GIGABYTE Launches X99M-Gaming 5: Micro-ATX for Haswell-E
by Ian Cutress on November 19, 2014 3:31 AM EST
One noted trend in computing is the desire for more compute in a smaller space. Imagine mixing High Performance Computing with Small Form Factors, if such a thing could be possible without tons of heat or extreme fan noise/cooling. Haswell-E is the peak of multithreaded throughput on the consumer platform, and the choices for small systems based on this CPU line are limited to custom system integrators or micro-ATX motherboards for home builds. At present there are three micro-ATX X99 motherboards on the market, and GIGABYTE becomes the forth by entering the fray with the X99M-Gaming 5.
The X99M-Gaming 5 matches the current generation gaming motherboards from GIGABYTE with its G1.Gaming styling, and unlike other motherboards in this segment uses the CPU PCIe lanes (with a 40 lane CPU) in an x16/x16/x8 arrangement rather than x16/x16 with an additional PCIe 2.0 x4 from the chipset. This means that users with single slot GPUs or PCIe co-processors can use three devices with direct bandwidth to the CPU. Users with an i7-5820K, with 28 PCIe 3.0 lanes, will have access to an x16/x8/x4 arrangement.
GIGABYTE’s custom additions to the chipset begin with their upgraded Realtek ALC1150 audio solution with upgradeable OP-AMPs as well as gold plated audio connectors. Quad USB DAC-UP provides a cleaner power to four of the rear panel USB ports, and the rear IO shield bundled takes advantage of GIGABYTE’s Ambient LED system that we covered at X99 launch.
Networking comes via a Qualcomm Atheros Killer network port and M.2 x1 slot for a WiFi M.2 module which can route the antenna to the back panel - users will have to purchase this separately, or GIGABYTE might make a WiFi edition if demand is sufficient. The X99M-Gaming 5 will support both M.2 x2 and SATA Express, with all ten SATA 6 Gbps ports from the chipset being used. The power delivery also continues GIGABYTE’s design with International Rectifier PowIRStage ICs and server level chokes.
As this is an announcement from GIGABYTE’s headquarters in Taiwan, we are awaiting information via the US offices for North America pricing. The current micro-ATX X99 motherboards on the market currently retail for $235, $250 and $260, so one might suggest that this is also the target.
Source: GIGABYTE
Update 11/20: This motherboard will have an MSRP of $270.
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dgingeri - Thursday, November 20, 2014 - link
Oh, and the cost difference is about double: $26 for the X99 and $54 for the C612.Samus - Wednesday, November 19, 2014 - link
itx?eanazag - Thursday, November 20, 2014 - link
I don't totally get the Haswell-E micro ATX board form factor. Everything about Haswell-E screams "give me a big Cadillac sized board". If you're running multi-GPU, they will have to be blower cards. I have two R9 290's that are non-blower and they simply run too hot close together even with a single width slot of breathing room.I can see some Nvidia 970 or 980's working well. Given this form factor, I would go large Nvidia card 970/980 and a 750 for PhysX. And this makes more sense on Haswell minus -E.
The single slot GPU market is crap. You're going to spend $270 on a board only, and then buy some $80 video cards?
If I'm buying an -E, I'm buying for cores, memory slots, storage ports, and PCIe lanes. All that requires mobo real estate. For me uATX Haswell-E has to be at the bottom of the price spectrum.
This board is a niche within a niche. I predict mail-in rebates.
aliquis - Monday, December 8, 2014 - link
Does it have to be for gaming?And on what ground is the 3+ graphics card claim anyway? More PCI-express lanes? Would it really affect performance even with three graphics cards?
Or to push the limit on the processor and number of cores rather than the graphics cards capability?
asmian - Wednesday, November 19, 2014 - link
Killer nic? Stopped reading right there. Plus SATA Express which is going nowhere, huge wasted connectors on such a small board.bleomycin - Wednesday, November 19, 2014 - link
X99 mATX is interesting, however I would much prefer a mini-itx implementation. I just don't find mATX to be small enough to justify the limitations it imposes. X99 with a gtx 980 in my ncase m1 case with water cooling would be a fantastic little machine!Antronman - Sunday, November 30, 2014 - link
With an mATX, you could a Revodrive 350 to that build. Or a soundcard of your choice.If you're going pro, you can SLI a couple of K4200s, or Have a K5200 or K6000 and a Fusion-iO PCIe storage drive.
For your information... - Thursday, November 20, 2014 - link
If your thinking about buying that junk, go check out the reviews at Newegg on the full size X99 Gaming G1. Everybody complaining about USB (AND MORE) problems and 2 months later Gigabyte still hasn't fixed it.Antronman - Sunday, November 30, 2014 - link
Now we just need to wait for the Rampage V Gene so there's a real mATX X99 motherboard you can buy.just4U - Tuesday, December 2, 2014 - link
so much dislike for the smaller form factor.. If I were to build a system today, (and DDR4 prices were reasonable..) I'd use a board like this /w 2 970s and a 6core CPU. Games are starting to utilize more cores these days.. and down the road a dual core simply won't cut it (hi dragon age inquisition) But, we all use our computers for more than just gaming.. especially those posting to this site so that's a given. I like building setups based around Matx builds or smaller so something like this would be up my ally.Wish they'd included the Creative sound chip though..