Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L Review

ccokeman - November 8, 2007
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Specifications:

CPU	Support for an Intel^® Core™ 2 Extreme processor/ Intel^® Core™ 2 Quad processor/ Intel^® Core™ 2 Duo processor/ Intel Pentium processor Extreme Edition/ Intel^® Pentium D processor/ Intel^® Pentium 4 processor Extreme Edition/ Intel^® Pentium 4 processor/ Intel^® Celeron processor in the LGA 775 package Support for Intel Hyper-Threading Technology L2 cache varies with CPU
Front Side Bus	1333/1066/800 MHz FSB
Chipset	· NorthBridge: Intel^® P31 Express Chipset · SouthBridge: Intel^® ICH
Memory	4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 4 GB of system memory (Note 1) Dual channel memory architecture Support for DDR2 800/667 MHz memory modules (Note 2) Because of chipset limitations, when using FSB 1333 MHz CPU with populating all DIMM sockets, memory frequency will be reduced from the original, and system instability or incorrect detection of memory module may be occur. Please refer "Memory Support List" for memory support information. (Note 1)Based on standard PC architecture, a certain amount of memory is reserved for system usage and therefore the actual memory size is less than the stated amount. For example, 4 GB of memory size will instead be shown as 3.xx GB during system startup. (Note 2)Some memory configurations will result in memory frequency being reduced from the original frequency.
Audio	Realtek ALC888 codec High Definition Audio 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Support for S/PDIF In/Out Support for CD In
LAN	RTL 8111B chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Expansion Slots	1 x PCI Express x16 slot 3 x PCI Express x1 slots 3 x PCI slots
Storage Interface	SouthBridge: 1 x IDE connector supporting ATA-100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors supporting up to 4 SATA 3Gb/s devices iTE IT8718 chip: 1 x floppy disk drive connector supporting up to 1 floppy disk drive
USB	Integrated in the SouthBridge Up to 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 on the back panel, 4 via the USB brackets connected to the internal USB headers)
Internal I/O Connectors	1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector 1 x floppy disk drive connector 1 x IDE connector 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors 1 x CPU fan header 2 x system fan headers 1 x power fan header 1 x front panel header 1 x front panel audio header 1 x CD In connector 1 x S/PDIF In header 1 x S/PDIF Out header 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers 1 x chassis intrusion header 1 x power LED header
Back Panel Connectors	1 x PS/2 keyboard port Connectors 1 x PS/2 mouse port 1 x parallel port 1 x serial port 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x RJ-45 port 6 x audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out/Rear Speaker Out/Side Speaker Out/Line In/Line Out/Microphone)
I/O Controller	iTE IT8718 chip
H/W Monitoring	System voltage detection CPU/System temperature detection CPU/System/Power fan speed detection CPU overheating warning CPU/System/Power fan fail warning CPU fan speed control
BIOS	1 x 4 Mbit flash Use of licensed AWARD BIOS PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.3, ACPI 1.0b
Unique Features	Support for @BIOS Support for DownloadCenter Support for Q-Flash Support for EasyTune (Note 3) Support for Xpress Install Support for Xpress Recovery2 Support for Virtual Dual BIOS (Note 3)Available functions in Easytune may differ by motherboard model.
Bundle Software	Norton Internet Security (OEM version)
Operating System	· Support for Microsoft^®Windows^®Vista/XP/200
Form Factor	ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 21.0cm
Remark	Due to different Linux support condition provided by chipset vendors, please download Linux driver from chipset vendors' website or 3rd party website. Due to most hardware/software vendors no longer offer support for Win9X/ME. If some vendors still has Win9X/ME drivers available, we will publish on website.

Features:

The Industry's Leading All-Solid Capacitor motherboard Design: To ensure a longer for systems in daily operation and boost system stability under extreme conditions, this platform adopts cutting-edge Conductive Polymer Aluminum Solid Capacitors from the world's leading vendors. With these high-quality components, users can take advantage of better electronic conductivity and excellent heat resistance for enhanced system durability.
Intel® Core™ 2 multi-core and upcoming 45nm processors: GA-P31-DS3L supports Intel latest high performance CPU delivers the most energy-efficient performance available today. Based on Intel's Micro Architecture, the Intel multi-core processors with 4 cores and two shared L2 caches provide the best capability-per-watt solutions and are an ideal choice for multi-media enthusiasts and intensive multi-tasking environments. This cutting-edge processor offers significant performance boosts and provides an overall more energy efficient platform.
Intel® P31 Express Chipset: The Intel® P31 Express Chipsets support the latest multi-core processors up to FSB 1333MHz, including the upcoming 45nm platform, with its record breaking performance and greater energy efficiency.
Windows Vista Premium Logo Certified: Windows Vista Premium promises to deliver a streamlined computing experience designed to fundamentally change how users view, find and organize their digital information. With P35/G33/P31/G31/P965/G965/946/945 solutions all enabling support for Vista Premium, GIGABYTE offers a fresh and unique desktop experience that will be more informative, intuitive and completely new.
Dual Channel DDR2 1066: Experience the advanced technology of DDR2 1066* memory, featuring faster speeds and higher data bandwidth, which delivers superior performance for the most demanding applications.
* Please refer "Memory Support List" for memory support information.
SATA 3Gb/s storage interface: The SATA specification doubles bus bandwidth from 1.5Gb/s to 3Gb/s. Native Command Queuing is a new specification that enables out-of-order execution of commands for efficient retrieval of data. Hot Plug support allows users to insert and remove hard disk drives without shutting off power to the system.
Intel® High Definition Audio: Intel® High Definition Audio enables 8 channel premium digital sound in the PC for an immersive surround sound experience. In addition, Intel HD Audio delivers multiple audio channels in your PC so you can listen to two different streams simultaneously in two separate rooms.
Gigabit LAN connectivity:The Gigabit network interface delivers a high speed LAN connection with data transfer rate up to 1000Mb/s, providing new generation connectivity for the broadband era. Gigabit LAN is ideally for seamless internet connection such as streaming audio and video contents.
RoHS compliant: As a member of the global community to look after the environment, Gigabyte complies with the European Union's Restriction of use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive which limits the use of lead, mercury, cadmium and other hazardous substances in electronic products. From components and material selection to production processes, make up of accessories, packaging/color boxes etc; GIGABYTE has carefully examined and designed this product to be 100% RoHS compliant. GIGABYTE will continue to develop RoHS compliant PC components and commit valuable resources to promoting and advancing RoHS directive goals and objectives.