Gigabyte Z87-D3HP Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. Gigabyte Z87-D3HP: Packaging and Bundle3. Gigabyte Z87-D3HP: Board Layout and Features4. Gigabyte Z87-D3HP: BIOS5. Gigabyte Z87-D3HP: Overclocking6. Testing Methodology7. System: PCMark 88. System: 3DMark 119. System: 3DMark10. System: Unigine Heaven Benchmark11. Processor: SiSoft Sandra12. Processor: Cinebench R11.5 64 bit13. Processor: Super Pi14. Processor: MKV HD Performance15. Processor: Media Encoding - MediaEspresso16. Processor: Media Encoding - HandBrake17. Motherboard: SATA Performance18. Motherboard: USB 3.0 Performance19. Gaming: Battlefield 320. Gaming: Sleeping Dogs21. Gaming: Metro 203322. Technical: Power Consumption23. Closing Thoughts24. View All Pages

The Gigabyte Z87-D3HP is a solid entry-level Z87 motherboard which delivers very good overclocking results and sports many worthwhile features.

Despite its modest four phase power delivery system to the CPU, the Z87-D3HP was able to push our particular 4770K to its realistic day to day limit of 4.5GHz. In doing so, Gigabyte's motherboard showed no signs of instability. Using the Z87-D3HP to overclock the 4770K by 1GHz was as simple as increasing a few voltages, upping some multipliers, and pressing F10.

Automated overclocking on the other hand was nowhere near as effective. Gigabyte's pre-defined settings used CPU VCore levels which were far higher than required and, inevitably, resulted in load temperatures which were too high to be considered safe. Not only was the VCore level too high, but the memory multipliers were edited to configurations that resulted in fast RAM operating well below its rated speed.

Given the entry-level price point of the Gigabyte Z87-D3HP motherboard, it is fair to assume that many of its buyers will not be fully confident overclockers. That suggestion alone proves the requirement for a well-implemented, fully stable set of automatic overclocking profiles. Gigabyte needs to fix the CPU ‘performance boost' modes so that the applied configurations are realistically stable for the Z87-D3HP board's target audience.

Gigabyte has managed to equip the Z87-D3HP with features that will appeal to entry-level Z87 buyers, while still maintaining a low asking price. Ten USB 3.0 ports and six SATA 6Gb/s connections provide users with plenty of storage options. Factor in the pair of CrossFire-compatible x16-length PCI-E slots, and the Gigabyte Z87-D3HP motherboard can be used to build a powerful gaming and general usage system.

Gigabyte's revamped UEFI BIOS is very attractive and features plenty of information and adjustable settings. To novice users, the sheer number of controllable parameters and displayed settings can be a case of information overload. Luckily, a simple push of the F2 key allows users to revert to Gigabyte's tried-and-tested BIOS layout of old – one which can be easier to understand.

Currently priced at £102.98 from Aria, the Gigabyte Z87-D3HP motherboard's competitive price and solid feature set allow it to shine in circa-£100 Z87 territory.

Pros:

• Competitive price.
• Solid set of features (ten USB 3.0 ports, CrossFire support, Intel LAN).
• Good overclocking performance.
• Low power consumption.
• Attractive, feature-rich UEFI BIOS.

Cons:

• Very bad automatic overclocking profile settings.
• UEFI BIOS could be difficult for novice users at first.

KitGuru says: With its solid overclocking ability and good feature set, if you're in the market for a cheap upgrade to Haswell and Z87, Gigabyte's Z87-D3HP motherboard is a great choice.

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