GIGABYTE is giving final touches to its next G1.Killer series motherboard, the G1.Gaming Z97. Branded in an uncanny way to MSI's Gaming series, the G1.Gaming is a mid-range ($150 - $200) socket LGA1150 motherboard based on Intel's Z97 Express chipset, which can run Core "Haswell" Refresh processors out of the box. The board features most of the stuff you've come to expect from "gaming" grade motherboards. To begin with, its draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS power connectors, and uses an 8-phase VRM to condition power to the CPU. The CPU is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory; and two PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (electrical x8/x8 when both are populated). Three PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and two legacy PCI make for the rest of its expansion area.

Display connectivity on the G1.Gaming Z97 includes DisplayPort and HDMI. Storage connectivity includes six SATA 6 Gb/s, and likely one M.2 slot. A total of six USB 3.0 ports are on offer, four on the rear panel, two by header. The board features 7.1-channel Creative Sound Core3D audio with user-replaceable OPAMPs, a 115 dBA DAC, audiophile-grade electrolytic capacitors, and ground-layer isolation. The wired networking on this board is equally special, a Broadcom-Killer E2100 PCIe NIC with packet prioritization that's optimized for multiplayer gaming. For those with USB headsets that come with their own DACs, GIGABYTE is offering a special USB 2.0 port with extra power output, and electrical noise filter. GIGABYTE's dual-UEFI BIOS is at the helm of this board.

MSI is ready with its Gaming series socket LGA1150 motherboards based on Intel's next-gen 9-series chipset, which are ready for Core "Haswell" refresh processors. The series includes three boards in the ATX form-factor, the 9-series Gaming 9 AC, 9-series Gaming 7, and 9-series Gaming 3; and one in the mini-ITX form-factor, the 9-series Gaming. The 9-series Gaming 9 AC is loaded with features, including a 12-phase CPU VRM, four DDR3 DIMM slots, three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (x16/NC/NC or x8/x8/NC or x8/x4/x4), eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, a PCI-Express x2 M.2 slot, Killer E2200 NIC, 802.11 ac WLAN, and more.

Next up, is the 9-series Gaming 7, which offers the same 12-phase CPU VRM as the 9-series Gaming 9 AC, same three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, four PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and an identical storage connectivity. The 9-series Gaming 3 is the most affordable of the lot, with a 6-phase CPU VRM, one PCI-Express 3.0 x16, a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (electrical x4), two PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and three PCI; six SATA 6 Gb/s, one M.2, and Killer E2200 NIC. Lastly, there's the 9-series Gaming ITX, which offers a decent 6-phase VRM, single PCI-Express 3.0 x16, 802.11 ac networking, Killer E2200 NIC, and AudioBoost audio. The three should launch in the run up to the mid-May release of Intel's new processors.More pictures follow.

Without any real fanfare Intel has now kicked off sales and shipments of processors part of 'Haswell Refresh' line. An official launch for the updated Haswell offering, complete with motherboards based on the 9 Series LGA1150 chipsets, is reportedly planned for next month but since the CPUs got the go-ahead you can expect them to reach stores shortly.

A total of 44 chips have been introduced by Intel, 27 of which are for desktops while the rest are for mobile devices. There's nothing really new about the CPUs as they are still based on the Haswell architecture (which debuted last year) but they do have slightly higher (100 MHz in most cases) frequencies than the models they aim to replace (speed bump at no added cost).

It looks like Intel will launch its Core "Haswell" Refresh line of processors sooner than Computex 2014. According to sources in the IT retail, Intel could launch these new chips, led by the Core i7-4790K, on May 10th in most markets. An armada of new socket LGA1150 motherboards, based on Intel's Z97 Express chipset should launch around those dates, probably in the week leading up to the 10th. Intel Core "Haswell" Refresh processors offer marginally better performance over current Core "Haswell" chips, at existing price points (i.e., they will displace existing chips from their current price-points); while the 9-series chipset offers features such as M.2 SSD support, making you ready for a tidal wave of 1000 MB/s SSDs that will launch around Computex.Image Source: Hermitage Akihabara

MSI announced the ProBox line of compact desktop barebones, the first of which is the ProBox23. Its chassis, which measures 202 mm x 204 mm x 54.8 mm (WxDxH), includes a slim mini-ITX motherboard based on the Intel H81 Express chipset, supporting LGA1150 processors (TDP of up to 65W), room for up to two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, two 2.5-inch SATA drives, and an mSATA slot. A half-height mPCIe x1 slot is also featured, so you can drop in your own wireless communications card. The unit draws power from an external power brick. Connectivity includes stereo HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3.0 ports, six USB 2.0 ports (two on the rear panel, four on the front), eSATA 3 Gb/s, and HDMI display output.

Axiomtek, one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of innovative, high performance and reliable PC-based industrial computer products, announced the arrival of the IMB211, an industrial-grade ATX motherboard with a full-range of integrated peripherals for general industrial and embedded applications.

