THE GOOD:  We got opportunity to test the first motherboard based on new Intel chipset X48. The speedy arrival of the Gigabyte X48-DQ6 confirmed the rumors about short lived chipset X38 retreating from market in Q1 2008. Motherboard with DQ6 mark is again building on best quality components and multi phase voltage regulation, and is also bringing quite a few revolutionary new features. Compared to X38 the new comer is bringing support for 1600 MHz FSB, which means that it is completely compatible and capable of running new Intel CPUs build in 45-nm process (including with all for 2008 announced CPUs). This means that X48 will have much longer lifetime than X38, and is therefore a lot safer investment. Because there are two types of gigabyte’s X48 motherboard  - one featuring DDR2 and second one DDR3 memory controllers, the user can make free decision which road to take. We tested the DDR2 version, which features support for memory speed up to DDR2-1200. This allows owners of DDR2 motherboard to get very fast memory for relatively low price (which is still not true for DDR3), but on the other hand DDR3 model will feature longer lifetime for owners that decide to upgrade memory size as they go. Motherboard features two PCIE x16 graphic slots, compatible with parallel graphics under AMD’s CrossFire (but not Nvidia’s SLI). As with all gigabyte’s DQ6 motherboards the twin gigabit Ethernet interface can be bundled together to achieve higher throughput, which will come handy in server environment or in serious gaming machine. Because of the completely passive cooling with heat pipe design, the cooling is indeed silent and efficient. Gigabyte also proved its experience in BIOS, as it offers many features that will come handy to overclockers, something that is not always the case on Intel platform.  The X48-DQ6 features one more revolutionary function- the dynamic energy saving! This combination of application and hardware enables real time optimization of energy usage, which can – depending on the settings- bring up to 70% lower energy usage, or up to 20% higher performance .  Also new is the very useful solution in audio realm , where user can now have two separated, parallel audio streams (one thru 7.1 audio system, other thru separated stereo audio controller), allowing him to listen to music/play games while talking on Skype… Praise also goes to 8 integrated SATA and additional 4 e-SATA connectors. All in all, this is very robust, and features packed motherboard, that works silently and without noticeable heating – an effect of energy efficient new Intel’s chipset, which is something that is turning the trend around, as we know Intel chipsets power usage was increasing during last 4 years…

THE BAD: In order to use all the potential this motherboard offers, user will have to use the higher speed DDR2 memory, and one of the new 45-nm CPUS. When using same CPUs and memory that works on X38, there are not any noticeable performance gains. Price seems to be a bit on the up side, but then again, model with DDR3 memory controller (X48T) has the same price tag. When taking into the consideration the long lifetime of this motherboard, the price seems more in place. We missed the parallel or serial connectors, but at the same time gigabyte offers up 12 (yes, twelve) USB 2.0 connector, so this should be a win for all…