GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD5-B3 (rev. 1.0) Pro Reviews

If integrated graphics and video transcoding acceleration aren't among your list of requirements you'll be very happy with the GA-Z68X-UD5-B3 motherboard.... but like our time testing Intel P67 platforms, I can't help but think there's an unused bit of technology in that Core i5 2500K processor that I should at least have the option of using, after all, that's the whole point of the Intel Z68 chipset isn't it?

I am not impressed with the new Intel Z68 Express chipset. Its special features are not meant for the general public but rather for specific categories of users only. The Z68-based Gigabyte mainboards I have tested today also didn’t make me particularly happy. First of all, Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3P-B3, GA-Z68X-UD4-B3, GA-Z68X-UD5-B3 and GA-Z68X-UD7-B3 do not have video outputs and therefore do not allow using the integrated graphics. They support Intel Smart Response but lack any Lucid Virtu modes. Their packaging, accessories bundles and PCB design are practically flawless. These mainboards are very well built, offer a full range of modern interfaces and features and on top of that offer a number of Gigabyte’s exclusive technologies. I would like to specifically point out an extremely successful new program called Touch BIOS utility. Although not without some minor shortcomings, this new Windows-based tool offers quick and easy way of accessing and adjusting BIOS settings.

The Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3 has got something to appeal to almost every system builder, but this pricey motherboard doesn?t take advantage of one of its chipset's flagship features.

This suave-looking mainboard offers loads of expansion ports and thorough overclocking capabilities. Just a few quibbles keep it from top marks.

The Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3 has several nice features, such as three FireWire ports, eight USB 3.0 ports, three PCI Express x16 slots, high-quality audio with coaxial and optical SPDIF outputs, a very high-end voltage regulator circuit, and an impressive set of overclocking options, allowing you to increase the CPU base clock using 0.1 MHz steps, which is unbelievable. In addition, you can benefit from Intel’s Smart Response Technology to greatly improve your system’s performance. This motherboard, however, has some serious drawbacks. First, it doesn’t support Lucidlogix’s Virtu technology, which is one of the new features of the Z68 chipset, so you get only half of the benefits of owning a Z68-based motherboard. Second, the motherboard has only two real USB 3.0 ports.