Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 questions about the MSATA onboard connector

[soarwitheagles]

Merry Christmas to all!

Ok, I just picked up a brand new Gigabyte Z68AP-D3.  I purchased it mostly because the vendor dropped the price so low.  Upon receiving this MB, I notice on the front of the box several terms and claims that I have not seen on other Gigabyte motherboards. I have also read Gigabyte's URL on this board's v.1 found here:

http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3897#ov

I have listed the terms and the claims with my questions following:

1.  MSATA onboard connector-what is this and what is it used for?  Can I hook up an SSD using this component and if yes, will it increase the performance of the SSD compared to an SSD hooked up via SATA III?

2.  Intel Smart Response Technology up to 4X+.  What is this and how can it help me?

3. Intel Smart Response Technology up to 60% performance improvement.  Again, how does this work?

4.  Intel Z68 vs. my current P67.  Is there much of a difference?

5.  Ultra Durable with lower RD's (on) MOSFETs, Ferrite cores chokes, and 50,000 Japanese capacitors.  What is this?

6.  Virtu Green?  Huh?

7.  Radeon graphics.  Does this tell me there is already a GPU installed on this MB?

8.  3 Anos DE GARANTIA A TRAVES DE MAYORISTAS AUTOIZADOS [this sounds like a 3 year warranty...but why is the sticker printed entirely in Spanish]?

9.  Finally, is it worth upgrading from my current P67A-UD3-B3 to this MB?

Whew, now I am out of breath.  I hope I did not overwhelm you guys here.

Please, someone help me make an educated decision...

Thanks,

Soar

[teknology9]

Hi Soar,

I looked at this board for a budget build, there is some information here:

http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4015#ov

Teknology9

[soarwitheagles]

Hi Soar,

I looked at this board for a budget build, there is some information here:

http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4015#ov

Teknology9

T9,

Thanks for the reply.  Yes, I read the URL you gave me earlier, but I still have lots of questions...

So far, I really like the idea of Switchable Graphics with LucidLogix Virtu GPU Virtualization...but I still have questions...

This feature appeals to me because I rarely do intensive gaming, and the thought that I can turn off my energy guzzling GPU 460 GTX or my intended Radeon HD 6870 and use an onboard video card that barely sips energy is very, very appealing to me...but...

What onboard video is included?  Hence, I have listed 9 questions that I am hoping someone here can give me honest and accurate answers!


Soar

[teknology9]

Hi Soar,

Well the link I provided you should answer some of your questions honestly and accurately, there are a number of sites like Bit Tech which have reviewed this MB. If you Google the remainder of what you have asked you should find honest and accurate information.

Here is another one:

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/gigabyte_z68ap-d3_review/1

Teknology9

[Gloup_Gloup]

Hi soarwitheagles, 

You asked:
What onboard video is included?

The graphics video is on CPU.

The CPU have a integrated video and a integrated memory controller.

The upgrade from P67 to Z68 is not necessary... Why you want this upgrade? What do you want more with the Z68 mobo? For

What for you want it? What is the purpose of future use of the Z68.

Gloup_Gloup

[soarwitheagles]

Hi soarwitheagles,  

You asked:
What onboard video is included?

The graphics video is on CPU.

The CPU have a integrated video and a integrated memory controller.

The upgrade from P67 to Z68 is not necessary... Why you want this upgrade? What do you want more with the Z68 mobo? For

What for you want it? What is the purpose of future use of the Z68.

Gloup_Gloup

GG,

Good questions!

I would like to upgrade IF and only IF, this new Z68 MB would give me more options and performance than my present P67.

Here are some of the goodies I was hoping for:

1. Option of instantaneous switching/toggling between 6870 and onboard video [energy conservation purposes of course].
2. Faster SSD performance [I quote Gigabyte's website: "In fact, GIGABYTE Z68 motherboards with Intel® Smart Response Technology are able to outperform hybrid drive systems by more than 2X (PC Mark Vantage HDD test) and HDD-only systems by as much as 4X (PC Mark Vantage HDD test) and deliver a 60% performance improvement over HDD-only systems in PC Mark Vantage Suite."  Is this really true?
3. Durability-will this z68 truly give greater longevity should I need to keep this rig for 2-5 years?
4. Sound-Blue Ray 108dB audio...some say it is much better....hmmmmmmmmm

So these are some of the reasons why I asked such pointed questions....and yes, I did read Gigabyte's url on this new model and I also read various reviews, but I was hoping to glean more good advice from my good friends here at Gigabyte forums UK!  Especially people who might have already assembled and fired one of these new MB's!

A very, very wise king once said, "Wisdom is found in the multitude of counsel."

