ASRock rolled out the H81TM-ITX R2.0 thin mini-ITX motherboard for SFF PCs and AIO desktops. The socket LGA1150 motherboard is based on Intel's entry-level H81 Express chipset, and draws power from an external 2-pin DC power source. It features a 3-phase CPU VRM, a PCI-Express 2.0 x4 slot, apart from an mPCIe; two SATA 3 Gb/s ports, and two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots. Connectivity includes DVI and HDMI display outputs; two USB 3.0 ports, gigabit Ethernet, stereo HD audio, and a couple of USB 2.0/1.1 ports.

Here are the winners of the TechPowerUp and MSI Z97 Gaming Giveaway. After coasting through hundreds of entries, one lucky winner was randomly selected, who wins an awesome MSI Z97 Gaming 7 socket LGA1150 motherboard, featuring gaming-grade audio and networking, and support for up to three high-end graphics cards in multi-GPU configurations; on top of stellar CPU overclocking credentials.

Since we have just one of these to give away, there's just one winner, and that is Paul from the United Kingdom. A huge congrats to you, Paul! TechPowerUp will return with more such interesting giveaways.

Colorful officially launched its flagship socket LGA1150 motherboard, a fruition of its partnership with Chaintech, the iGame Z97 Ymir-X. This motherboard is also being referred to as "Flame Warrior" in some markets. The motherboard was first unveiled at Computex 2014, early this June. Built in the standard ATX form-factor, this board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, and 8-pin EPS power connectors. A highlight here is its 16-phase CPU VRM, which uses driver-MOSFETs, and Poscap capacitors. The CPU is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (electrical x8/x4/x4 when all three are populated, x8/x8 when two are, and x16 when one is.) Four PCIe 2.0 x1 slots make up the rest of its expansion area. Overclockers are offered on-board base-clock tweaking switches, auto-OC buttons, and PCIe slot power gating, apart from a feature-rich UEFI BIOS, with manually selectable dual-BIOS.

Storage connectivity on the iGame Z97 Ymir-X includes eight SATA 6 Gb/s, and an mSATA 6 Gb/s that doubles up as mPCIe. Display outputs include dual-link DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Bolstering its gaming PC credentials, are its Killer E2200 gaming-grade gigabit Ethernet, and 8-channel "Voice Gamer" HD audio with audio-grade capacitors, a headphones amp, and ground-layer isolation that prevents electrical noise with headsets plugged in. Six USB 3.0 ports (four on the rear panel, two by header), and a number of USB 2.0/1.1 ports. Colorful speaks of a new dense-weave fiber PCB that's resilient to humidity. Colorful plans to market this motherboard in the Asia-Pacific and Europe markets.

The newest motherboard based on the Intel B85 single chip architecture by BIOSTAR is ready work, play or to even literally make you money. The Hi-Fi B85S2G supports Intel's 4th generation Core i7 and Core i5 processors in the 1150 package.

The Hi-Fi B85S2G includes many features that are useful for IT departments in larger companies as well as small firms. Hi-Fi B85S2G boards deliver a business-rich option at a value price compared to the others.

ASUS today announced H97-Pro Gamer, a new ATX motherboard that speeds up gamers' fun with 10 Gbit/s M.2 and SATA Express connectivity, Intel Gigabit Ethernet and exclusive GameFirst ll networking technology. H97-Pro Gamer additionally benefits from exclusive SupremeFX for unrivalled in-game audio and exclusive Sonic Radar ll technology to lend players a stealthy advantage in first-person-shooter (FPS) games.

The new motherboard also includes ASUS Gamer's Guardian, a collection of components hand-chosen for exceptional safety, durability and performance to protect gamers' backs.

Gigabyte rolled out its latest entry-level socket LGA1150 motherboard in the mini-ITX form-factor, the H81N-D2H. Based on the Intel H81 Express chipset, the board takes in Core "Haswell" and "Devil's Canyon" processors (minus the overclocking support). The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 4-pin CPU power connectors, with a 3-phase VRM conditioning power for the CPU. The CPU socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, and a legacy PCI slot. Storage connectivity includes two each of SATA 6 Gb/s and SATA 3 Gb/s ports. Display outputs include one each of dual-link DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. PS/2 on the rear panel, LPT and COM (by headers), make up legacy connectivity. Two USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports make up modern connectivity. 6-channel HD audio, and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of it. The board is driven by UEFI BIOS.

