Next Generation 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt™ 3

 

The GIGABYTE GA-X99-Designare EX motherboard is a X99 Refresh motherboard to be certified to support Thunderbolt™ 3. This gives enthusiasts that need the tried-and-true horsepower and reliability of the X99 chipset access to the world’s fastest connectivity protocol. Powered by Intel’s own Thunderbolt 3 controller, the new Thunderbolt 3 protocol is available over a USB Type-C™ connector on the back I/O of select GIGABYTE motherboards including the X99-Designare EX. Bringing an unprecedented single-wire bandwidth of up to 40 Gb/s -- twice more than the previous generation! 

 

 

Support for Thunderbolt™ 3 on the GIGABYTE X99-Designare EX motherboard opens up a world of possibilities for enthusiasts or professionals using the X99 chipset. With the unmatched bandwidth that Thunderbolt™ 3 provides, enthusiasts can use new devices such as discrete GPU boxes, external quad M.2 drives, or U.2 expansion drives.

 

One of the main advantages of Thunderbolt™ 3 is its ability to carry a video signal, but as X99 platforms don’t have a GPU integrated in the CPU, the Thunderbolt controller needs to link with a discrete graphics card. In order to solve this conundrum, GIGABYTE designed the X99-Designare EX with a DisplayPort Input port on the back I/O allowing users to pair their devices with a USB Type-C connector (the required cables to connect the graphics card to Thunderbolt controller are bundled with the board).

 

Note: The motherboard packing includes one DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable for building Thunderbolt™ 3 function.

 

 

Daisy-chain Multiple Devices

With a single wire, users can now daisy-chain up to 6 devices via Thunderbolt 3, including a monitor with all the GPU power from the discrete graphics card to display high frame rate games at max settings or render 3D models in a flash.

 

NVIDIA® / AMD®

Graphics Support for 

Thunderbolt™ 3*

GIGABYTE implementing Thunderbolt™ 3 allows users to utilize all facets of this technology. GIGABYTE’s unique design of incorporating a video input port, via DisplayPort, allows users to take full advantage of their discrete NVIDIA or AMD Graphics Cards. By merging the performance of these discrete cards with Thunderbolt™ 3 users can now leverage the fast data transfer speeds and latest gaming technologies into a single Thunderbolt™ (USB Type-C™) cable.

 

Ambient Surround LED

Set the Color that Matches Your Style

Now offering more LED customizations than ever, users can truly adapt their PC to represent their lifestyle. With full RGB support and a redesigned Ambient LED application, the user has complete control over the LEDs which surround the motherboard.

 

Light Up Your Case to Match your Motherboard

With an onboard Pin Header for aftermarket LED Strips, users now have the ability to sync the lighting in their computer case with the lighting on their motherboard. By using the Ambient LED Application, included in GIGABYTE APP Center, users are also able to specify the lighting modes available and ensure that everything is illuminating their system in harmony.

 

Immersive VR 

Gaming Experience

> VR requires more performance than Full HD graphics for a steady 60FPS or greater. 

> Only Gaming PCs can provide the best VR experience.

To create a seamless VR experience GIGABYTE Motherboards offer the best features to make your virtual reality feel like your actual reality.

 

With technologies such as Thunderbolt™ 3 to transfer data and video, NVMe support via M.2 or U.2, and a one piece metal shielding to brace for heavier discrete graphics cards its obvious that GIGABYTE has the tools you need to start your journey in VR. To set the mood GIGABYTE Motherboards include Ambient Surround LED to put you in the center of action.

 

 

NVIDIA® QUADRO® Professional Graphics Supports

 

NVIDIA® QUADRO® 3D Workstation Professional Graphics Solutions designed and built specifically for artists, designers, and engineers, NVIDIA Quadro GPUs power more than 100 professional applications across a broad range of industries. Professionals trust them to enable their best work using applications such as Adobe® Creative Cloud, Avid Media Composer, Autodesk Suites, Dassault Systemes, CATIA and SOLIDWORKS, Siemens NX, PTC Creo, and many more.

 

 

Premium 3-Way PCIe x16 Multi-Graphics Support

Optimized support for 3-Way NVIDIA SLI™ or 3-Way AMD CrossFire™ On 28 lanes Processor

 

2-Way SLI™ / CrossFire™ Multi-Graphics

Multi-graphics configuration offers better graphics performance for gaming enthusiasts who demand the highest frame rates without compromising on resolution.

 

PURE SPEED, MORE POWER

Exclusively on GIGABYTE Powered Motherboards

Intel® USB 3.1 + Power Delivery 2.0

The Intel® USB 3.1 controller utilizes four PCIe Gen3 Lanes, offering up to 32 Gb/s total bandwidth, for uncompromised transfer speeds of up to 10 Gb/s per USB 3.1. With twice the bandwidth compared to its previous generation, and backwards compatibility with USB 2.0 and 3.0, the much improved USB 3.1 protocol is available over the new reversible USB Type-C™ and the traditional USB Type-A connector for better compatibility over a wider range of devices.

