What makes a motherboard a gaming platform? Simply stated, it has to offer more than fancy colors, packaging, and clever marketing labels. The features and components should be designed to improve or create a better than standard gaming experience. For motherboards, this is a difficult challenge because it requires serious quality control to ensure proper implementation of gaming specific features and that will normally mean premium price for premium features.
When the GIGABYTE G1-Killer Sniper 2 (Z68) arrived, it did that quite well offering an array of features including high quality audio and networking. But the GIGABYTE G1-Killer Sniper 5 promises to provide even more with a true gamer theme. Read on to see how this new board stacks up to an in depth inspection.
Features and Specifications
We debuted the Sniper 5’s ultra cool best features when we last visited GIGABYTE. The board delivers an attractive gaming theme, OP AMP or AMP UP optional audio amplifiers, Creative Labs Extreme Gamer audio processor, 4-way NVIDIA SLI and CrossFireX, and high quality implementation to ensure diamond target stability whether gaming at stock, or overclocked.
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Heat should never be an issue for this platform as the Sniper 5 offers nine onboard fan connectors. That’s enough to control any size computer enclosure on the market including a custom water cooling system. The VREG heat sinks around the CPU socket feature two nozzles should you want to liquid cool the sinks. Unfortunately, the size of the nozzles aren’t readily disclosed so consult the manual before ordering your water cooling supplies (or just measure with a set of calipers). However, the board will function perfectly fine without liquid cooling thanks to the small cooling fan and vents.
The latest software features include GIGABYTE’s new Easy Tune utility for overclocking and tweaking your system right down to the case fan control, G1-Killer Dual UEFI BIOS for redundant recovery should a variable take your board down, APP Center for an all in one tweaking and BIOS updating, and of course proper driver support to get you operational.
The GIGABYTE G1-Killer Sniper 5 will retail for around $399.99 US from most major retailers.
What’s in the Box?
The G1-Killer Sniper 5 comes with far more accessories than you’ll typically need to build your system. Inside you’ll find the following: six black SATA cables, one 3.5″ USB 3.0 case bracket, two SLI/CrossFireX ribbons, one three-way bridge, one four way SLI/CrossFireX bridge, audio media cable, black G1 Killer IO shield, WiFi adapter and antenna, manuals and software.
The board also comes with two OP AMP dual chips and tool kit inside. The AMP chips that come with the standard board bundle include an OPA2134 and LM4562NA. You’ll find the OPA2134 sounds best in live action games and LM4562NA works best with voice based games. While our board came with two amps, it appears newer SKU boards are bundled with a Premium Upgrade Kit with three different chips.
The upgrade kit bundled with new boards will have a Burr-Brown OPA2111KP, Linear Technology LT1358CN8, and Analog Devices AD827JNZ. What’s the difference? More on that next section.
GIGABYTE OP AMP Details
What is an OP AMP? After GIGABYTE tackled the audio implementation challenge, which resulted in better integrated audio quality, they added the OP AMP feature to only the Sniper 5, Sniper M5, and Sniper Z87 boards. There is a single IC socket where users plug in the optional amplifier of choice that works in unison with the integrated Creative Sound audio processor. To use the OP AMP feature, power off the system and simply plug in an amp of your choice. Each amp has a different quality of output.
The three amps that come with the upgrade kit enhance certain aspects of game genres. Referring to the previous section, the OP2111KP seems to rumble out more bass and midrange. While the LT1358CN8 focuses more on midrange which is good for MMO or RPG games where voices need to carry. The AD827JNZ blends the two as sort of an all around experience without deafening you.
As far as we can tell, most any compatible amp IC on the market will work on the Z87 Sniper series. However, GIGABYTE has currently certified eleven that work best on the G1-Killer Sniper series. So nothing is stopping you from pulling OP AMPS out of old high end hi-fi equipment to experiment with.
Let’s pop ahead and have a look at this board.
Quick Look at the G1-Killer Sniper 5 Layout
Now, we get to ogle at the G1-Killer Sniper 5 with its optional water cooled green and black heat sinks and shiny heat pipe. And, how can you miss the G1-Killer labeled heat sink with the gold skull? This board is designed to stand out. Especially if you decide to install between 2 – 4 GIGABYTE GTX 770 4GB OC WindForce3X video cards.
There are power, reset, and CMOS buttons near the DIMM slots which support DDR3 modules up to 3000MHz, overclocked of course. The board has ten SATA3 ports with four tied to a Marvell 88SE9230 controller and six connected to the Z87 Express Chipset. An extra auxiliary SATA power-in port helps feed extra power to the PCI Express slots in case you pack them with more than two extremely power hungry video cards.
