Gigabyte G1.Sniper 3

Znorfy

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Aug 15, 2012
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I just wanted to see your opinion on the Gigabyte G1.Sniper 3, is it worth the money and a good board? Also wanted to see how you guys think it stacks up to the Maximus V Formula

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128552&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
 
Well, if you have to have dual x16 crossfire, then it's one of the few choices available at any price.

Personally, I don't think it's worth the extra 100 dollars or so just for the miniscule advantage that dual x16 crossfire offers.
 
It's the cheapest PLX Z77 and is fine only if you plan to use 3 or 4 nVidia GPU's, otherwise the PLX adds unnecessary latency. You must use an Ivy Bridge CPU for the PLX to function.

My preferences for Z77 + PLX are in order: ASUS Maximus V EXTREME, ASUS P8Z77 WS, ASRock Z77 Extreme9, EVGA Z77 FTW

Same no differences: PCIe 3.0 x8/x8 vs PCIe 3.0 x16/x16 ... latency/tad slower PCIe 3.0 x16/x16 + PLX

Native is always going to be the fastest and PCIe 3.0 x8 is the same as PCIe 2.0 x16 and there is NO WAY you're going to saturate the lanes.
 

^No I think I will correct it back.

The ASUS Maximus V Formula is PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8 or x8/x4/x4), the Gigabyte G1.Sniper 3 is a PLX based MOBO and every single MOBO I put in 'my' list are PLX. I deliberately omitted the ASUS P8Z77-V PREMIUM because at ($450 USD) it's only for those who haven't figured out they should go with the SB-E (LGA 2011) platform or have more money than good sense.

I have nothing at all against the ASUS Maximus V Formula, it simply isn't in the same category as the Gigabyte G1.Sniper 3.
 
As I said clearly, unless the OP plans to use 3 or 4 GPU(s) then IMO don't get any PLX MOBO. The PLX Chipset adds ~$50 USD and latency to the otherwise native PCIe x16, or x8/x8 (SLI/CF), and neither PCIe 2.0 or PCIe 3.0 won't make that much if any 'real' differences; SB = PCIe 2.0 and IB = PCIe 3.0 -- the differences are primary from the CPU itself.

PCIe Scaling - http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/Ivy_Bridge_PCI-Express_Scaling/

PLX Z77 and is fine only if you plan to use 3 or 4 nVidia GPU's, otherwise the PLX adds unnecessary latency.

The craziest dual PLX (x16/x16/x16/x16) is the ASRock X79 Extreme11 (LGA 2011).
 
I would say pretty much the same if he doesn't plan to use three or four cards get one of these mobos mobo:ASUS P8Z77-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819#top


mobo:GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545#top

mobo:ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157295&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Motherboards%20-%20Intel-_-ASRock-_-13157295&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=#top
 

Znorfy

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I may go SLI but probably not 3 or 4 way, maybe dual GTX 670s in the future. So you guys would recommend the Formula over Sniper? I like its colour more and can coordinate with my parts and case, however I liked the killer LAN chip on the Sniper and they are basically the same price right now so I was leaning more toward that.
 
What's your total budget?

Assuming an Ivy Bridge CPU, PCIe 3.0 x8/x8 = PCIe 2.0 x16/x16 and there's NO - ZERO - ZIP differences to PLX + PCIe 3.0 x16/x16 if anything the PLX is less due to latency. Anyone telling you differently has no clue. The only differences I've seen are 4-WAY GTX 680's on the X79 PCIe 2.0 vs PCIe 3.0 AND with 3xHD (5760x1080+), even 3-WAY yields no differences. Now on a single 1920x1080 -- it's a joke to suggest x8 vs x16 as an influence. On X79 a GTX 670 in SLI PCIe 3.0 vs 2.0 x16/x16 yielded 14067 vs 14073 (0.04%) margin of error.

The one advantage to the ASUS Maximus V Formula, most if not all 'Formula's, is it's quality onboard sound -- Creative's SupremeFX IV; more info -> http://rog.asus.com/131512012/maximus-v-motherboards/what-is-supremefx-iv/

For the additional $40 over say over a Sabertooth Z77 (5 yr warranty) you're buying the sound, Bluetooth, WiFi and color scheme, but losing 2 years of warranty (3 yr warranty).
 

Znorfy

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Well around $200-280, definitely under $300. I know most Z77 Motherboards basically perform in a 1-5% difference so im more looking at the features. Ive looked at the Sabertooth, but am willing to go to the Maximus's price if you guys think its worth it. Here is my set up so far:

CPU Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core $209.99
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing $32.30
Motherboard Asus Maximus V Formula EATX LGA1155 $279.99
Memory Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $44.99
Storage Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $89.99
Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" SSD $96.49
Video Card MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB $399.99
Case NZXT Phantom (White/Red) ATX Full Tower $128.98
Power Supply PC Power & Cooling 750W ATX12V / EPS12V $89.99
Monitor Asus VS228H-P 21.5" $134.99
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) $89.98

Total:$ 1597

Ive looked at cheaper mobos as well but I thought its much harder to upgrade a mobo compared to other parts so
it would be reasonable to invest the extra money and I want to be able to keep this rig as long as possible.
 

Znorfy

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Ok makes sense, what im thinking about with the sniper is that they are basically the same price and the sniper offer a sounds chip as well as a killer LAN chip while the formula only offers the sound, the only thing im a bit iffy on with the sniper is the colour scheme because im going to have a hard time coordinating and I just prefer black and red xD
 

jacknhut

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Maximus V Formula is a great board, I would choose that over the G1 Sniper if you don't plan on 3 way SLI/CF. But if you do plan on 3 way SLI/CF, the G1 Sniper is a great bang for money PLX board. I wouldn't go for Maximus V Extreme or Asrock Extreme 9 since those boards cross way into X79 price range, why would you want to buy a Z77 board when you can buy X79 for about same price?
 
Your build looks nice i personally would be all over ASUS GTX 670 Direct CU II If you want a 670, the one to get is the Asus. While many non-reference cards add an improved cooler, few have a factory heavily modified PCB, with an efficient VRM design to produce low temperatures, improved voltage regulation circuitry, much better CHiL controller , specially binned chips and voltage control and monitoring support that you won't find on most other non-reference cards. Those are some of the reasons you'll see it get a 10.0 rating at techpowerup, something no other card has ever attained. Quote: "Overall the ASUS GTX 670 Direct CU II is the best card I ever tested. I simply can't find anything wrong with it". Source: 10.0 Rating Asus 670 TOP
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_670_Direct_Cu_II/33.html basically my point is once you own one of those cards.

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Also compare here with the 670's listed:9.7 rating MSI Twin Frozr IV
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_670_Power_Edition/33.html


9.6 Rating Zotac AMP 670
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_670_Amp_Edition/33.html