back up, and and so on. Today we are testing the Core i7-3960X with the Gigabyte G1.Assassin2 which is the latest member of their G1.Killer range.

When Gigabyte launched their Sandy Span motherboard series they reconsidered their traditional infant blue and white color scheme and opted for a more aggressive black theme for their loftier-finish products. Boards such as the P67A-UD7, P67A-UD5 and P67A-UD4 got the matte black PCB treatment which was complemented with all-blackness connectors.

The new G1.Assassin2 is Gigabyte's new flagship G1.Killer motherboard and as such will probable be the virtually expensive. The board offers support for two-mode/iii-style CrossFireX and SLI depending on your preference. The lath also incorporates a Creative SB X-Fi Digital Sound Processor (20K2) on-board supporting Ten-Fi Xtreme Allegiance and EAX Hd 5.0.

Gigabyte has included Bigfoot Networks' Killer E2100 NIC, which is featured on all G1.Killer motherboards. Whether that translates into any existent-world benefit is debatable but Gigabyte is the but manufacturer implementing the Killer NICs onboard.

Storage support has been enhanced. Apart from the six SATA ports fastened to the Intel X79 chip, an boosted two SATA ports take been included. Unfortunately, the Marvell 88SE9172 controller has been embedded rather than the newer and faster 88SE9182. The included chip provides an additional two onboard SATA ports that back up 6Gb/s speeds besides equally RAID0 and RAID1 arrays.

The G1. Assassin2 is brimming with USB connectivity, exceeding the dozen standard USB two.0 ports courtesy of two Fresco FL1009 controllers that supply 4 USB 3.0 ports -- two at the rear and another two using a bundled three.5" front mounted bracket.

The G1.Assassin2's matte black PCB gives it a unique look, as does its blackness and light-green component design. Aesthetics aside, nosotros have no real complaints about the board's layout. Perhaps the only issue with the design is its placement of the DIMM slots and CPU socket, which are virtually on height of each other.