Gigabyte took the concept of H81M-WW a notch higher, and gave it the G1.Gaming branding. So what, if you can't run PCI-Express gen 3.0 graphics cards at their native gen 3.0 bus speeds, the H81 Express chipset must still amount for something? Gigabyte thinks so, and launched a G1.Gaming branded entry-level micro-ATX motherboard based on the chipset, which Intel reserves for "essential computing."

The new H81M-Gaming 3 is mostly identical to the H81M-WW, and the only visual differences we can spot are the second PCI-Express 2.0 x1 slot on the former, instead of the latter's legacy PCI; and the fancier PCH heatsink. The board still gives you onboard audio with audio-grade electrolytic capacitors and ground-layer isolation, even if its centerpiece, the ALC892 CODEC, doesn't have a three-figure SNR. One notable difference here is Gigabyte opting for an Intel-made gigabit Ethernet controller, instead of the cheaper Realtek-made one on the H81M-WW. Gigabyte didn't announce pricing or availability, but something tells us this package could sell well with entry-level gaming PC builders.