GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 Intel Z68 Motherboard Review
GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 Intel Z68 Motherboard
Earlier this year Legit Reviews was fortunate enough to attend the launch of the GIGABYTE G1 Killer series of motherboards while at CES 2011. This was also just days after the launch of the new Intel Sandy Bridge processors. When GIGABYTE started planning and designing the G1 series of boards, I’m not sure they had an idea of how big of a hit that the LGA1155 series of processors was going to be. This is somewhat evident by the fact that GIGABYTE first launched this line as an Intel X58 platform. By the time that we were able to get some hands on time with the GIGABYTE G1 Assassin X58 motherboard, the X58 platform was well past it’s prime and for the most part Intel “Sandy Bridge” was the dominating force.
Just as a refresher to what I said about the GIGABYTE G1 Assassin: I really like the concept behind the GIGABYTE G1 Killer series of motherboards. The issue I have though, is that it is an Intel X58 motherboard. It’s still a strong system if you are already using it, but if I were to be building a new system, an Intel X58 system wouldn’t be my first choice. Our Intel Core i5 2500K processor in the Intel P67 motherboards was giving the i7 950 a solid run for the money. If GIGABYTE had release the G1 Killer series of motherboards in the Intel P67 chipset I think it would have been a better move on their part. Please don’t mistake this for knocking the board, the board was great, just a little late. Perhaps GIGABYTE will release another version of the G1 Killer Series motherboards for the up and coming Intel Z68 chipset, or for Socket R later this year.
Looking back, I suppose it’s a good thing that GIGABYTE didn’t release an Intel P67 version of the G1 Killer motherboards. Mainly since the P67 chipset is quickly fading into the shadows of the Intel Z68 platform. On that same note though, rumors of the Intel X79 platform on the horizon are swirling around, should GIGABYTE have waited for the LGA2011 socket. I suppose if you keep waiting for the next great thing, you will be forever waiting since something better is always being talked about.
As I said, I really liked the GIGABYTE G1 Assassin X58 motherboard, but wished that it had come out in a LGA1155 socket motherboard. Well, now it does! The GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 is built around the same military concept and features many of the same integrated peripherals. Except now it features the Intel Z68 chipset, and socket LGA1155! Just about everything I wished the G1 Assassin was.
Among the usual high quality features that we find on GIGABYTE motherboards, the GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 also has integrated peripherals that are usually only found on discrete cards. While most motherboards use either a Realtek network interface card (N.I.C.) or an Intel N.I.C., the GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 uses a Bigfoot Networks Killer E2100 NIC. the E2100 features a dedicated NPU (Network Processing Unit) with 1Gb of dedicated DDR2 memory. The NPU helps offload network traffic from the CPU freeing it up to do much more important tasks, like completing that ever so important “Head Shot” with no lag! The Killer E2100 takes advantage of Bigfoot Networks Game Networking DNA. The Game Network DNA software offloads gaming data to the NPE by bypassing the Windows network stack.
In addition to using the Killer E2100 NIC, the G1.SNIPER2 also integrates a high end audio card on to the motherboard. Instead of a Realtek audio codec, the SNIPER2 features Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Digital Audio Processor (20K2). The CA20K2 has X-FI Xtreme fidelity and EAX Advanced HD 5.0 technologies. What does this translate into for you? Crystal clear sound allowing you to experience your games like they were meant to be heard!.
The GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 has 8 Phases of power being delivered to the CPU help to build a much more reliable power delivery system. The entire GIGABYTE 6 series of motherboards uses DUAL CPU Power Technology. This technology allows the CPU VRM power phases to split into a pair of power engines that work together. In the case of the G1.SNIPER2 4 phases will be inactive while the other 4 are supplying power.
The GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 features a pair of PCIe X16 slots. If only the first PCIe X16 slot is populated it will run at the full X16 bandwidth. If you throw in a second graphics card into the G1.SNIPER2 in CrossfireX or SLI both of the cards will be run at X8. The GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 features support for the next generation of Intel 22nm “Ivy Bridge” processors as well as native support for PCI Express Gen 3. PCI Express Gen 3 offers up to double the bandwidth of the current PCIe 2.0. GIGABYTE also states that their entire line of 6 series motherboards will support these features as well. MSI is claiming that the only motherboard from GIGABYTE that offers native support for PCI Express Gen 3 is the G1.SNIPER2. Good news for us since that happens to be the board we are looking at. We are currently awaiting a response from GIGABYTE about these accusations, as soon as we hear anything about this we’ll be sure to let you know.
GIGABYTE G1-Killer Instinct Features
| Super Sight | Super Hearing | Super Speed | Super Shield |
| CrossFireX and SLI | Onboard Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Digital Audio Processor (20K2) |
Bigfoot Networks Killer E2100 Game Networking Platform |
Locked and Loaded Heatpipe Design |
| 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920×1200 | X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity | Front Access Control Panel with OC button | 5 Smart Fan Connectors |
| EAX AHD 5.0 | SATA 3.0 (6Gbps), USB 3.0 and 3x USB Power | GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 3 | |
| Dolby Digital Live | Maximum CPU Power Delivery | ||
| DTS Connect | Dual CPU Power | ||
| Front Audio Headphone Amplifier | Driver MOSFETs | ||
| Nichicon High-end Audio Capacitors |
GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2 Intel Z68 Specifications
| CPU | – Support for:
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| Chipset | – Intel Z68 Express Chipset |
| Memory |
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| Onboard Graphics | Integrated Graphics Processor:
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| Audio |
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| LAN |
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| Expansion Slots |
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| Multi-Graphics Technology |
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| Storage Interface | Marvell 88SE9172 chip:
Chipset:
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| USB | Chipset:
2 x Etron EJ168 chips:
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| Internal I/O Connectors |
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| Back Panel Connectors |
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| I/O Controller | iTE IT8728 chip |
| H/W Monitoring |
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| BIOS |
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| Unique Features |
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| Bundle Software |
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| Form Factor |
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Now that we know what to expect from the GIGABYTE G1.SNIPER2, at least in terms of features we can start our tour. Join us on the next page as we take a look at the retail packaging and the bundle for the G1.SNIPER2!
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