Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 Intel X99 Chipset Motherboard

Description

The Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 Intel X99 Chipset Motherboard uses an all-digital CPU power design from International Rectifier which includes 4th Generation digital PWM and 3rd Generation PowIRstage controllers that offer precision in delivering power to the power-hungry and energy-sensitive components. This allows enthusiasts to extract maximum performance from their Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition CPUs. It features Isense technology, which provides precise current sensing accuracy. This helps evenly distribute the thermal loading between the PowerIRstage ICs, preventing the overheating of each individual PowerIRstage, resulting in longer lifespan and better reliability.

The motherboard features a PCI Express design that utilises all of the 40 lanes from the CPU when in a 4-way or 3-way graphics configuration. Standard designs limit all 4 main PCIe lanes to x8 (64 Gb/s) bandwidth, but thanks to the onboard external clock generator combined with the direct connection of one of the x16 lanes to the CPU (switchless design), this motherboard can unlock the full bandwidth (320 Gb/s ) available and provide the optimum graphic bandwidth possible to the user.

Featuring Dual M.2 technology, the motherboard provides users PCI-Express connectivity for SSD devices and for 11AC Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.0 card. It can deliver data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gb/s. The stacked design optimises the PCB real-estate usage, allowing more components to be efficiently added without compromising any space.

The X99 motherboard features an onboard SATA Express connector that supports data transfer rates of up to 10 Gb/s, which won’t bottleneck faster NAND flash technologies in SSDs. SATA Express combines the benefits of PCI-Express and SATA to provide high bandwidth, allowing SATA Express based drives to perform at similar speeds as PCI-Express based drives.

The Realtek ALC1150 is a high-performance multi-channel high-definition audio codec that delivers audio listening experience with up to 115 dB SNR, ensuring users get the best possible audio quality from their PCs. The ALC1150 provides ten DAC channels that simultaneously support 7.1-channel sound playback, plus 2 channels of independent stereo sound output (multiple streaming) through the front panel stereo outputs. Two stereo ADCs are integrated and can support a microphone array with Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC), Beam Forming (BF), and Noise Suppression (NS) technologies. The ALC1150 incorporates Realtek proprietary convertor technology to achieve front differential output of 115 dB Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR), playback (DAC) quality, and 104 dB SNR recording (ADC) quality. Locating the right and left audio channels on separate PCB layers, this motherboard is capable of eliminating channel crosstalk.

The Intel Gigabit LAN networking in this motherboard features several performance-enhancing features such as advanced interrupt handling to help reduce CPU overhead and Jumbo Frame support for extra-large data packets. It also features cFos Speed, a network traffic management application which helps to improve network latency, maintaining low ping times to deliver better responsiveness in a crowded LAN environment. cFos Speed works in a similar way to an OS driver, monitoring network traffic packets at the application layer, allowing optimisation and improved network performance for specific applications.

The motherboard features server-level Cooper Bussmann chokes for server-level reliability and high current capacity. It also reduces heat created by power loss and provides efficient power delivery to CPU VRM area. This motherboard integrates solid-state capacitors that are rated to perform at maximum efficiency for extended periods, even in extreme performance configurations. With ultra-low ESR, the capacitors come in customised jet black finish.

The X99 motherboard comes equipped with 30 micron thick gold plating for the CPU socket, 4 PCIe slots, and 8 DIMM slots, which ensures reliability and longevity for the diverse connectors. It also features a 2X Copper PCB design that provides sufficient power trace paths between components to handle greater than normal power loads and to remove heat from the critical CPU power delivery area. This is essential to ensure the motherboard is able to handle the increased power loading that is necessary when overclocking.

With DualBIOS system, the motherboard protects users from BIOS failure due to virus attack, hardware malfunction, improper OC settings, or power failure during the update process. Q-Flash Plus allows users to update to the latest BIOS using a thumb drive without the CPU or memory needing to be installed. By simply downloading the latest BIOS and renaming it on a USB thumb drive, and plugging it into the dedicated port, you can now flash the BIOS automatically without the need to press any buttons or even the need of onboard memory or CPU. Utilising the ITE AEC 8951E controller, the X99 motherboard’s BIOS can be updated even if your system is unable to boot. An LED next to the AEC controller will notify you once the procedure is complete and you are ready to boot your system normally.

