This year at Blizzcon 2013, which happened last weekend in Anaheim, California, GIGABYTE had a lot to show off. After all, they were the official motherboard sponsor of the event. In addition to all the great things I am sure was going on there this year, GIGABYTE also revealed the new G1.Sniper Z87 motherboard which brings “G1.Killer DNA” to a mainstream platform.
The GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87, like the other G1.Killer Series boards, has so many features I would need a spreadsheet to identify them all. It is clearly a gaming motherboard through and through with the Kill E2200 networking, AMP-UP Audio features, support for RAM speeds up to 3000 MHz, and new GIGABYTE App Center software to improve system speed and performance.
The feature that is most prominent on the G1.Sniper Z87 is the AMP-UP Audio features. It includes exclusive upgradeable OP-AMPs to match your audio needs, gold-plated Nichicon Pro audio caps, Creative Sound Core3D, audio noise guard, and a dedicated USB DAC-UP port help to minimize noise to even USB gaming headsets. But of course you could also use them for your high end gaming mouse or headset.
The GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87 seems to have everything you need for your gaming system. Including support for multiple graphics cards. But the biggest surprise is the price. It’ll only set you back $169.99 US currently which is a phenomenal price for this feature set. It’ll definitely be an interesting board to test once we get it here for a review. More details below in the press release.
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GIGABYTE Launches G1.Sniper Z87 Motherboard at Blizzcon 2013
As the Official Motherboard Sponsor of Blizzcon 2013, GIGABYTE Unveils Latest G1.Killer Gaming Platform
November 8th, 2013 – GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today announced the launch of its latest gaming motherboard the GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87 at Blizzcon 2013, one of the biggest US gaming events of the year. The GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87 combines our signature AMP-UP Audio feature set with Killer™ E2200 networking, gold hardware, ruthless performance and looks that could kill.
”The new G1.Sniper Z87 has PC gaming built-in to its DNA, an utterly compelling choice for any high performance PC built with fragging in mind,” commented Henry Kao, Vice President of GIGABYTE Motherboard Business Unit. “It’s fantastic to be here as the exclusive motherboard sponsor at Blizzcon 2013, and also have the opportunity to showcase our latest gaming platform to thousands of true hard core gamers.”
The GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87
The latest addition to the GIGABYTE G1-Killer series of gaming motherboards, the G1.Sniper Z87 motherboard, is packed with an exclusive range of features that make it a champion’s choice in the gaming arena.
GIGABYTE AMP-UP Audio: Redefining Motherboard Audio
The G1.Sniper Z87 motherboard features a range of unique features and technologies that are designed to give gamers more control over the game’s audio, a crucial aspect of the modern gaming experience.
Exclusive Upgradable Onboard OP-Amp
GIGABYTE motherboards are the world’s first to feature an upgradeable onboard operational amplifier (OP-Amp). OP-Amps are commonly found in high-end audio equipment and offer not only amplification of the audio signal, but a superior audio experience generally. The motherboard’s OP-Amp is mounted on a socket which allows users to physically switch out and try different OP-Amps which offer distinct and nuanced properties that make the audio clearer, punchier and more life-like. Additional OP-Amps can be purchased separately to further expand audio capabilities.
USB DAC-UP
Featuring a gold plated USB 2.0 port, GIGABYTE USB DAC-UP provides clean, noise-free power delivery to any Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). DACs can be sensitive to fluctuations in power from other USB ports; this is why GIGABYTE USB DAC-UP takes advantage of an isolated power source that minimizes potential fluctuations, ensuring the best audio experience possible.
Gain Boost
To optimize the audio experience provided by the onboard OP-Amp, the G1.Sniper Z87 motherboard also features Gain Boost with onboard switches to select between 2.5x and 6x amplification modes depending on output device. Most OP-Amps are capable of providing a high-gain audio output that is ideal for high-end headphones and speakers that have higher impedance headroom.
Creative Sound Core3D™
The G1.Sniper Z87 features a dedicated Sound Core3D™ audio processor from Creative, a multi-core sound and voice processor offering high-performance hardware audio processing, with leading-edge audio technologies including the latest SoundBlaster software suite.
Audio Noise Guard
To help protect and insulate the Creative Sound Core3D™ audio processor and onboard amplifiers from electromagnetic interference (EMI), the GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87 motherboard features an audio noise guard that essentially separates the board’s sensitive analog audio components from potential EMI noise at the PCB level. LED trace path lighting illuminates to show the separation of the PCB layers.
Nichicon Pro Audio Caps
The GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87 motherboard uses the highest quality Nichicon
MUSE ES series bipolar audio capacitors at each channel layout. These professional audio capacitors deliver the highest quality sound resolution and expansion to create a true Hi-Fi audio experience.
Gold Audio Plated Hardware
The GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87 motherboard uses top quality gold plated hardware for improved connectivity and long lasting durability for the USB DAC-UP port, DisplayPort and HMDI ports and audio connectors. Gold has superb signal conductivity and will not tarnish over extended periods of use. The Sound Core3D™ audio processor is also shielded by a gold-plated cover which eliminates electrostatic interference.
For more information about the GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z87 motherboard, please visit: http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4802#ov
To learn more about GIGABYTE G1-Killer series gaming motherboards, please go to: http://www.gigabyte.us/MicroSite/335/gaming.html
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