Gigabyte X99M-Gaming 5 Micro ATX Motherboard with DDR4 ~ The World is Mine

Nov 19, 2014

Gigabyte X99M-Gaming 5 Micro ATX Motherboard with DDR4

11/19/2014 06:57:00 PM

dannzfay

It's easy to expect a large computer to have the prowess needed to run, say, Dragon Age: Inquisition in 4K image quality. It's cooler to be able to cram all the needed resources in a fraction of the size though.

Sure, some may disagree, saying that a large, full tower or at least a mid-tower case is the most appropriate container for such power. Especially since high-end motherboards usually come in the full ATX form factor anyway. Every once in a while, though, someone will launch a micro-ATX gaming motherboard. Even mini-ITX models have been revealed with borderline gaming capabilities, but those aren't our focus today. Instead, we're bringing you the X99M-Gaming 5 mainboard from Gigabyte, based on (obviously) the X99 chipset.

The assets of Gigabyte's X99M-Gaming 5 motherboard

First off, the X99 chipset means that the LGA 2011-3 socket is available, supporting Core i7 Extreme Edition (Haswell-E) processors from Intel. Moreover, the X99 chipset has support for DDR4 memory. No other chipset, not from Intel and not from AMD, has this feature. Sure, the top capacity will be limited to 32 GB for now, since there are only 4 slots, but it's not like anyone really needs more than 8 GB anyway. In fact, even the most demanding games can make do with 8 GB of DDR3 easily, let alone DDR4. Even Dragon Age: Inquisition is supposed to run fine on 4 GB of DDR3 from what we understand, so long as you have a good enough video board.

Besides the chipset, CPU and what they inevitably bring with them, the Gigabyte X99M-Gaming 5 motherboard possesses 2-way graphics support (for AMD CrossFire and NVIDIA SLI setups), as well as AMP-UP Audio Technology (enhances the natural quality of the gold-plated, 7.1 channel tech), an OP-AMP socket (you can swap the onboard audio amplifier), Killer E2200 networking, server-level chokes, and black solid caps (for endurance). Add to that onboard SATA-Express and M.2 ports and you have top storage speed as well. All in all, the Gigabyte X99M-Gaming 5 motherboard has everything a high-end gaming system needs and then some.

Availability and pricing

Sadly, the company didn't include this information in the press release, and the product page for the Gigabyte X99M-Gaming 5 motherboard isn't much better. Given the time of the year and the oncoming winter holidays, however, we're willing to bet that it won't take more than a few days for retailers to add the product to their stock lists.

