Motherboard for assembling mid- and premium-level PCs within the AM2/AM2+/AM3 computer platform - this is completely true for the GA-M52L-S3. Although this solution was released quite a long time ago, system units based on it have sufficient performance and allow solving most problems. It is this computer component from a renowned manufacturer that will be discussed further.

System Board Positioning

As noted earlier, the Gigabyte GA-M52L-S3 motherboard is excellent for creating system unit based on the AM2/AM2+ mid- and premium-level computing platform. This positioning is indicated by support for the most powerful chips of the Phenom X3 series. This affiliation is also indicated by the presence of SATA III ports for connecting storage devices. This board is best suited for assembling gaming systems, entry-level servers, graphics or workstations, and print servers.

Equipment

The GA-M52L-S3 delivery list includes the following:

• This motherboard model.
• A metal blank plate for mounting the board into the rear panel of the system unit.
• User manual with original warranty card.
• A set of cables for connection.
• CD with documentation in electronic form and a set of drivers.

Chipset and socket

The nForce 520 LE chipset is at the heart of the GA-M52L-S3. Its characteristics indicate that it contains only one chip. It simultaneously performs the functions and north bridge, and southern. The processor socket in this motherboard is universal, and both AM2 and AM2+ chips can be installed in it. The use of the latter as part of such a computing system is preferable.

Processors

The GA-M52L-S3 boasts a fairly large list of supported CPU models. Supported processors may belong to computing platforms and even AM3. In the latter case, you will need to perform a BIOS update operation to latest version. Otherwise, this motherboard could work in combination with the following CPU models:

The following processors could be installed within the AM2 computer platform:

Among the CPU models of the AM2+ family it was possible to install the following:

List of compatible AM3 chips with this system board consists of the following models of processor solutions:

An acceptable level of performance today is only provided by the latest chip models that have 4 or even 6 computing modules. That is to this list belong to Athlon IIX4, Phenom IIX4 and Phenom IIX6. The first two families are equipped with 4 cores, and the last - with six. The Phenom II series chips boast higher performance due to the fact that their cache memory consists of 3 levels. But the Athlon II has only 2 levels of fast memory, and this circumstance has an extremely negative impact on their performance. All other processor solutions within this platform are outdated and are suitable for solving the most simple tasks, which include office packages, playing various multimedia files or surfing Internet sites.

Organization of the RAM subsystem

The “Gigabyte” motherboard model GA-M52L-S3 is equipped with a 2-channel DDR2 RAM controller. Therefore, it is more optimal to install more modules with a smaller amount of memory into it than one with a larger size. For example, the performance of such a PC will significantly increase if, instead of 2 4 GB sticks, you install 4 2 GB modules. This will allow you to get a performance increase of 10-15 percent in a number of tasks. The number of RAM slots for installing models is limited to 4. The largest amount of addressable RAM is set by the manufacturer at 16 GB. That is, in this case you can install 4 modules of 4 GB each. It is most optimal to install modules with a nominal frequency of 800 MHz on such a motherboard. In all other cases, the performance of the computing system will be reduced.

Expansion slots and communication ports

The Gigabyte GA-M52L-S3 boasts the presence of such expansion slots:

• The discrete graphics adapter in this case can be installed in PCI-E version 16.X.
• To install new modifications of internal expansion controller boards, 2 PCI E slots, version 1X, are provided.
• Older models of expansion controllers can be installed in PCI slots. In this case there are 4 of them.

This motherboard also includes the following communication ports:

• 2 PS/2 sockets.
• 1 LPT.
• 4 universal USB serial ports.
• 1 game port.
• 6 audio jacks for various purposes in 3.5mm format.
• 1 network connector in RJ-45 format.

GIGABYTE AORUS Ultra Gaming - motherboards for advanced gamers and enthusiasts. The bright, aggressive design will decorate the most stylish gaming case. At the same time, the proprietary RGB Fusion function will allow you to create individual lighting patterns, corporate styles and illumination shows. Thanks to GIGABYTE AMP-UP Audio, motherboards in this series guarantee high-end quality sound in games, which will give games maximum realism. An important feature of these boards is the presence of Smart Fan 5, which provides the most favorable temperature conditions for PC operation without compromising performance, as well as reliable protection from electrostatics and breakdowns. Durable Black solid capacitors used in motherboards of this series have a long service life, which ensures stable work systems in any mode, including extreme settings.

