Gigabyte X58-USB3 Review - PAGE 1

Intel’s X58 chipset has been their flagship product for some time now, and even though we are on the verge of the new Sandy Bridge architecture being released, there isn't another platform that can offer the sheer performance of an i7 system. Since its introduction into the market there have been a host of new technologies added to X58 based motherboards; it is now common to find technologies such as USB 3.0. SATA 3.0, as well as CrossFireX and SLI supported on many of the models. These options vary from board to board, with high-end models including everything possible and more budget orientated options including just the basics.

The Gigabyte X58-USB3 motherboard that we are going to be taking an in-depth look at in this review takes a middle-of-the-road approach to the aforementioned technologies. It doesn’t include SATA 3.0, but it still has on-board USB 3.0 options and can support 3-way SLI and CrossFireX mutli-GPU scaling. In addition, the X58-USB3 includes many of Gigabyte’s signature technologies, such as their Ultra Durable III design and their USB Power 3x. This gives the Gigabyte X58-USB3 plenty of features, and at its current retail price of $169.99 USD, it is also more affordable than most X58 based motherboards.