Introduction

For most of 2007, the P35 was the primary chipset for use in LGA775 motherboards. It was very versatile, supported both DDR2 and DDR3, and many motherboards, mainstream and high performance, were based on it. We've seen three new Intel chipsets since late last year, the X38, the X48, and most recently the P45. Its easy to figure out the X48, as it is basically an X38 with capability of running DDR3 memory at speeds of over 1600mHz, but comparing the X38 and P45 gets a little confusing, as they are so much alike. I'm assuming that the X38 was intended for high performance rigs, and the P45 is the real successor to the P35, the all-around chipset to be a platform all types of LGA775 motherboards, from mild to wild. There are a few other differences, including the fact that the P45 supports 16 gigs of memory, the X38 only 8 gigs.

Though I'm not surprised at the memory manufacturers still producing new models of DDR2 memory, since AMD decided to base the Phenom on DDR2, I find it a little surprising that Intel and its partners are still basing new chipsets and motherboards on DDR2. DDR3 has been out well over a year, has proven to be fast, stable, and versatile, yet we are still seeing brand new DDR2 based motherboards.

Today I will be looking at Gigabyte's latest mainstream LGA775 motherboard, the EP45-DQ6. Based on the P45 chipset, and utilizing DDR2 memory, this board boasts advanced energy-saving features, something we all have to think about nowadays. Will this motherboard really save energy? Will it have the overclocking features and capabilities that we enthusiasts require? Read on to see...

Specifications

CPU: Supports Intel Core 2 Extreme/ Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Core 2 Duo/ Intel Pentium Dual-Core/Intel Celeron LGA775 processors. (There are some LGA775 processors not supported, see supported CPU list at Gigabyte's website)

FSB: 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz

Memory: 4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 16 GB of system memory
-Dual channel memory architecture
-DDR2 1200/1066/800/667 MHz memory modules

Audio: Realtek ALC889A codec High Definition Audio
-2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
-Support for Dolby Home Theater
-S/PDIF In/Out

LAN: 4 x Realtek 8111C chips (10/100/1000 Mbit)
-Support for Teaming

PCI Expansion:
-1 x PCI Express x16 slot
-1 x PCI Express x8 slot (The PCIEx16 and PCIEx8 slots support ATI CrossFireX technology and conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
-2 x PCI Express x4 slots
-1 x PCI Express x1 slot
-2 x PCI slots

Storage:
South Bridge:
-6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (SATAII0, SATAII1, SATAII2, SATAII3, SATAII4, SATAII5) supporting up to 6 SATA 3Gb/s devices
-Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10
GIGABYTE SATA2 chip:
-1 x IDE connector supporting ATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices
-2 x SiI5723 chips(Smart Backup): -4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (GS0-Source, GS1, GS2-Source, GS3) supporting up to 4 SATA 3Gb/s devices - Support for Smart Backup (RAID 1)

IEEE1394:
T.I. TSB43AB23 chip
Up to 3 IEEE 1394a ports
(via the IEEE 1394a brackets connected to the internal IEEE 1394a headers)

USB:
Integrated in the South Bridge, up to 12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports
(8 on the back panel, 4 via the USB brackets connected to the internal USB headers)

Hardware Monitoring:
-System voltage detection
-CPU/System temperature detection
-CPU/System/Power fan speed detection
-CPU overheating warning
-CPU/System/Power fan fail warning
-CPU/System fan speed control

BIOS:
-2 x 8 Mbit flash
-Use of licensed AWARD BIOS
-Support for DualBIOS
-PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 1.0b

Gigabyte Unique Features:
- @BIOS
- Q-Flash
- Quad BIOS
- Download Center
- Xpress Install
- Xpress Recovery2
- EasyTune
- Dynamic Energy Saver Advanced
- Ultra TPM
- Time Repair
- Q-Share

Features:

- Revolution energy saving design with DES Advanced featuring hardware based Dynamic 6-Gear switching
- Supports 45nm Intel Core 2 multi-core processors with FSB 1600 MHzZ
- Advanced power phase design with virtual 12 power phases to provides highly efficient operation for 45nm CPU
- Dual channel DDR2 1200 for remarkable system performance
- Embedded 2 power phases for NB chipset and memory power to excel at power efficiency
- 2 PCI-E 2.0 x16 graphic interface plus 2 PCI-E x4 with CrossFireXTM support for ultimate graphics performance
- Built-in TPM chip with 2048bits encryption to highest level digital data protection
- Smart Backup provides data backup solution with 4 serial ATA device attachment from 2 hardware RAID chip
- Diagnostic LED and ACPI LEDs on board to display system and power status
- 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN with Teaming functionality
- Supports Dolby Home Theater audio to create a stunning surround sound listening experience.
- Quad BIOS solution gives a multiple security to the system
- Power/reset/Clr CMOS onboard button for easily operation on the workbench
- Hardware Overvoltage Control IC Provides more voltage control options on CPU, North bridge and memory
- Blu-ray playback outputs supported by high quality 106dB SNR ALC889A HD audio

Packaging:

The EP45-DQ6 comes in the same basic sleeved box that all Gigabyte upper-end motherboards come in. It is a very sharp-looking box, with a holographic geometric pattern throughout. The features are listed and described on the front, rear, and inside of the false cover.

Inside the main box are two boxes, a clear plastic one for the motherboard and a cardboard one for the bundle.