Late last summer, the company Gigabyte introduced a motherboard for LGA1155 platform – Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 motherboard. And this is not just another model in the lineup. Assigned the role of leader of the new product, because the manufacturer has introduced to it the most advanced proprietary technologies, of course, is not forgetting about the appearance and a very decent set. In all respects, it is a powerful platform for enthusiasts willing to spend serious to have only the most advanced, fastest and best. Does it live up the expectations of potential owners?
As stated earlier, Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 headed line of motherboards based on chipset Intel Z77. In turn, this means that the model can be used with any processor in the LGA1155 performance and, moreover, can squeeze out a lot of free megahertz, adding an extra PC performance. By the way, Gigabyte is proud record of extreme overclocking Core i7-3770K up to 7102 MHz frequency and strongly emphasizes this fact in the promotional materials.
New looks of this Gigabyte motherboard is quite nice. Gigabyte engineers have preferred a matt black PCB, and it has paid off – in conjunction with the orange slots (that glow in ultraviolet light) and black and orange cooling device is stored and it is difficult to confuse with the products of competitors.
This model Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 motherboard is made in the form factor, E-ATX. Assembling components and dense enough at first glance is not satisfactory. Everything is as it should be, in place, nothing really does not act and do not interfere. Still – because the board is meant for enthusiasts and extreme overclocking, and for these categories, and for these people to ease of operation is not in last place.
Subsystem power stabilizer has serious effort. The scheme includes a whopping 37 phases (32 +3 +2). It uses efficient assembly IR3550 with operating currents up to 60A. This is more than enough for the job, including the part-time frequencies in any CPU performance LGA1155. Obviously, such a potential will be needed in the first place during extreme overclocking. In general, for the smooth functioning of the board requires the connection of one 24-pin ATX connector and two Octal EPS. There is an additional power connector near the SATA-ports, which is desirable to use configurations with two or more graphics cards. Speed it will not increase, but the stability – easy.
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 with the concept of manufacturer Ultra Durable 5, implying the existence of a range of technological solutions for improved energy efficiency and reduce heating devices during operation.
Special attention is given to cooling system. In this case, the four radiator block (two for power components VRM, one for the chipset, and one for the controller PLX), which consist of a thin aluminium plate. This design significantly increases the dissipation area in Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7. In addition, for optimal heat distribution involving heat pipes that connect all the coolers.
All on board are five full-slots PCI Express x16. In this case, two orange and one black can run in full-speed mode x16.
To increase the number of lines available are PCI Express bridge used PLX PEX8747 allowing eventually create configurations AMD CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI of two, three, as well as four cards. The formulas of the following bundles: x16 + x16 for 2-Way SLI / CrossFireX, x8 + x8 + x8 for 3-Way SLI / CrossFireX and x8 + x8 + x8 + x8 for 4-Way SLI / CrossFireX. Black slot is directly connected to the processor controller, PCI-E, so the PC with a graphics card must be invoked by ot. For additional expansion cards on the board has two ports PCI Express x1.
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 motherboard is positioned as an ultimatum to disperse because overclockers have at their disposal a considerable arsenal of special devices that will come close to the limit of megahertz. In one of their angles PCB posted proprietary control panel OC-Touch.
In the top row are buttons CPU frequency multiplier in the bottom – buttons change the value of the tire BCLK, button Gear (change of pace – 1/0, 1 MHz) and the power button. Nearby is the switch LN2, which will be alive at the time of nitrogen sessions, well, at the very bottom are wired CMOS reset button and status indicators that let you monitor system voltages with a multimeter. The layout of elements on this patch of PCB is so dense that in this case there was no place for the button reboot. In fact, it is – it managed to find the far corner of the board next to the port SATA. Models of the required attributes for enthusiasts should note the presence of an indicator POST-codes.
As is the case with the majority of their boards, Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 uses the two chips BIOS. First, it is reliable – if corrupted firmware can be restored from a backup, and secondly, it is convenient – now overclockers can not be afraid to lose the previously saved settings.
By technology Dual UEFI BIOS additional “tied” two switches: BIOS Switcher and DualBIOS Disable Switch. They were placed next to the indicator POST-codes. The first is responsible for switching between integrated circuits BIOS, activated off the second recovery firmware, which can be useful for overclockers during their experiments.
In Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 has rich set of ports SATA, allowing you to connect up to 10 devices. Two 6 Gb / s and four 3Gb / s chipset serves, four high-speed ports (6 GB / s) are implemented using a pair of controllers Marvell 88SE9172. Everything they offer support for different levels of RAID. In addition to the PCB is soldered to the connector for connecting mSATA SSD-drive. Discs corresponding form factor is not exotic, they are sold in our country.
The Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 board allows to connect up to 10 devices using the bus USB 3.0. Four port serves chipset, a couple of lines adds controller Etron EJ168, and for other uses chip-splitter VIA VL800.
The rear panel has the maximum. Here you can find six-speed ports USB 3.0, two power outlets Ethernet, six audio jacks and digital optical output for speakers, one FireWire port and External SATA, PS / 2, as well as a full range of video, including DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort and even analog D-Sub.
We would like to highlight the function of USB-ports, called On / Off Charge. It allows you to charge portable devices (iPhone / iPad, etc.) are relatively high current even when the PC is off. Additionally, each USB-port has its own fuse, so the system can connect more hungry peripherals, without fear of losing stability.
Also worth mentioning is the expansion cards with wireless controllers Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi – CG-WB300D.
For a more stable signal, the set includes two separate antennas. Thanks to this card, you can create your own “cloud” by associating it with all the portable devices in a secure environment.
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 box contains SATA-cables, a set of instructions, CD with drivers and proprietary software, the controller Bluetooth / Wi-Fi, as well as the antenna for it, flexible and rigid bridges SLI and CrossFireX, outer panel for the 3.5-inch drive bay with ports USB 3.0. Remote control panel still has the power connector and two ports eSATA, a cap for the rear cover and sticker Gigabyte.
BIOS and its possibilities
Gigabyte Company uses its proprietary operating time – UEFI 3D BIOS. Functional and intuitive shell does not cause difficulties even for novice users.
Recently in UEFI-shell, you can choose other languages. Translated by quality, but in some sections were “native” abbreviation. Special attention should be 3D-model of the shell. It becomes available when you press F1.
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 is Fashionable, beautiful, but, frankly, for the amateur. The main thing that the shell was stable and it seems has no problems with that.
As expected, overclocking motherboard offers a wide range of settings, to influence the speed of the PC. Amenable to adjustment system voltage bus and multipliers, as there is a great module for monitoring the state of the computer.
Inside:
To get maximum performance from your PC, you need to work hard, manually selecting the options in the BIOS. Do not know how to overclock? Do not worry – for beginners Gigabyte offers special utility Easy Tune 6, which can be used to speed up the system by pressing a button.
In the start screen utilities are three numbered option, where the next faster than the previous. Clicking on one of the icons, the board will remember the choice and ask to restart the computer, and then apply the settings. But that’s not all, Easy Tune also available predictive acceleration (Auto Tuning).
The essence of this method is simple – the board itself selects frequency multipliers and voltages, making it in real time. Ramp can be accompanied by reboots and even artifacts, but do not be afraid of it. Once the board is a stable limit CPU, it will stop the acceleration and save the settings. However, if you need the highest possible result, of such manipulation should be abandoned, using the manual controls.
Results
Releasing the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7, producer tried to create a racing car, while not forgetting the good extra skirts. The device has a striking design, enhanced element base and convenient control panel for the hardcore enthusiast. The wages sin hidden in the body – it must enjoy the surrounding. Based on the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7 can build a powerful gaming PC, including four single-GPU graphics card, and this is the strength is not every device from competitors. And, of course, the acceleration – the power of the board with a big enough margin to force any processor Sandy / Ivy Bridge, even in extremely cold conditions. Approximate retail value of $ 400 for at least impressive features and equipment cost. This is in the level of the most expensive models to platform LGA1155. However, the quality status things never were cheap.
Pros:
+ Design
+ Wide functionality
+ High-quality electronic components
+ Easy control module board (OC-Touch)
+ Overclocking potential
Cons:
– “Manual” acceleration process is not perfect
– Price
This was all regarding one of the latest and best motherboard 2012 i.e. Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP7, which has great overclocking potential.
