Gigabyte X99-Ultra Gaming Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. Gigabyte X99-Ultra Gaming: Packaging and Bundle3. Gigabyte X99-Ultra Gaming: Board Layout and Features4. Gigabyte X99 UEFI5. Gigabyte X99 Software6. Testing Methodology7. Tests: CPU Related8. Tests: Memory & System Related9. Tests: Gaming Related10. Overclocking11. Motherboard Features Performance 12. Closing Thoughts13. View All Pages

ATTO Disk Benchmark

The ATTO disk benchmark is a Windows-based utility for testing storage performance of any storage drive or controller. We use the default benchmark setup.

For SATA 6Gbps testing we use a SK Hynix SE3010 960GB SSD. We test USB performance using a Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB SSD connected to a SATA 6Gb/s to USB 3.0 adapter powered by an ASMedia ASM1053 controller.

SATA 6Gbps performance is without issue, as one would expect.

USB 3.0 performance is about as good as it gets whether you decide to use the Intel DSL6540-fed USB 3.1 ports (using a USB 3.0 external SSD) or the native 5Gbps USB 3.0 connectors.

Performance from the X99-fed 5Gbps USB 3.0 ports is particularly noteworthy as they are duplicated through a Renesas D720210 hub. This does not, however, seem to have any noticeable impact on the ports' transfer rates, which is very positive.

Audio

Rightmark Audio Analyser (RMAA) is a freeware benchmarking utility designed to objectively test the performance characteristics of audio solutions. We setup a line-in line-out loop and execute the record/playback test before generating the results report you see below. A sampling mode of 24-bit, 192 kHz was tested.

General audio performance is ‘Very good‘ according to RMAA. Noise level and dynamic range performance characteristics are particularly strong thanks to the Realtek ALC1150 codec.

Power

We leave the system to idle on the Windows 10 desktop for 5 minutes before taking a reading. For CPU load results we run Cinebench and take a reading in the middle of the render progress. The power consumption of our entire test system (at the wall) is shown in the chart.

Compared to the Asus competitors, power consumption is a clear advantage for Gigabyte's X99 offering. Significantly lower stock-clocked power consumption numbers are achieved thanks to Gigabyte's more conservative CPU VCore application.

And overclocked power consumption numbers are in Gigabyte's favour thanks to the accuracy and efficiency of the X99-Ultra Gaming's International Rectifiers-based power delivery system.

If shaving a small amount off your electricity bill is important, or simply pumping less heat into your room will be welcomed, Gigabyte's X99-Ultra Gaming delivers on both fronts.

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