 

 

Dual U.2 Onboard (NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4)

NVMe Performance for PCIe SSDs

The new Intel 750 series SSDs offer an incredible increase in performance over SATA drives. Using the NVMe protocol which takes advantage of the fast bandwidth of PCIe Gen3 x4 lanes (32 Gb/s), the drives are a clear advantage for users looking to boot their OS faster, load their games in a flash and access large files without waiting. By implementing the U.2 port onboard to support the 2.5” Intel 750 Series drive, GIGABYTE ensures that the users can benefit from the best performance.

 

36W USB Type-C™

Power and Charge From USB Type-C With Power Delivery 2.0 Support

Redesigned to take full advantage of all the features that USB Type-C can support, GIGABYTE’s new X99 motherboards with Intel’s USB 3.1 controller not only supports USB 2.0, 3.0, and 3.1, but also completely supports Power Delivery 2.0. This means users are able to get up to 36 watts through your Intel powered USB Type-C port. This opens the door for users looking to clean up their cable cutter and power or recharge their devices through this universal connector, the Type-C Port. 

 

 

Dual Hybrid Fan Headers

Precise PWM and Voltage Control for Water pumps or Fans

Many of today’s modern computers feature water cooling to ensure that the CPU or graphics cards stay cool and quiet while they are put under heavy load. In order to provide the best support for water cooling solutions, GIGABYTE has equipped its X99/Z170 motherboards with an additional water pump power header. This allows the user to have full control over two water pumps or fans. An additional benefit of these headers with GIGABYTE’s motherboards is the option to choose between voltage calibration or PWM modes.

 

Genuine All Digital Power Design

GIGABYTE X99 series motherboards use an all digital CPU power design from International Rectifier® which includes both 4th Generation digital PWM Controllers and industry-leading 3rd Generation PowIRstage® controllers. These 100% digital controllers offer incredible precision in delivering power to the motherboard’s most power-hungry and energy-sensitive components, allowing enthusiasts to get the absolute maximum performance from their new Intel® Core™ i7 Extreme Edition CPUs.

 

IR Digital PWM & IR PowIRstage® ICs

This new generation of IR® digital power controllers and PowIRstage® ICs feature Isense technology, which provide more precise current sensing accuracy. This helps evenly distribute the thermal loading between the PowIRstage® ICs, preventing the overheating of each individual PowIRstage®, resulting in longer lifespan and better reliability.

 

 

What is XMP?

DDR4 memory modules are available at a stock frequency of 2133MHz, but as frequency tweaking requires a considerable amount of effort and knowledge, memory vendors encode XMP profiles which can automatically modify the timings of the supported memory modules to work with your CPU and to achieve increased performance.

 

 

Refreshed BIOS Easy, Smart, and Friendly

The BIOS is essential for users during initial setup to allow for the most optimal settings. With a new GUI and easier to use functionalities, GIGABYTE has been able to reinvent the BIOS to give users a better experience will setting up their new system.

 

 

Ultra Durable™ Memory Armor

GIGABYTE’s exclusive one piece stainless steel shielding design prevents against PCB distortion and twist (Plate bending) in addition to preventing any possible ESD interference.

 

 

Turbo B-Clock

Built-in Advanced Performance Tuning IC

Thanks to the onboard Turbo B-Clock Tuning IC, GIGABYTE motherboards enable overclockers to have the ability to change their BCLK frequency to a desired value of their choice. With the new linear range adjustment option of the Tuning IC, ranges from 90MHz to 500MHz are now possible, so that overclockers are not limited to the 5% ranges of traditional straps.

*Turbo B-Clock overclocking range may vary according to CPU capabilities.

 

 

Easy to Install "G-Connector" Design

The tiny cables of the front panel connectors can be hard to manipulate as space is restricted and indicators being tiny. With the G-Connector, you can connect all the FP cables at once, simplifying the process of building your next PC and saving you some frustrations.

 

 

ESD Protection for USB and LAN

GIGABYTE motherboards raise the bar in terms of protecting your system, providing advanced electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for both your Ethernet LAN and USB ports, both common sources of ESD-related failures. Each LAN and USB port is paired with a dedicated protection filter that can withstand high electrostatic discharges, protecting your system from common electrical surges and even direct lighting strikes.

* The entire materials provided herein are for reference only. GIGABYTE reserves the right to modify or revise the content at anytime without prior notice.

* Advertised performance is based on maximum theoretical interface values from respective Chipset vendors or organization who defined the interface specification. Actual performance may vary by system configuration.

* All trademarks and logos are the properties of their respective holders.

* Due to standard PC architecture, a certain amount of memory is reserved for system usage and therefore the actual memory size is less than the stated amount.