The X99 motherboard features a wider copper ground pad and an onboard components free area around the PCB screw mounting holes. This design reduces the chances of damaging any surrounding onboard components during the PC assembly process. Bigger copper ground pads also provide the added benefit of lower EMI disturbance for reduced noise interference. The motherboard features LED lighting for the audio guard light path, providing a cool, custom look to your rig. These lights are programmable, so you can have them beat to the rhythm of the music you are listening to, or pulse at a soothing pace to create a great atmosphere to enhance the environment of your game, movie, or music.

The heat sink design offers efficient cooling on key areas of the motherboard including the PWM area and chipset (PCH) to maintain optimal thermal parameters. This Thunderbolt Ready motherboard allows you to expand your systems capability with an onboard pin header to accommodate the addition of a Thunderbolt add-in card (not included). The Thunderbolt controller can provide bandwidth of up to 20 Gb/s. The motherboard supports Intel Core i7 processors for delivering bandwidth totalling 320 Gb/s for the most demanding gamers or graphics intensive creation tasks such as video editing. With an enhanced overclocking oriented option, this motherboard allows users to take full advantage of all the performance potential of Intel Extreme Edition CPUs (not included). It also supports 4-channel DDR4 RAMs for fast loading of programmes, increased responsiveness, and handling heavy data tasks.

The Gigabyte APP Centre gives you easy access to apps that help enhance the functionality of the motherboard. Using a simple, unified user interface, Gigabyte APP Centre allows you to easily launch all Gigabyte apps installed on your system, cheque related updates online, and download the latest apps, drivers, and BIOS. The Gigabyte EasyTune is a simple and easy-to-use Windows-based software application that allows users to fine-tune their system settings, adjust system, memory clocks, and voltages in a Windows environment. It also helps display system-related information without the need to instal additional software.

Actual performance may vary by system configuration.

Wireless module required to be installed on the system for wireless connectivity

Key Features

• Supports Intel Core i7 processor extreme edition
• Includes a 4-channel DDR4, 8 DIMMs
• All digital power design with IR digital PWM and IR PowIRstage ICs
• 4-Way graphics with premium PCIe lane
• Dual M.2 technology for SSD drive and Wi-Fi card
• 6x (30µ) gold plating for CPU socket, memory DIMMs, and PCIe slots
• Realtek ALC1150 115 dB SNR HD audio with built-in rear audio amplifier
• Independent right and left audio channel PCB layers
• LED lighting for the audio guard light path
• All stainless-steel connectors on rear panel
• Features high-end quality audio capacitors
• SATA Express support for up to 10 Gb/s data transfer ¹

  Please Note:

Actual performance may vary by system configuration. close * Long lifespan durable black solid caps * APP Centre including EasyTune and Cloud Station utilities * Smart Quick Boost provides users with different levels of CPU frequency to choose to achieve desired system performance * Advanced CPU OC allows users to set the CPU's base clock, frequency and voltages, and integrated graphics frequency * Advanced DDR OC allows users to set the memory clock with XMP profile support * 3D power allows users to change power phase, voltage, and frequency settings * Cloud station server is composed of several apps that allow your smart phone/tablet/PC devices to communicate, share resources, and control desktop PCs via wireless connection * HomeCloud allows users to share the files between your smart phone/tablet device and computer or back up the files from the device to the computer * HotSpot turns your computer into a virtual wireless access point and allows you to share your connection with your other wireless devices ²

Please Note:

Wireless module required to be installed on the system for wireless connectivity close * Remote allows users to remotely control the mouse/keyboard/Windows Media Player on your computer from your smart phone/tablet device * Remote OC allows users to remotely control their desktop PC with a suite of software functions that include overclocking and system tweaking, system monitoring plus the ability to also remotely power down/reset the PC when needed * Auto Green provides users with simple options to enable system power savings via a Bluetooth-enabled smart phone/tablet device * When the device is out of the range of the computer's Bluetooth receiver, the system will enter the specified power saving mode * Offers support for APP Centre that includes @BIOS, Ambient LED, EasyTune, EZ Setup, Fast Boot, Cloud Station, ON/OFF Charge, Smart TimeLock, Smart Recovery 2, System Information Viewer, USB Blocker, and V-Tuner * Supports Q-Flash, Smart Switch, and Xpress Instal * Thunderbolt ready * UEFI DualBIOS with Q-Flash Plus USB port * Safer design around screw mounting holes * Single package design for improved thermal capability and layout

