Gigabyte X99-Gaming 5P Motherboard Review

The Gigabyte X99-Gaming 5P is a solid choice of motherboard for gamers wanting a high-end multi-GPU system based on Intel HEDT platform.

Overclocking performance is strong, thanks in large to the high performance International Rectifiers power delivery solution. The motherboard had no problem taking our 5960X to its core limit of 4.4GHz, and we were able to increase the CPU cache/ring frequency to 4.2GHz thanks to the added CPU socket pins.

Expansion options on the PCIe front are excellent, with the board offering a graphics spacing layout that is among the best for any X99 motherboard. The audio solution is equally positive; clarity and noise level of the Creative-based system was excellent. And there's the potential for fine-tuned audio performance due to the upgradeable Burr Brown op-amp.

Unfortunately the BIOS profiles for Gigabyte's X99 motherboard still seem a little ‘hit or miss'. To Gigabyte's credit, the company worked hard to release a batch of BIOS updates at the end of April, despite many still being in beta form. Nevertheless, this motherboard should have shipped with a fully stable from day 1 given its arrival to the X99 scene well after the platform's launch.

My biggest disappointment for the X99-Gaming 5P is its lackluster M.2 solution. It is an odd decision to be using a 10Gbps connection when PCIe connectivity on the X99 platform is plentiful. All of Gigabyte's competitors are consistently using 32Gbps connections which offer non-handicapped support for fast M.2 drives which are currently on the market.

Priced at £229.99 from OverclockersUK, Gigabyte's X99-Gaming 5P is a notch above the pricing of entry-level X99 motherboards. But when the particularly high-end audio solution and pin-boosted CPU socket are factored into the equation, the price tag is understandable.

Pros:

• Excellent multi-GPU support and layout spacing.
• Superb audio solution with upgradeable op-amp.
• Extra pins in the CPU socket provide good cache/ring overclocking capacity.
• High quality power delivery system.
• Red LEDs on the board may appeal to some.

Cons:

• Only a 10Gbps M.2 connector – not 20Gbps or 32Gbps.
• UEFI layout could benefit from layout tweaks.
• Still the potential for BIOS and instability issues with certain graphics cards.

KitGuru says: A solid choice for a high-end, multi-GPU gaming system, provided you don't plan on using a high-speed M.2 storage drive.

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