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Gigabyte Z77N-WiFi mITX Intel LGA 1155

cadaveca

cadaveca

My name is Dave
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Apr 10, 2006
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Looking to build a tiny HTPC, or a diminutive LAN box? Shopping for a board that fits? Today, we take a look at the Gigabyte Z77N-WiFi, a mini-ITX Intel Z77 Express motherboard fitted with a slew of options including Intel's WiDi for wireless video connectivity.

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1337 review as always man.
 
The picture with the cooler and the GPU cracked me up. You really forget how tiny mITX is. :laugh:
 
Looks like an awesome little board!! Lots of options and having the built on wireless is a sure +++

And as always, awesome review Dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Frick said:
The picture with the cooler and the GPU cracked me up. You really forget how tiny mITX is. :laugh:
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Agree with Frick here. When I saw the pics with the cooler and HD 7950 I started to laugh:laugh:
Nice review Dave:toast:
 
Excellent review
 
Intel makes the best NICs that I've ever used. When I get a laptop the first thing I do is throw in an Intel WiFi NIC. Glad to see they bundled that with the board, considering the Intel NIC is ~ $25 by itself.
 
HammerON said:
Agree with Frick here. When I saw the pics with the cooler and HD 7950 I started to laugh:laugh:
Nice review Dave:toast:
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Thank God for the CPU cooler.. With out it being that size, I bet the GPU would make it tip..


Great review Dave. :toast:


Nice Combo price for a MITX if you buy smart.
 
Good point!!!
 
I wish someone, especially Gigabyte, would find a way to fit an msata connecter on a mini atx motherboard. That the only thing keeping me from making the switch. The sound quality of the audio chipset doesnt really matter if youre using the hmdi port on the vid card with a tv.
 
Glad to see you branching out to this form factor, Dave...

Agreed re. the Intel NICs, be nice to see Intel ethernet too (though that mainly is a true benefit if you want to run ESXi). I think the EVGA Stinger has Intel ethernet, ftr.
 
I have this board and it has some issues when installing with Corsair H100i cooler. A line of capacitor is too close to the base that you have to make sure that the base of the cooler touches the CPU on that side.
 
minutecore said:
I have this board and it has some issues when installing with Corsair H100i cooler. A line of capacitor is too close to the base that you have to make sure that the base of the cooler touches the CPU on that side.
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Good info! Thanks! ;)
 
I had a good read and browse, it read like you put a lot of thought into it. Thanks.

Like the board for the price too..
 
D1RTYD1Z619 said:
I wish someone, especially Gigabyte, would find a way to fit an msata connecter on a mini atx motherboard. That the only thing keeping me from making the switch. The sound quality of the audio chipset doesnt really matter if youre using the hmdi port on the vid card with a tv.
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ASRock puts an mSATA connector on the underside of the board in their Z77E-ITX. Would be nice if Dave could review that one :)
 
+1 for a review on the ASrock's ITX board...
 
Just bought one of these before Christmas but haven't gotten around to finishing the build yet, but I'm very happy to read that it got such a strong recommendation! Excellent review!
 
i really dont think this specific layout is deserving of a 9.8....seems like a good product, BUT....

soooo many limitations
 
McSteel said:
ASRock puts an mSATA connector on the underside of the board in their Z77E-ITX. Would be nice if Dave could review that one :)
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Indeed it would (I have one). Though it's a bit of a bummer that the port is only SATA II. Can easily be obstructed by a cooler back plate too.
 
badtaylorx said:
i really dont think this specific layout is deserving of a 9.8....seems like a good product, BUT....

soooo many limitations
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I understand. You know, I thought long and hard about this board. At first..I wanted more.


But then, I read back on the conversations I had with Gigabyte about it...as I have had this product for a few months now(since September, actually), and going back over the initial emails, Gigabyte had originally wanted this product, designed this product...for business users. Not for home users.

Are you looking at this board for business use, or for HTPC/gaming? The context to which it is considered plays a large role in how well it should be viewed.

This board is not for overclocking. But used as the base for a "Do it All" system, with low-power, stability and longevity first priorities, since these are primary principals for the business market - It very plainly delivers on each of these. Bringingh that functionality...that stability..into the living room...that's a good thing.

Those other mITX products out there...they have different design ideals. size of the board alone does not make it an equal avenue for comparison. This difference is a big thing...you don't take a plain rubber rain boot, and compare it with a bunch of artic Sorrel boots, and how well it does at -40 C. Sure, they are both "boots"...but clearly a plain rubber boot isn't meant for sub-zero temperatures.
 
cadaveca said:
I understand. You know, I thought long and hard about this board. At first..I wanted more.


But then, I read back on the conversations I had with Gigabyte about it...as I have had this product for a few months now(since September, actually), and going back over the initial emails, Gigabyte had originally wanted this product, designed this product...for business users. Not for home users.

Are you looking at this board for business use, or for HTPC/gaming? The context to which it is considered plays a large role in how well it should be viewed.

This board is not for overclocking. But used as the base for a "Do it All" system, with low-power, stability and longevity first priorities, since these are primary principals for the business market - It very plainly delivers on each of these. Bringingh that functionality...that stability..into the living room...that's a good thing.

Those other mITX products out there...they have different design ideals. size of the board alone does not make it an equal avenue for comparison. This difference is a big thing...you don't take a plain rubber rain boot, and compare it with a bunch of artic Sorrel boots, and how well it does at -40 C. Sure, they are both "boots"...but clearly a plain rubber boot isn't meant for sub-zero temperatures.
Click to expand...

Looks like a good board for guys like me. People who enjoy gaming and such but don't OC or play with settings. Just want it to work and last.
 
TheMailMan78 said:
Looks like a good board for guys like me. People who enjoy gaming and such but don't OC or play with settings. Just want it to work and last.
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Mailman you should make a Mini ITX build in that little BitFenix case that everyone likes.
 
TheMailMan78 said:
This is why I will never use that case.
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Loser. Sure, make yourself an outcast, by choice. That's smart. :rolleyes:


Some times, things are popular, because they are good. Like Batman. Your simplistic (and WRONG) views will have you missing out on many quality things.

:laugh:
 
cadaveca said:
Loser. Sure, make yourself an outcast, by choice. That's smart. :rolleyes:


Some times, things are popular, because they are good. Like Batman. Your simplistic (and WRONG) views will have you missing out on many quality things.

:laugh:
Click to expand...

There is no reason to bring Batman into this.
 
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