Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 (rev. 1.3)

[atlr]

Okay. Now I am really confused.

Does anyone know why Gigabyte has apparently released a revision 1.3 of the DS3. Not 3.3, but 1.3. Newegg lists a rev 1.3 too.

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Mot...sonSheet.aspx?ProductID=2314,2510,2456
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128042

I have sent inquiries to Gigabyte USA sales and newegg sales. I will update this thread if I get any responses.

 

[Cheezeit]

Thats pretty interesting... its about 15 dollars cheaper.

 

[Cardio]

Old stock, premium for guaranteed V3.3

 

[Cheex]

It seems that Newegg has finally separated the DS3 boards based on their revision number. When I ordered my DS3, Newegg was shipping Rev. 2.0 & 3.3 without a difference being shown on their site. I hoped for a Rev. 3.3 and that's what I got. I think they should also now split the Rev. 2.0 & 3.3 into separate items as well.

@ Cardio, the Rev. 1.3 is not the old stock. This is a new release by GIGABYTE (not sure why, with the 3.3 already out). Like the 3.3, it also has native support for the 1333 FSB processors (which are yet to be released).

I will have to look deeper to find some more answers but it seems to be a very nice future-proof board like the 3.3 version...:thumbsup:

 

[cryptonomicon]

I'm interested in this as well, I was just about to order the DS3 and saw the 1.3 revision up there.

By the way, are there any C2D boards with overclocking performace that offer a 1394 firewire connection, besides going up to $180 for the asus p5b? Thats my only grudge against this DS3.

 

[renethx]

The major differences between various revisions are:

• Rev. 1.0: FSB 1066MHz, one system fan header, ALC883 (Vista Basic Logo)
• Rev. 1.3: FSB 1333MHz, one system fan header, ALC883
• Rev. 2.0: FSB 1066MHz, three system fan headers, ALC888 (Vista Premium Logo)
• Rev. 3.3: FSB 1333MHz, three system fan headers, ALC888

I don't know why GIGABYTE added rev. 1.3 in the last (it appeared in the GIGABYTE website only within a couple of days). Its audio codec is sligtly out of date. It's a good buy anyway.

 

[renethx]

cryptonomicon

There is no good cheap overclocking board with firewire besides P5B-E ($145). Go for an nForce 650i board such as ASUS P5N-E SLI or MSI P6N SLI-FI.

 

[atlr]

renethx, thank you pointing out the motherboard differences.

Here is a general comment about Microsoft WLP 3.0 requirements and the Realtek ALC888
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8308977&&#post8308977

A comment about ALC883 versus ALC888
http://newsko.blogspot.com/2006/04/realtek-shows-off-new-high-definition.html

A distinction between the ALC883 and the ALC888 could be driver support in future versions of Windows. THe ALC888 datasheet mentions that its software has a "WaveRT-based audio function driver for Windows Vista." WaveRT is not mentioned in the ALC883 datasheet. This might be part of the distinction between Microsoft Windows Logo Program (WLP) v2.x and v3.x requirements. However, both have Vista drivers. Here is a point to dive-in to UAA and WaveRT. It's beyond me.
Audio Device Technologies for Windows http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/audio/default.mspx
ALC883 datasheet http://realtek.info/pdf/alc883.pdf
ALC888 datasheet http://realtek.info/pdf/ALC888_1-0.pdf
vista driver support wikihttp://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/W...ardware_Compatibility_List#Sound_Cards

Renethx, I see you contribute to AVS Forum too. Yowza, that's a comprehensive post.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=710828&highlight=alc883+alc888

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: cryptonomicon
By the way, are there any C2D boards with overclocking performace that offer a 1394 firewire connection, besides going up to $180 for the asus p5b? Thats my only grudge against this DS3.

DS3P & DS4.
abit AB9/AB9 Pro/AB9 QuadGT
Asus P5B-E
etc.

 

[renethx]

d

 

[Fallengod]

Hum, so 1.3 looks sweet then. If the only difference is a slightly older audio codec(which only adds support for digital microphone) and is $15 cheaper, id much rather have that.

 

[Cheex]

I'm fine with my Revision 3.3 right now. The 1.3 came out just now but I don't feel cheated or like I'm missing out on anything...

 

[Fallengod]

Can anyone confirm the differences? I think its just the audio codec but not sure. Id love to know because I was considering getting that board. I dont even use onboard audio so id love to save the $15 if that is all that is different.

That seems really strange to me that they would want to do yet another revision just to downgrade the audio codec and lower price by $15....