TechPowerUp teamed up with BIOSTAR to bring you a cool new giveaway, in which you could win one of three BIOSTAR Hi-Fi Z97WE socket LGA1150 motherboards based on the Intel Z97 Express chipset, and ready for not just current Core "Haswell," "Haswell Refresh," and "Devil's Canyon" processors, but also future 5th generation Core processors. The Hi-Fi Z97WE boasts of a powerful onboard audio solution that features audiophile-grade capacitors, ground-layer isolation, and a high SNR CODEC. To enter the contest, all you have to do is "Like" our Facebook page, if you haven't already, and fill up a short form (or make Facebook do it for you). Good Luck!For more details, and to participate, visit this page.

Launched for pre-order on the side-lines of Computex 2014, Intel's flagship quad-core processors for the LGA1150 platform, codenamed "Devil's Canyon," are now shipping from retailers, and can be bought off the shelf on ground stores. Based on the 22 nm "Haswell Refresh" silicon, these chips are designed for overclocking, featuring higher voltage limits, packages designed to tolerate higher voltage, stronger electricals, and an improved thermal interface material between the die and IHS.

The series includes the Core i5-4690K, and the Core i7-4790K. The i5-4690K is clocked at 3.50 GHz, with Turbo Boost frequencies of 3.90 GHz, and features 6 MB of L3 cache. The i7-4790K, on the other hand, is the first Intel Core processor to ship with out of the box clock speed of 4.00 GHz, and Turbo Boost speeds of 4.40 GHz. It features 8 MB of L3 cache, and HyperThreading, which enables eight logical CPUs for the OS to deal with. The i5-4690K is priced at US $250, and the i7-4790K at $350.

Intel's presentation for Italian technology conference 3D Revolution 2014 was leaked to the web, revealing the company's most up-to-date desktop CPU roadmap, which looks deep into 2015. It reveals a wealth of new information. To begin with the HEDT (high-end desktop) segment, Intel plans to drag Core i7 "Ivy Bridge-E" through Q3-2014, and launch its succeeding Core i7 "Haswell-E" processor close to Q4-2014, or late into Q3, which would pin its launch some time in September 2014. "Haswell-E" is built in the new socket LGA2011-3 package, and is supported exclusively by Intel X99 Express chipset. It also heralds DDR4 memory to the consumer space. "Haswell-E" will have its reign till late-Q3 2015, when Intel plans to launch Core i7 "Broadwell-E," which is built in the same package, and supported by the same X99 platform, but based on a swanky new 14 nm silicon.

Things get interesting with the company's mainline desktop processors. Intel recently launched its "Haswell" Refresh silicon, and is bound to launch their unlocked variants, codenamed "Devil's Canyon," on the 25th of June. Built in the LGA1150 package, "Haswell" Refresh runs on both 8-series and 9-series chipset. Intel's 9-series chipset was originally designed to launch alongside the company's first processors built on the 14 nm silicon fab process, codenamed "Broadwell," which is an optical shrink of "Haswell," with a few minor tweaks and speed bumps, just as "Ivy Bridge" was to "Sandy Bridge." Intel's "Broadwell" chips are now expected to debut in Q1-2015, probably along the sidelines of the 2015 International CES. These chips will be supported by existing LGA1150 motherboards, some with BIOS updates.

The Pentium brand is so important for Intel, that it continues to exist, and the company celebrated its 20th anniversary by launching a special edition dual-core socket LGA1150 Pentium chip that comes with unlocked multipliers. Trouble is, people who buy it would have to opt for expensive motherboards just to overclock it, and would rather balance their expenses with Core i3 and cheaper motherboards, instead. To address that, and bring a bottle to Intel's celebrations, ASRock launched the Anniversary series, with the ATX Z97 Anniversary, and the micro-ATX Z97M Anniversary. As their names suggest, the two are based on Intel's overclocking-ready Z97 Express chipset. The idea behind the two could be to combine the Z97 chipset with a basic VRM that's just about enough to push the Pentium Anniversary Edition chip to its limits.

