What you get with the Gigabyte GA-8PE667 Ultra.

Dual BIOS: a useful feature for years.

Nevertheless, they are both based on the same layout. In the final analysis, that means savings for the manufacturer. In addition, there's the fact the 845GE chipset model is not sold with slots for Memorystick and Secure Digital reading devices. The 845PE board comes equipped with an Intel network chip (82562EX, 100 Mbit), and the 845GE board with the Gigabit chip (Intel 82562EZ). Although the Gigabyte GA-8PE667 Ultra looks very well-equipped at first glance, it cannot match the maximum integration on the Asus P4PE. That's because the Gigabyte is missing a serial ATA chip and the voice output of error messages. Further details: both boards have Northbridge fans, the dual BIOS familiar of old and 5.1 sound with digital output (optical and cinch).

Included in delivery: front panel for USB 2.0.

Digital and analog outputs for 5.1 audio.

Compared to its rivals from Asus and MSI, the manufacturer has integrated a fully adequate Promise RAID controller (Ultra-DMA/ 133). The color-codings on the front panel are helpful for assembly and troubleshooting - no other test candidate has this feature. The three-phase voltage regulator and its low heat development also deserve attention. As in the past, Gigabyte has its idiosyncrasies: the memory settings in BIOS can be accessed with CTRL + F1. Like several of its rivals, Gigabyte also offers a tool for Windows XP to update the BIOS on the Internet. That said, we were unable to establish a connection to any of the four servers from which you can choose. Here are the results in detail: servers 1 and 2 (Taiwan) replied with the message, "Please load from the website;" server 3 (China) said that "Password is not allowed;" and server 4 produced the information that "Login is not permitted." In the end, a BIOS update was only possible using the "old method" of a file download. Still, one consolation is that it was, at least, possible to update under Windows XP. The bottom line in the case of the GA-8PE667 Ultra is a well-stocked board at a reasonable price. In the stores it costs $135 - including cable sets for IDE, USB 2 and audio connection. In terms of performance, both boards land in the midfield.