GIGABYTE Gaming – motherboards for gaming machines. They provide the RGB FUSION function and LED tracing of the audio subsystem placement area, which gives complete freedom for LED modding. This series includes models compatible with the LGA1151 and AM4 sockets, which allows you to build a PC based on the new Intel processors 8th generation or AMD Ryzen. The exclusive design of the built-in audio subsystem provides high-quality detail and expansion of sound. And protection from humidity and high temperatures makes Gaming series boards as reliable as possible. Support for the Smart Quick Boost function allows you to automatically perform the overclocking procedure in cases where a performance boost is needed. While the optional OC Touch panel provides quick access to overclocking functions for key system components on the fly.

GIGABYTE Ultra Durable - motherboards with high-quality components. Such boards are able to operate stably under high load conditions and maintain optimal temperature conditions. They feature high energy efficiency and long service life, support the function of monitoring and informing about the current status of the SIV system, as well as Intel Optane technology, which provides performance gains for enthusiast platforms. Support for DDR4 memory modules, the ability to scale the video subsystem via CrossFire technology and availability USB connectors 3.1 Gen1 makes the Ultra Durable family boards universal for building systems for any task.

Company GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd, a leading manufacturer of motherboards, 3D graphics accelerators and other key components for desktop PCs, announces the new line of Intel X79 Express motherboards for enthusiasts. Delivering support for the new 2nd Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor family for high-end PCs, boards based on the Intel X79 Express chipset deliver unparalleled performance desktop computers productivity and new level scaling and resource management. GIGABYTE 3D Power™ and 3-Way Digital Power Engine allow you to control your PC's power, while GIGABYTE 3D BIOS™ provides access to an intuitive UEFI BIOS GUI.

“The new GIGABYTE X79 Series motherboard family gives enthusiasts and professionals unprecedented control over their PC hardware,” said Tim Handley, Associate Director of Marketing, GIGABYTE Motherboards. “In turn, GIGABYTE’s 3D Power and 3D BIOS utilities provide avid gamers, extreme overclockers and digital content creators with excellent prospects for absolute dominance over key PC subsystems.”

GIGABYTE 3D Power™ Utility (Patent Protected)

Owners of GIGABYTE X79 series motherboards will be able to appreciate all the benefits of the exclusive GIGABYTE 3D Power utility (implemented based on the proprietary 3-Way Digital Power Engine for the PWM module and RAM), which provides proper comprehensive power control. Thanks to the new digital PWM controller (GIGABYTE 3D Power includes three controllers serving RAM, VTT and VSA modules), parameters are regulated and monitored in real time. GIGABYTE's proprietary 3D Power™ feature provides real-time monitoring and calibration and surge protection for the CPU, VTT, IMC and 4-channel memory subsystem via a proprietary graphical interface.

Additional information about 3D Power™ can be found at:

GIGABYTE 3D BIOS™ Utility (Patent Protected)

Featuring UEFI DualBIOS™ technology, GIGABYTE's exclusive 3D BIOS™ utility redefines the traditional BIOS with a highly visual 3D interface that even novice users can understand. In addition, along with the 3D graphics mode, the utility can operate in an advanced mode for users who prefer to independently understand the settings inherited from the “old” BIOS. This makes it possible to assess the impact of various BIOS settings on the performance of key PC subsystems.

Additional information about 3D BIOS™ can be found at:

Key Features Intel platforms X79

GIGABYTE's X79 series motherboards are designed to unleash the full potential of the new generation of Intel® Core™ i7 processors based on an updated microarchitecture (LGA2011 processor socket). Among the key advantages of the new CPUs, the first to be noted are the new functionality six cores, a capacious 15 MB L3 cache and four channels of DDR3 RAM.

Thanks to the full 40 PCI lines Express, enthusiasts computer games will be able to enjoy maximum video performance in SLI™ and CrossFireX™ ​​modes.

