High-end and Luxury P45 - GIGABYTE P45T EXTREME Air-Cooling 659MHz Reached

In 2008, Intel launches 2 latest Chipset which are P45 and X58 plus ICH10.
These architectures are new goal for all the motherboard manufacturers.
“P” series always become the mid-high end products.
As per the experience, Intel P35/45 is still the most popular products as the OC ability is easily to catch “X” series.

GIGABYTE is always very good at Intel MB product line and separate products into DS3/DS4/DQ6 3 levels,
the familiar model names for users buying guide by budget.

In new P45 Chipset, GIGABYTE launched a new model is more hi-end than DQ6.
The leading role of this test - GIGABYTE P45T EXTREME.
For a long time, DQ6 is always the most hi-end model.
However, after then Extreme series is the new flag ship.

GIGABYTE P45T EXTREME Box
New design style and pattern for EXTREME series


Accessories
Installation Guide, Manual, Software CD, cables, I/O panel




GIGABYTE P45T EXTREME Body




Left Down Corner
1 X PCIE X1
3 X PCIE(Blue slot run at x16 as exclusive used. When you use 3 VGA, the slots operate at x8+x8+x4)
3 x PCI
Realtek 8111C is LAN chip supporting Teaming technology
Realtek ALC889A supports 7.1 channel and High Definition Audio. It also supports Dolby sound even user only use 2 channel speakers.
PCB is MADE IN TAIWAN


Right Down Corner
6 x SATAII (By ICH10R)
1 x IDE
POWER/RESET buttons, Debug LED (the rare design in GIGABYTE products)


Right Up Corner
4 x DIMM DDR3, supports 800/1066/1333/1900,1900 is spec after OC
DRAM provide extra2 phase PWM, the next by is 24-pin power connector


CPU PWM, use 6+6 phases PWM and support DES advanced technology.
The new VRD11.1 design guide, Intel E0 CPU will run with Intel latest energy saving technology.
In my personal view, the 6-phase CPU PWM or support 8-phase in digital are good enough for the hi-end model.
Ex. GIGABYTE uses 6+6-phase, DFI uses 8-phase digital.
The entry like Biostar uses 4-phase PWM also can run Dual core and Quad core OC.
The great benefits are power saving and environmental protection.


IO Part
6 X USB 2.0
2 X RJ-45 Jack
1 X S/PDIF
Additional Clear COMS button

 

The heat sink comes with board
GIGABYTE always use very good quality components compares to the same price level products.
This time uses 100% cooper thermal module which is good looking and better thermal dissipation.


This thermal module is very beautiful design. There is another 2-phase PWM for MCH.


For the water-block built-in module, GIGABYTE provides a special and power thermal kit - Hybird SLENT-PIPE


100% cooper provides the best quality for thermal solution


The Hybird SLENT-PIPE install at the PCI-e slot position.
It also enhances the whole system thermal solution.
(Installing Hybird SLENT-PIPE will occupy 1 PCI-e x1)



Boot up Screen


BIOS Main Menu
This model puts M.I.T as the 1st position without hiding.
It is absolutely designed for OC and performance.


M.I.T. Page
CPU Frequency and ratio
Intel XMP DRAM OC technology is included


DRAM parameters


Providing very wide voltage range
CPU Vcore 0.5000~2.30000V
CPU Terminating 0.800~1.800V
CPU PLL 1.100~2.800V

MCH Core 0.800~1.800V
MCH Reference 0.500~1.045V
ICH I/O 1.000~2.300V
DARM Voltage 1.500~2.500V
DRAM Termination 0.7365~1.440V

 

CPU/DRAM ratio meets all frequency CPU


Advanced CPU options
CPU Clock Skew can adjust by 50~150ps to reach higher frequency


Advanced DRAM options also provide rich parameters




PC Health Status


System Configuration
CPU: INTEL Core 2 Duo E8400/Quad Q8200
MB: GIGABYTE P45T EXTREME
DRAM: CORSAIR Dominator TWIN3X2048-1800C7DIN
VGA: Gigabyte HD4870 DDR5 512MB CorssFire
HD: Seagate 7200.10 320GB
POWER: Corsair HX1000W Modular Power Supply
Cooler: Thermaltake BigTyp VP/JETART Nano Diamond


GIGABYTE also bundle many Windows applications.
The main one is EasyTune6

CPU info


DDR3 info


These 2 parts are similar to CPUZ. It is not as detail as CPUZ, but the info is enough.