The Z97 Anniversary is a highly space-optimized ATX motherboard. It draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS, and 4-pin Molex power connectors. It uses a 5-phase VRM to condition power to the CPU, cooled by a heatsink. The CPU is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and the lone PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. Three PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and two legacy PCI make for the rest of its expansion. Storage connectivity includes six SATA 6 Gb/s ports. Networking is care of an Intel-made gigabit Ethernet controller. The onboard 6-channel HD audio is handled by an ALC887 CODEC, but backed by electrolytic capacitors. HDMI is its only display output.

GELID launched its Slim Silence line of low-profile CPU coolers. Some of these are slimmer than even Intel's stock fan-heatsink for LGA1150 processors, and feature a design in which the fan is embedded into a spirally-projecting aluminium fin stack. Models launched are the Slim Silence 20, designed for TDP of up to 45W, Slim Silence 26, designed for TDP of up to 65W, and Slim Silence 30, which can deal with thermal loads as high as 95W. The three are designed exclusively for Intel LGA115x sockets, and feature PWM-controllable (4-pin) fans.

The company also displayed the Slim Silence i-Plus, a tower-type cooler, in which the aluminium fin stack, and its companion fan are arranged in a way that they don't intrude into space meant for memory slots, VRM heatsinks, or the northbridge heatsink. Like the other three, this one is LGA115x-exclusive, too, and relies on a 90 mm PWM controllable fan to ventilate its aluminium fin stack.

ECS showed off its newest mini-ITX socket LGA1150 motherboards based on Intel's 9-series chipset, and branded in its 1337 series, the Z97I-DRONE and H97I-DRONE. Based on a common PCB, the two differ with just the Z97-based one supporting CPU overclocking. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, conditioning it with a 6-phase CPU VRM. Expansion includes one PCI-Express 3.0 x16. Storage connectivity includes five SATA 6 Gb/s, and one M.2 (up to 60 mm). 8-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, and display outputs including dual-link DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort, make for the rest of it.

In addition to the first motherboard with DDR4 memory support, MSI showed off the industry's first motherboard featuring 10 Gbps USB 3.1 ports. The unnamed socket LGA1150 motherboard is based on Intel's Z97 Express chipset, and uses a third-party ASMedia ASM1142 controller to drive two USB 3.1 ports. The controller is wired to the PCH over PCI-Express 2.0 x2. The rest of the board's feature-set appears consistent with the Z97 Gaming 7.

Gigabyte may have struck a superb price-features sweet-spot with the Z97X-SLI, which the company unveiled at its Computex wall. This board, we're hearing, will be priced around $125, and has a feature-set to rival boards much pricier. To begin with, the socket LGA1150 board is based on Intel's Z97 Express chipset. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, and conditions it using a simple 4-phase VRM, that uses 60A chokes. The VRM area is clad with heatsinks all around. The CPU socket is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 32 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory, and two PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, which run at x8/x8, when both are populated. This is also among the few motherboards in its price bracket to support NVIDIA SLI, apart from AMD CrossFire.

Apart from the two PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, three PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and a couple of legacy PCI slots make up the expansion area. Its storage area is where the package gains tons of value. You get six SATA 6 Gb/s ports, from which two can convert into a SATA-Express 10 Gb/s port; and an M.2 slot. The board features high-grade audio, including a Realtek ALC1150 HD audio CODEC, which offers SNR as high as 115 dBA; with ground-layer isolation, and a headphones amp. Networking is care of an Intel-made GbE controller. Display outputs include dual-link DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. Legacy connectivity includes LPT and COM (by headers), and PS/2. AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS, backed by dual-UEFI redundancy, is at this board's helm. For around $125, you can't get this board's feature-set wrong.

