GIGABYTE G1.Sniper 2 (rev. 1.0) Pro Reviews

I am sure that Gigabyte considers the integrated Creative CA20K2 sound processor and Bigfoot Killer E2100 network controller to be the key features of their G1.Sniper 2 mainboard. It is true, only Gigabyte mainboards from the gaming “K1-Killer” series boast these features, so we won’t deny their benefits. However, it is important to keep in mind a few other peculiarities of this product. It has very smart and thought-through design, supports all contemporary features and interfaces including USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gbps. Yes, IEEE1394 (FireWire) support is missing, but is it really necessary? You can use the graphics core integrated into the processor, utilize unique technologies of the Intel Z68 Express chipset such as LucidLogix Virtu and Intel Smart Response. The board overclocks processors well, memory – a little worse, but I have to specifically stress its extremely handy automatic overclocking feature that allows to quickly and easily go back to the nominal system settings. And don’t forget the 5-inch panel that brings USB 3.0 and eSATA/USB Combo to the system case front as well as a very efficient cooling system with truly unique looks and style. All in all, this mainboard has a ton of advantages, but one pretty serious drawback: all power-saving modes and technologies are disabled in the BIOS by default, which seriously affects not only power consumption but also performance, because in this case Intel Turbo Boost technology is only partially functional. I am sure that the owners of Gigabyte G1.Sniper 2 mainboard will have no problem enabling all of them manually. However, it is manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure that the most optimal settings are chosen for the default mode, including power-saving and Intel Turbo Boost.

The G1.Sniper2 is a motherboard built for gamers, and although it’s somewhat limited in graphics expandability, this board possesses other qualities near and dear to gamers: it overclocks very well and remains stable when you need it most. It also looks pretty sweet should you want to showcase your rig to fellow gamers.

Gigabyte's G1.Sniper2 is an awesome motherboard that delivers the kind of performance and features gamers and overclockers dream about. However, as is often the case, this fine specimen doesn't come cheaply. As of writing, the G1.Sniper2 is fetching $360 on Newegg, which is $10 over Gigabyte's suggested retail price and a tad higher than the Z68X-UD7-B3 -- a board that is arguably the G1.Sniper2's biggest competitor.

The Gigabyte G1.Sniper 2 is a good motherboard aimed squarely at the gamer, not the computer hardware enthusiast. The G1.Sniper 2 comes laden with all sorts of "high-end" built on audio solutions as well as Bigfoot Networks' Killer E2100 Game Networking device. These things obviously contribute to the hefty price. Gigabyte's implementation of its "OC Button" can give the gamer a quick and easy route to 4GHz+ Sandy Bridge machine. There is a lot of bling on the board and a lot of swag in the box. If you are looking to quickly get beyond the build and into gaming, the G1.Sniper 2 is a good and stable gamer solution. Hardware enthusiasts should look elsewhere.

The G1.Sniper 2 is an excellent board with a lot of innovative features that should make gamers rejoice. These features make excellent additions to any board and we are really surprised to see that GIGABYTE is the only manufacturer to adopt such unique features as they really do make for a great gaming board. Add to that the fact that its ready for 22nm Ivy Bridge processors and PCI-E 3, and we have a board is actually future-proofed to an extent.

If you are looking for a new board for the upcoming Ivy Bridge processors and you really want to go all out, I highly recommend taking a look at this motherboard. Gigabyte has been really good at giving the enthusiast community the kinds of features that they really want. This board follows that trend. In terms of performance it was on par with the best Z68 board that we’ve tested and it comes with some amazing features. This board does cost quite a bit more than the ASRock board, but you don’t get nearly the amount of enthusiast level features. If you take into account the performance of this board along with all of the included features, this board stands out as being one of the top Z68 boards on the market.

The GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 Intel X58 motherboard has the features that many purchase additional expansion cards for. If you are looking for a great performing motherboard, and are planning on picking up a discrete NIC and sound card, the GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 is a great option that doesn't need the additional hardware.

This is one quality-heavy motherboard; even with all the cooling removed the G1.Sniper2 easily physically weighs twice as much as some of the other boards we've tested. For those not willing to compromise on parts in the search for ultimate performance, this is THE board to get. We've deducted from the score for the weird XMP/memory situation, and issues we ran into getting things up and running, but with a new BIOS this board could really be Gaming Perfection.

We feel the Sniper 2 is an excellent fit for gamers that want excellent network and audio performance but don’t want the hassle of add-in cards. It is a unique platform that has everything one could possibly want and serves as an all inclusive starting point for any gaming system.