How to access EFI in the new GA P67A-UD3-B3!

[soarwitheagles]

Hi everyone!

A friend at Gigabyte just showed me how to get into EFI on my new GA P67A-UD3-B3.

Here's the goodies:

Here are the instructions to enable the EFI in the BIOS.

1. Go to Advanced BIOS Features.

2. Go to CD/DVD Boot Option.

3. Set the BIOS up to “EFI” option.

4. Save and exit BIOS.

Hope this helps!

Soar

[faizoff]

Hey soar, is this only on the new B3 version? I haven't tried to check in my BIOS yet.

[soarwitheagles]

Hey soar, is this only on the new B3 version? I haven't tried to check in my BIOS yet.

Faizoff,

To be 100% with you, I am not sure, but I suspect it is only on the B-3 at the moment because it is not showing on my earlier model.

Soar

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Soar,

Once selected what benefits do you get after enabling ?

[soarwitheagles]

Hi Soar,

Once selected what benefits do you get after enabling ?

DM,

I am not sure of the benefits yet because I just installed the OS and presently the machine is in Memtest 86+ v. 4.2 mode.  I will check the EFI benefits in the morning...it appears to come up in Windows 7 if I am reading the message in the BIOS correctly.

Have you any suggestions as to what I should look for?

I do see a Menu Level in the Item Help area of the BIOS...

Also, have you any suggestions for me to try for overclocking [which BIOS settings should I change]?

Please give me some multiplier suggestions [40, 46]?  And should I try altering any of the other settings [such as XMP]?

Soar

[runn3R]

Hey soar, is this only on the new B3 version? I haven't tried to check in my BIOS yet.

It should be available also in P67A-UD3 but your bios must be at least F5 (described as "3TB+ HDD support ").

Hi Soar,

Once selected what benefits do you get after enabling ?

"1. It supports booting from 2.2TB+ HDDs. GIGABYTE mentions 3TB+ because the next size up from a 2TB HDD is actually 3TB, not 2.2TB. GIGABYTE Hybrid EFI Technology provides headroom for a maximum disk and partition size of 9.4ZB (9.4 x 1021 bytes; kB, MB, GB, TB, PB, EB, ZB, YB, etc...)

2. It uses a reliable, tried and tested GIGABYTE Award BIOS that has been updated and improved over many years. Our BIOS is compatible with thousands of ICs, components and 3rd party products – a new BIOS needs a lot of compatibility testing before it is as mature as our Award BIOS. So basically we have the Best of Both Worlds with our Hybrid EFI Technology: stability of a mature BIOS and the 2.2TB+ support of an EFI BIOS.

3. Because of its design, it is easier to be backwards compatible with older motherboard models –X58 chipset down to new G41 chipset models will be able to enjoy Hybrid EFI Technology. So we are protecting our customers buying decision and helping to future proof their purchase. No other EFI solution can offer this!

4. GIGABYTE Hybrid EFI Technology is fully compliant with both EFI aware and non EFI aware operating systems. "

http://gigabytedaily.blogspot.com/2011/01/gigabyte-hybrid-efi-technology.html

[soarwitheagles]

Runner,

Thanks for the correct answer!  Wow!  That's a lot of benefits! 

Glad you are here!

Looking for a good deal on one of those 3 TB drives that will take advantage of SATA 3 6GB's.

Soar

[Dark Mantis]

Hi runn3R

Thanks for the explanation which is always welcome but my question was more retorical in nature and I was just interested in how Soar percieved the benefits.

[soarwitheagles]

Hi runn3R

Thanks for the explanation which is always welcome but my question was more retorical in nature and I was just interested in how Soar percieved the benefits.

DM, and it is obvious I know nearly nothing about EFI!

 

[Dark Mantis]

No Soar but I thought you might have seen some changes since enabling it.

By the way don't expect too much from the SATA3 hard drives unless they are SSDs becuase the transfer is not that much more than SATA2 from my testing.

[Beekeeper]

hi guys don't expect miracles from efi!
has anybody thought it will do some incredible things?

[Dark Mantis]

I am sure it will be incredible....especially in the amount of queries and problems that will appear on the forum due to it.

[soarwitheagles]

No Soar but I thought you might have seen some changes since enabling it.

By the way don't expect too much from the SATA3 hard drives unless they are SSDs becuase the transfer is not that much more than SATA2 from my testing.

OK.  I clicked on EFI and saved.  But when I tried to boot it gave strange messages that I did not understand.  I was hoping a Genie would pop out of my computer and grant my every wish...but since that did not happen, I think I would be better off waiting until I understand more about this feature.  I disabled it simply because I do not know how to use it!

How about another question:

I would like to purchase a large [2 TB or 3TB] HDD and I am wondering if I would see much difference between the 3gb transfer rate vs. the 6gb rate versions.

What's your advice on this?

I would like to have a large and effective HDD for my programs and some storage.  What would you suggest?

Oh, as a sidenote, I just purchased a shipload of the Apple Ipad 32 GB first generation units.  Have you any experience with these?  There is a huge demand for them here in the USA, but I have never even used one!

Soar

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Soar,

Thanks for the insight into the EFI "experience". I wondered if that might be the case.

As for the large hard drive if possible I would say go for the SATA3 6GB/s model although as I explained earlier you probably wont see much difference in actual data transfer speed becuase of the speed at which the heads can physically rip the data off the platters. The interface is faster and usually with a bigger cache so if there is any benefit to be gained at least you have the ability to grab it.

Sorry can't help with the iPads by that unknown manufacturer. The closest I have been to one is in a picture.

[soarwitheagles]

Ok DM,

I suppose I'll need that EFI activated if/when I purchase a 3TB HDD.  Let's see what happens then!  I do not think anything is wrong with the EFI, the problem most probably lies in my lack of knowledge and understanding. 

Anyway, thanks again for your good advice!

Soar