GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P Findings / Review

[undersea]

Thought I'd get one more build in this year. This motherboard is currently $110 after rebate

The single PCIe Board is $105 after rebate

In the past two years since Core2 came out I've used P965, P35, x48, 750a motherboards from gigabyte. They have a consistent quality build with good layout and bios. Usually offering more useful features for less cost then ASUS. The Biostar TP 45HP is an excellent cheap OCing P45 motherboard missing raid features. With gigabyte at this pricing point its hard not to give this MB a whirl.

Features and Gigabyte Downloads

Everyone should be pretty familiar with P45 features at this point. The most popular enthusiast chipset out right now. Gigabyte setting itself apart by offering Ultra Durable 3 with more copper for a Cooler MB(whatever that means ), Dual bios & Ultra TPM which I will not be trying.







Build Parts:


Case: Antec 300 (Nice Cheap Case)
MB: As Above
PS: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS (Great cheap PS $45.00 after rebate)
CPU: E8400
GPU: Powercolor 4850 (Good aftermarket cooling with HDMI)
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB (Cheap & fast)
CPU COOLER: Xigmatek HDT-S1283
OD: DVD Burner & LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray DVD-ROM( HDMI anyone )
MEM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000
OS: Vista Prem 64 (Vista is much better then given credit IMO)

Build Cost: $1128 (Incl. Shipping & Tax)

Core OC Guide

Reviews:

Hardware Canucks
Hardwarezone
Xbit (Last model but about the same)
Firing Squad Review
Tweak town
bjorn3d
motherboards.org
Overclock3d
Fudzilla

Hard forums (Lots of reading)

Gigabyte Supported Forums


Links:

DIY Guide

DIY Guide

MEMORY & CPU TESTING

Orthos
OCCT
Intel Thermal Tool
Prime95
Wprime
Prime 95 25.6
IntelBurnTest

Memtest
Memory Only! A Must! Look 1/2 way down page!

MEMORY TIMINGS
Memset

COMPLETE TESTING INCLUDING UTILITIES/COMPUTER INFORMATION

Everest
Everest Ultimate
Sandra
PCWizard

MONITOR & INFORMATION(These are Must have Programs for OCING)(I use these Four programs more then any other when working on a PC)

CPU-Z
HW Monitor
GPU-Z
Fraps
Speedfan
Core Temp
Realtemp
Core2 / Quad temp guide
Core 2 / Quad OC Guide

GPU OCING

Riva Tuner
ATI Tool (I don't recommend this program anymore it functions poorly in Vista and isn't supported anymore.)
Ntune
Nvidia Tray Tools

4850 / 4870 OC Tool

TESTING/BENCHMARKS

Crysis Benchmark (Watch your computer cry ) (Must have Crysis)
CineBench
Futuremark 3d06
PC Mark Vantage (Vista Only)
CrystalMark
Super PI MOD
HDTach

Free Anti-Virus & Defrag:
AVIRA
defraggler

DRIVERS (Just make sure you are downloading the correct ones )
Realtek HD

Hell just look here:
Drivers

Power Considerations:
Power supply wattage
Suggested Supplies


Please note many of these utilities don't work in Vista 64

I'll be adding allot more soon, stay tuned

[undersea]

Got the stuff this morning. The motherboard is a little unbelievable to me. The features you get with this board for the price are excellent.

Dual Lan
1394
8 USB on back
Heat Pipes
Crossfire

Has a quality look to it up close. The only layout problems I see are for larger video cards with the memory slots close to the first PCIe slot.

The SATA ports are placed well but if you run two large dual slot cards the second card could cover the wire connections and possibly the CMOS clear pins (This happens far to much IMO). I'm only running one video card so that shouldn't be a problem.

HD BENCHMARKS:

OK,

Brother has caused me to do this with his insistence of setting hard drives in ACHI. For those interested in what ACHI is read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

If you talked to our own BWM from storage he will tell you ACHI advantages are seen in servers. Additional reading: http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.p...highlight=ACHI

Please keep in mind these are synthetic benchmarks which don't always show the true speed in actual use, but they are helpful in comparing systems. For instance people killing AMD because they lose in benchmarks to Intel rigs. But in actual day to day use either AMD or Intel systems rock. Basically spend more for Intel and get a faster rig or save and get AMD. In actual use IMO almost no difference. For uses like folding Intel has an advantage, gives the tech pages something to write about . I can tell you a raptor hard drive in either system feels faster in actual use. Well enough of my ramblings.

