Stefan Mileschin

Gigabyte has released a new motherboard which it is calling the "ultimate" beastie for Intel Core i-series Haswell microprocessors.

While we get that sort of claim across our desk all the time, it appears that Gigabyte has taken some steps with the spec to make it more meaningful than the normal spin.

The new Gigabyte GZ-Z87X-OC platform has been designed for the pure function of breaking performance records by professional overclockers who usually would never break any records unless they accidently sat on their dad's 45 collection in their mum's basement.

This is the first time that Gigabyte has created a platform for professional overclockers, which features heavy-duty components, advanced power circuitry, special design for liquid nitrogen cooling as well as EATX form-factor for maximum expandability.

According to Lab501.ro which found leaked slides of the board, the Gigabyte GA-Z87Z-OC has more onboard buttons and switches than you can poke a stick at. This gives you control not only of the CPU multiplier, but also BCLK of microprocessors, and the controls for unlocked Core i7 and Core i5 Haswell products.

The mainboard will continue to use the IR3550 PowIRstage ICs from International Rectifier, 2x copper printed-circuit boards and high current ferrite core chokes which can deliver up to 60°C cooler temperatures than traditional motherboards.

The Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC comes with four PCI Express x16 slots, one PCI Express x1 slot, two PCI slots, six Serial ATA-600 ports, four DDR3 memory slots.

As a sidenote the mainboard features a USB connector as well as a PCIe auxiliary power connector near SATA ports for maximum convenience of overclockers.

Apparently the board will hit the shops in the middle of the year when the new chips are delivered. While there is now word on pricing yet, don't expect this one to be in the bargain bin of your computer store for a couple of decades.

http://news.techeye.net/chips/gigaby...f-motherboards