The battle for Core i5 655k supremacy

As we approach Computex where the much anticipated unlocked CPUs from Intel are expected to be announced, the battle to hold the No. 1 CPU-Z position for the 655k CPU is getting interesting. Dinos22 currently holds first place with 6650 Mhz using a GIGABYTE P55A-UD7, Monstru is second with 6635 Mhz on a GIGABYTE P55A-UD6, and AbsoluteZero is third with 6300 on a GIGABYTE P55A-UD7.

Stay tuned for more as the battle heats up.

The Search for GIGABYTE’s #1 Biggest Fan Continues…

Congratulations to JD Melo from the Philippines who just won Week 1’s motherboard, a GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H!

Week 2’s question has already been posted: What device(s) would you like to see offer USB 3.0 support?

Please visit HERE to answer this week’s question for your chance to a GA-890FXA-UD5 motherboard. Remember, there are still 9 weeks left to go with 9 more motherboards to be given away as well as the title of GIGABYTE’s #1 Biggest Fan along with a trip to Taipei to watch this year’s GO OC (GIGABYTE Open Overclocking Competition)!

For complete contest rules, please visit HERE. And if you haven’t already “liked” GIGABYTE Motherboard Tech Column, what are you waiting for? www.facebook.com/GIGABYTEmotherboards

World’s first USB 3.0 Mini-ITX motherboard

Today we launched the world’s smallest desktop PC motherboard featuring USB 3.0, the H55N-USB3. This is quite remarkable because a mere two press releases ago we launched the world’s largest desktop PC motherboard featuring USB 3.0 when we announced the X58A-UD9. The size difference between these two form factor extremes (XL-ATX and Mini-ITX) is shown in the picture above where I’m holding them for comparison. I must say that the UD9 feels like it weighs ten times as much as the H55N-USB3 even though they both have 2oz copper PCBs.

The H55N-USB3 comes with all the bells and whistles that you’d expect from a high-end GIGABYTE motherboard including hi-def audio and video ports (video needs the correct Intel CPU with integrated graphics of course), all Japanese solid capacitors, Ferrite core chokes, Low RDS (on) MOSFETs, Dual BIOS, Smart 6, EasyTune 6 and 3x USB power. We expect this little baby to be popular in the DIY media center market where small size and high-def audio & video are important. Consider the inclusion of USB 3.0 for speedy transfer of large media files, and there is not better option for a living room PC!

While on the topic of extremes in the motherboard form factor spectrum, these niche products have never really been a focus for GIGABYTE until recently for a couple of reasons: the first is that we have grown our market share in the more mainstream segments considerably over the past 4 years since we first introduced solid capacitors on our mobos in 2006, and exploring new market segments is how we hope to continue growing our share; the second is that the Mini-ITX ecosystem is maturing to the extent where cases, power supplies, low profile CPU coolers and memory are readily available, so we expect to see good volumes for these products.

Stay tuned for more USB 3.0 news from GIGABYTE as we get ready for Computex 2010 next week.

First retail X58A-UD9 shows up on Australian forum. First OC result is pretty impressive too!

rbdirty is the first forum user to report about his purchase of the new X58A-UD9 board. He was so eager to try it out that he managed to quickly get some dry ice, a Xeon W3520 CPU and managed to do some quick 32M Superpi runs with 245MHz bclock.

That's a pretty impressive start from this up and coming forum member who has only recently started getting a feel for subzero cooling. His kingpin F1 pot looks brand new still heh. He is incidentally one second off the current category world record for that particular CPU which is pretty impressive as he hasnt started tweaking yet.

Keep up the good work rbdirty and for anyone who wants to check out how he is going jump to OCAU thread for more

System image courtesy of rbdirty from OCAU :)

Win a trip to Taiwan – GIGABYTE’s biggest fan contest

On Monday this week we launched the Search for GIGABYTE Motherboard’s #1 Biggest Fan promotion on facebook. Entrants are required to post answers to questions such as: What feature on any GIGABYTE motherboard would make you consider upgrading your system?

We’ll be giving away one motherboard per week from May 17th until July 31st (total of 10 boards) to lucky winners who have ‘Liked’ the GIGABYTE Motherboard Tech Column and posted something interesting about GIGABYTE motherboard features. There will be one ultimate winner deemed to be GIGABYTE’s No. 1 biggest fan who will be selected by the GIGABYTE HQ marketing team for their participation and contribution throughout the promotion. This fan will be awarded an all expenses paid trip to Taiwan during GO OC 2010 in September, where they will meet and spend time with the world’s top overclockers. More details at available on the GIGABYTE Motherboard Tech Column facebook events page.

If you haven’t ‘Liked’ the GIGABYTE Motherboard Tech Column yet, like it and join our facebook community for a chance to win big!

GO OC Australia 2010 is over!

Youngpro wins the extreme OC competititon!

Unfortunately due to work committements he is unable to attend Pan Asian Regional Finals in Jakarta Indonesia however bob(nz) and Uncle Fester have qualified for the big trip to represent Australia. Good luck boys and all the best. You are heading over there to defend last year's win by TeamAU (nooooooooo pressure) hahahah

youtube video click to play

GIGABYTE USA: SHARE YOUR GIGABYTE SYSTEM CONTEST!

GIGABYTE USA is running a new contest and giving away some great prizes:

1st Prize: Nintendo Wii
2nd Prize: Razer Carcharias Gaming Headset
3rd Prize: GIGABYTE GM-M8000X Gaming Mouse

All you have to do is post a picture of your system to be entered. The contest is until June 4, so make sure to visit GIGABYTE USA on Facebook and visit their contest page HERE for more details.

Note: this contest is for Canadian and US GIGABYTE fans only!