Gigabyte DS4 or DQ6?

[Talcite]

I'm considering one of the two boards. The DS4 is great because of 6 phase regulation, but the DQ6 has 12 0.o. Other than the audio decoder chip they're using, 883 vs 888DD, that's the only difference. Is it worth the extra $30 or $40 the DQ6 is going to set me back?

I don't plan to use an add-on sound card yet, but it'll come eventually. I'm also not an audioholic, so the audio codec doesn't really matter to me.

By the way, does anyone know the release dates for these boards?

Oh and any money I save goes into a better monitor, so that's my tradeoff, VP930b =o or mobo.

 

[us3rnotfound]

DS4? I'm only aware of the DS3

 

[dasmokedog]

Originally posted by: Talcite
I'm considering one of the two boards. The DS4 is great because of 6 phase regulation, but the DQ6 has 12 0.o. Other than the audio decoder chip they're using, 883 vs 888DD, that's the only difference. Is it worth the extra $30 or $40 the DQ6 is going to set me back?

I don't plan to use an add-on sound card yet, but it'll come eventually. I'm also not an audioholic, so the audio codec doesn't really matter to me.

By the way, does anyone know the release dates for these boards?

Oh and any money I save goes into a better monitor, so that's my tradeoff, VP930b =o or mobo.

They are both nice (DS3 as there is no DS4). However if you are shooting for a 965 board I would go with the Abit Ab9 Pro. This board is a super value and has a superb potential, with up coming BIOS refinments) to be one of the best 965 overclockers.

 

[hardwareking]

i'd go with the DS4 if u want value-oriented overclocking.Otherwise the DQ6 is the way to go.The 12 phase VRM sure is sweet.

 

[Zekey]

Originally posted by: dasmokedog
They are both nice (DS3 as there is no DS4).

Look here, I'm just curious as to where the OP can find this guy on sale.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

According to this,
the DS4 adds the following over the DS3:
- 2 PCIe x16 slots vs. 1 (but at the loss of a PCI slot)
- RAID Functionality (ICH8R vs. ICH8 Southbridge)
- 8 SATA ports vs. 6 SATA ports
- 3 IEEE1394 ports vs NONE
- Heatpipe Cooling

I also see a 4-pin Molex connector on the DS4 (below the RAM) that is missing on the DS3.

DS3
DS4

The DS4 seems a better option provided there's not much of a price difference between the two. The DQ6 doesn't seem to make much sense at the moment: at the $250+ its selling at, wouldn't you be better off getting the P5W DH which overclocks just as well, if not better, and throws in Crossfire support?

 

[Talcite]

My problem is I can't find the DS4 on sale. anywhere XD. I'm looking all over, but it just doesn't seem to be out there. I wasn't aware the DQ6 was on sale. well I just checked and the price is 300. That's more than my CPU -_-'

Anyone know the release date of the DS4? I see a few retailers with the DS4 on google, but their prices are even higher than the DQ6 0.o.

Wasn't MSRP for the DS4 supposed to be ~200?

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
According to this,
the DS4 adds the following over the DS3:
- 2 PCIe x16 slots vs. 1 (but at the loss of a PCI slot)
- RAID Functionality (ICH8R vs. ICH8 Southbridge)
- 8 SATA ports vs. 6 SATA ports
- 3 IEEE1394 ports vs NONE
- Heatpipe Cooling

I also see a 4-pin Molex connector on the DS4 (below the RAM) that is missing on the DS3.

DS3
DS4

The DS4 seems a better option provided there's not much of a price difference between the two. The DQ6 doesn't seem to make much sense at the moment: at the $250+ its selling at, wouldn't you be better off getting the P5W DH which overclocks just as well, if not better, and throws in Crossfire support?

unless there will be a bios revision that supports xfire/sli, the xtra pci-e x16 slot is a waste.

 

[Talcite]

There won't be. the 965 chipset itself limits it to 16x and 4x.

doesn't matter to me though, I'm no hardcore gamer.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: acegazda

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
According to this,
the DS4 adds the following over the DS3:
- 2 PCIe x16 slots vs. 1 (but at the loss of a PCI slot)
- RAID Functionality (ICH8R vs. ICH8 Southbridge)
- 8 SATA ports vs. 6 SATA ports
- 3 IEEE1394 ports vs NONE
- Heatpipe Cooling

I also see a 4-pin Molex connector on the DS4 (below the RAM) that is missing on the DS3.

