Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3

     Intel has finally delivered the much anticipated Core 2 Duo processor and everyone is frantic to get one.  Generally when a new CPU is released a whole slew of new motherboards come out also.  This time is no different and Intel 965 motherboards are popping up all over the place.  The question is which one to get.  You need a new motherboard that is going to give you the most for your money and the most out of your brand new shiny CPU.  Gigabyte claims to have delivered a motherboard that will give you a ton of performance from your new CPU while at the same time keeping the price low.  Let's find out.

Specifications and Features

Processor

1. LGA775 Intel Core™ 2 Extreme/ Intel Core™ 2 Duo processor*
2. Supports 1066/800/533 MHz FSB

Chipset

1. Northbridge: Intel^® P965 Express Chipset
2. Southbridge: Intel^® ICH8
3. Marvel 8053 Gigabit LAN Controller
4. GIGABYTE SATAII controller
5. Realtek ALC883 8 Channel Audio Codec

Memory

1. Supports DDR2 800/667/533 memory
2. Dual Channel architecture support up to 8GB by 4 DIMM slots

Expansion Slots

1. 1 x PCI Express X16 slot
2. 3 x PCI Express X1 slot
3. 3 x PCI slots

Form Factor

1. ATX form factor, 305 x 210mm

Internal I/O Connectors

1. 1 x 24-pin ATX power
2. 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
3. 1 x floppy connector
4. 1 x IDE connector
5. 6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
6. 1 x CPU fan connector
7. 1 x system fan connector
8. 1 x front panel connector
9. 1 x front audio connector
10. 1 x CD In connector
11. 3 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors for additional 6 ports by cables
12. 1 x SPDIF In connector
13. 1 x power LED connector

Rear Panel I/O

1. 1 x PS/2 keyboard port
2. 1 x PS/2 mouse port
3. 1 x SPDIF Out connection (coaxial+optical)
4. 1 x parallel port
5. 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
6. 1 x serial port (COMA)
7. 1 x RJ-45 port
8. 6 x audio jacks (Line In / Line Out / MIC In/Surround Speaker Out (Rear Speaker Out)/Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out/Side Speaker Out)

H/W Monitoring

1. System voltage detection
2. CPU / System temperature detection
3. CPU / System fan speed detection
4. CPU warning temperature
5. CPU / System fan failure warning
6. CPU Smart Fan Control

Other Features

1. Supports RAID 0, 1, JBOD (GIGABYTE SATA 2)
2. Supports @BIOS
3. Supports Download Center
4. Supports Q-Flash
5. Supports EasyTune 5
6. Supports Xpress Install
7. Supports Xpress Recovery2
8. Supports Virtual DualBIOS

Remark