Intel's next socket LGA1150 quad-core processors for overclockers, namely the Core i7-4790K and the Core i7-4690K, codenamed "Devil's Canyon," could be exclusive to motherboards based on the 9-series chipset. For overclockers, the choices would hence narrow down to motherboards based on the Z97 Express chipset. Marketing material distributed to retailers ahead of the processors' mid-June launch, mention "Devil's Canyon" to be supported by "new Intel 9 series chipset," while the same material detailing unlocked Pentium 20th Anniversary Edition mention it to be supported by "both Intel 8 and 9 series chipset."

Intel not mentioning that for "Devil's Canyon" is leading some to speculate that it won't be supported by motherboards running 8-series chipset, notably Z87 Express. For overclockers with expensive Z87 motherboards such as the ASUS Maximus VI Extreme, Gigabyte Z87X SOC, and MSI Z87 MPower MAX, this could spell trouble. Based on binned "Haswell Refresh" silicon, "Devil's Canyon" chips are special, in that they feature enhanced on-package electricals that can tolerate higher current; an enhanced thermal interface material between the die and the integrated heatspreader (IHS), enhanced LGA contact points, and increased voltage and thermal limits.

Several online retailers began listing Intel's next wave of unlocked socket LGA1150 processors, ahead of their June 2014 launches. Among these are the Core i7-4790K, the Core i5-4690K, and the Pentium G3258. The series begins with the i7-4790K and the i5-4690K, which bear an exclusive codename, "Devil's Canyon." These are special hand-picked "Haswell" dies that feature higher voltage limits, and a higher-grade package, with special high-current LGA contact points, and a superior thermal interface material between the die and integrated heatspreader (IHS).

The i7-4790K is a quad-core chip, featuring HyperThreading (8 logical CPUs), HD 4600 graphics, 8 MB of L3 cache, and clock speeds of 4.10 GHz, with Turbo Boost frequencies of a staggering 4.40 GHz. The i5-4690K, on the other hand, is a quad-core chip that lacks HyperThreading, and features 6 MB of L3 cache, but respectable clock speeds of 3.50 GHz, with 3.90 GHz Turbo Boost. Both chips feature unlocked base-clock multipliers, support for higher memory frequencies, uncore clocks, etc. The Core i7-4790K is priced around US $370, on the stores it's up for pre-order. The i5-4690K, on the other hand, is listed around $250.

Intel's first processors based on the company's "Broadwell" silicon, which is an incremental upgrade to "Haswell," and built on Intel's swanky new 14 nanometer silicon fabrication process, could launch by late-2014. Intel responded to the 2014 "Back to School" shopping season with 9-series chipset motherboards featuring LGA1150 sockets, and Core "Haswell" Refresh processors. Mobile CPUs based on the silicon, were launched, too. Intel couldn't deliver on "Broadwell," the processor its 9-series chipset was originally designed to accompany. Back in 2013, "Broadwell" was expected to be Intel's big mid-2014 launch, in tune with its "Tick-Tock" product development strategy, that sees introductions of new micro-architectures, and new silicon fabrication processes take turns each year.

MSI launched its Intel Z97 chipset-based Gaming series lineup with three ATX motherboards, the Z97 Gaming 3, the Z97 Gaming 5, and the Z97 Gaming 7. The company now made a high-end addition, with the Z97 Gaming 9 AC. Built in the standard ATX form-factor, the board is filled to the brim with features targeted more toward high-end gaming PC builds, than professional CPU/memory overclocking. It still offers a decent overclocking feature-set. To begin with, the board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS connectors, and uses a 16-phase VRM to condition power for the CPU, which is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (x8/x4/x4 when all three are populated, x8/x8/x0 when two are, and x16/x0/x0 when one is. 3-way SLI and CrossFire are supported.

An EMI shield covers the rear-panel I/O, while another shields the entire onboard audio circuitry, and the NICs. Audio is care of a 100+ dBA SNR DAC, which an external headphone amp circuit, ground-layer isolation, audio-grade capacitors, and EMI shielding. Wired connectivity is handled by Broadcom's newer Killer E2205 gigabit NIC. Wireless connectivity is handled by an Intel-made chipset that offers 802.11 ac WLAN, and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. Storage connectivity is devoid of SATA-Express, but features eight SATA 6 Gb/s, and an M.2 slot. Overclocking features include voltage measurement points, and POST LED display. Expect this one to go for over US $200.

