GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

[JimTram]

In process of ordering this board. Moving up from Intel branded DP43TF.

I have built rigs before so I have some experience. My question is compatibility of existing hardware.

Q6700

Corsair 2 x 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 800 (PC26400) TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX

SB X-Fi Titanium PCIe

EVGA 9800GTX

WD 640G Black HDD

Antec 550W Trio

Any problems with the above hardware - no plan to OC at present?

TIA

Jim T.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

X-FI may present you some issues, but other than that everything else looks compatible.

Now, I am no sound guru and don't use cards myself so I can't comment on that particular one, I am only stating that I do see X-FI issues here with some cards/boards. If you do a search, by title, per the Gigabyte section (it's the first invisible one in the list in Advanced Search) for XFI or X-FI you will find some threads in regards to what I mention

[JimTram]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

Thanks - I am glad I asked the question.

X-FI may present you some issues, but other than that everything else looks compatible.

Now, I am no sound guru and don't use cards myself so I can't comment on that particular one, I am only stating that I do see X-FI issues here with some cards/boards. If you do a search, by title, per the Gigabyte section (it's the first invisible one in the list in Advanced Search) for XFI or X-FI you will find some threads in regards to what I mention

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

Hey now, like I said though it is not always an issue and sometimes can even be due to user errors.

So please have a look at some of the threads posted here via search and you should find what you need.

Some have no issues as well, so keep that in mind

[JimTram]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

Thanks -

Hey now, like I said though it is not always an issue and sometimes can even be due to user errors.

So please have a look at some of the threads posted here via search and you should find what you need.

Some have no issues as well, so keep that in mind

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

Good luck deciding, sorry I could not be of more direct for sure help

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

See here user says he has no issues with X-FI so it just depends, just noticed the post and remembered you asking >>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/ep45-ud3p-board-vs-dedicated-audio-33773/#post318473

[JimTram]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

I appreciate your efforts. Thank You. As it turned-out, I got a better deal on a GA-EP45-UD3P. I do not foresee any issues.

As soon as my new WD Caviar Black arrives - I'll give it a go.

I appreciate your time.

Thanks

Jim T.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

Ahh well that is a better board anyway, few extra features.

Good luck with the build then, post back anytime!

[JimTram]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

It amazed me that there was only a single BIOS update for the ...UD3P since the initial release. On the Intel side of the house I know of at least six, two of which were real crap.

Seems to me Gigabyte gets it right the first time.

BTW - if you want to change the name of this thread to reflect the UD3P - it would be less confusing to others maybe. Me atleast. LOL

Thanks again

[JimTram]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

Yep, additional features I may use in the future. I have rev. 1.6. I usually lag behind with the release of chipsets. i.e. five series is just about released and I purchased the best of the four series. $$$ savings for a small sacrifice in overall power.

I read the manual in the box - very well detailed - more than I am acustomed to. I can really do some damage.

Am I correct to assume the Easy Tune and the Power Management software is no more than a "front end" for what is already in the BIOS?

TIA

Jim T.

Ahh well that is a better board anyway, few extra features.

Good luck with the build then, post back anytime!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

There has been plenty of updates, just none posted as official, you can always get the latest (And older ones) here >>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/gigabyte-latest-bios-28441/

K, I will update your title on the first post

Sounds like what I do with GFX Cards, I am using 3870 now, trying to go to 48xx and 5xxx is just about to be released.

Ya, Easytune is just a simple overclocking/information program. Most of us only use this to verify or check settings in windows, real overclocking should be done in the BIOS.

Power software, DES (Dynamic Energy Saver) you mean? That is a software only tool, used in conjunction with Intel SpeedStep (EIST/C1E) and does not need to be installed if you plan to overclock. Nothing in the BIOS related to this though, aside from those mentioned Intel features that would need to be left enabled to use the DES Program

Good luck on the new build!

[JimTram]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

Thanks for the info and links. I plan to install Easytune, but pass on DES. I'll let you know how things go - thanks again.

There has been plenty of updates, just none posted as official, you can always get the latest (And older ones) here >>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/gigabyte-latest-bios-28441/

K, I will update your title on the first post

Sounds like what I do with GFX Cards, I am using 3870 now, trying to go to 48xx and 5xxx is just about to be released.

Ya, Easytune is just a simple overclocking/information program. Most of us only use this to verify or check settings in windows, real overclocking should be done in the BIOS.

Power software, DES (Dynamic Energy Saver) you mean? That is a software only tool, used in conjunction with Intel SpeedStep (EIST/C1E) and does not need to be installed if you plan to overclock. Nothing in the BIOS related to this though, aside from those mentioned Intel features that would need to be left enabled to use the DES Program

Good luck on the new build!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

Anytime!

I use Easytune, but only to check things or test small changes or something like that before making them in the BIOS

Good luck again on the build, post back anytime

[Acebmxer]

Re: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R (newbie)

It amazed me that there was only a single BIOS update for the ...UD3P since the initial release. On the Intel side of the house I know of at least six, two of which were real crap.

Seems to me Gigabyte gets it right the first time.

BTW - if you want to change the name of this thread to reflect the UD3P - it would be less confusing to others maybe. Me atleast. LOL

Thanks again

Versions 1.0 and 1.1 of the EP45-UD3P board are up to bios version F10e (beta) but the V1.6 of the board uses different bios FDa (beta original FB) either bios's are not cross compatible. Just make sure you chose the one for version 1.6 of the board.