Frequency and Voltage can adjust in this software.

 

Also provides VGA OC by software


C.I.A. 2 and Smart Fan


Voltage, Temperature and FAN speed info


EasyTune6 integrated all necessary features and info into one software. It is very convenient.

MB also has LED to display the DRAM voltage and PWN loading status.


Just mention, this time I also use JETART Nano Diamond thermal pad to replace Y-500



VGA
Using Gigabyte HD4870 DDR5 512MB CorssFire which is the hottest VGA combo at the moment.


Default Colck 750/1100Mhz
3DMARK2003


3DMARK2005


3DMARK2006


2008 most popular game - Crysis


Now, the highest C/P values VGA are 4850 and 4870 for sure.
GIGABYTE HD4870 DDR5 512MB CorssFire is really fast, especially in Crysis it has very high pages ratio even in 1920x1200

 

DRAM
Uses CORSAIR Dominator TWIN3X2048-1800C7DIN, supports XMP


Enable XMP in BIOS, it runs 450x6,DDR3 1700 CL7 7-7-20 2.1V automatically.
Passed SP2004 Blending XP


CORSAIR Dominator TWIN3X2048-1800C7DIN official spec is DDR3 1800 CL7 2.0V.
GIGABYTE has more improvement room here.

DDR3 1933 CL7 6-5-20 EVEREST bandwidth


The DRAM voltage and frequency after OC are mid-high standard.
However, there is still more3% to 5% room to improve.


P45 combo with ICH10R. I use the best stuff to see the capability of the new ICH
SAMSUNG 64GB SSD SLC,
market price is 700 USD. Also heard the price drops to 580 USD last week.


EVEREST


Tune


This SAMSUNG 64GB SSD SLC is much faster than the MLC version, the Read/Write life cycle is also 10 times more.
The transfer performance is really amazing.
It takes less than 20 minutes to install the Windows XP. It is also very fast to enter the XP.
ICH10R has its own advantage, because this SSD only reach 100Mb/s in ICH7.
ICH10 is really improved a lot in performance.


CPU
Intel C2D E8400 for dual core
I believe 99% think the stable frequency after OC is the performance standard.

615Mhz SP2004


Dual Super PI 32M


This is almost the best OC capability in the all P45 boards.
Running stable in 610~620Mhz is really amazing.

Coming more for dual core CPU extreme OC
644Mhz Super PI 1M


Mostly 646~649Mhz also can enter to OS and get CPUZ certified.
Many users use software OC to get the higher frequency for CPUZ Cert This is my first try for software OC.

Air Cooling Dual Channel 659Mhz CPUZ Certified

Using software can pull in the frequency for more 10~15Mhz to make the extreme OC be greater.
However, in this condition, you cannot run any software.
If I don’t mention it, the results are all from BIOS adjustment.)

 

Q8200 for Quad Core OC
500Mhz 4 X Super PI 32M


530Mhz Super PI 1M


In Quad Core CPU, it can run stable in 500Mhz and passed 1M at 530Mhz.
It proves the P45T EXTREME is in very high standard for both dual core and quad core system.

The Energy Saving Software from GIGABYTE-DYNAMIC ENERGY SAVER
Later called DES. DES needs C1E to operate.

DES disable, 2700Mhz shows 15.51W


DES Enable, 2700Mhz shows 13.46W(4-phase)
DES Panel provide lots of info, usage duration, power saving watts and CPU current power consumption.


DES Disable,4050Mhz shows 80.07W(12-phase)


DES Enable,4050Mhz shows 45.81W(8-phase)


80.07-45.81=34.86W, the full speed power saving by DES display.
But this is the software come with the product. I have to double check it.

This time I use Seasonic Power Angle as the tool.

All equipments are the same.
DES Disable,4050Mhz system shows 339W(12-phase)


DES Enable,4050Mhz system shows 292W(6-phase)


The all system saving is 339-292=47W.
It’s 35W more than the DES displayed. DES is a good prediction software.