Even as Intel launched its first Core "Haswell" Refresh socket LGA1150 chips, it left out two enthusiast-grade parts from the mix, the Core i7-4790K and the Core i5-4690K. Don't be misled into thinking that they're just multiplier-unlocked variants of the i7-4790 and i5-4690 launched today. There's a reason the two have be designated a separate internal codename altogether. Called "Devil's Canyon," the chips are made from high-performing dies binned out from the foundry, and placed on extra-durable packages with contact points that are designed for higher voltages, and a superior thermal interface material between the die and the integrated heatspreader (IHS).

Better packaging (mind the pun) isn't the only thing that sets the i7-4790K and the i5-4690K apart form their non-K counterparts, they're are also clocked higher. The i7-4790K ships with an out of the box clock speed of 4.00 GHz (the first Intel processor to do so), with a Turbo Boost frequency of 4.40 GHz. The Core i5-4670K, on the other hand, ships with a clock speed of 3.50 GHz, with Turbo Boost frequency of 3.90 GHz. The TDP of both chips is rated at 88 Watts, a wee bit higher than the 84 Watts the non-K chips are rated at. Expreview believes that the two could usher in a new era in CPU overclocking without breaking the bank over HEDT chips, and could be capable of running at clock speeds of 5.00 GHz, on air-cooling. Intel is expected to launch the two chips to crowds at Computex 2014, followed by a market release in mid-June.

Intel Core "Haswell" Refresh processors are now officially available. Built in the LGA1150 package and compatible with motherboards running 8-series chipset with BIOS updates, the chips are accompanied by an armada of motherboards based on the latest 9-series chipset, which support the chips out of the box. The chips offer speed-bumps over Intel's existing Core "Haswell" lineup, at existing price-points, and feature some under the hood package improvements that needn't translate into IPC improvements.

Among the chips launched today, are the Core i7-4790, featuring a clock speed of 3.60 GHz, with Turbo Boost frequency of 4.00 GHz, 8 MB of L3 cache, and HyperThreading. This chip is priced at US $319.99, between the i7-4770 and the i7-4770K. Also launched is the Core i5-4690, featuring clocks of 3.30 GHz with 3.90 GHz Turbo Boost, 6 MB of L3 cache, and lacking HyperThreading. This one goes for US $224. The two lack upwards unlocked base-clock multipliers, and so the overclockers among you may want to hold out till mid-June, when Intel launches overclocker-friendly chips, codenamed "Devil's Canyon," based on this silicon. Other chips launched today include the Core i5-4590 (quad-core, 3.20 GHz / 3.70 GHz, 6 MB L3, $199.99); i5-4460 (quad-core, 3.20 GHz / 3.70 GHz, 6 MB L3, $189); i7-4790S (quad-core, 3.20 GHz, 8 MB L3, HTT, $314, low TDP); i5-4690S (quad-core, 3.20 GHz, 6 MB L3, $224); and i5-4590S (quad-core, 3.00 GHz, 6 MB L3, $199).

BIOSTAR launched its flagship LGA1150 motherboard built with a design-focus on better onboard audio, the Hi-Fi Z97WE. Based on Intel Z97 Express chipset, and featuring out of the box support for Intel's Core "Haswell" Refresh processors, the board features everything you'd expect from a mid-range ($150-ish) overclockable LGA1150 motherboard. To begin with, it draws power from 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, and using a 10-phase VRM to condition power to the CPU socket. The socket is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and two PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (x8/x8 when both are populated). Other add-on slots include two each of PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and legacy PCI.