Maybe I am knocking on the wrong door?

PS You state the onboard video is on my CPU?  Hmmmmm....that sounds very interesting....is there a video chip on my Intel 2500k?

Soar

[Gloup_Gloup]

GG,

Good questions!

...

PS You state the onboard video is on my CPU?  Hmmmmm....that sounds very interesting....is there a video chip on my Intel 2500k?

Soar

Hi again,  

Yes... read here:
Intel® Core™ i5-2500K Processor
http://ark.intel.com/products/52210/Intel-Core-i5-2500K-Processor-%286M-Cache-3_30-GHz%29

The HD3000 have a possibility : 1,100MHz and 1,700MHz OC
But not on the P67, only on H67 or Z68.

I encourage you to read the documentation about the Z68 that you find on the web ... including sites Gigabyte, of course.

Gloup_Gloup

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Soar, 


I will try and answer as many of yourn questions as I can remember now.

The GPU is built in to the CPU and dependant on which CPU it is eithe the Inetl 200 or 300 graphics.  Obviously neither is high flying but adequate for general use and yes your 2500K has the 2000 version.

The board switches over automatically between GPUs dependant on requirements at the time.

There is very little difference between the P67 board and the Z68 board. In realllity they both use the same chips but the Z68s are newer versions of the hardware.

The Smart Response technology does nothing to speed up your SSD at all it only really helps if you have a magnetic drive and install a small 20GB SSD as a cache that works by deciding which files are most commonly used and caching them on the SSD and then just using the magnetic drive for data storage. It can make quite a difference but it takes time to learn your usages. It works on the same principle as the Seagate Momentus drives thas are a mixture of the two technologies that are already available on one drive.

The Spanish wording is just saying that there is the three years warranty on the board.

The Japanese capacitors etc are just better quality components than the run of the mill ones used on most boards.(although everyone seems to be using them nowadays!)

[Gloup_Gloup]

Hi all,  

Just a precision :

The Intel CPU 2500K have a Intel® HD Graphics 3000.

On the Z68 you have a possibility to use and overclocking the Intel HD Graphics 3000. Not on the P67.

Gloup-Gloup

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks Gloup_Gloup. I was just recounting from memory and I thought it was only the 2600K that had the 3000 graphics but you are indeed correct.

[Gloup_Gloup]

Thanks Gloup_Gloup. I was just recounting from memory and I thought it was only the 2600K that had the 3000 graphics but you are indeed correct.

Hi Dark Mantis,  

I am pleased to be the most help possible.

Gloup_Gloup

[teknology9]

You could also include a Highpoint 640 RAID card if you want to go done that route, there have been other forum members who have found speeds have increased.....although the boot up time is slow once the PC is up and running the end result has improved.

[soarwitheagles]

Hi Soar,  


I will try and answer as many of yourn questions as I can remember now.

The GPU is built in to the CPU and dependant on which CPU it is eithe the Inetl 200 or 300 graphics.  Obviously neither is high flying but adequate for general use and yes your 2500K has the 2000 version.

The board switches over automatically between GPUs dependant on requirements at the time.

There is very little difference between the P67 board and the Z68 board. In realllity they both use the same chips but the Z68s are newer versions of the hardware.

The Smart Response technology does nothing to speed up your SSD at all it only really helps if you have a magnetic drive and install a small 20GB SSD as a cache that works by deciding which files are most commonly used and caching them on the SSD and then just using the magnetic drive for data storage. It can make quite a difference but it takes time to learn your usages. It works on the same principle as the Seagate Momentus drives thas are a mixture of the two technologies that are already available on one drive.

The Spanish wording is just saying that there is the three years warranty on the board.

The Japanese capacitors etc are just better quality components than the run of the mill ones used on most boards.(although everyone seems to be using them nowadays!)

Thanks again DM for good advice....I suppose I will use this Z68AP-D3 with the two Agility 2's in RAID0 as we discussed in the other post.  Another option I have been toying around with in my mind is to pick up another c300 on sale and RAID0 that with the other one I currently use in the 2500k rig.

I appreciate your help again.  One more question:

How will I switch between the onboard 2500k GPU graphic and the 6870 I will have installed on the MB?

Is there a software switch on the screen, or is there a button on the MB?  How is it done?

Soar

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Soar,

I have had no personal experience with this function so don't take this as hard fact but I believe that it is done automatically depending on the requirements at the time.

[soarwitheagles]

Hi Soar,

I have had no personal experience with this function so don't take this as hard fact but I believe that it is done automatically depending on the requirements at the time.

DM,

Ok, thanks.  Automatic would be excellent!  I will let you know what I discover once I install everything!

Soar