GIGABYTE G1.Assassin 2

Designed as the ultimate foundation for a gaming PC, the GIGABYTE G1.Assassin 2 motherboard combines the unparalleled performance of the new X79 platform with the exclusive design philosophy of the award-winning G1.Killer series. G1.Assassin 2 is equipped with a first-class audio processor SoundBlaster Digital Audio (20K2), advanced audio presentation technologies X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity® and EAX® Advanced HD™ 5.0 from Creative, plus Bigfoot Networks Killer™ E2100 advanced gaming network platform (provides optimization and control network traffic, which makes it possible to enjoy the best online games). As for the video subsystem, full support for 3-Way SLI™ and CrossFireX™ ​​modes will remove all performance limitations even in the most resource-intensive 3D games.

GIGABYTE X79-UD7

System board GA-X79-UD7 provides CPU performance worthy of champions and is equipped with proprietary technologies typical for extreme overclocking configurations. Implemented on board GA-X79-UD7 digital PWM controllers serve four full-size PCIe connectors, which provide the ability to configure the video subsystem in 4-Way GPU mode, and the set is extremely useful functions for overclocking will not allow overclockers to get bored while fine-tuning the parameters of the new generation Intel® Core™ i7 CPU. Thanks to the exclusive design of the OC VRM module, high-quality components (especially high-reliability POS capacitors) and the OC-Touch function, users have access to real-time control of various CPU parameters. The OC-PEG function provides additional power to the array of graphics cards via two standard SATA ports, ensuring stable operation of the video subsystem in 4-Way SLI™ and CrossfireX™ ​​mode.

GIGABYTE X79-UD5

GIGABYTE motherboard GA-X79-UD5 is a full-fledged, modern media center. Designers and digital content creators working in CAD and professional multimedia applications will appreciate the 8 DIMM sockets for DDR3 RAM and the unique GIGABYTE 3D Power utility. The fully equipped platform can easily cope with any resource-intensive applications that place increased demands on the processor and memory subsystem. On the rear panel of the product, GA-X79-UD5 owners will find an OC button, thanks to which you can get an instant boost in performance when you need it.

GIGABYTE Exclusive Bluetooth 4.0 Module/Wi-Fi Expansion Card*

GIGABYTE X79 series motherboards come with an exclusive PCIe expansion card that is compatible with latest standards wireless communication Bluetooth 4.0 and IEEE 802.11 b/g/n. Progressive Bluetooth standard 4.0 features Smart Ready technology, which first debuted on mobile devices, including on new Apple® iPhone®4s. From now on, transferring important content from your smartphone or tablet to your PC will be easier and much faster than ever.

*Availability of included module may vary by region.

GIGABYTE X79 series motherboard models

Details about motherboards GIGABYTE X79 series is located at:

http://www.gigabyte.com/MicroSite/304/x79.html

Today you can hardly meet a person who has not heard of the leader in the production of computer components - the Gigabyte company. This Taiwanese manufacturer was one of the first to enter the Russian computer market and still does not give up its leading position. Under the Gigabyte brand, you can find video adapters, power supplies, cases, laptops, smartphones, tablets and peripherals. However, the largest share of sales belongs to motherboards. Having occupied all positions in different price classes, this is practically the only brand that is able to satisfy the needs of users. According to statistics, in every fifth personal computer Gigabyte motherboard installed. I would like to understand why the boards from this manufacturer are so valuable. To do this, you need to study the characteristics of the devices, ease of setup and connection, and also research reviews about the manufacturer.

Gathering information before purchasing

All professionals in the field of IT technology recommend that before purchasing any product, go to the manufacturer’s official website in order to make sure that you are purchasing not only hardware, but also the entire range of services, from drivers and full instructions to utilities and timely technical BIOS updates. Having made sure that drivers for the Gigabyte motherboard are available on the official website for all models released for different markets over the past ten years and having found the latest ones, we can conclude that the manufacturer constantly monitors the updating of its resource and first of all thinks about the users. Judging by numerous reviews on specialized forums, Gigabyte company From the first day of its appearance on the market, this is precisely what attracted attention. After all, as you know, at first computer components were purchased second-hand, and with the search for drivers under old Windows there were always problems. Without software from the official website or installation disk the system refused to work.

