Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3 Motherboard Review

The Ninjalane Multi-GPU index is a portable set of data we can use to determine the multi-gpu potential of any motherboard.  A higher index number indicates a favorable condition for multiple graphics cards while a lower number indicates a hindrance in one of our leading indicators.  Since the Index is not dependent on system architecture it can be applied to any motherboard regardless of processor or chipset generations.

Index: 3
Optimized: 2x
Max Support: 2x

NVidia SLI
AMD Crossfire

This motherboard will support up to 2 graphics cards and is optimized for dual card operation.  Given the minimal multi card support there is no need for any additional PCI Express power.

For best video performance you will want to populate the top most PCI Express slot with your video card and try to avoid using the secondary slot.  The secondary slot is in fact hardwired to 8x PCI Express lanes and only active if the slot is populated.  Given the distance between the slots if you choose to enable Crossfire be sure your bridge connector is long enough to reach.

The board in this review is clearly marked at supporting PCI Express 2.0 however by the time this review goes live the GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 will have been upgraded to support PCI Express 3.0 and thus making it ready for the new Ivy Bridge line of processors.  Assuming there will still be Gen2 boards on the market it will be your choice as to which motherboard to buy based on what processor you intend to run.