Difference between GA-Z68XP-UD3R and GA-Z68XP-UD3P?

[redrat]

Hello,

I want to build a new system, and decided upon continuing with GigaByte as i never had issues with previous motherboard models.
I have already selected intel I5 2500k as CPU and this one needs a motherboard.
Also decided upon Z68 chipset, and one of these two boards: GA-Z68XP-UD3P or GA-Z68XP-UD3R

Now can somebody tell me whats the difference betweend the two?
Only thing i see in the specs window is a difference on how certain text elemets are written, the data seems to be the same. Example:

At 'IEEE 1394' section:

UD3P:
Up to 2 IEEE 1394a ports (1 on the back panel, 1 via the IEEE 1394a bracket connected to the internal IEEE 1394a header)

UD3R:
Up to 2 IEEE 1394a ports (1 port on the back panel, 1 port available through the internal IEEE 1394a header)

So yeah, the question:
What is the difference betweend the two boards?

Thank you.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

AS far as I know there is no difference between the two motherboards. What you mentioned is exactly the same just a different way of saying it. I have even just checked up using Gigabyte's own comparison chart and they both show as exactly the same.

http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/comparison/list.aspx?ck=2&pids=3850,3851

Weird! 

[redrat]

Thank you

Well i was looking at the bios versions, and even tho one has F5 as latest and the other has F4, the notes of those bios versions are identical!
I guess i'm going to get the cheaper one.

Altho, i'm curious, why build two identical boards...?
Or maybe on is supposed to be the other model revised?

[Dark Mantis]

The R as a suffix on the end of the model number used to denote "RAID" but that doesn't hold true any more as all boards support RAID as far as I know.

[GTZaskarLE]

Hi Redrat,

I have an other difference for you.

GA-Z68XP-UD3R:
8 Phase Power Design

GA-Z68XP-UD3P:
12 Phase Power Design

The more power voltage regulator modules (vrm's) on the motherboard the more phases the power circuit has available to feed the processor electrically. 12 phases power design is more stable than 8 phases power design at high loads.

Power vrm's are needed for converting the +5V or +12V from the power supply to a much lower voltage required by the CPU (less than 1.5V)

You probably wouldn't notice the difference if you are not going to overclock your processor and/or run very processor intensive applications. If the money is not the problem just go for the GA-Z68XP-UD3P. Both are good motherboards.

Do widzenia i powodzenia!

[Dark Mantis]

Well spotted GTZaskarLE ! I didn't notice that from the picture and it's not listed in the specs. If that is the only difference though I would have expected it to be a revision not an entirely different motherboard model.

[GTZaskarLE]

Thanks Dark Mantis,

It was not that hard for me to find this because I had basically the same question as redrat when I selected my motherboard.
I had to choose between the GA-Z68X-UD3H  ...R and ...P.

You can find the number of power phases on the main page of each motherboard by clicking 'View detailed schematic'

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I realised where to find them but it is a bit of a ommision not to mention them in the specs list too.

[redrat]

Hello again,

Thanks GTZaskarLE for your replies.
I am getting the 2500k, and i do plan on OC-ing it, so i have the answer now, i should go for the UD3P
Will be ordering the goods on October 3rd.

[GTZaskarLE]

Hi Redrat,

Based on your last message I think you are making the right choice with the UD3P.
I chose the GA-Z68X-UD3P-B3 and am very happy with it.

The GA-Z68XP-UD3P is a nice motherboard with good specifications.
You really get a lot of features and good quality for your money with this one.

Good luck with it!