The Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 - Redefining the High End?
by Rajinder Gill on January 2, 2008 3:15 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Conclusion
Our journey with the GA-48T-DQ6 has been challenging over the last few weeks. Although Gigabyte has been extremely diligent in providing BIOS releases to address our reported problems, we still have not found the everyday overclocking stability we "expected" from this board on any of the beta BIOS releases we have received. This includes cross testing with three separate processor types, all providing varying levels of load to the X48 chipset. What we have found is that basic overclocks that most users will use on this board seem to work at first and then fail at will. For example, using a basic 3.6GHz overclock with any of the newer processors and 400/450FSB, we can boot the motherboard up, play games, surf the web and run stability testing software.
When we go to reboot the board using these previously stable settings, the board greets us with non-boots requiring either a CMOS clear or a complete power-down (until power has drained completely from the board). The board will then reset itself to stock, so that we must re-enter the BIOS and re-apply our previous settings. This is a little disappointing to us at this stage in the game, as Gigabyte has used top-level components in every location on this motherboard. In fact, the engineering behind this board is truly impressive. This shows that using the best hardware is fine, but a solid BIOS is a must if a board is ever to realize its true potential.
We understand it's a little early for a final judgment call, as this board is not yet available in the channel. Thus, we are eager to keep testing the board over the coming weeks to see how things progress. Gigabyte tells us they are working on a new BIOS spin this week, which should address most of the issues we have noticed. In time, we are confident that Gigabyte will deliver this board as the killer product we expect upon delivery to the users - especially when we consider just how good the smaller sibling GA-X38-DQ6 has become with maturity. The GA-X48T-DQ6 has shown us flashes of brilliance, only to let us down when pushed or even nudged into overclock settings that most buyers of this board will try. On the positive side, peripheral compatibility is excellent; we found all ports and expansion slots worked perfectly throughout our testing with a variety of peripherals.
We admire Gigabyte moving forward into the high-end arena; competition is always healthy and helps keep other companies on their toes. We must stress that perseverance prevents us from tossing this board back in the box, meaning we are confident that Gigabyte will have this product fully polished before release. For now though, we would say that at least a few more BIOS spins might be required before we can fully recommend this board to the end-user. A good BIOS will see this board become the product that all X38/X48 boards are judged against. Look out for blog updates as we continue testing new BIOS releases in the coming weeks.
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Frumious1 - Thursday, January 3, 2008 - link
What are you, the jilted lover of Raja or something? Seriously, I can't say I blame the AT crew for taking a break. Me and my family certainly did our fair share of slacking off over the holidays.Merry Christmas, Foxy Scrooge....
8steve8 - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
i just got 8gb od ddr2 800 1.8v for $180 shipped from newegg.8GB of DDR3 costs $1,150 shipped from newegg...
thats not at typo.
DDR3 is irrelevant for now.
10x cost for 3% perf boost...
I'm not even going to read this review.
Kougar - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
This makes no sense. Gigabyte offers GTL controls on the P31-DS3L, values are: 0.636, 0.603, 0.566, 0.54. Why offer them on a $80 budget board but not a ~$300 X48T end-of-the-world board?? I was expecting them to be there when I heard about the redesign.This was a great review, and I am still reading/rereading it to absorb the info. I had a few questions though... You said FSB Overvoltage control requires 1.4v for both processors, and stock is 1.15v?? I never touched this setting by more than +1 with my Q6600, but it might explain a few things. How or where did you find out what the stock VTT value was, as I wish to be able to look up this info myself for future reference and check the P35 version.
Rajinder Gill - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
I used a DMM and probed both the supply mosfet and GTL transistors.Regards
Raja
Kougar - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
Thanks for your reply! Are there any guides or what do you recommend for novice multimeter users trying to discern which mainboard components power what. I don't mind doing the research, I just need a pointer at where to get started. I have tried before but was not sure if I was measuring the correct components.Just for proof, here is a screenie of the P31 DS3L $75 board's GTLREF menu: http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n129/Chanur64/I...">http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n129/Chanur64/I...
I can't fathom why the X48-DQ6 lacks this, could they be waiting to add it in later when the BIOS is more mature?
PLaYaHaTeD - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
Since nobody cares to ask, I will go ahead:When can we buy an X48 Motherboard, along with a Q9450 cpu? How can you give such a comprehensive preview, and talk about recommendations without addressing a release date?
If some of the rumors are true about X48/Wolfdale/Yorkfield being delayed to possibly march, then wouldn't it be irrelevant to speak about recommending this product 2-3 months before it will even be available?
Gary Key - Friday, January 4, 2008 - link
ETA of the X48 boards is unknown. They are ready, from a BIOS viewpoint the Gigabyte boards need some more work but the ASUS boards that will be reviewed next week are about 97% there. Boards have been manufactured by all of the majors, it is up to Intel to pull the trigger. It was going to be in December, moved to 1/7/08, moved to 1/21/08, and is now in a holding pattern waiting on X38 stocks to clear out to some degree, which is surprising as most of the suppliers will move X38 downward to replace the mid-market P35 boards.The Q9450 and others will be announced shortly and official launch dates will be available at that time. Once again, up to Intel, but after the Phenom launch, they have no real reason to hurry up. The reason for the previews is provide just that, a preview, but we were expecting (along with Gigabyte/ASUS/MSI) that boards would be launched by the 21st of this month.
minimeat - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
Good review on the BIOS features, i've been looking for this kind of detail for each timing number to be explained for a while, as none of this information is in the Gigabyte manual for any of their motherboards (HINT HINT).Anyways, you forgot to explain one really important number that i have been wondering about for a while, the Refresh to ACT Delay. Can someone please explain this number, either update the review or post it here, it would be much appreciated. I noticed that they had it set to 60 in the review, and there is no Auto option inherent in the motherboard's bios for this number, and i have no clue what it does. Thanks!
Glenn - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - link
Looks like Anands crew spent plenty of time with this board! Amazing that no comparison benchmarks are shown against more mainstream boards like 965s, P35s or some AMD flavors? All that work with very little usefullness outside of early adoptee's!Gary Key - Friday, January 4, 2008 - link
Hi,We will have a Intel chipset comparison roundup the week of the 28th, maybe earlier if Intel decides to launch this product according to the last timeline. We will have the ASUS X48 boards up next week with a very detailed MCH overview and the MSI X48 board the week after with some Quad CrossFire loving if the drivers make it. These previews are concentrating on getting the most out of the board, the roundup will concentrate on comparisons to other available products.