Keep up with the times

Gigabyte is involved in development the latest systems IT industry. It has signed contracts with many computer parts manufacturers in the world. Therefore, any presentation of the latest chipset at exhibitions and in the media is accompanied by a finished Gigabyte product. An example is the Gigabyte GA-Z170X Gaming G1 motherboard, the existence of which became known on the opening day of the Computex 2015 exhibition, dedicated to transmitting images in 4K Ultra HD format to the screen in games. Oddly enough, the presented product from Gigabyte copes with the task without any problems. All this suggests that the manufacturer keeps up with the times and does not allow itself to use old technologies in production, providing the end consumer with maximum opportunities.

First acquaintance

The first thing that catches the happy buyer's eye is the instructions for the Gigabyte motherboard. This manual is aimed at a user who is far from IT technologies. Everything is laid out so conveniently and clearly that it will not be difficult for the owner to install the board into the case and fully connect all devices, including control buttons, connecting the front panel and indication, which is sometimes very difficult to do even for a specialist in the absence of instructions.

Studying reviews about the manufacturer Gigabyte, especially about its motherboards, you can come across many questions about the purpose of the available fields for notes in the manual. The answer is simple: the manufacturer invites the user to keep independent records of the device installation sequence for memory. However, this is not necessary, since the instructions do not need additions.

First launch

Before connecting the Gigabyte motherboard to the power supply, before the first start, you must check correct connection hard drives, if there are several of them in the system. The intelligent detection and tuning system integrated into the BIOS optimizes hard drive performance not only for system startup time, but also for power and cooling management. In case one of hard drives was connected incorrectly, the next time you turn it on, the user will take a lot of time to reset the settings and re-optimize, which can improve the performance of the entire system. Automatic setup when connecting, judging by the reviews on many IT forums, it will be of interest only to novice users, while professionals prefer to customize the system manually, starting with increasing the frequency of operation central processor and ending with disabling the temperature monitoring system, the sensors of which are crammed into the entire Gigabyte motherboard.

Decent work with any operating system

Connecting the Gigabyte motherboard using an intelligent system is not the only positive point from the manufacturer. A valuable factor is the complete compatibility of the hardware with any existing operating system, which can have full access to all technologies on the motherboard. It is clear that the manufacturer’s recommendations should be taken into account and in order to improve all possible characteristics of the system, it is necessary to install the system drivers that come with the device. In addition to drivers, which are intended only for operating systems of the Windows family, on the disk you can find a digital version of the instructions and all kinds of proprietary utilities. Judging by the reviews from owners of Gigabyte family motherboards, they would like to see proprietary utilities for others such as MacOS and Linux, because from year to year these platforms attract more and more attention from users.

A game on two fronts

It can't be said that basic characteristic Gigabyte motherboard - chipset. In one hundred percent of cases this is the totality of all latest technologies in one device, giving the end user a full range of work and play options. Gigabyte, as they say in IT circles, works on two fronts. More precisely, it creates platforms for both Intel and AMD. Recently, “playing on two fronts” has been practiced by all motherboard manufacturers, with the exception of Intel itself. In terms of compatibility of motherboards and video adapters on different chipsets, Gigabyte has never had any problems. You can easily install a video card from nVidia on the board intended for installation AMD processors and vice versa. This interchangeability is only welcomed by users, judging by their numerous reviews.

Frequent user mistakes

Judging by the statistics, every third user, trying to improve the performance of their equipment, downloads drivers for all their devices from open file exchangers, completely ignoring the official websites of manufacturers. Because of this, infection is widespread operating system all kinds of viruses and programs remote access to personal information. All owners are strongly recommended to download utilities and drivers for the Gigabyte motherboard only from the manufacturer’s official website. The problem is that most utilities and drivers work directly with the board's electronics, and tampering with the hardware can cause physical harm to the device's hardware. For example, a simple shutdown and increase in voltage on all buses can literally burn out all installed devices.

New device capabilities

It's no secret that they are constantly looking for opportunities to improve the technical characteristics of already sold devices. Updating the version may fix compatibility issues with some devices, add support for new processors, or change the control menu. Before updating your Gigabyte motherboard, you need to visit the official website of the developer, find your device using the search system and make sure that a new one is available BIOS updates. If we look at numerous reviews from owners, we can conclude that if there are no problems with the operation of the motherboard, it is highly not recommended to update the device. There is no point in improving something that already works perfectly.

