GIGABYTE X99P-SLI (Intel X99) Motherboard Review

Introduction

It has been a while since we have done an Intel X99 chipset based motherboard review. After the launch of the Intel Z170 chipset, many companies focused on launching new mainstream consumer motherboards and X99 seemed to fall by the wayside. However, as we get closer to the launch of Intel's next generation of CPUs for the X99 chipset, there has been a resurgence of interest in the X99 platform.

There is a glaring difference between the Z170 and X99 platforms and it lies in where the PCI-E resources are present. The Z170 platform is fully PCI-E 3.0 complaint, and there are more PCI-E lanes from the PCH. The X99 platform is a bit limited in scope when we compare the PCH resources, but the top X99 CPU has 40 PCI-E lanes which can be used for storage.

GIGABYTE's X99P-SLI provides the ability to run 3-way and 4-way CrossFireX and SLI, but also the ability to support a 32Gb/s M.2 slot and is the first X99 motherboard with Intel's Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 controller. Follow me as I put it under the microscope.

Specifications

The GIGABYTE X99P-SLI has a very nice feature set compared to other X99 motherboards because Intel's Thunderbolt 3 controller is present. The Thunderbolt 3 controller also provides USB 3.1. GIGABYTE chose to use an Intel NIC for networking and provide a 32Gb/s M.2 slot for faster M.2 drives.

Pricing

The X99P-SLI is available from many large retailers for $249.99.