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Questions about GIGABYTE products => Motherboards with Intel processors => Topic started by: tweaker on September 23, 2011, 12:17:59 am

Title: Z68 mobo that supports vt-d with BIOS update?
Post by: tweaker on September 23, 2011, 12:17:59 am

Hi,
I am wondering if anyone can confirm for me whether there's any Gigabyte motherboards w/ Z68 chipset that would support Directed I/O (VT-d) even if it requires a BIOS update.   P67 or H67 is acceptable, too, but I figure if any would support it with a BIOS update, the Z68 chipset would.

On Intel website, the Q67 boards support it by default.   It's a server board, though.

I have read mixed reports on a web search.   Various sources say it works, doesn't work, needs a BIOS update, depends on the mobo manufacturer or that it's an inherent limitation based on Intel design.

However, one google search seemed to indicate Gigabyte posted that a BIOS will enable vt-d to work/function.   Others say that if it's not a Q67 mobo, the vt-d, if any, will be broken.

I would like to confirm either way so I can decide whether it's worth it to get a i5-2500 cpu or resign to getting the -K (unlocked multiplier version).

If only Q67 motherboards work, then there's no point going for the i5-2500 and might as well get the -k since it can be overclocked, at least.

But, I would like to run VMs so the vt-d would be nice to have.    I use Linux and Windows 7 OS. 

Can anyone help confirm these questions as I'm confused about it. :)

Oh, I was thinking of this board, for e.g.:

GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3

But, if only certain boards can be updated with a BIOS enabling the vt-d, it would be good to know which ones.

Last but not least, would one have to directly contact Gigabyte for such a BIOS update or would it be included with the official BIOS updates?

Thanks for any info.   

Title: Re: Z68 mobo that supports vt-d with BIOS update?
Post by: Dark Mantis on September 23, 2011, 08:25:18 am

Hi if I remember correctly if you contact Gigabyte through GGTS (http://ggts.gigabyte.com) they can arrange to prepare customised BIOS sent to you.

"Currently our P67/H67 series motherboards do not support VT-D. They support  Virtualization Technology (VT-x) now (bios option "Virtualization Technology")"

Title: Re: Z68 mobo that supports vt-d with BIOS update?
Post by: burrcheese on September 24, 2011, 02:49:38 am

i just purchased the GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 and having trouble getting vt-d working. i hope a custom bios can be created

Title: Re: Z68 mobo that supports vt-d with BIOS update?
Post by: burrcheese on September 24, 2011, 05:42:52 pm

correction i purchased the GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3  not the  GA-Z68A-D3H-B3