Chart Info:
First Line = HDtune 2.55/ Second Line = HD Tach 3.04 | trmin= Transfer rate min / Trmax= Transfer rate max / Average = Average Transfer Rate

Acc Time= Access Time / cppu = Cpu Utilization

Part B = CrystalDisk Mark 2.2

Gigabyte 750a @ Stock (Vista 32) CPU: 8750 HD: x2 Seagate 250 7200.10 Raid 0 w/16kstripe MEM: 2g
Biostar 770 @ 3ghz (Vista 64) CPU: 5400+ HD: WD 320 AAKS MEM: 4g
Biostar TP45HP @ 3ghz (XP SP3) CPU Q9300 HD: 150 Raptor MEM 2g
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P (Vista 64) @ Stock CPU: E8400 HD: WD 500 AAKS Blue MEM: 4g



CPU/GPU BENCHIES:

The Computers:

Nforce 3:
Chaintech VNF3-250 9/15/05bios
3200+ Venice 754 2604mhz 237x11
2x512m Patriot 3200+ XBL 2.5-3-3-7
ATI 9250(Soon to be updated to a 800XL)
Old 2m IDE 7200 Maxtor
XPHome SP2
Nforce 4
Epox Nforce4 Ultra
3800+ X2 Toledo 2350mhz
2x1g Patriot 3200+ LL 3-4-4-7
850XT XPHome SP2
74g Raptor
Nvidia560
Biostar 560 (10/29/07 Bios)
5000+ Black 3000mhz(Still playing this is everyday setting right now)
2x1g Geil(Orange) 4-4-4-12
WD 320 AAKS
Nvidia 7800GT VistaHome Premium 64
690G
Foxconn A690GM2MA-8KRS2H (Bios 12/7/07)
X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.45GHz
2x1g GSkill DDR2 6400 5-5-5-15
HITACHI Deskstar 7K160 80g
Built In Video(1250) XPHome SP2
Core 2
Gigabyte 965P DS3 (Bios F10)
6300 @ 2.8GHz (Everyday Setting)
2x1g OCZ DDR2 6400 Platinum 4-4-4-12
8800GT XPHome SP2
150 Raptor
790FX
DFI 790FX m2rs (Bios 3/10/08)
5000+ @ 3.1GHz
2x1g Geil DDR2 6400 Platinum 4-4-4-12
3850 Vista 64
Seagate 7100.10 320g
Quad
Biostar TP45 HP (Newest Bios)
9300@ 3.0GHZ
2x1 Geil DDR2 6400 4-4-4-12
8800GT XPHome SP3
150 Raptor
Core 2 P45
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P (Bios f5)
E8400 @ 3GHz (STOCK)
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1000 5-4-4-12
Powercolor 4850 Vista 64
WD 500g AAKS
750a
Gigabyte m750sli-ds4 (Bios f5)
8750 X3 @ 2.8GHz
Patriot Viper 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 4-4-4-12
MSI 9600SGO SLI (Vista 32)
Seagate 250 7200.10 Raid 0
770
Biostar 770 A2+(Bios 6/11/08)
5400+ @ 3.0ghz
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1000 4-4-4-12
HSI 3850 (Vista 64)
WD 320 AAKS
amd 790fx//////////////////////////////(uddarts Spider )
msi k9a2 platinum bios 1.4
9850-be 2951mhz 227x13
2x1028 corsair c4 5-5-5-18
1950pro ultimate
hitachi 160 sata xp///////////////////




SCREENIES:

Here are the HD Benchies from the 750a board:

Gigabyte 750a
8750 X3 @ 2.4
{X2} Seagate 250 7200.10 Raid 0 w/16k stripe



Biostar 770 A2+
5400 X2 @ 3ghz
Western Digital 320 AAKS



Benchmarks from stock settings 750a (OC to Come):





At 2.8ghz



x2 9600gso w/x3 @ 2.8



My System Computer q9300@ 3.0ghz with 150 Raptor



Benchmarks I've run translate between XP & Vista pretty well:

I've used:

CineBench
Futuremark 3d06
PC Mark Vantage (Vista Only)
CrystalMark
Super PI MOD
HDTach
HD Tune

Plus I like this one:

Crystal Disk Mark

ACHI was easy with Vista, no preload drivers needed. I have no idea if it offers an advantage and I'm slightly worried if the Blue-ray drive will work with it, I don't have a Blue-ray movie to test yet.

I'll post HD scores with ACHI and you let me know what you think, please. I might just reload again with-out and compare:

Here is ACHI readings with:

WD 500G AAKS Blue
Vista 64
4g
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P
All Stock settings
e8400
ATI 8.11 Video Drivers



Non ACHI (Fresh Vista Load)



Gigabyte P45 @ stock:



Gigabyte p45 @ 3.6

[brothergc]

nice board but isn't the board you pictured have 2 pcie slots ? That is the same board I tryed if your link to new egg is correct . If so it is one nice board , does not play well with windows xp due to the IHC10R chipset but if your using vista it will be good , it is one heavy well made board I think you will like it

[undersea]

Originally Posted by brothergc

nice board but isn't the board you pictured have 2 pcie slots ? That is the same board I tryed if your link to new egg is correct . If so it is one nice board , does not play well with windows xp due to the IHC10R chipset but if your using vista it will be good , it is one heavy well made board I think you will like it

Good morning brother,

I hope they are the same. Gigabyte has so many choices on their site. DDR2 Boards and a whole line of DDR3 boards. The second link is for the single PCIe board, there for comparison. I will run ACHI for you and do disk benchies this weekend if all goes well.