The world's best cooling system

Every motherboard manufacturer can boast of proprietary technologies, the presence of all kinds of connectors and interfaces. But any Gigabyte motherboard, unlike its competitors, has an effective cooling system for components and chips. All microcircuits, connectors and capacitors are placed so as not to interfere with air circulation inside the system unit. This is a truly unique architecture that actually works, and is not just described in the instructions. Good cooling is known to improve the performance of the entire system.

In conclusion

Don't let the appearance of most motherboards from Gigabyte confuse the potential owner. The lack of colorful stickers and aggressive coloring will never help you quickly connect and configure the device. Accordingly, beauty has nothing to do with cooling the system. The Gigabyte motherboard is focused on user convenience during assembly. The absence of unnecessary components only facilitates the installation of components and provides conditions for maximum cooling of all devices. The manufacturer's warranty period is 36 months - this is a fairly serious indicator that Gigabyte supplies decent devices to the market.

Choosing a motherboard can drive any user into a dead end. This is not an easy thing; a lot depends on its characteristics. It’s also not easy to understand the models of one segment, even if you have a rough idea of ​​what we’re talking about. One way or another, at the beginning of the difficult path of choice, you need to decide on the manufacturer. For example, the Gigabyte motherboard performed well at the end of last year. The models are competitive, high quality, varied, and most importantly, affordable.

Variability

Motherboards can be categorized into different categories. Most often there are groups that include models with the most popular processor sockets. You can divide motherboards by chipset models or by options for certain platforms.

Considering the latest updated variations, the Gigabyte motherboard based on the Intel Z170 chipset performed best. In this category you can find greatest number good options that will suit both to the average user, and a fan of computer games.

We will look at three of the most popular models, which also vary in price. The most powerful of all is the Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming G1 motherboard. There are also Gigabyte Z170X-Ultra Gaming and Gigabyte Z170-HD3. What is their difference, we will consider further.

Budget option

It's worth starting with the cheapest and most accessible option. We are talking about Gigabyte Z170-HD3. The model is presented on the flagship chipset from Intel, so it is quite popular among buyers. In addition, it is distinguished by support for a new type of DDR3L RAM, which has a voltage of 1.35 V, as well as the ability to connect DDR3 with a voltage of 1.5 V. The cost of this option ranges around 120-130 dollars.

Equipment

The review of the Gigabyte motherboard should start with the configuration and delivery. The fact is that each model has its own delivery option. The box looks presentable. On the front there is a large Ultra Durable logo, below is the model, memory support and brief information about the chipset.

At the back of the box there is a lot of useful and not so useful information. Here are different connection diagrams, as well as brief technical specifications, system requirements, key features and, of course, supported technologies.

Inside the box is the board itself. It comes with instructions with step by step guide. There is a brochure with a guarantee. Disk with “firewood” and software. Provided are 2 SATA cables, a set for connecting the motherboard to the front panel of the computer case. Also inside you can find a proprietary plug for the interface panel.

Appearance and features

The characteristics of the Gigabyte Z170-HD3 motherboard at the present time are very worthy. The PCB board is made in brown color, format ATX boards. The width has become slightly smaller relative to previous versions- only 20 cm. It’s difficult to say anything about the design. But the board looks neat, restrained and strict. The layout of all the elements is successful, so even if you assemble it yourself there should be no problems.

The lower field takes up a huge number of connectors. There is also the ability to connect audio connectors, as well as a connector for the front panel, and a jumper for resetting CMOS. There are generally two USB 2.0 ports here. It is possible to use six ports, four of which are located inside, and two are located on the interface panel.

The disk system is also quite widely represented. It is possible to use one M.2 Socket 3 port, three connectors for SATA Express. There are four slots for RAM on the board. As mentioned earlier, you can install not only DDR3, but also DDR3L. The RAM operating mode here is dual-channel. For it to work correctly, you must insert records into either the odd or even ports. You can also use four slots at once.

