14 DAY TRIAL // As if the brand-new, high-end X48 chipset from Intel wouldn't have been enough, Gigabyte has decided that it is high time to add a few updates to the original GA-X38-DQ6 design. The new chipset has been the headline since summer, but Intel refuses to officially launch it until January next year.
For starters, Gigabyte decided to implement the same motherboard layout used for the younger, X38 chipset, but as Intel delayed the vip-only launch, Gigabite has taken another approach. The new layout design, version 1.1, features new trace paths, improved components, and several new options that haven't yet been revealed exhaustively by the producer.
Gigabyte is also determined to add major improvements in their BIOS. The next BIOS version will allow the user to adjust the performance level directly through the BIOS interface, as well as changes in voltage ranges and memory sub-timing options. Rumors has it that the Gigabyte team is squeezing every bit of performance from the X48 chipset.
The cooling solution is made of pure copper and serpents along the motherboard pretty discretely. In terms of expansion there is not much novelty as compared to the original GA-X38-DQ6. There are two PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slots with Crossfire support, four DDR2-1066 DIMMs, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, eight of USB 2.0 connectors and eight SATA 3.0 Gbps ports.
The X48-DQ6 is officially going for the 1600 MHz FSB. The differences between the x38 and the x48 chipset aren't yet clearly stated, but Gigabyte spokespersons confirmed that the upgrade wil be fully visible only to the customers who push the motherboard to its limits.
The X48 chipset should be available in a limited edition as soon as next month, while the new Gigabyte motherboard is announced by the end of this year.