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Gigabyte are using an AWARD bios which is fully featured and allows for a wide array of overclocking settings.
A wide array of settings allowing for control over all aspects of processor speeds, ram timings and overclocking settings.
Overclocking is extremely easy, although there are no ‘pre configured' settings like we have seen recently on many of the ASROCK boards. These are ideal for inexperienced users and for those who really can't get to grips with a plethora of bios settings.
The board has an excellent recovery system, and it will automatically rescue itself from an unstable situation, with a warning. We never had to interact with this board by resetting the CMOS when settings didn't work.
We managed to get the board stable to 4.85ghz with the Core i5 2500K, but this required a little work with voltages and a few other settings. We want to keep it simple for the target audience who will buy this budget board, so we backed down a little. We are using older Corsair 1600mhz memory, but the specifications are similar to the memory listed on the first page via UK retailer Scan.
Achieving 4.6ghz was as simple as changing the 2500k Core Turbo ratios to 46. Even an inexperienced user with weak to modest air cooling could get this board to 4.6ghz, therefore this is the speed we will use for our review results. Validation for 4.6ghz is available over here. A 1.3ghz overclock is really impressive, by just simply changing a few bios parameters.
Wow, that might be a ugly looking board, but great performance ! ill direct my friend to this link he was on about a new mobo and system before christmas
Great bargain. I have read an analysis before on x4 and it doesnt really make much difference for a second slot card. maybe 5% lower performance.
It is a bit stripped down, but in the right places. such as not having 12 sata ports etc. who the hell needs all that anyway.
Shame about the x4 secondary port, but ive looked at the 3dmark results and they seem pretty much on par with 2x x16 slots… very good quality board. I like gigabyte anyway.
They are selling well, most places are sold out. companies need to release more sub £100 b oards like this, huge audience.
Look at the results for instance. a 2500k and a board like this with cheap ass memory, performs well, and for gaming a 970/980/990x is a total waste of time.
proved many times. nice article
Gigabyte have good bios recovery systems, always found it with my older P67 board. I moved to asus Z68 and it sometimes craps out. has surprised me to be honest as I know they get the best name overall. ill move back to gigabyte in the next cycle.
We sell 10 of these a week. excellent product. Never used one in Crossfire, so this is a good resource.
I got one two weeks ago, but they are hard to find now in stock
Ebay sellers have them
Bought it, this week and am very happy. great review thanks.
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Hello Zardon, thank you for the very informative review but I just wanted to ask.
How did you overclock the Z68AP-D3 without an option to change the Vcore? Which setting do I change to change my Vcore? Right now I have a 2600k and I’m hoping to go at least 4.2Ghz. I’d be really grateful if you’d email or post the solution here.
The maximum selectable multiplier for me with this board is 41x. Is this a limitation of revision 1.0?