If you recall from the video, it’s easy to see the green line in the PCB that separates every audio component as well as the audio-out port from the rest of the board to eliminate EMF or signal leakage.
G1-Killer Sniper Series Input/Output Compared
At a glance, the IO is pretty straight forward between the boards. All three boards have the same USB/PS2, RCA output, audio ports, and Qualcomm Atheros Killer E2201 network controller. They also include two HDMI and one Display port as well. The G1-Killer Sniper 5 naturally offers the most ports. In fact, there are 8 USB ports: 2 USB 2.0 provided by the chipset and 6 USB 3.0 via the Renesas 72x controller hub integrated in to the board.
Test System Setup
When assembling the test systems, a familiar dilemma arose. Waging specialized gaming or overclocking motherboards against channel motherboards is kind of like comparing a 2014 BMW M4 and Kia Optima. While both offer similar functionality and features, it’s not the same experience. Motherboard manufacturers put their best resources in to creating flagship platforms like the GIGABYTE G1-Killer or ASUS ROG. So, keep that in mind while reading on.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell
- Motherboard 1: GIGABYTE G1 Killer Sniper 5 (as tested)
- Memory: Kingston HyperX 8GB 2400MHz Genesis DDR3
- Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 780
- Power: NZXT HALE90 V2 1000 Watt
- Cooling: NZXT Kraken X60
- OS: Windows 7 Pro SP2
In future reviews, we will be switching to be quiet! coolers and power supplies in our verified test benches. But these changes should not have a dramatic effect on performance.
Some of the boards have had a revision BIOS or two released since we started testing. Most of the updates were compatibility updates that should not increase performance. However, about a thousand variables are always present so each is running the latest available and could vary depending on the users’ configuration of course.
Assembly and setup went very smooth on the G1-Killer Sniper 5. However, the Easy Tune app encountered an issue at the end of testing when updating the program. Something corrupted during the uninstall-update process and the program wouldn’t work any longer. It’s the first time it happened in a long line of testing so this is most likely a random glitch. I advise you uninstall Easy Tune and reinstall a new version than updating.
Benchmark Notes
To best test the GIGABYTE G1-Killer Sniper 5, we put it up against upper echelon boards that have seen action in the lab. Hopefully, we’ll have the ASUS ROG Maximum VI to add to the mix soon. Our benchmarks focused on power consumption, audio, gaming performance, overclocking, and overall quality. Overclocking isn’t a common gamer task but we’re adding it as part of the tests as it does go hand in hand with stability and quality overall. If something is to break, it should break here so we know what to warn users about. Lets check out the BIOS really quick.
G1-Killer Sniper 5 UEFI BIOS and Overclocking
Essentially, the G1 Killer Z87 series BIOS are all very similar in layout compared to the rest of the channel boards. Most of the tuning magic happens in the first couple pages. Some settings have to be turned on before applying though, but once done, let the magic begin.
Overclocking can be done manually or by using automated settings. The G1-Killer Sniper 5 pushed the Core i7-4770K easily to 4.7GHz using ample CPU cooling provided by our NZXT Kraken X60. At this point, the CPU approaches 90C under a true full load which I professionally do not recommend under constant use. As always, 4.5GHz is easily manageable for high performance coolers.
With that out of the way, let’s get on with the benchmarks!
Graphics and Gaming
3DMark11, Assassin’s Creed III, Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, Metro Last Light, and Splinter Cell Blacklist complete this portion of tests. Drivers, hardware, BIOS, and frequencies are the big variables in this equation. As long as each is set the same, the results can be trusted. What I looked at was comparing performance while looking for anomalies. We end things audio and overall gaming experience to punch the point home.
3DMark11
There’s little to no difference here with the synthetic test. It really comes down to the GPU more than anything else. If you’re wondering, none of the boards here had any issues or anomalies to report with SLI GTX 780s.
Unigine Heaven
This is probably one of the closest benchmark results in some time. It comes down to very fine PCIE tuning as well as bus bandwidth. But the graphics details from platform to platform is immaculate.
Assassin’s Creed III
This highly detailed game loves a good CPU and GPU combo. There was only a one frame difference here with the ASUS Deluxe tying the GIGABYTE Sniper 5. The cinematics in this game never get old and every board rendered them without issue.
Metro: Last Light
Like its predecessor, Metro: Last Light chews up the bunch pretty harshly. I reran the benchmark six times to get this average. The new drivers help just a bit. Again, the GIGABYTE G1-Killer Sniper 5 was smooth.
Battlefield 3 and 4
This is will be the last time I use BF3 for a benchmark. But since it’s still played, I’m including it. As you can see, the newer BF4 graphics are far more demanding. It’s just down to just decimals with this new benchmark. Again, graphics look pretty sweet.