The Z97 Express PCH wires out all six SATA 6 Gb/s ports internally. The board offers a 10 Gb/s M.2 slot, with enough clearance for long (~12 cm) modules. Display outputs include dual-link DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. There are two gigabit Ethernet interfaces on offer. A total of six USB 3.0 ports are on offer, four on the rear panel, and two by header. The star attraction here is its onboard audio, which features a high SNR DAC, audio-grade electrolytic capacitors, headphones amp, and ground-layer isolation on the PCB. The board isn't heavy on overclocker-friendly features. You still get debug LEDs, onboard power/reset buttons, and a replaceable BIOS EEPROM chip. AMI UEFI BIOS is at the helm of this board.

EVGA has today officially announced its first creations powered by Intel's Z97 chipset, the Z97 Classified (E-ATX), Z97 FTW (ATX) and Z97 Stinger Core3D (Mini-ITX) LGA1150 motherboards.

Priced at $199.99, the compact Z97 Stinger Core3D features a 10-layer PCB, 6-phase PWM, two DDR3-2666 memory slots, four SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, one PCI-Express x16 slot, Intel Gigabit Ethernet, 5.1 channel audio (powered by a Creative Sound Core3D processor), four USB 3.0 connectors, one eSATA port, and HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.

Ahead of their anticipated May 9th launch, various motherboards based on Intel's upcoming Z97 Express chipset began appearing on US retailer Newegg.com. The boards are up for order, and ready to ship. Notable mentions include MSI Z97 MPower MAX AC, the company's flagship motherboard based on this chipset, which is going for US $259.99; its slightly toned down variant, the Z97 MPower, priced at $199.99; ASUS TUF Sabertooth Z97, the company's tough-nut motherboard based on this chipset, priced at US $249.99; MSI Z97-Gaming 7, priced at $189.99; GIGABYTE Z97X-UD3H, the company's mid-range Z97 model, priced at $149.99; and the similarly priced ASUS Z97-A. Featuring out of the box support for Intel's upcoming Core "Haswell" refresh processors, including the new high-end Core i7-4790K, Z97 Express brings SATA-Express and M.2 support to the table.

Here are some of the first pictures of the Z97 WS from ASUS, its first workstation motherboard based on Intel's new 9-series chipset. Built in the standard ATX form-factor, the board offers a boat-load of enterprise-relevant connectivity, and out of the box support for not just Core "Haswell" Refresh processors, but also Xeon processors based on the "Haswell" silicon. The board draws power from 24-pin ATX and two 8-pin EPS connectors, with an optional 6-pin PCIe power input to stabilize power supply to add-on cards. It features an 8-phase CPU VRM, with additional heatsinks to dissipate heat from the MOSFETs.

The LGA1150 socket is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and a PLX PEX8747 PCI-Express gen 3.0 x48 bridge chip. This chip wires out four PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, which auto-configure between x16/NC/x16/NC, x16/NC/x8/x8, and x8/x8/x8/x8, depending on how you populate the four slots. Other expansion slots include two PCIe 2.0 x1, and one PCIe 2.0 x4, wired to the PCH. Storage connectivity includes eight SATA 6 Gb/s, from which four convert to two SATA-Express ports, and one M.2 slot. Display outputs appear to include DisplayPort and HDMI. There are two gigabit Ethernet interfaces on offer, both driven by Intel-made controllers. 8-channel HD audio, several USB 3.0 ports, and legacy ports by headers, make for the rest of the connectivity. Its feature-set include Ai-Suite III, reinforced power connectors, and the ability to log system events onto USB flash drives.

With less than three weeks to go until the official launch of the 9 Series chipsets, Gigabyte has decided to share a few pictures depicting three of its boards powered by the Z97. Seen below are the Z97X-UD5H BK (Black Edition), the Z97X-UD7 TH and the overclocking-ready Z97X-SOC Force which feature support for Haswell Refresh and older LGA1150 processors.

All three boards have an Ultra Durable design, they are SLI and CrossFire capable (the UD5 and UD7 provide three PCI-Express x16 slots while the SOC model offers four such slots), and include four DDR3 memory slots, one SATA Express connector, two (Z97X-SOC) or four (Z97X-UD5H, Z97X-UD7) SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, 7.1 channel audio and Gigabit Ethernet (the UD7 TH and SOC Force pack a Killer E2200 NIC).