Gigabyte X99 SOC Champion Overclocking Motherboard

Many Gigabyte motherboards come equipped with the exclusive AMP-UP Audio solution which provides the industry’s highest level of onboard audio features and technologies. With Gigabyte AMP-UP Audio, gamers and audiophiles are able to experience crisp, ultra realistic sound effects for the richest possible sound experience.

The chip used on the X99 SOC Champion is the Realtek ALC1150 and comes with a build-in audio amplifier.  The ALC1150 is a high-performance multi-channel High Definition Audio Codec that delivers an exceptional audio listening experience with up to 115dB SNR, ensuring users get the best possible audio quality from their PC.  Simply put, it sounds great and is physically isolated from the rest of the motherboard to reduce any motherboard induced noise.

A nice feature that shows off the physical separation is orange backlighting that will illuminate the void in the PCB.

Benchtop buttons are something many companies have experimented with and can range from simple power and reset buttons to more advanced options that will control BCLK and provide voltage readings.  Very few companies have been successful in putting these controls onboard and will often resort to using complex software or external control boards to provide what overclockers need.  There is no right or wrong way to provide advanced overclocking features and with the X99 SOC Champion, you get... none of it?.

For the X99 SOC Champion Gigabyte has gone “old school” and for good reason.

At the top of the motherboard where we would normally see the OC Touch feature you will find a single illuminated power button flanked by a reset (in white) and CMOS clear (in black).  Next to the benchtop buttons you’ll find the DEBUG LED along with three switches. 

The two along the outside control the dual BIOS modes while the center switch is the “OC Trigger” used to enable and disable CPU slow mode for edge style overclocking.

Of course two fan headers are located nearby to aide in system cooling and peace of mind.

The next overclocking switch is located near the SATA connectors and is very important as it will convert the X99 SOC Champion from a regular mode into OC Mode.  In simplest terms the switch enables extra power pins in the LGA 2011v3 socket which can improve Uncore overclocking.

Both sections feature surface mount voltage test points for easy on the spot voltage monitoring.