GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R (Rev. 2.0) Motherboard Review

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R (Rev. 2.0) Board Layout

Looking at the GIGABYTE X58A-UD3R we see that its on a blue PCB that GIGABYTE has been known for. I happen to like blue so this is a good thing. Clearly from this view, the GIGABYTE X58A-UD3R is loaded with features for any user to use.

Moving on to the DIMM slots we see that the GIGABYTE X58A-UD3R can fit up to six sticks that support up to 2200 Mhz DDR3 memory. Above left of the DIMMS lies the 4pin CPU Fan header. To the right of the DIMM slots resides the 24pin power connector.

Shuffling down to the bottom of the GIGABYTE X58A-UD3R, we have three USB headers, one of which employs a red color to signify that it uses the new “On/Off” Charge feature that also outputs more power to the USB ports connected to it so anything that can be charged via USB can can charge faster as well as stay powered while the computer is off. Next to the red USB port is the front panel header. Above those is the IDE connector for those who still use those devices. Next thing seen are the ten Sata ports, six of which are controlled by the South Bridge(ICH10R). The middle white row of ports are the SATA 3 (6Gbps) controlled by the Marvell 9128 chip(between the South Bridge and SATA ports) while the lower white two ports are SATA 2 controlled by the “GIGABYTE SATA 2” chip. There is a system fan header above the SATA ports and one below them.

Next up we have the seven expansion slots; two PCI-E x1, four PCI-E, and one PCI slot. Then we have the floppy drive port next to a 4pin fan header. Above the bottom PCI-E slot lies the Firewire header. To the far left we have the iTE IT8720f chip. Next to the iTE chip we see the CD In connector and right below that is the tiny SPDIF Output header. On the right of the second PCI-E x1 slot is the SPDIF In header and above that is the Front Panel Audio header for the AC’97 and HD Audio ports on the front of most cases. Last but not least is the NEC chip for the USB 3.0 function and that’s right beneath the heatpipe in the image.

Up on top of the GIGABYTE X58A-UD3R we have one of the differences from Rev 1.0. The original revision had only 8 power phases while Rev 2.0 has 12 surrounding the 1366 socket. Nestled in between the left and upper heatsinks lies the 8pin power connector.

On the rear is a nice assortment of ports on the I/O panel. There is a total of eight USB ports; two blue ports are USB 3.0 controlled by the NEC USB 3.0 chip located behind the six audio jacks. Next we have a pair of USB2.0/e-SATA ports with a pair of IEEE 1394a(firewire) ports in yellow. The Clear CMOS button is located on the left with the optical and coaxial S/PDIF out and the PS/2 ports for the mouse and keyboard.