Press Release:
GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards announced today the new X99M-Gaming 5, a mATX addition to its X99 lineup based on the Intel X99 chipset with support for the new Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition (Haswell-E) processor and latest DDR4 memory support.
With the GIGABYTE X99M-Gaming 5 motherboard, the ultimate gaming station does not have to be bulky and expensive. With a compact, yet feature rich design, the X99M-Gaming 5 is an affordable solution packed with high-end features including GIGABYTE AMP-UP audio technologies, onboard SATA-Express and M.2 ports for fast data transfers, and a Killer gigabit Lan port from Qualcomm Atheros for better online gaming performance.
2-Way Graphics Support
Gaming is all about getting high quality and responsive graphics; featuring two full x16 Gen. 3 PCI Express slots, the GIGABYTE X99M-Gaming 5 motherboard can support 2-way CrossFire or SLI graphics configurations. With a dual GPU setup, you can ensure that your PCI DIY build will cover the system requirements of the most graphics demanding games out there.
GIGABYTE AMP-UP Audio Technology
GIGABYTE Gaming motherboards are equipped with the GIGABYTE exclusive AMP-UP Audio Technology, which provides the industry's highest level of onboard audio features and technologies. With GIGABYTE AMP-UP Audio, gamers and audiophiles are able to experience crisp, ultra realistic sound effects while gaming, and the richest possible sound experience when listening to their favorite music and movies.
Realtek ALC 1150 115dB SNR HD Audio with Built-In Reat Audio Amplifier
The Realtek ALC1150 is a high-performance multi-channel High Definition Audio Codec that delivers an exceptional audio listening experience with up to 115dB SNR, ensuring users get the best possible audio quality from their PC.
The ALC1150 provides ten DAC channels that simultaneously support 7.1-channel sound playback, plus 2 channels of independent stereo sound output (multiple streaming) through the front panel stereo outputs. Two stereo ADCs are integrated and can support a microphone array with Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC), Beam Forming (BF), and Noise Suppression (NS) technologies. The ALC1150 incorporates Realtek proprietary converter technology to achieve Front differential output 115dB Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR) playback (DAC) quality and 104dB SNR recording (ADC) quality.
Upgradeable OP-AMP
The GIGABYTE X99M-Gaming 5 motherboard feature an onboard OP-AMP socket, allowing enthusiasts to swap out the motherboard's onboard operational amplifier (OP-AMP) and explore personal audio preferences using a range of nuanced OP-AMPs available on the market. Additional amplifiers can be purchased separately to further expand audio capabilities.
High End Audio Capacitors
The GIGABYTE X99M-Gaming 5 is equipped with high end, Japanese branded Nichicon audio capacitors. These professional audio capacitors deliver the highest quality sound resolution and sound expansion to create the most realistic sound effects for professional gamers.
Quad USB DAC-UP
Featuring four USB 2.0 ports, GIGABYTE USB DAC-UP provides clean, noise-free power delivery to your Digital-to-Analog Converter. DACs can be sensitive to fluctuations in power from the other USB ports, which is why GIGABYTE USB DAC-UP takes advantage of an isolated power source that minimizes potential fluctuations and ensures the best audio experience possible.
Gold Plated Audio Hardware
For improved connectivity and long lasting durability of some of the most vulnerable I/O, the X99M-Gaming 5 pack top quality gold plated audio connectors. Gold has superb signal conductivity and will not tarnish over extended periods of use.
Ambient LED
The GIGABYTE X99M-Gaming 5 features LED lighting for the audio guard light path, providing a cool, custom look to your rig. These lights are now programmable, so you can have them beat to the rhythm of the music you are listening to, or pulse at a soothing pace to create a great atmosphere to enhance the environment of your game, movie or music.
Killer Networking
The GIGABYTE X99M-Gaming 5 motherboard features the Killer E2200 from Qualcomm Atheros, a high-performance, adaptive gigabit Ethernet controller that offers better online gaming and online media performance compared to standard solutions. The Killer E2200 features Advanced Stream Detect technology, which identifies and prioritizes all network traffic to ensure important applications that require high-speed connectivity are prioritized over less important traffic.
Quad Channel DDR4
The next generation of DRAM is here with DDR4. Featuring stock frequencies starting at 2133 MHz, DDR4 delivers up to 20% less energy consumption and twice as much density as the previous generation DDR3. DDR4 can help GIGABYTE X99 users to load their programs faster, increase responsiveness of their system and help them to handle heavy data tasks in a flash. The GIGABYTE X99M-Gaming 5 motherboard includes Quad Channel DDR4 memory support, bringing exceptionally fast memory access.
Genuine All Digital Power Design
GIGABYTE X99 motherboards use an all digital CPU power design from International Rectifier which includes both digital 4th Generation digital PWM Controller and industry-leading 3rd Generation PowIRstage controllers. These 100% digital controllers offer incredible precision in delivering power to the motherboard's most power-hungry and energy-sensitive components, allowing enthusiasts to get the absolute maximum performance from their next generation Intel Core i7 Extreme processors.
IR Digital PWM and IR PowIRstage ICs
This new generation of IR digital power controllers and PowIRstage ICs feature Isense technology, which provides more precise current sensing accuracy. This helps evenly distribute the thermal loading between the PowerIRstage ICs, preventing the overheating of each individual PowIRstage, resulting in longer lifespan and better reliability.
Server Level Chokes by Cooper Bussmann
GIGABYTE X99 series motherboards feature Server Level Cooper Bussmann Chokes.
Server level reliability
High current capacity
New design reduces heat created by power loss and provides efficient power delivery to CPU VRM area.
Long Lifespan Durable Black Solid Caps
GIGABYTE X99 series motherboards integrate the absolute best quality solid state capacitors that are rated to perform at the maximum efficiency for extended periods, even in extreme performance configurations. This provides peace of mind for end users who want to push their system hard, yet demand complete stability and reliability.