GA-X58A-UD9 is $700?!

[AARRGGHHH]

Gigabyte marks its entry into the NForce 200, 4 way SLI marketplace with this board. EVGA has a similar board for $450.  Gigabyte's board is $700.

Seriously, Gigabyte, what am I missing? What am I getting for the extra $250, if I buy the GA-X58A-UD9 instead of the EVGA Classified 4-Way? The X58A-UD9 includes USB 3 and SATA III, but these features can be added with a $30 PCIe Card.  I really don't understand this. Please explain this board and its pricing to me.

Thank you 

[Fatman]

Ummm 24 phase vs 10?

[AARRGGHHH]

Ummm... Do you honestly feel that's worth an extra $250?

My next board may well be an NForce 200 board with 4 true x16 slots.  But there others out there. And I don't mind paying an extra 10% for brand name loyalty. But paying an extra 55% will likely be out of the question for many buyers, myself included.

[Fatman]

Well the high price tag is a bit prohibitive for me at the moment. I am just waiting for prices to come down to a reasonable level before I jump. I have my dream machine in mind but not the money yet......Is it worth the extra $..I don't know as I don't have one.

[sygnus21]

Ummm 24 phase vs 10?

Ummmm....You do realize you can get 24 Phase on the UD7 for less than half the price of the UD9 right???

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=458&Itemid=69&limit=1&limitstart=3

Newegg has the GA-X58A-UD7 going for 339.99

[venganza]

Ummm 24 phase vs 10?

Ummmm....You do realize you can get 24 Phase on the UD7 for less than half the price of the UD9 right???

Newegg has the GA-X58A-UD7 going for 339.99

I can buy a Toyota for less than a Rolls Royce too, some people don't mind spending a little extra I suppose.

I am certainly very happy with my UD9





I could have bought a UD7, heck even a UD5, and certainly if you rationally analyse features vs price, and unless you plan to run quad cards, clock like all hell etc, then sure it may not make economic sense, however neither does buying a Ferrari

My last Gigabyte board was getting a little long in the tooth (775 chip) so I decided to splash out, and I am not regretting it.

The UD9 came well packaged, properly documented, contained all the accessories and extras I expect, and installed without fuss.

Looking forward to clocking with it a bit later, and most certainly planning to drop some water cooled 480's in it later (if my finances ever recover).

I suspect the UD9 isn't for everyone, but then nor are many "flagship products".

[dkslim]

I am certainly very happy with my UD9

People interested in finding out more about Venganza's UD9 can visit this forum thread:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1450885

He is quite famous over there... 

[venganza]

I am certainly very happy with my UD9

People interested in finding out more about Venganza's UD9 can visit this forum thread:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1450885

He is quite famous over there... 

Shucks, I just post a lot

I have mostly owned Gigabyte boards over the years, and I have never had any issues with them.

As most of us know, at least for more mainstream boards, there is often very little difference in a practical sense between them all.

Certainly some companies like EVGA have stood out for breaking new ground, but it is very nice to see Gigabyte catering to more esoteric parts of the market.

While the UD9 is not really a choice most mainstream users will make over the UD5/UD7 models for practical as well as financial reasons, there are many aspects to its design that make it noteworthy, above and beyond the PCIe lane design.

People should remember that the dual SLI chips are not cheap either.

What keeps me choosing GA more than anything really is the fact I have always received better customer support when I fire off the odd email to them.

I only discovered this forum the other week, but I shall be using it from time to time as my Whirlpool passion permits, and if I can, I look forward to helping out the odd person with the little bit that I do know

I would like to thank runn3r for offering to forward a query of mine to GA HQ the other day, I am sure in due I will receive a reply. Very nice to get prompt attention.

If any of you guys wish to come visit www.whirlpool.net.au, feel free to climb onboard, it isn't just for Australians you know, and there is a tons of people there able to help with things in general.

Anway, the UD9 is just great, pity I can't use it right now, one stick of RAM was faulty so I need to await a return.

Thanks guys.

[Beekeeper]

@ AARRGGHHH

have a look here is some interesting explanation
http://www.bit-tech.net/blog/2010/06/02/gigabyte-talks-up-its-ud9-justifies-price/

[venganza]

@ AARRGGHHH

have a look here is some interesting explanation
http://www.bit-tech.net/blog/2010/06/02/gigabyte-talks-up-its-ud9-justifies-price/

Awesome, I am glad I bought the UD9 now, wonder if the VIP sign-up entitles me to free drinks at the bar

Incidentally it cost me $649 here in Australia, if you convert that to US currency, it isn't too bad at all.

"Users who buy the UD9 boards will also find Gigabyte listening far more closely to their needs. Upon registering they are then part of its VIP program, and it claims it's willing to throw engineers at the BIOS to meet your needs: it's the closest attempt to a personalised service we've seen yet."

[shing79]

"Users who buy the UD9 boards will also find Gigabyte listening far more closely to their needs. Upon registering they are then part of its VIP program, and it claims it's willing to throw engineers at the BIOS to meet your needs: it's the closest attempt to a personalised service we've seen yet."


Will they throw the engineers to help re-design the layout... still can;t fix the power switch connectors.

[dkslim]

Will they throw the engineers to help re-design the layout... still can;t fix the power switch connectors.

Shing, it's easy to fix, just go to BIOS --> Power Management --> Turn on by keyboard, enable "keyboard 98". Buy a PS/2 keyboard, or a cheap PS/2 to USB converter if you already have a USB keyboard; and make sure the keyboard has a power button. Then you can turn your computer on and off without touching your case.

[Dark Mantis]

You can always wait for version 2 and buy a new one that works That seems to be the way Gigabyte likes to operate!

"Users who buy the UD9 boards will also find Gigabyte listening far more closely to their needs. Upon registering they are then part of its VIP program, and it claims it's willing to throw engineers at the BIOS to meet your needs: it's the closest attempt to a personalised service we've seen yet."


Will they throw the engineers to help re-design the layout... still can;t fix the power switch connectors.

[The Joker]

"Users who buy the UD9 boards will also find Gigabyte listening far more closely to their needs. Upon registering they are then part of its VIP program, and it claims it's willing to throw engineers at the BIOS to meet your needs: it's the closest attempt to a personalised service we've seen yet."


Will they throw the engineers to help re-design the layout... still can;t fix the power switch connectors.

What's wrong with the power switch connector? Can't u just use your case power switches?

Btw i saw your quad card thread. When you put in the 4th card, can u still plug in the usb onboard and power connectors?
Also what cards are you using? And how hot do they get compared to the fourth card, since space looks tight.

Also is corsair, mean the NB is not as cooled, cos there is no fans? Which air cooler would you recommend?

[Dark Mantis]

The problem is he cannot access the front panel connections on the motherboard if he fills the forth PCIe slot. The graphics card is too close to the bottom of the motherboard.