Conclusion

Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6 mainboard is the top Gigabyte solution on Intel P965 Express chipset. Unfortunately, we can’t call it the best one yet. If you are looking for Gigabyte mainboard with similar features list, we would strongly recommend taking a look at GA-965P-DS4. It features the same noiseless Silent-Pipe cooling system, 6-phase processor voltage regulator, which is actually more than enough, has not Quad e-SATA2 and no Crazy Cool heatsinks on the reverse side of the PCB. The latter is actually an advantage. Gigabyte GA-965P-DS4 is priced at $180+, while Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6 costs at least $210. Don’t you think that $30 is quite a lot for Quad e-SATA2, additional 6 phases of the CPU voltage regulator and Crazy Cool system that will need to be removed for successful overclocking?

If you don’t need Silent-Pipe cooling system, you can also go with an even less expensive GA-965P-DS3P or even GA-965P-S3, because most users may be satisfied with only one PCI Express x16 slot. Although the latter also has limited compatibility with the processor coolers using backplate, because there are electronic contacts hanging beneath the processor socket.

So let’s sum up the advantages and drawbacks of the Gigabyte mainboard we have reviewed today:

Highs:

• Two PCI Express x16 slots;
• Quad e-SATA2;
• IEEE1394;
• 12-phase processor voltage regulator and 8-pin ATX12V power supply connector;
• Color coded connectors;
• Full-set of rear panel connectors;
• Good overclocking-friendly options offered by the mainboard BIOS;
• Adjustable rotation speed of the processor cooler.

Lows:

• Only three fan connectors;
• Only two PCI slots;
• Not very informative PC Health Status section;
• Incompatibility with many processor coolers because of the Crazy Cool cooling system and closely located capacitors;
• High price.