Overclocking and Conclusion
Overclocking
To give a feel for the overclocking performance potential of the X99P-SLI motherboard, we attempted to push it to known CPU-supported performance parameters with minimal tweaking. While the board was not able to stabilize at the known upper limits of the processor used for testing (4.5GHz), we were able to get the processor stable at 4.3GHz at a 125MHz base clock speed in conjunction with a 2667MHz memory speed and at 100MHz base clock speed with a 3200MHz memory speed. System stability was tested running the AIDA64 stability test in conjunction with EVGA's OC Scanner X graphical benchmark running at 1280×1024 resolution and 8x MSAA in stress test mode. Note that 16GB (2 x 8GB) of Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-2666 and 16GB (4 x 4GB) of Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200 memory modules were used for the overclocking tests.
Note that we could not get the board to stabilize at any base clock above 100MHz nor CPU speeds faster than 4.4GHz, but attribute those issues to the CPU cooling loop used rather than a board-related issue.
4.37GHz CPU at 125MHz base clock, 2333MHz memory speed
4.3GHz CPU at 100MHz base clock, 3200MHz memory speed
Note that this is is meant only as a quick preview of the board's performance potential. With more time to tweak the settings to a greater extent, pushing to a higher base clock and ring bus speed may have been achievable, in addition to an overnight stability run without issue.
Performance
At stock speeds, the GIGABYTE X99P-SLI motherboard performed well in comparison to the other test systems with its performance exceeding expectations across the board. Under overclocked conditions, the board performed well with it hitting expected speed thresholds in light of being inhibited slightly by the CPU cooler used for testing.
Pricing
As of May 03, the GIGABYTE X99P-SLI motherboard was available at Amazon.com for $229.99 with Prime shipping and after $20 MIR. The board was also available from Newegg.com for $249.99 and from B&H for $295.00 with free shipping.
Conclusion
GIGABYTE has another stellar design on their hands embodied in the X99P-SLI motherboard. The board features a nice design aesthetic, a mix of compelling features and updates, and a price making it a very approachable solution for most enthusiasts and gamers. With the release board, GIGABYTE effectively refreshed their X99 board line, integrating USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, Thunderbolt 3, and a PCIe x4 M.2 slot, as well as their metal reinforced PCIe x16 slots for keeping your precious video card in place under the most strenuous conditions. The board's price point is nothing short of astounding considering the quality and breadth of its feature set and the performance potential. GIGABYTE integrated the same quality power components and integrated devices features on its more costly solutions, choosing to leave off some of the more esoteric overclocking features to keep the board's price under control.
Strengths
- Stock performance
- Overclocking potential
- Price
- Board aesthetics
- Intel-based Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports
- Board cooling and heat pipe design / layout
- CPU socket layout and spacing
- UEFI BIOS design and usability
- CMOS battery placement
- Quality of integrated audio subsystem design
- Performance of Intel I218-V GigE NICs
- PCIe x4 M.2 slot
- Configurable board lighting
- CMOS battery placement
Weaknesses
- Proximity of primary PCIe x16 slot to CPU and memory slots
I picked up one of these
I picked up one of these boards a few weeks ago for a workstation I was building for the office. Very satisfied! Originally intended to use a X99 Sabertooth from ASUS but that board killed itself after setting the XMP profile.
X99P-SLI is great! I did notice however that the packaging apparently had been printed without mention of the Thunderbolt 3 or the 128GB RAM support (which we are taking advantage of). Call it a pleasant surprise.
That’s pretty dumb, with
That’s pretty dumb, with their ultra high failure rates, combined with their bottom of the industry product support, their products have no business, in the workplace. Asus, Supermicro, or GTFO.
Do these new x99 boards
Do these new x99 boards feature DMI 3.0 like the z170 boards?
The current batch do not
The current batch do not support DMI 3.0, not sure if refresh boards with Broadwell-E support will add it or not though…
How hard is it to make PCIE 3
How hard is it to make PCIE 3 16X so we dont need to sandwich cards
And yes i know 8x virtually no difference but in some cases it is.
nop, we have no expansion
nop, we have no expansion cards that uses more than what a gen3 8x can provide
I don’t get why there is a
I don’t get why there is a DisplayPort connector on the back when none of the LGA2011-3 CPUs have video.
I’ve been thinking about going to an X99 system for a few months now, but a majority of the customers reviews sound like they’re too much trouble. BIOS failures, no M.2 boot support, USB hubs flaking out. I think at this point I’ll wait for X290 and Skylake-E next summer.
The DP connector is an input,
The DP connector is an input, so that you can have video output over the Thunderbolt connector.
That’s cool. I have high
That’s cool. I have high hopes for Thunderbolt 3 after reading all its specifications. Time will tell if it becomes a success in the hands of manufacturers and consumers.
Dear Readers of the PCper
Dear Readers of the PCper forums
I dont know if it is the wright stanec by PCper not to validat the clames by gigabyte! Taking there clames on fath, dose not inform! PCper we need real evidence that the PCIe port is actually as strong as the clames layed out in your artical.
I propose a scientific approch, namely the use of a single mesurement of “Josh Walrath” Until such time as the single unit of measurement has been used i call that the clames be revoked!
Yours sinisterly,
In the name of Science, Truth, Justice
Not sure what is more
Not sure what is more lacking;your poor syntax or your worse spelling?