High on the list of new features the Intel x38 Express chipset brings to the table is the second generation PCI Express 2.0, a Front Side Bus that scales to 1600 MHz for Intel's next generation 45nm multi-core processors, and the inclusion of DDR3 memory with Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) support. The real shocker? An Intel overclocking utility! Who would have figured the boys in blue would have ever supported overclocking...

One of the first Intel X38 Express motherboards to reach the PCSTATS labs is Gigabyte's GA-X38-DQ6 motherboard. The GA-X38-DQ6 board supports 800/1066/1333/1600 MHz Intel Celeron D, Pentium 4/D/XE and Core 2 Duo/Quad processors. This platform comes equipped with DDR2 memory slots, and can be installed with a maximum of 8GB of DDR2-1066 MHz memory. Gigabyte went this route because the price premium on DDR3 memory is still pretty heavy. By choosing to pair the X38 Express with DDR2, early adopters can use their current memory instead of spending a fortune on all new DDR3 modules like these. Onboard goodies include a High Definition Azalia 7.1 channel audio controller, two Gigabit Network cards, three IEEE 1394a ports, 12 USB 2.0 ports (eight on the rear I/O!) and eight Serial ATA II channels!

Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 Motherboard Includes: Driver CD, User's Manual, Ultra/133 IDE Cable, Floppy Cable, (4) Serial ATA Cables, (2) external Molex to Serial ATA Power Cables, (2) eSATA to SATA cables, (2) sata/power brackets, I/O Shield

In terms of expansion the motherboard sports two PCI Express x16 slots, three PCI Express x1 slots and two 32 bit PCI slots for legacy devices. Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 motherboard retails for $289 CDN ($280 USD, £140 GBP) .

The Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 motherboard is big (and heavy) so you'd better have a lot of space in your case for this full ATX motherboard. The first thing that stands out is the elaborate passive chipset cooling solution Gigabyte equips the motherboard with. Turning the board over reveals a couple more low profile heatsinks positioned behind the chipsets. As usual the Gigabyte motherboard is very well laid out and the colour coordination of slots and ports makes setting things up easier.

It took years of asking but it's clear that Gigabyte is listening to its end users. Having a lot of USB ports is great but if they're all through headers it defeats the purpose. We're extremely happy to see eight USB 2.0 slots on the rear I/O of the GA-X38-DQ6 along with two IEEE 1394a ports. This allows you to connect virtually anything to your computer with plenty of ports to spare!

Gigabyte place all the drive connectors in one location at the lower right hand corner of the motherboard. It clearly identifies which Serial ATA slots are from the ICH9 and which are using the Gigabyte Serial ATA II controller. The drives connected to the Intel ICH9R Southbridge can do RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 while the second Serial ATA controller can do RAID 0/1/JBOD.

Like many other tier one manufacturers, Gigabyte has opted to use low ESR solid state polymer capacitors on the GA-X38-DQ6 motherboard. This kind of solid capacitor has a longer lifespan than the electrolytic variety. As temperatures increase inside the computer case, the lifespan of electrolytic capacitors begins to decline. Compared to standard Electrolytic capacitors which use a fluid electrolyte, the 'all-solid' style polymer capacitor last longer under the same conditions.

The solid-state Low ESR conductive polymer capacitors are housed in very distinguishable aluminum cans. The electro-conductive polymer capacitor does not use electrolyte, so they will not dry out, leak, or suffer gas buildup and burst, or leak. Good capacitors will not make your computer faster, but they can ensure it runs reliably longer.