InsaneTek

Motherboard Layout

It is as expected that the C51 comes in a micro-ATX form factor--the onboard video solution lessens the need for a separate video card, unless you are a gamer and want better graphical power.  The DIMM slots are color coded orange and purple to denote dual channel capability.  At the right edge of the motherboard are the IDE connectors, floppy connector, and the ATX power connector.  The four SATA connectors are just below, at the bottom right corner.  These are color coded orange-yellow.  Gigabyte always provides good color differentiation to help users with installation.  To the right of the SATA ports is the Southbridge.  Wait, doesn't Nvidia chipsets only use one chipset?  Nvidia was the first to introduce a single desktop chipset design due to AMD's implementation of the memory controller on the CPU.  That freed the chipset from holding the responsibility for controlling memory performance.  But with the inclusion of the onboard graphics, the chipset is once again required to separate the load.  Both the Northbridge and Southbridge are cooled by passive heatsinks and did a fairly good job at keeping the chipsets cool.  During full load with onboard video enabled, the Northbridge was only warm to the touch.

A micro-ATX motherboard is always restricted to the use of four PCI slots.  The Gigabyte C51 comes with a PCI-E x16 for video upgradeability, in case if you need more graphic horsepower for your latest games.  Right below that is a PCI-E x1 slot for future add-on cards.  There are two regular PCI slots provided for a better sound solution, a TV tuner, or a wireless NIC.  If you are not an audiophile, then you won't have to worry about the onboard sound solution.  The Gigabyte C51 provides an 8-channel sound solution that is powered by the Realtek ALC880 chipset.  The sound quality is very good and I find it more than pleasing.  I hooked it up to a typical 4.1 speakers and games and music sounded great.  If you are using this motherboard for an HTPC build, I highly suggest you use something better.  Your expensive speakers will definitely receive a nice benefit.  The back I/O provides the typical ports likes the keyboard and mouse, parallel, IEEE 1394, RJ45 Ethernet, and four USB 2.0.  Since the onboard sound solution provides up to a high 8-channel speaker configuration, there are numerous audio jacks for your subwoofer, front, rear, and side speakers.  The onboard Geforce 6150 provides only an analog output so DVI monitors are lucked out.  One great feature about the onboard video of the C51 is that it comes with a TV-out connection.  If you plan to use the motherboard for an HTPC build, it will certainly come in handy.

Just because the motherboard comes in a micro-ATX form factor does not mean that the space is limited.  There is plenty of space around the CPU socket for a beefy aftermarket CPU heatsink.  While the Northbridge heatsink looks awfully close, it is low enough not to cause any compatibility issues.  The only physical gripe I would have with this motherboard would be the 4pin 12v CPU power connector.  It is located towards the top left corner of the motherboard, a hard to reach place, especially when installed inside a case.  At the very bottom of the motherboard is the front I/O connectors.  I was a bit surprised that Gigabyte did not follow their traditional colored pins for easy decoding.  They are well labeled, though.  If four USB ports at the back are not enough, there are two additional USB headers for an additional four more USB ports.  To the left of that is the extra IEEE 1394 header.  It is not pictured (sorry), but it is clearly marked.