GA-970A-D3 with Ubuntu Server (standalone)

[pochito]

I am looking at GA-970-D3 motherboard (Rev 3.0) for an Ubuntu Server installation. Can anyone share some experiences/opinions? If not with Ubuntu Server, with Ubuntu Desktop Edition?

I particulary care about:
- UEFI BIOS: will this poses issues? Is it possible to deactivate Secure Boot? - I don't know much about UEFI.
- USB3: Any issue with drivers here?
- Integrated Network: Any issue with drivers here?
- SATA3: Any trouble recognizing Hard Drives? 6GB/s data transfer works as it should? What about support for SSD hard drive?

Given this build will be a server, I don't care much about Sound / Video / Others..

Thanks much for your time!

[autotech]

USB3 isnt a problem though i havent checked transfer speeds it does see and read and write to them. As for sata 3 i havent got it to see my ssd in my sata 3 port but in my sata 2 port they work fine. This was as of about 8 months ago since then i cant say. I dont use a UEFI bios so cant say on that either hopefully someone that uses it more can say whether they have the sata 3 and UEFI going up and running yet.

[Vezina]

Kubuntu and Ubuntu work just fine on my Gigabyte 970-UD3 v1.0 non UEFI.
You can also install OpensSUSE ,Linux Mint ,Simply Mepis and so on.
I recommend KDE interface personally for desktops .

[pochito]

Thanks much for the replies! I was actually searching for a Rev 1.0... but hasn't been an easy task. I'll update this with the results after I decide what to do.

Ps... GNU for me... sorry but for the server would be purely ssh and perhaps webmin.

[pochito]

Update!

Just found this one, stating a lot of trouble to get Ubuntu 64 bits running on this motherboard:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2111223

It's a pity a motherboard is built to aim for a single OS nowadays. So GA-970A-D3 is out of my shopping cart.
Thanks a lot for your help!

[Vezina]

Don t use x64  builds.
The board is ok with Linux , but you need to test more distroes.
Webmin installed into Linux Mint 14 KDE  just fine.
You can also try OpenSUSE 12 from the full disc and install the servers you need.

[pochito]

Thanks for the reply, but ff I use x32 that would mean the OS will not see beyond 3 GB RAM.
Cheers.

[Vezina]

You are right ,but it seems that even on Linux there are issues (still )with x64 software.Even under x64 you run a lot of native 32 bit software.

All manufacturers have issues running Linux mostly boards running AMI BIOS/UEFI.With intention or not they (AMI) tend to brake Linux compatibility with every release.I wouldn t say it s Gigabyte s fault.
Keep in mind it s not a supported OS branch.

Get it test what you need and send it back if it s not what you want.