The IMB211 is based on 4th Generation Intel Core i7/i5/i3/ Celeron processors in LGA1150 socket with Intel Q87 Express chipset. Four 204-pin DDR3-1333/1600 slots provide a maximum memory capacity of 32 GB to improve overall system performance. This industrial-grade high performance motherboard also supports Intel Active Management Technology 9.0 (iAMT 9.0), SATA RAID, and triple-display capability through DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI-I interface. The board helps users to deploy more responsive, high-performance, graphic performance systems for advanced communication, gaming, industrial and automation applications.

Axiomtek, one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of innovative, high performance and reliable PC-based industrial computer products is pleased to introduce SHB230, its high-performing PICMG 1.3 half-size single board computer.

The SHB230 based on the Intel Q87 PCH is designed to support 4th Generation Intel Core i7/i5/i3 and Celeron processors in the LGA1150 socket. The slot CPU card is equipped with two DDR3-1333/1600 SO-DIMM sockets with up to 16 GB memory capacity to meet customers' needs. The PICMG 1.3 specification brings advantages of PCI Express to this single board computer that offers four PCIe x1 or one PCIe x4, and one PCIe x16 routed to the backplane. The onboard two SATA interfaces support RAID 0/1 functions to ensure reliable storage for multiple applications. Utilizing with the latest Intel technologies, this PICMG 1.3 system host board is an ideal solution for DVR, medical equipment, industrial automation, process control, and network security market.

At GDC, Intel announced a backpedal from its plans to eventually reshape desktop CPUs into components that come hardwired to the motherboards across the line, by announcing three new CPU families. It includes the Haswell-E HEDT platform, Broadwell performance platform, and Devil's Canyon. The three are expected to launch in reverse order, beginning with Devil's Canyon. A variant of existing "Haswell" silicon in the LGA1150 package, Devil's Canyon is codename for a breed of hand-picked chips with "insane" overclocking potential. In addition to binned dies, the chips feature a performance-optimized TIM between the die and the integrated heatspreader (IHS). The dies will be placed on special "high tolerance" packages, with equally "special" LGA contact points. The chips will be designed with higher voltage tolerance levels. Devil's Canyon is expected to branded under the existing Core i7-4xxx series, possibly with "Extreme" brand extension. It will be compatible with motherboards based on the Z97 chipset.

Next up, is "Broadwell." A successor to Haswell, Broadwell is its optical shrink to Intel's new 14-nanometer silicon fab process, with minor improvements to IPC, new power-management features, and likely added instruction sets, much like what "Ivy Bridge" was to "Sandy Bridge." It will take advantage of the new process to step up CPU and iGPU clock speeds. Broadwell is expected to launch in the second half of 2014. Lastly, there's Haswell-E. Built in the company's next-gen LGA2011 socket (incompatible with the current LGA2011), this HEDT (high-end desktop) processor will feature up to eight CPU cores, up to 15 MB of L3 cache, a 48-lane PCI-Express 3.0 root complex, and a quad-channel DDR4 integrated memory controller (IMC). Intel is also planning to launch a socketed variant of the Core i7-4770R, which is based on the company's Haswell GT3e silicon, which features the Iris Pro 5200 graphics core, with 40 execution units, and 128 MB of L4 cache.

With Intel's "Haswell Refresh" CPU lineup around the corner, motherboard makers are giving final touches to their next-gen socket LGA1150 lineups based on Intel Z97 Express chipset. MSI, which practically reinvented itself in the DIY hardware scene with its Gaming Series of motherboards and graphics cards, is readying three products based on the chipset, the mid-range Z97 Gaming 3, the premium Z97 Gaming 5, and the high-end Z97 Gaming 7. With it, MSI is ditching the "G45," "GD55," and "GD65" brand extensions. In addition to M.2 slots, some of the three will include SATA-Express add-on cards, which let you plug-in drives with a staggering 10 Gbps of bandwidth.

MSI unveiled early versions of the top of the line Gaming 7 and the mid-range Gaming 3 at this year's CeBIT event. The Z97 Gaming 7 offers a 12-phase CPU iVR, three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots, four PCIe x1 slots, eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, an M.2 slot, and possibly an included SATA-Express add-on card; in addition to a wealth of connectivity. The Gaming 5 could be based on the same PCB, but with a lighter feature-set. The Gaming 3, on the other hand, is based on a lighter PCB, with a 6-phase CPU iVR, a lack of the M.2 slot, legacy PCI slots, yet retaining the ground-layer isolated on-board audio, and Killer NIC. The "Haswell refresh" Core processor lineup, along with motherboards based on the Z97 Express chipset, could be launched around the same time as Computex.

Gigabyte announced the B85N-Phoenix, a socket LGA1150 motherboard based on the Intel B85 chipset, and in the mini-ITX form-factor. The board is unusually rich in connectivity, despite its precious little PCB real-estate. It features an equally unusual black+orange color scheme that's more commonly found with the company's OC-series motherboards. It draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 4-pin CPU power connectors, and conditions it using a 4+2 phase VRM. The CPU socket is wired to a pair of DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 32 GB of dual-channel memory; and a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot. It's neighbored to the north by an mPCIe 2.0 slot, wired to the B85 PCH.