Specifications

CPU	Support for Intel Core i7 processors in the LGA2011-3 package L3 cache varies with CPU
Chipset	Intel X99 Express Chipset
Memory	8 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB of system memory 4 channel memory architecture Support for DDR4 3000(O.C.) / 2800(O.C.) / 2666(O.C.) / 2400(O.C.) / 2133 MHz memory modules Support for non-ECC memory modules Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules Support for RDIMM 1Rx8 memory modules (operate in non-ECC mode) 1 Please Note: Due to a Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than the size of the physical memory installed. close
Audio	Realtek ALC1150 codec High Definition Audio 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Support for S/PDIF Out
LAN	Intel GbE LAN chips (10/100/1000 Mb)
Expansion Slots	2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x16 (PCIE_1, PCIE_2) For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to instal it in the PCIE_1 slot; if you are installing two PCI Express graphics cards, it is recommended that you instal them in the PCIE_1 and PCIE_2 slots. 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x8 (PCIE_3, PCIE_4) The PCIE_4 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIE_1 slot. When the PCIE_4 slot is populated, the PCIE_1 slot will operate at up to x8 mode. When an i7-5820K CPU is installed, the PCIE_2 slot operates at up to x8 mode and the PCIE_3 operates at up to x4 mode. (All PCI Express x16 slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.) 3 x PCI Express x1 slots (The PCI Express x1 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.) 1 x M.2 Socket 1 connector for the wireless communication module (M2_WIFI)
Graphics	Support for 4-Way/3-Way/2-Way AMD CrossFire/NVIDIA SLI technology 2 Please Note: The 4-Way NVIDIA SLI configuration is not supported when an i7-5820K CPU is installed. To set up a 3-Way SLI configuration, refer to 1-6 Setting up AMD CrossFire/NVIDIA SLI Configuration. close
Storage Interface	Chipset 1 x M.2 PCIe connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280 SATA & PCIe x2/x1 SSD support); Only AHCI mode is supported when an M.2 PCIe SSD or a SATA Express device is installed 1 x SATA Express connector 6 x SATA 6 Gb/s connectors (SATA3 05) Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 4 x SATA 6 Gb/s connectors (sSATA3 03), supporting IDE and AHCI modes only (An operating system installed on the SATA3 05 connectors cannot be used on the sSATA3 03 connectors.) 3 Please Note: M2_10G, SATA Express, and SATA3 4/5 connectors can only be used one at a time. The SATA3 4/5 connectors will become unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed in the M2_10G connector. close
USB	Chipset 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (2 ports on the back panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB header) 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB headers) Chipset + Renesas uPD720210 USB 3.0 Hub 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports on the back panel
Internal I/O Connectors	1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector 1 x PCIe power connector 1 x I/O shield audio LED power connector 1 x heatsink LED power connector 1 x M.2 Socket 3 connector 1 x SATA Express connector 10 x SATA 6 Gb/s connectors 1 x CPU fan header 1 x water cooling fan header (CPU_OPT) 3 x system fan headers 1 x front panel header 1 x front panel audio header 1 x USB 3.0/2.0 header 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers 1 x Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header 1 x Thunderbolt add-in card connector 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
Rear Panel Connectors	1 x PS/2 keyboard port 1 x PS/2 mouse port 6 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x RJ-45 port 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector 5 x audio jacks (Centre/Subwoofer Speaker Out, Rear Speaker Out, Line In, Line Out, Mic In) 2 x Wi-Fi antenna connector holes
Controller Interface	iTE I/O Controller Chip
Monitoring	Hardware System voltage detection CPU/System/Chipset temperature detection CPU/CPU OPT/System fan speed detection CPU/System/Chipset overheating warning CPU/CPU OPT/System fan fail warning CPU/CPU OPT/System fan speed control 4 Please Note: Whether the fan speed control function is supported will depend on the cooler you instal. close
BIOS	2 x 128 Mb flash Use of licenced AMI UEFI BIOS Support for DualBIOS Support for Q-Flash Plus PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0
Bundle Software	Norton Internet Security (OEM version) Intel Smart Response Technology cFosSpeed
Operating System	Support for Windows 8.1/8/7 5 Please Note: Due to different Linux support conditions provided by chipset vendors, please download Linux driver from chipset vendors' website or 3rd party websites. close
Form Factor	ATX Form Factor; 12.0 x 9.6" (30.5 x 24.4 cm)