Now that software benchmarks are out of the way, let’s get on with some hardware benchmarks.
System Benchmark Performance
In this section, benchmark tests potentially affected by the motherboard were completed. This includes PCMark7, CineBench, Graysky H264, and Input/Output connectivity features. I definitely want to make sure all of the G1-Killer Sniper 5’s extra IO features perform accordingly in comparison to a few other systems.
PCMark7
Here is where I was highly surprised to see the media enriched G1-Killer Sniper 5 score so well. I’ve seen this before with ASUS’ ROG boards thanks to the better audio processors, controllers, and drivers. Still, what a great boost in overall system performance the Sniper 5 makes to these tasks.
CineBench R11.5
Rendering performance here comes down to BIOS tuning. There’s only so much that can be done to squeeze an extra point or two out. After repeated tests, the average tied the solid ASUS Z87 Deluxe. Neither seemed to back down.
Graysky H264 Transcoding
The scores here are very close. The G1-Killer Sniper 5 averaged the same as three others boards over and over. These scores are slightly higher than others thanks to the lower timing DDR3. In this instance, Haswell performs even better. CAS9 timings are as much as four frames slower. Bottom line, feed the G1-Killer Sniper 5 with tighter memory timings for best results.
IO Performance
As usual, the G1-Killer Sniper 5 scores similarly to other Z87 boards locked in to the chipset SATA. The ASUS Z87 Deluxe still benefits from USB 3.0 Boost feature that comes only on their boards. Still, the Sniper 5 has a lot of connectivity options that work well, providing overall comparable results.
Now let’s end things with a look at power consumption, quality control, and the most talked about, audio performance.
Power Consumption and Quality Control
The increased power consumption is expected given that the board is slightly bigger in design and contains more components necessary for improving system performance and the overall gaming user experience. In the end, DIY users won’t mind the slight consumption. No one buys a gaming motherboard to save a few watts. There are other options on the market if that is your goal.
Audio Performance
The G1-Killer Sniper 5 was tested both with and without an OP amp installed during gaming. Probably most importantly, we didn’t hear any noise at all in the GIGABYTE presentation but I wanted to rule out any conspiracies that might point to the demo being a hand picked board. Headset and speaker performance was examined as well, and we tried to be as objective as possible. But first, the objective benchmarks using RMAA.
RMAA reveals that with and without the amp, the board produces very healthy, noise free audio. Frequencies are very good without any stereo crosstalk so there shouldn’t be any squeaks in your ears. Testing the audio with the amp installed using powered and regular headsets (Corsair Vengeance 1500 and 2000, Plantronics Gaming Rig, Thermaltake Shock, Asus Orion and Vulcan) and speakers (Logitech Z906) were very telling. The amp output really maxes out each headset and speaker with very loud, rich audio. Your games will rock and so will your music and movies.
Final Thoughts
The GIGABYTE G1-Killer Sniper 5 is something of an experience somewhere between that of a beautiful musical sonnet and a shot fired from 1,000 yards. It’s designed to be an epic gaming motherboard that should enhance the gamer experience yet it seems to be capable of much more. While the Creative audio processor provides an improved gaming experience, it’s the new OP AMP (AMP UP) that gives the Sniper 5 an impressive gaming voice. All kinds of video game genres enjoy enhanced volume allowing gamers to hear and experience sounds in games they probably never knew were there. High definition movies and music will share the same experience. Just tweak and tune til your heart’s content with swappable OP AMPs.
Overall performance is equally great. The Sniper 5 proved to be a stable gaming platform as well as a solid foundation for users who may just need something for both productive computing as well. The platform overclocked quite well even supporting its full range of automatic overclocking settings up to 4.7GHz. However, the board can manage more as long as you have very good CPU cooling. That said, you should take care when cooling your CPU with frequencies 4.5GHz and over. Users do not need to water cool the VREG heat sinks around the CPU to achieve similar results, but good ventilation is a must and the many software controlled fan headers are definitely an asset.
Currently, the GIGABYTE G1-Killer Sniper 5 can be found for around $399.99 US from various online retailers. While that is on the upper end for Z87 boards, remember that this is a high performance motherboard with exemplary audio, overclocking, LAN as well as WiFi connectivity. The extras will come in very handy if you want the premium gaming experience and that experience is truly EPIC. But even if you love music or consume a lot of content, the audio on this board alone is worth the price of admission and that’s one of the many reasons why this board deserves a RARE Editors’ Choice Award.
Pros
- OP AMP enriched audio
- Gaming audio experience
- Network management
- Overclocks as well as Haswell allows
- Stable, solid platform
- Plenty of connectivity
- Fan control and plenty of fan headers
Cons
- Premium price required
Overall Rating: 9.5 / 10.0
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