Gigabyte X79 UD3 Motherboard Review

The 24pin ATX power connection is located in the traditional location with a USB3 header located nearby. 

A traditional 8pin CPU power connection is located across the top of the motherboard near the PWM.  The goal here is proximity and the closer you can get to the PWM and CPU the more stable the power delivery will be.

The X79 US3 I/O panel is quite full and features a single combined PS/2 keyboard and mouse plug, eight USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a single gigabit Ethernet, two eSATA and 8 channel analog audio with two digital connections over optical and RCA.  

All of the internal connections are located across the bottom of the motherboard.  There you will find additional USB connections, front panel controls and TPM for those that want a little extra security.

Internal SATA connections number ten.  The black connections are SATA3 spec while the white connections follow the new SATA6 connection standard direct from the X79 chipset.  The remaining grey SATA ports are SATA6 compliant and are provided by the onboard Gigabyte branded controller.