Z68 Motherboard Roundup: ASUS, EVGA, ASRock, GB, MSI, ZOTAC

Gigabyte Z68XP-UD4
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CPU: | Support for LGA1155 Intel Core i7/i5/i3, Pentium, and Celeron processors |
L3 cache varies with CPU | |
Memory: | 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 32 GB of system memory |
Dual channel memory architecture | |
Support for DDR3 2133/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules | |
Support for non-ECC memory modules | |
Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules | |
Onboard Graphics: | Integrated Graphics Processor: 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 |
Audio: | Realtek ALC889 codec, High Definition Audio, 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel |
LAN: | 1 x Realtek RTL8111E chip (10/100/1000 Mbit) |
Slots: | 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16) |
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8) | |
2 x PCI Express x1 slots | |
2 x PCI slots | |
Multi-GPU: | Support for AMD CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI technology |
Storage Interface: | Chipset: |
2 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (SATA3_0, SATA3_1) supporting up to 2 SATA 6Gb/s devices | |
4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (SATA2_2~SATA2_5) supporting up to 4 SATA 3Gb/s devices | |
Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 | |
2 x Marvell 88SE9172 chips: | |
2 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (GSATA3_6, GSATA3_7) supporting up to 2 SATA 6Gb/s devices | |
2 x eSATA 6Gb/s connectors | |
Support for RAID 0 and RAID 1 | |
USB: | Chipset: |
Up to 14 USB 2.0/1.1 ports | |
2 x Etron EJ168 chips: | |
Up to 4 USB 3.0/2.0 ports | |
IEEE 1394: | VIA VT6308 chip: |
Up to 2 IEEE 1394a ports | |
I/O Controller: | iTE IT8728 chip |
Form Factor: | ATX Form Factor, 30.5cm x 24.4cm |
Other than the difference in looks, the Z68XP-UD4 is strikingly similar the the Z68XP-UD3-iSSD. They offer the same CPU, memory, and SLI/CrossFireX support. The Z68XP-UD4 has one less PCI-E x1 slot, but they have the same number of SATA 3Gbps/6Gbps ports and USB 2.0/3.0 ports. The Z68XP-UD4 also has a second Marvell 88E9172 chip that provides two back panel eSATA 6Gbps ports.
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The two boards even have most of the same extras and utilities. The major differences between the two are that the Z68XP-UD4 lacks the on-board SSD but has some power features that the Z68XP-UD3-iSSD lacks. This board also costs less at $199.99.
The Z68XP-UD4 has a 16-phase power design for better CPU power delivery and cooling; Dual CPU Power Technology, which enables better efficiency for the CPU power phases and promotes motherboard reliability; and Driver MOSFETs that are designed to deliver more efficient power by integrating the MOSFETs and driver IC.