DS3
DS4

The DS4 seems a better option provided there's not much of a price difference between the two. The DQ6 doesn't seem to make much sense at the moment: at the $250+ its selling at, wouldn't you be better off getting the P5W DH which overclocks just as well, if not better, and throws in Crossfire support?

unless there will be a bios revision that supports xfire/sli, the xtra pci-e x16 slot is a waste.

Hacked drivers ftw!

 

[hermanz3]

I got my DS4 for approx. USD185. Good overclock! I have no problem OC' with my mobo. 1.4V CPU and everything leaves as default and stable at 2.96 (365 FSB) for my E6400. Will try give more voltage to the chipset to see if I can get higher FSB. Heard the DS6 can go as high as 470 FSB.

So, if you are an extreme overclocker, get the DS6, but if you are causal OCer like me, I think the DS4 is good enough.

 

[Just4Ever]

hermanz3, where did you get your DS4 from?

 

[bobdelt]

I'd go for the cheaper ds4, or the ds3 (great overclocks so far, but picky on ram), sure its not as pretty, but its a damn mobo. It's not like you're wearing it around your neck. (well maybe, i havent been watching mtv lately)

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: bobdelt
I'd go for the cheaper ds4, or the ds3 (great overclocks so far, but picky on ram), sure its not as pretty, but its a damn mobo. It's not like you're wearing it around your neck. (well maybe, i havent been watching mtv lately)

those mobos are sweet looking... the ones with the heatpipes.

 

[Just4Ever]

Originally posted by: bobdelt
I'd go for the cheaper ds4, or the ds3 (great overclocks so far, but picky on ram), sure its not as pretty, but its a damn mobo. It's not like you're wearing it around your neck. (well maybe, i havent been watching mtv lately)

Can I ask where you are finding a cheaper DS4?

The best price I can find is like $320!!!

 

[amd4life]

I tooo want a ds4 please do tell lol

 

[govern1]

Question on the DS3. Will it be possible to mount a waterblock to that particular motherboard? From looking at a picture of it, it doesn't look as though you can. I'm sitting on a E6700, waiting for a motherboard and would consider this one if I can mount my Storm on it.

Thanks.

Shawn

 

[Talcite]

I think he got it from the UK or europe. The DS4s seem pretty cheap there. Just a bit over 200 cdn actually.

btw, does anyone know if any of these mobos are compatible with OCZ pc6400 2x512 sticks? It's pretty cheap memory, but i need them to work.

this is a mistake... right? ??

 

[CrappyLuckMan]

Gawd these boards are so overpriced. I'de wait for the nforce 500 series to ship.

 

[Talcite]

Did you guys know the DS4 isn't for north american release? 0.o Do you think the DS3's 3 phase power regulation is enough? 0.o

 

[bob661]

Originally posted by: CrappyLuckMan
Gawd these boards are so overpriced. I'de wait for the nforce 500 series to ship.

I'm with Crap. I would wait for the NF500's.

 

[Talcite]

I can't wait. I need to have a system assembled, up and stable by september 3rd. I'm going to residence and the system needs to be rock solid.

 

[thirdtenor]

A couple reviews I have seen show an "HDMI AC" audio header on the DQ6 - apparently for 8ch PCM over an HDMI cable. Its nestled in between the 2 x1 pcie slots. Strangely (well maybe not so strange) there is no mention of the port in the manual.

Does the DS4 have one as well?

If you have a DQ6, did it come with a cable? So you can use HDMI for audio only?

If so, have you tested?

Thanks.

 

[TekDemon]

Just posting this because I noticed a lot of people thinking the DQ6 is the hardcore overclocker option. Even though it has 12 phase power and all that cool stuff, it's actually the worst overclocker of the bunch here.

This *seems* to mostly be a BIOS issue, because hardware wise it should be the best overclocker. For whatever reason though, the DQ6 has trouble holding high FSBs. If you go over to xtremesystems you'll find plenty of people bitching lol

EDIT: Actually the newer BIOS may have resolved this! Still, it seems kinda overkill.