H55 & H57 Motherboard Roundup Review

jlqrb - June 18, 2010
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Specifications:

CPU	Support for an Intel^® Core™ i7 series processor/Intel^® Core™ i5 series processor/ Intel^® Core™ i3 series processor in the LGA1156 package (Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.) L3 cache varies with CPU
Chipset	Intel^® H55 Express Chipset
Memory	4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 16 GB of system memory (Note 1) Dual channel memory architecture Support for DDR3 2200+/1800/1600/1333/1066/800 MHz memory modules Support for non-ECC memory modules Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules * To reach DDR3 2200 MHz and above, you are required to use with Intel Core i7/Core i5 CPU without HD Graphics and install a discrete graphics card. When using Intel Core i5/Core i3/ Pentium CPU with HD Graphics, the maximum memory speed supported is 1666 MHz * Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest memory support list.
Onboard Graphics	Integrated in the Chipset: 1 x D-Sub port 1 x DVI-D port (Note 3) (Note 4) 1 x HDMI port(Note 4) 1 x DisplayPort (Note 4)
Audio	Realtek ALC889 codec High Definition Audio 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Support for Dolby^® Home Theater Support for S/PDIF In/Out Support for CD In
LAN	RTL8111D chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Expansion Slots	1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16) (Note 5) (The PCIEX16 slot conforms to PCI Express 2.0 standard.) 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x1 (PCIEX4_X1) 2 x PCI slots
Storage Interface	Chipset: 5 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (SATA2_0, SATA2_1, SATA2_2, SATA2_3, SATA2_4) supporting up to 5 SATA 3Gb/s devices 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s connector on the back panel supporting up to 1 SATA 3Gb/s device GIGABYTE SATA2 chip: 1 x IDE connector supporting ATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices 2 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (GSATA2_5, GSATA2_6) supporting up to 2 SATA 3Gb/s devices Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, and JBOD iTE IT8720 chip: 1 x floppy disk drive connector supporting up to 1 floppy disk drive
USB	Chipset: Up to 12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (6 on the back panel (Note 7), 6 via the USB brackets connected to the internal USB headers) NEC D720200F1 chip: Up to 2 USB 3.0 ports on the back panel
IEEE 1394	T.I. TSB43AB23 chip Up to 2 IEEE 1394a ports (1 on the back panel, 1 via the IEEE 1394a bracket connected to the internal IEEE 1394a header)
Internal I/O Connectors	1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector 1 x floppy disk drive connector 1 x IDE connector 7 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors 1 x CPU fan header 1 x system fan headers 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 3 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers 1 x IEEE 1394a header 1 x serial port header 1 x clearing CMOS jumper
Back Panel Connectors	1 x PS/2 keyboard or PS/2 mouse port 1 x D-Sub port (Note 2) 1 x DVI-D port (Note 2) (Note 3) (Note 4) 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector 1 x HDMI port (Note 2) (Note 4) 1 x DisplayPort (Note 2) (Note 4) 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (Note 7) 2 x USB 3.0 ports 1 x IEEE 1394a port 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s connector 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 IT8720 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/System fan speed control (Note 8)
BIOS	2 x 64 Mbit flash Use of licensed AWARD BIOS Support for DualBIOS™ PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 1.0b
Unique Features	Support for @BIOS Support for Q-Flash Support for Xpress BIOS Rescue Support for Download Center Support for Xpress Install Support for Xpress Recovery2 Support for EasyTune Support for Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2 Support for Smart 6™ Support for Auto Green Support for Q-Share
Bundle Software	Norton Internet Security (OEM version)
Operating System	Support for Microsoft^® Windows 7/Vista/XP
Form Factor	Micro ATX Form Factor; 24.4cm x 24.4cm
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.
Note	(Note 1) Due to Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than 4 GB. (Note 2) To use the onboard DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D, and D-Sub ports, you must install an Intel CPU with integrated graphics. (Note 3) The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter. (Note 4) You can use only one of the onboard digital graphics ports (e.g. DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI-D) for output when in the BIOS Setup program or when during the POST screens. (Note 5) For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot. (Note 7) Two share the same ports with USB 3.0. (Note 8) Whether the CPU/system fan speed control function is supported will depend on the CPU/system cooler you install. (Note 9) Available functions in EasyTune may differ by motherboard model.

Features:

Excellent Intel^® HD Graphics performance - 3DMARK VANTAGE E8000+ marks!! - 3DMARK VANTAGE E8000+ marks on H57/H55 system configuration
Intel Core i5 661, [email protected], GPU@ 900MHz, 4GB DDR3-1760(OC), Vista 32, 3DMARK VANTAGE.