Cooling

Naturally, any Gigabyte motherboard has its own cooling system. This model has two radiators, one of which removes heat from the chipset, and the second protects the batteries. System testing showed good results: the chipset heated up to only 33 degrees, the power chokes - up to 42, and the power radiator - up to 37.

While overclocking the board, the temperature rose slightly. In the case of the chipset, only by one unit, on other elements - by 5-10 degrees.

Overclocking

Few people know that the company provides automatic overclocking in the BIOS. We managed to overclock the Gigabyte Z170-HD3 quite well. The processor frequency increased to 4600 MHz, and the memory began to operate at 2133 MHz.

In general, this model has shown itself to be the most successful option when switching from Socket type LGA1150 to the LGA1151 version. Also, many will be pleased with the presence of support not only for DDR3, but also for DDR3L. The availability of this board also plays a huge role. The motherboard has virtually no shortcomings. She has improved element base, support for some technologies has also been added. There are many ports and an advanced audio subsystem.

Game option

Another good model is the GA-Z170X-Ultra Gaming. This board is a little more expensive than the previous one, by 30-40 dollars. But it is already positioned as a gaming component for PC. It supports all kinds of processors and also LGA1151.

The box turned out to be really attractive, bright and catchy. The main technologies and characteristics are indicated on the front. There is a description at the back key features, interfaces, ports, specifications, etc.

There's nothing unusual inside. Since the model is in the middle price segment, you should not expect any special frills in the configuration. Inside there is required cables, a disk with drivers and software, a manual, a bridge for SLI and a branded label on the player’s door.

Specification

Externally, this model differs from the previous one. But the board has an ATX form. The textolite received a black color and a laconic arrangement of elements. Surprised back panel, which is not overgrown with a huge number of ports. Here is everything you need for two types of USB 3.1 cables, also HDMI connections, DisplayPort, USB 3.0/2.0 and other useful ports.

For RAM there are four slots and support for DDR4 type. The maximum amount of RAM has increased to 64 GB. In general, it is possible to connect two video cards at once. On the one hand, this option seems quite limited, but on the other hand, it seems like a completely ordinary solution for the average gamer. After all, if a player needs something more, he will most likely choose a motherboard that is an order of magnitude higher.

In terms of overclocking potential, this Gigabyte motherboard received good reviews. This is not to say that the improvement showed unprecedented results, but they are quite satisfactory, especially regarding automatic overclocking.

In general, the GA-Z170X-Ultra Gaming model, which although does not have any special characteristics, is still an excellent option for those who would like to purchase a board with the most favorable combination of quality and performance. In principle, in order to assemble a gaming PC, this model has everything.

Support for SLI and CrossFireX configurations is possible. It is possible to simultaneously support four RAM slots with an operating frequency of up to 3866 MHz. The processor contacts are gold-plated to increase service life. There are also a sufficient number of different ports and slots. A nice addition was the presence of a cool red backlight.

Expensive option

But the best motherboard on the Z170 chipset at the present time we can consider the Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming G1. This option is perfect for those who are planning to create a gaming machine and upgrade the motherboard. Gigabyte, as usual, devoted a lot of time appearance, but also did not forget about good filling and quality materials. The only reason that can stop a buyer is a fairly high price.

Peculiarities

This motherboard has the E-ATX format, which fully satisfies all the latest technologies and consumer desires. Since the model is a flagship not only among cheaper models, but also in its price segment, it received all kinds of ports, connectors and slots. It also supports a huge number of technologies useful to gamers.

It runs on the LGA1151 socket, the chipset is Intel Z170 Express, which additionally works with PLX PEX8747. RAM DDR4 type is used here. Four slots are allocated for it and support for two channels. As a result, you can equip your PC with 64 GB of RAM.

In general, all the elements are in the usual places, they are easy to find, connecting the Gigabyte motherboard will not cause any difficulties. In addition, in the box, in addition to a huge number of different cables and adapters, there is also an accessible user manual.

The overclocking potential did not show particularly surprising results. Nevertheless, the model has it. In general, the model turned out to be too luxurious. The buyer will really have to fork out a lot. The Skylake platform often requires large investments, but they are aimed at excellent results.