G1 Gaming Series Motherboards

Z97X-Gaming G1 WIFI

Z97X-Gaming G1

Z97X-Gaming GT

G1.Sniper Z97

Z97X-Gaming 7

Z97N-Gaming 5

Z97X-Gaming 5

Z97MX-Gaming 5

Z97X-Gaming 3

Z97X-Gaming G1 WIFI​



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Z97X-Gaming GT​



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Z97X-Gaming 7​







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Z97X-Gaming 5​





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Z97X-Gaming 3​

First, let’s take a look at the G1.Killer...err, make that the new G1 Gaming series. Yep, the simultaneously beloved and reviled gaming series from Gigabyte has been rebranded due to some regions feeling that the “Killer” moniker was a little too aggressive sounding. This isn’t a change in name only, but a total image makeover as well. Gone is the eye-catching lime green colour scheme with bullets, guns, and skulls galore, replaced with a more subdued – and obviously much more common – black and red patina. This isn’t exactly a controversial choice, since it merely puts Gigabyte in-line with the identical aesthetics of the ASUS’ Republic of Gamers (RoG) and MSI’s Gaming motherboard series.At the moment, we are aware of nine different G1 Gaming models, which are:We were able to see five of these new models in-person, so check out below for some up-close shots.The Z98X-Gaming WIFI model is the flagship of the new G1 Gaming lineup, and is by far the most featured filled model that Gigabyte is releasing. The clichéd “everything and the kitchen sink” analogy definitely applies to this model, but in a good way. First and foremost, what you will notice is the brand new red and black colour scheme. Although more generic than the previous colour scheme, it does make for one sleek motherboard...if you actually care about motherboard aesthetics.As you can see on the PCH heatsink, Gigabyte have adopted the well-known logo that has thus far only adorned their graphics cards. It is part of the rebranding away from the military themed images. Something else that may catch your eye are the two G1/4 threaded fittings on the MOSFET heatsink. This model does indeed allow for water-cooling of the motherboard’s power delivery section, and Gigabyte have wisely left it up the user to decide what size barbs they want to use based on their own personal loop requirements.One of this model’s key differentiators is 4-Way SLI and 4-Way CrossFire support courtesy of a PLX chip . This PCI-E multiplier expands the 16 PCI-E lanes coming from the processor, and allows the board to run in x8/x8/x8/x8/x8 mode in a quad graphics card configuration, or x16/x16 when two graphics cards are used. The downside of the PLX chip is that it runs exceedingly hot and adds extra latency to the graphics subsystem. Due to the potentially hefty PCI-E power requirements, there is SATA-based power connector on the right side of the motherboard.On the connectivity front, this high-end model features ten SATA 6Gb/s ports, or eight ports and one SATA Express 10Gb/s port. The reason for this decrease is that the SATA Express connector requires two SATA ports as well as a small, newer port (zoomable image). Surprisingly, this flagship model does not come with an M.2 slot, although looking at the PCB there really is nowhere to put one. This motherboard features two gigabyte LAN ports, one supplied by a Killer E2200 gaming controller and one from an Intel part. There is also wireless connectivity in the form of dual-band 802.11ac – albeit it 867mbps form – and Bluetooth 4.0.Since it’s aimed at gamers, Gigabyte paid particular attention to the audio capabilities of this model. It has been outfitted with a proper hardware-based Creative SoundCore 3D quad-core audio processor, and thus supports the whole range of proprietary Creative gaming audio utilities and tools.For those who’s audio requirements extend past just gaming, Gigabyte have designed this motherboard with a User replaceable OP-AMP – an industry first –and AMP-UP audio technology with GAIN switches, allowing users to better drive their higher Ohm headphones. High quality electrolytic Nichicon MUSE ES audio capacitors ensure smooth power delivery to the audio components. Since Gigabyte have recognized their increasing popularity, there are now two DAC-UP USB ports, which are special ports that have been isolated from the rest of the motherboard in order to minimize the noise that gets transferred to your external USB DAC. All the audio jacks have been gold-plated, which is less about improving conductance than just preventing the ports from tarnishing in certain environments, which can cause that sporadic scratchy noise that you’ve likely heard before when plugging your headphones into an audio output port. Lastly, there is the somewhat translucent

audio separation line on the PCB, which isolates and protects the analog audio subsystem from being affected by interference from the motherboard’s numerous other components. This is a design feature that you will see on most of this new generation's full-size motherboards.Basically, this is the motherboard to buy if you want it all and don’t like compromises. Having said that, as you will see next, the Gaming GT model ain’t half bad either...Much like its bigger brother, the Z97X-Gaming GT features support for 4-way graphics thanks to a PLX chip. On this motherboard the PLX has been placed under the “northbridge” heatsink , so it does get some cooling but will also heat up the MOSFET section. Speaking of which, the MOSFET heatsink is also different, with an alternative design that does water-cooling support.On the connectivity from, the Gaming GT makes due with two less SATA ports and only features one gigabit LAN port, but the Killer E2200 LAN controller remains. Both the WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity have been stripped from this model. This model also loses the hardware-based Creative audio solution, but does still feature a solid Realtek ALC1150 CODEC that can utilize SoundBlaster audio tools in software-mode. They have also used lower-end audio capacitors for the audio subsystem.Overall, at the right price this could be an attractive option for those who don’t need the extra wired/wireless connectivity and make use of an external audio solution (USB DAC for example).Next up we have the slightly more mainstream Gaming Series models, which are actually very attractive offerings for your average user that won’t ever need support for three or four graphics card. As sweet bonus, these models actually all feature an M.2 slot, which promises some high-speed next-generation storage performance.This Gaming 7 model for example is effectively identical to the Gaming GT, just with the aforementioned additions and subtractions.The Gaming 5 is again very similar to the higher-end models, but it does away with the OC Touch panel in the top right-hand corner of the motherboard, which is where the real-time manual overclocking and temperature/voltage monitoring features are on the pricier Gaming Series models. All these models share a similar PCH heatsink design and logo The Gaming 3 model was installed a system, so we couldn't get as close a look at it. However, at first glance it appears to quite similar to the Gaming 5, just with a simpler MOSFET heatsink design that matches the one used on the Z97X-SLI which you will see in the Ultra Durable Series section.