* E8000+ marks in 3DMARK VANTAGE was achieved by overclocking.
* Please be aware that GIGABYTE's product warranty does not cover damages caused by overclocking.
Intel^® Core™ i7/ Core™ i5/ Core™ i3 LGA 1156 Processors - Supporting the latest Intel^® Core™ i7, Core™ i5 and Core™ i3 processors featuring the first time ever integrated graphics on chip and LGA 1156 socket(Core™ i5 and Core™ i3 processors only), GIGABYTE H5x series motherboards set a new standard in multimedia platform for high definition contents playback. With the GPU integrated directly into the processor die, GIGABYTE H5x motherboards support 2 channel DDR3 memory, wide range of display interfaces that includes VGA, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort (Depends on model). Additionally, the GIGABYTE H5x Series are optimized for greater graphics performance by enabling overclocking the GPU core frequency for a performance gain of up to 13%.
*Onboard motherboard display functionality requires a processor with Intel Graphics Technology.
On/Off Charge Support - GIGABYTE On/Off Charge technology that enables faster iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch charging. A derivative of GIGABYTE's highly acclaimed 3x USB Power feature, On/Off Charge technology allows iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices to draw more current from GIGABYTE motherboard USB ports than standard USB ports allow, with the added benefit that the PC can be on, in standby mode or even off.
*Due to certain mobile phone limitations, users may need to connect the mobile phone to their PC before the PC enters S4/S5 mode to enable a quick charge from non On/Off Charge USB ports. Charging results may vary by model.
On/Off Charge USB port - Charges iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch while PC Hibernates or even when shut down (off).
USB 3.0 Support - The GIGABYTE USB3.0 series motherboards support the latest generation SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology made possible through an onboard NEC uPD720200 host controller. With superfast transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps, users are able to experience an almost a 10x improvement over USB 2.0. Additionally, backwards compatibility with USB 2.0 assures users of long term use of their legacy USB 2.0 devices. The onboard NEC SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology also provides new power management features that include increased maximum bus power and device current draw to better accommodate power-hungry devices.
3x USB Power Boost - GIGABYTE USB3.0 series motherboards feature a 3x USB power boost, delivering greater compatibility and extra power for USB devices. GIGABYTE’s unique USB power design is also able to efficiently regulate output over the full voltage range, which greatly enhances USB device compatibility. In addition, dedicated lower resistance fuses ensure lower voltage drops, and provide more stable and plentiful power delivery.
Ultra Durable 3 - GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 3 design, featuring 2 ounces of copper for both the Power and Ground layers which dramatically lowers system temperature by delivering a more efficient spreading of heat from critical areas of the motherboard such as the CPU power zone throughout the entire PCB. GIGABYTE's Ultra Durable 3 also lowers the PCB impedance by 50%, which helps to reduce electrical waste and further lowers component temperatures. A 2oz Copper layer design also provides improved signal quality and lower EMI (Electromagnetic Interference), providing better system stability and allowing for greater margins for overclocking.
Benefits of 2 oz Copper PCB - Cooler than traditional motherboards
• Enhanced durability
• Improved energy efficiency
• Greater margins for overclocking
Smart 6- A Smarter way for PC system Management - GIGABYTE Smart 6™ is designed with user-friendliness in mind, and offers a combination of 6 innovative software utilities that provide easier and smarter PC system management. Smart 6™ allows you to speed up system performance, reduce boot-up time, manage a secure platform and recover previous system settings easily with a click of the mouse button.
Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2 - GIGABYTE Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2 incorporates a host of intelligent features that use a proprietary hardware and software design to considerably enhance PC system energy efficiency, Reduce power consumption and deliver optimized auto-phase-switching for the CPU, Memory, Chipset, VGA, HDD, and fans with a simple click of button.
DDR3 2200+ Support - Supports the latest Intel processors delivering native support for DDR3 memory up to 2200+MHz by the enhanced design of GIGABYTE.
* Please refer "Memory Support List" for memory support information
Display Port Support - The GIGABYTE motherboards featuring the next generation graphics display interface DisplayPort that delivers up to 10.8 Gbps of bandwidth over standard cables, providing billions of colors, enabling the fastest refresh rates and the greatest color depths.
HDMI-The Next Generation Multimedia Interface - HDMI is the latest High-Definition Multimedia Interface able to provide up to 5Gb/s video transmitting bandwidth and 8-channel high quality audio all through a single cable. Able to transmit superior, uncompressed digital video and audio, HDMI ensures the crispest rendering of digital content up to 1080p without the quality losses associated with analog interfaces and their digital-to-analog conversion. In addition, HDMI is compatible with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), allowing the playback of Blu-ray/HD DVD and other protected media content.
AutoGreen- Greening your PC via Bluetooth cellphone - AutoGreen technology can automatically save power for you simply by your bluetooth cell phone when you are away from your computer.
Note: GIGABYTE motherboards do not include a Bluetooth^® receiver; the addition of a 3rd party Bluetooth receiver is required.
DualBIOS™ - Patented Dual Hardware BIOS Protection - DualBIOS™ is a GIGABYTE patented technology that automatically recovers BIOS data when main BIOS has crashed or failed. Featuring 2 physical BIOS ROMs integrated onboard, GIGABYTE DualBIOS™ allows quick and seamless recovery from BIOS damage or failure due to viruses or improper BIOS updating.
Dolby Home Theater^® - Enjoy a Rich Home Theater Surround Sound Experience - Dolby Home Theater places listeners in the middle of the action, giving their PCs a powerful set of tools to deliver a cinema-style experience in vivid surround sound.
• Delivers vivid surround sound for music, movies, and games, using two to eight speakers or any set of headphones
• Designed to automatically deliver the best possible listening experience
Norton™ Internet Security - Fast, comprehensive, and up-to-the-minute protection against online threats. It safeguards your computer, identity, and home network without slowing you down. It sets a new standard for speed and makes online shopping, banking, and browsing safer and more convenient than ever.
Qualified for Windows^® 7 - The motherboard qualified for WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certification of Windows 7 from Microsoft^®, setting the standard for future Windows 7 certified motherboards.
ErP Lot 6 support - The ErP (as known as Energy-Related Products Directive) is part of new European Union's environment regulations. ErP established is based on the concern of environmental issues regards electronic devices been gained popularity and how to improve energy efficiency for better and greener life. GIGABYTE presents standard motherboards to help you effectively improving system performance and saving more energy.