GIGABYTE P45T EXTREME
Strength
1.100% Japan made solid capacitors. Full LED display under system operation. ATI CorssFireX supported
2. Rich applications in OS. They are all powerful function and exquisite interface.
3. BIOS provides wide voltage range and the options are never seen before in GIGABYTE products
4. Dual Core/Quad Core CPU OC are excellent. It let CPU has 20~50Mhz possibility
5. High cost 100% cooper thermal modules. It is hard to see in the other brands boards
6. Debug LED, Power/Reset/Clear CMOS buttons
7.6+6-phase dynamic power saving with Intel latest VRD11.1 PWM design. It combines very well with own DES software for lower power consumption

Weakness
1. The cables are too less. The cables are enough but should be more for hi-end products
2. DRAM voltage is higher than other brands. Also hope the future BIOS can support over DDR3-2000.
3. Clear CMOS battery is under the cooper pipe. Not easy to use.


Performance ★★★★★★★★★☆
Components ★★★★★★★★★★
Outlook ★★★★★★★★★☆
C/P ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

GIGABYTE EXTREME series is really for Enthusiasts.

For the scoring system, I am always very strict for it.
This is the 1st product I ever score 10 stars.
It is because GIGABYTE really puts a lot of effort in components.

7 stars in C/P, because 330USD price is too high even with very great OC and components.
The hi-end board C/P is always very low. It’s coming with DDR3, so I minus 1 star from 8 to 7.

I’ve been testing many P45 boards, the good OC board should run stable at dual core 600Mhz and quad core 500Mhz.
DRAM must reach DDR2 1200 and DDR3 1800 CL7.
The 9 stars are scored by this standard.
I still have to mention, I hope P45T EXTREME DDR3 OC ability can be improved by future fine tuning BIOS to reach 2000.

No matter what product range, 330USD is still also very high C/P value with GIGABYTE P45T EXTREME.
Mid-end P45 has Biostar which are between 130~160 USD and hi-end OC P45 has GIGABYTE P45T EXTREME.
If you cannot find any points to upgrade from P35 to P45, you can wait and see for awhile.
However, for personal view, the P45 runs stable at 600MHz is improved quite much than P35 in OC capability.

GIGABYTE launched P45T EXTREME(DDR3) and P45 EXTREME(DDR2) make the more choices for Enthusiast market.

Windwithme reviews all take much time and effort.
Normally, it takes1 to 3 weeks to complete the article.

If you think my review is good for product info and buying guide, please reply my post.

Your reply push me go forward. Thanks….

 

WWM" You pushed it to the extent. Yeah noticed extra settings for voltage etc.
When i first seen this borad i knew it was an oc high admired board from GA, just look at the big copper N.B cooler for stabilty in sensitive situations.
P45 really has shown up its place in the books.
Good reveiw as it is iencouraging and impotant to know how well these boards oc + with ICH10R to speed avcheived.
Thanks for wide input on the P45T Extreme GA
It will help allot of curious folks wanting a high quality mobo. Nehalem 1366s coming up. We need more speed from hdd too. My raptors are all i know and iam still on a mildly slow system?

 

Amazing info, thank you very much wind

 

Well covered! Excellent job!

 

Good job, great review

Wow, not hard to see why it takes 1 - 3 weeks to complete
the testing proceedures.
Many photos, lots and lots of USEFUL information.
Keep up the great work my friend.
You are a credit to this forum.

 

Biggest. Review. Evar.

Awesome stuff. Thanks for sharing

 

nice review man now if only i could afford the board

 

Absolutely Incredible review, cheers.

 

Windwithme thanks for a fantastic review. I'm an IT professional and I've spent a lot of time over the years keeping up with the latest products by reading reviews on the best sites on the interweb, and your efforts are up there with the best of them. I'm intending to put together a new system for my own personal workstation in the next couple of weeks, and a P45 Extreme is now at the top of the list thanks to your article.

Thanks very much, your efforts are REALLY appreciated!

 

Yes, but will it play Crysis?

 

**** you two of my friends died reading that review.



I think this board redefines overkill lol.

 

I don't care about the review, sweet photos.

 

NICE MAN Lovely.

This board will not support Nehalem in a couple of months though will it?

= No go for me Waiting on Nehalem.

 

Nehalem is a totally new socket so no it wont.

Great review btw =D

 

windwithme, your reviews are always excellent. I wish more people took the time and care to review products as you do. I also really appreciate the fact that your comments are brief, to the point, and very clear.

I would like to compliment you on the high quality of your reviews in English, even though it is not your native language.