Gigabyte EP45-DS3R vs EP45-UD3P, What is the difference?

[projhex]

Hello Tom's Forumers,

I'm looking into purchasing a motherboard as an overall component to a system that I am building (in which Tom's has been an invaluable resource as I've been ordering parts), and I was set on ordering the Gigabyte EP45-DS3R when I just yesterday came across the EP45-UD3P which newegg is currently having a $15.00 discount on when you purchase with a e8500 (something I was going to buy anyway.)

So I'm looking at the Spec sheets on Newegg.com and on Gigabyte.com.tw and I'm really wondering what the difference is at this point between the two boards.

So far this is all I can find...

Newegg says UD3P 8 SATA 3GB/s vs DS3R 6 SATA 3GB/s. Gigabyte says they both have 6. I trust the manufacturer.

UD3P has a very nice heatsink with a heatpipe connected between the northbridge the capacitors, DS3R does not. Both have solid state capacitors with ferite cores, it just looks like the UD series has a bigger heatsink.

UD3P "Natively" Supports DDR2 1333 while the DS3R supports DDR3 1333 with a Bios update.

UD3P Shows Supports "Ultra TPM." But both boards have it listed and both have 2048 Encryption.


So thats it. Does it really just come down to the UD3P having a better heatsink?

UD3P
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products...board&ProductID=2919&ProductName=GA-EP45-UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

DS3R
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products...board&ProductID=2842&ProductName=GA-EP45-DS3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344

 

[califmike2003]

Well from what i have read on extreme system forums on the ep45-ud3p it can hit 600 plus on fsb, and is a great overclocking board, it has all the extra copper heat sinks etc. I own the ep45-ds3r, its a great board, overclocks pretty good for a mid range board, i have maxed out at about 530 fsb, but thats to be exspected in a mid range board. If you are serious about overclocking i would definitly go for the ud3p, if you just want a solid performing board with pretty good overclocking get the cheaper ep45-ds3r.

 

[projhex]

Thanks for the reply. The real question is then, why go DS3R? The UD3P is only $3 more on newegg... is it just a really new board? I see there are no reviews.

 

[califmike2003]

Didnt know they were that close in price, i thought it was like a $100 more, wish i had that board, its a no brainer get the ud3p. Check out extreme systems forums, under overclocking there is a full write up on that board, and it looks like it rocks i mean 600 plus fsb is nice. I think it is a new board, or there would be reviews on newegg on it. To late for me to change boards, but im happy with my ds3r, i like overclocking, but im not going for world records , so my board suits my needs, but if given the choice i would take the ud3p, good luck, you cant go wrong with gigabyte.

 

[bilbat]

I was recently looking at a DQ6 vs. DS5 issue...

Go to Gigabyte's website - they have a feature specifically for generating side-by-side comparisons of boards:
http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Products/Motherboard/Products_ComparisonSheet.aspx