P35T-DQ6 with DDR3 support
P35-DQ6 with DDR2 support
P35-DS3R for mainstream markets
G33-DS3R with Intel integrated graphics
G33M-DS2R, "Bearlake" in a micro ATX package
Gigabyte United is set to introduce its "Bearlake" motherboards at Computex 2007, powered by Intel's P35 and G33 Express chipsets
Gigabyte United is set to introduce its next generation Ultra Durable 2 series motherboards in early June. The new motherboards features ferrite core choke coils, low RDS MOSFETs and all-solid capacitors for increased reliability and longevity. Gigabyte United claims the ferrite core choke coils offer higher frequency operation for improved overclocking capabilities, lower temperatures, lower electromagnetic interference and resistance to rust.
RDS MOSFETs minimize conduction and gate charge switching losses while delivering lower temperatures, in a small package. All solid capacitors solve capacitor leakage problems that plagued previous motherboards from all motherboard manufacturers. The solid capacitors promise higher heat resistance and performance while being more environmental friendly than electrolytic capacitors.
Gigabyte United expects to launch its Ultra Durable 2 series motherboards with Intel’s next-generation Bearlake family of chipsets. There will be five Ultra Durable 2 series motherboards powered by Intel’s P35 and G33 Express chipsets – the P35-DQ6, P35-DS3R, P35T-DQ6, G33M-D2SR and G33-DS3R in full and micro ATX configurations. Gigabyte United pairs all five Ultra Durable 2 series motherboards with Intel’s ICH9R south bridge for enhanced I/O connectivity.
At the top of the Ultra Durable 2 spectrum are the P35-DQ6 and P35T-DQ6. Both models share similar feature sets, including dual physical PCIe x16, three PCIe x1 and two PCI slots. Despite having two physical PCIe x16 slots, only the upper slot delivers 16 PCIe lanes to the graphics card. The second PCIe x16 slot delivers lesser lanes, typically 2-4 lanes.
There are also six SATA 3.0Gbps ports powered by Intel’s ICH9R south bridge with support for Matrix RAID technology, two additional SATA ports and a single IDE port powered by a separate controller. Other notable features include 8-channel high definition audio by a Realtek audio codec and a heat pipe chipset cooling.
Differentiating the P35-DQ6 and P35T-DQ6 is memory support. The P35-DQ6 relies on current DDR2 memory while the P35T-DQ6 supports next-generation DDR3 memory technology.
Moving away from the enthusiast arena are the P35-DS3R and G33-DS3R. These models feature a single PCIe x16 slot without support for multi-GPU technologies. There are also three PCIe x1 and three PCI slots for additional expansion. As with the higher end P35-DQ6 and P35T-DQ6, the mainstream P35-DS3R and G33-DS3R feature six SATA 3.0Gbps ports powered by Intel’s ICH9R, two additional SATA 3.0Gbps and an IDE port powered by a secondary controller.
Realtek high-definition audio codecs deliver 8-channel audio on both boards. Gigabyte United equips these mainstream models with DDR2 memory support. Chipset cooling remains passive, although there is no elaborate heat pipe setup on the P35-DS3R and G33-DS3R. The G33-DS3R offers integrated graphics while the P35-DS3R requires a PCIe graphics card.
Lastly, Gigabyte United delivers Intel’s G33 Express in a micro ATX package with the G33M-DS2R. This model features one PCIe x16, one PCIe x1 and two PCI slots. There are only six SATA 3.0Gbps ports and one IDE. Aside from minor differences, the G33M-DS2R has a similar feature set as the full-sized G33-DS3R.
Expect Gigabyte United to officially pull the wraps off its Ultra Durable 2 series at Computex 2007.
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