 

[Moab]

Originally posted by: Fallengod
Hum, so 1.3 looks sweet then. If the only difference is a slightly older audio codec(which only adds support for digital microphone) and is $15 cheaper, id much rather have that.

What about the difference in the number of fan headers?

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: renethx
The major differences between various revisions are:

• Rev. 1.0: FSB 1066MHz, one system fan header, ALC883 (Vista Basic Logo)
• Rev. 1.3: FSB 1333MHz, one system fan header, ALC883
• Rev. 2.0: FSB 1066MHz, three system fan headers, ALC888 (Vista Premium Logo)
• Rev. 3.3: FSB 1333MHz, three system fan headers, ALC888

I don't know why GIGABYTE added rev. 1.3 in the last (it appeared in the GIGABYTE website only within a couple of days). Its audio codec is sligtly out of date. It's a good buy anyway.

This is a very good outline of all the differences. This should be an adequate comparison.

 

[adnoto]

Something just doesn't add up. The rev. 1.3 board has all the signs of being a brand new board. It was just recently added/listed on the Gigabyte website and as far as I can tell they don't even list a "rev. 1.3" other than the new edition. Seems strange and inconsistent to me. If you look closely at the pics of the boxes of the two different versions on Newegg, the rev 1.3 has something...a sticker or emblem on it that says "Generation 2.0." Not rev 2.0 mind you, but "Generation" 2.0. Now here is what I am thinking and feel free to correct me if I am wrong but I think that perhaps this rev. 1.3 IS a rev. 3.3 but a 2nd generation rev. 3.3. In other words they are no longer calling it "rev. 3.3" because they are sort of starting over using 3.3 as the base for a newer "generation 2" board? Would that make any sense at all? Anyone else think that is possible?

Another thing to consider is - is it even possible for there to be any rev 1.3 versions of the same board that is now commonly shipping as rev. 3.3? I would think those would have been long sold out. I bet it would be tough to get a rev. 2.0 at this point.

It is interesting that it is less expensive though. You wouldn't figure them to charge less for a "newer and better" product. Regardless though, the idea that it is an old, repackaged rev. 1.3 doesn't add up for me.

As an aside.. where are you guys getting the info on the fan headers and audio chipsets? I was just wondering because (and not that they are accurate) NewEgg has the two boards in question as both having the ALC883.

.

 

[herbiehancock]

Originally posted by: Cheex

Originally posted by: renethx
The major differences between various revisions are:

• Rev. 1.0: FSB 1066MHz, one system fan header, ALC883 (Vista Basic Logo)
• Rev. 1.3: FSB 1333MHz, one system fan header, ALC883
• Rev. 2.0: FSB 1066MHz, three system fan headers, ALC888 (Vista Premium Logo)
• Rev. 3.3: FSB 1333MHz, three system fan headers, ALC888

I don't know why GIGABYTE added rev. 1.3 in the last (it appeared in the GIGABYTE website only within a couple of days). Its audio codec is sligtly out of date. It's a good buy anyway.

This is a very good outline of all the differences. This should be an adequate comparison.

While those are a decent listing of feature-set differences, I think there are some quite different construction techniques on the two versions of this board.

This is what I think is happening with the naming convention........the X.3 versions of the board indicates the 1333FSB capability of the board, whether it's a Rev. 1.3 or Rev. 3.3.

But looking at the actual two boards and comparing them, some quite obvious differences in their construction, i.e. capacitors and such, are very telling......

Open the two linked pics below in separate windows and compare the red blocked areas between the two boards......very different parts used in their makeup.


GA-965P-ds3 Rev. 3.3


GA-965P-ds3 Rev. 1.3


Now, I own a Rev. 3.3 of this board and it looks exactly like the Rev. 3.3 pic linked above. The Rev. 1.3 board pic, provided by Gigabyte and matched to Newegg's pic....both are exactly the same, looks like it's constructed a bit cheaper, which may be the reason why it costs less. (Look at the areas encirlced in red....pardon my lack of painting skills!)

The Rev. 1.3 seems to use some quite different pieces around the cpu socket, next to the SATA ports, along the PCI-e slot, and loses a few capacitors just above the first PCI slot.

Lots of wire-wound "things" instead of what appear to be solid-state units on the Rev. 3.3 board......I'm not an electronics parts expert so I don't know what the wire-wound things are called that are present on the Rev. 1.3 board, but they are quite different from what is used on the Rev. 3.3.

Maybe this is why it's cheaper?

