Gigabyte X99 Gaming 5 (LGA 2011-3) Motherboard Review

Introduction, Specifications and Packaging

Intel’s new “Haswell-E” high-end desktop platform recently launched with the Core i7 5960X 8 core CPU leading the way – be sure to check our review of that right here. To accompany Intel’s new Haswell-E CPUs we have a brand new platform based on the X99 Express chipset and DDR4 memory. Today we are reviewing our first motherboard based on X99 Express and it is actually the same motherboard we used in our Core i7 5960X – the Gigabyte G1 Gaming 5 X99 motherboard. To put it through its paces we are using Intel’s flagship Core i7 5960X and a hefty 32GB of Crucial DDR4 2133MHz memory which is fresh off the Micron production line. Gigabyte’s newest X99 series of boards draw a lot of their inspiration from the recent Z97 releases: they use the same colour schemes, they offer similar audio and networking combos and they are orientated towards the same market segments, albeit at a higher premium. The Gigabyte X99 Gaming 5 has impressive specifications, largely due to the fact the X99 chipset offers so much. Gigabyte have opted for the “gamer” orientation with this board by equipping the usual Killer networking and high quality audio package, we also have the almost-cliché red & black colour scheme which has proved so popular.

Packaging and Accessories

The X99 Gaming 5 slots into the G1 Gaming series and is the entry level X99 Gaming board from Gigabyte.

Despite the “entry level” status the feature set is staggering: having a basic X99 based motherboard isn’t really possible. As the rear of the box exemplifies Gigabyte are targeting performance, audio, networking and looks with this board.

The accessory pack is one of the more basic ones we’ve seen for an X99 board but is still extensive. There are a couple of manuals, a driver & utility CD and some stickers.

For inside the system we find a rear I/O, 2-Way, 3-Way and 4-Way SLI bridges of different lengths, a CrossFire bridge, some PCIe power adapters and 6 braided SATA 6Gbps cables.