Gigabyte Z77X UD3H

Merlin5 · 4 May 2012 at 13:42

Still undecided if I'm getting Ivybridge 3570K or Sandybridge 2550K. I do like the features of this motherboard,

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-389-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=

is it worth buying if I don't get Ivybridge, perhaps for futureproofing like changing to IvyBridge from Sandybridge at some point later on? With Sandybridge installed, would I be missing any must have features that the board is capable of with Ivy?

The UD3H has something like 6 power phases and the UD5H has 12 I believe. Does this mean that the UD3H would overheat more easily while overclocking? What about the audio chip, it's not realtek but VIA. Any good? The spec for it seems about the same as realtek.

EL_JOCK · 4 May 2012 at 14:01

Hi i have one, been running it a few days now with my IVY 3570k, its very nice like most gigabyte's boards.

Easy to work with, overclocking seems very simple, running at 4.2 on 1.164volts hottest core on load hits about 55 on air, the below cooler with an apache fan

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-047-ZA&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

With a silent system im happy with the clock, it could go more but i dont need to. It ticks all the boxes to be honest.

the only thing from you list is the audio chip, i came from a X-FI but due to crossfire i cannot fit the card, so for now run the onboard sound, its ok, but defo not as good as the X-Fi i had. If your on on-board now then i would guess its as good, i will pick up a cheap PCI-E sound card thinking this,

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-015-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=

Hope it helps

MonkeyWrench9 · 4 May 2012 at 15:05

Yeah the onboard sound is my only concern for the UD3H over the UD5H. But if you do have your own Sound Card, then this won't really matter.

Merlin5 · 4 May 2012 at 15:44

Thanks guys. Well I've got an old soundblaster 5.1 knocking around somewhere, lol. But I much prefer the convenience of onboard sound. I've found the realtek built into my old gigabyte motherboard to have nice sound quality, it's the Realtek ALC888 8-channel audio codec. If the Via VT2021 is comparable, then it would be fine.

stulid · 4 May 2012 at 15:59

Merlin5 said:
I've found the realtek built into my old gigabyte motherboard to have nice sound quality, it's the Realtek ALC888 8-channel audio codec. If the Via VT2021 is comparable, then it would be fine.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Audio-Codec-Comparison-Table/520/1

Thats a list of codecs and specs, so you can compare the VIA against Realtek.

Merlin5 · 4 May 2012 at 16:31

stulid said:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Audio-Codec-Comparison-Table/520/1

Thats a list of codecs and specs, so you can compare the VIA against Realtek.

Thank for that. Looks like the VIA is at least as good as mine and even slightly better.

ahenners · 4 May 2012 at 16:37

I'm running one, nice board but can't comment on the sound as I use a xonar dg. Easy to OC on and the bios is nice. Spot on for the money and if the sound is poor you could buy a cheap xonar or x-fi

MonkeyWrench9 · 4 May 2012 at 16:59

Merlin5 said:
Thank for that. Looks like the VIA is at least as good as mine and even slightly better.

Yeah and you could always try out a PCI-E Sound card if you ever feel you want better sound or even just to see the difference, as long as you don't destroy the packing you could probably just return it to the shop if you don't see much of a difference.

stulid · 4 May 2012 at 17:06

Nice board Merlin5, also having Gigabytes customer service there if you need it is a bonus