 

[Insomniac34]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here. I just wanted to sign up and let you guys know that I just got my rev 1.3 Gigabyte DS3 today from Newegg. I'll tell you what I can right now:

- First, I can't get it up and running yet since I'm waiting to get an e4300 and I won't get one until the Intel price cuts around April 22nd.

- Also, I've had a rev 3.3 Gigabyte DS3 with my old rig (with an e6400) but I sold it off because I needed the cash. Right now I'm putting together a budget rig with the e4300 and this rev 1.3 board. So I've had experiences with the rev 3.3 and can try to compare it to the rev 1.3

- There are two fan headers from what i see on the rev 1.3, a CPU fan header at the very top and a System fan header just to the right of the last DDR2 slot.

- I can confirm that the images that herbiehancock posted are correct, those differences are in fact true and are present on the rev 1.3

- It looks as though that this is simply a rev 1.0 board with 1333 FSB support. I took a quick look at the manual and it says on the inside cover "Rev. 1002".

- My deduction from what I've seen is that this is, in fact, old stock that was modified to include 1333 FSB CPUs. The rev 1.3 board looks exactly the same as the rev 1.0 board, from the capacitors to the NB heatsink. Uses the same manual as rev 1.0 boards. Now some might say that the manual is the same no matter the revision. However, when I purchased my rev 3.3 board, I noticed that the manual specifically stated it was a rev 3.3 board.

I think I'm going to end up returning this board for a refund to Newegg and go for a rev 3.3 instead. I won't bother holding on to this one to try it out. I should've realized this would just be an improved version of the 1.0 board, but I saw the nice price tag and bit on the deal. At ClubIT.com, you can actually get a guaranteed rev 3.3 board for only $5 more, so I recommend anyone who's interested in a DS3 go there. It's slightly cheaper than at Newegg.

If anyone else has any other questions about the board, I'll try to answer your questions. Keep in mind that I can't actually test it or look at the BIOS or anything of that nature.

EDIT: I should say that by the time anyone reads this or asks me a question, I'll no longer have the board. I'm going to RMA it to Newegg later today. The woman who helped me out via Newegg's Live Chat was able to waive the restocking fee on the RMA, so all I have to do is pay for shipping to their location in California. Not a bad deal at all. I'm just going to get the rev 3.3 board from ClubIT for a few dollars more.

 

[Fallengod]

Weird. Anyways the 1.3 just is lacking in fan headers and has a downgraded audio codec. Looks like you are right. Think they just tried to add the 1333 fsb support as well to the 1.0. Seems kind of pointless.

 

[Insomniac34]

Originally posted by: Fallengod
Weird. Anyways the 1.3 just is lacking in fan headers and has a downgraded audio codec. Looks like you are right. Think they just tried to add the 1333 fsb support as well to the 1.0. Seems kind of pointless.

Definitely seems pointless. Unless they just want to get rid of old stock. Maybe they figured they could push old units by making them 1333 FSB compatible and dropping the price a bit. Almost worked with me, but I'd rather have a rev 3.3 in the long run. I've read about quite a few problems with the earlier revisions.

 

[adnoto]

Ok but it still doesn't really make any sense. So the "Generation 2" emblem just means that it is a 2nd generation of the rev. 1 then it looks like, no? It really does seem idiotic that they would gear up their production line in order to revamp an inferior board when the rev. 3.3 is so popular. But perhaps that isn't a concern and/or not the way it works. Perhaps they have been producing rev. 1 boards this entire time. It goes against all logic but then there you have it. Thanks for the info Insomniac. The fan headers are important to me so I will be getting the rev. 3.3.

 

[atlr]

Gigabyte representatives for the USA and headquarters both answered my question "what is the difference between rev 1.3 and 3.3" with the 1.3 supports a maximum 1066MHz FSB and the 3.3 supports up to 1333MHz.

rhetorical questions:
I wonder if they are in touch with their company's product releases. Gigabyte and newegg web sites clearly label the rev 1.3 supporting 1333MHZ FSB. Or is editing of their web sites really that bad.

 

[mgutz]

The extra fan header marked for power supply on the 3.3 is useless to me since it doesn't regulate the voltage like the other two fan headers. The additional fan header will run any fan on it at full speed which sucks if you like quiet computing. I don't see this as a plus for rev 3.3 over the 1.3.

 

[Linux23]

So which is newer/better?

 

[cify1964]

I bought mine from ewiz, their site said it was a rev 3.3. The funny thing is cpu-Z says its a rev 2.0. However, the board has rev 3.3 in writting on it, the red capasitors, and looks excatly like the rev 3.3 picture in the thread above. Is there some way to comfirm which rev I actually have? Please advise