[brothergc]

Originally Posted by undersea

Good morning brother,

I hope they are the same. Gigabyte has so many choices on their site. DDR2 Boards and a whole line of DDR3 boards. The second link is for the single PCIe board, there for comparison. I will run ACHI for you and do disk benchies this weekend if all goes well.

cool I am looking foward to it , I would have kept that p45 board if it ran achi , it was that good but without ahci benchmarks with HD tach were a puny 68 mps on a raptor , Unacptable

[undersea]

Updated above:

The monster Core Contact Freezer




The powercolor 4850:





Been too busy at work to build it.

Little nervous about the cooler, its huge and I have to mount with fan blowing upwards. Which I'm fine with but shipping this PC with the monster is going to be interesting.

The Video card GPU & Memory Cooling looks great. Proof is in the pudding, we will see.

PS:

Cooler is a no go, too close to MB heatsinks. Attachment clip on heatsink hits Fet cooler. Oh well off to Micro Center tonight.

I'll keep this cooler for my next AMD build

Replaced with a Xigmatek HDT-S1283, $15.00 after rebate at MicroCenter

[brothergc]

looking good
That heatsink is a monster , what are you keeping under it a photon reactor ? LOL

[eli2k]

Hey, I am trying to get a cooler for this board. Did you initially try to use the Sunbeam CR-CCTF cooler; this is the one that doesn't fit? I wanted to pick up the Xigmatek, but heard it got pretty loud when the fan spins up; what are your opinions about the cooler? I guess you can replace the fan, yea?

Are you having problems using S3 standby or hibernate? I don't know what's going on with my system, but every time I take it out of standby or hibernate, the audio driver freezes, and the only way to get windows back is with a hard reboot, sort of annoying right now.

Thanks,
- Eli

[undersea]

Originally Posted by eli2k

Hey, I am trying to get a cooler for this board. Did you initially try to use the Sunbeam CR-CCTF cooler; this is the one that doesn't fit? I wanted to pick up the Xigmatek, but heard it got pretty loud when the fan spins up; what are your opinions about the cooler? I guess you can replace the fan, yea?

Are you having problems using S3 standby or hibernate? I don't know what's going on with my system, but every time I take it out of standby or hibernate, the audio driver freezes, and the only way to get windows back is with a hard reboot, sort of annoying right now.

Thanks,
- Eli

Welcome Eli,

I have used the S1283, its a very good cooler, at full fan it is a little loud, not bad IMO but that is subjective. Yes you could get another 120mm fan. Unless heavily OCed you won't have to run the fan on full.

This is large and pretty quiet:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835887011

This also:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835202007

For the sound thing it sounds like a vista thing.

Could you list all your parts including OS. I'll have mine built today.

[krose]

The EP45-UD3P is now only $99.99 after $20 MIR with Newegg promo code EMCBBBEBJ. Free shipping too!

[undersea]

Originally Posted by krose

The EP45-UD3P is now only $99.99 after $20 MIR with Newegg promo code EMCBBBEBJ. Free shipping too!

Sweet,

The code works. Where did you see that?

[krose]

You get it by email if you are a Newegg email subscriber. Code is good until 11/20.

[undersea]

Bios Screens:

Bios Screens:

[eli2k]

Originally Posted by undersea

Welcome Eli,

I have used the S1283, its a very good cooler, at full fan it is a little loud, not bad IMO but that is subjective. Yes you could get another 120mm fan. Unless heavily OCed you won't have to run the fan on full.

This is large and pretty quiet:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835887011

This also:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835202007

For the sound thing it sounds like a vista thing.

Could you list all your parts including OS. I'll have mine built today.

Thanks, undersea. I hope you don't mind me asking questions in your thread. I'll look between the OCZ vendetta and the Xigmatek. I'll have to pick up the retention bracket for Xigmatek, because I had a bad time putting the stock cooler on with the pushpins....

So, I am actually running WinXP SP3. I might do a clean install with SP2 only and see if that helps. Below are the specs. The graphics card was defective (artifacting if I push it too hard), so I got it RMA and will be able to try it today (maybe that's what causing it). But I'm also going to try switching the RAM around different DIMM or using single modules, and running Memtest on it. Otherwise I may have to get the Muskin memory, which is supposed to work well with Gigabyte boards. I saw you mention AHCI (for SATA) in your benchmarking; I've put the system in SATA IDE mode so I don't have to figure out the preloading drivers.

- 500 W PSU (OCZ500SXS)
- GA-EP45-UD3P with E8400
- MSI R4850-512MB
- two SATA hard drives
- 2x1gb OCZ memory DDR2 800

[undersea]

Originally Posted by brothergc

undersea , your posts are cool but even my dsl takes a bit to load the images could you downsize these , even in my thread I have trouble getting into it

You can't read them then. I think its imageshack speed slowing it down not the size of the pictures or your DSL. Its raining today, I'll be adding allot of content today

Most important what did you think of the difference between ACHI and non? How do I interpret the data?