Storage connectivity on the B85N-Phoenix includes three SATA 6 Gb/s, and a single SATA 3 Gb/s. The board features a total of four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two by header. Display outputs include dual-link DVI and HDMI. The board comes prepped for wireless communications, but doesn't include a card. There are holes for two antennae, and an mPCIe slot. The board offers 8-channel HD audio with optical TOSLINK output. Gigabit Ethernet, PS/2, and a number of USB 2.0/1.1 ports make for the rest of it. Gigabyte didn't announce pricing.

Giada announced a pair of mini-ITX motherboards based on Intel's 4th generation Core "Haswell" platform, the MI-I56SL, and DT-H81DL/DT-B85DL (pictured in that order). The MI-I56SL is designed for digital signage and kiosk systems, and comes fully integrated with a CPU in the BGA package. It embeds an Intel Core i5-4200U dual-core processor. Connectivity includes a pair of SATA 6 Gb/s ports, and two mPCIe slots. Display outputs include HDMI and VGA. The DT-H81DL and DT-B85DL, on the other hand, are designed for mini-ITX desktops. It features an LGA1150 socket, a pair of DDR3 DIMM slots, and a PCI-Express x16 slot. As their names might suggest, the DT-H81DL is based on Intel's H81 Express chipset, and the DT-B85DL on Intel B85 Express. The company didn't reveal pricing.

MSI rolled out a variant of its Z87 MPower MAX flagship socket LGA1150 motherboard, the Z87 MPower MAX AC. As its name might suggest, it includes an 802.11 ac wireless LAN interface. The board integrates a daughterboard with an Intel-made communications processor, which gives it 802.11 ac dual-band Wi-Fi at speeds of up to 867 Mbps at 5 GHz; and Bluetooth 4.0. MSI includes a pair of antennae with the board.

Built in the standard ATX form-factor, the Z87 MPower MAX AC features a 20-phase VRM to power the CPU, which is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (x16/NC/NC or x8/x8/NC or x8/x4/x4, depending on how they're populated). Four PCI-Express 2.0 x1 slots, and an mPCIe slot, wired to the Z87 Express PCH, find some in the middle. Storage connectivity includes eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports (six from the PCH, two from a third-party controller). Apart from the WLAN, the board features a gigabit Ethernet interface driven by Killer E2205 controller. Display outputs include two HDMI, and a DisplayPort. Ten USB 3.0 ports, 8-channel HD audio with headphone amplifier, make for the rest of it. It features a boatload of overclocking features. MSI didn't reveal pricing details.

MSI rolled out the H81M-E35 V2 entry-level socket LGA1150 motherboard. Designed for Core "Haswell" processors, the board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 4-pin ATX power connectors. It uses a simple 3-phase VRM to power the CPU, which is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, and a single PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot. A couple of PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and a legacy PCI make for the rest of the expansion area. Storage connectivity includes two each of SATA 6 Gb/s and SATA 3 Gb/s. Display outputs include one each of DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. Six USB 3.0 ports (four on the rear panel, two by header), six USB 2.0/1.1 ports, gigabit Ethernet, 6-channel HD audio, and legacy PS/2 connectivity make for the rest of it. Expect a sub-$100 pricing.

BIOSTAR has released their newest micro-ATX motherboard based on the Intel H81 chipset, the "Hi-Fi H81MDC". The board supports the Intel 4th generation Core i7 and Core i5 processors. It features Intel single chip architecture with HD 4600Graphics, along with a new integrated memory controller that will run at speeds up to 1600MHz. The H81 chipset has two SATA 6Gb/s ports (plus four SATA 3Gb/s ports), and two USB 3.0 headers. The Hi-Fi H81MDC supports two DIMMs for a maximum of 16Gigs of RAM. The "Hi-Fi H81MDC" is a great option for small form factor systems where you rarely have more than one discrete card and two SATA drives. Being Intel based boards, they will also feature Intel Rapid Start Technology and Intel Smart Connect Technology.

The newest motherboard based on the Intel B85 chipset by BIOSTAR is ready for business. The "B85MG" supports the Intel's 4th generation Core i7 and Core i5 processors in the 1150 package using the Intel B85 single chip architecture.

Built for businesses, the B85MG includes many features that are useful for IT departments in larger companies as well as small firms. BIOSTAR "B85MG" boards deliver a business-rich option at a value price compared to the other companies.

Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH, the European subsidiary of Shuttle Inc., one of the leading developers and manufacturers of compact PC solutions such as the world-renowned XPC Mini-PC Barebones, now also offers models compatible with the fourth generation of Intel Core processors ("Haswell") for socket LGA 1150.

Shuttle provides high-quality, powerful cube-shaped PCs for all platforms of the Intel Core processor family. And Haswell is no different. With the XPC Barebone SH87R6 and XPC Barebone SZ87R6, the manufacturer presents two solutions based on this processor type that are suitable for a wide variety of applications. The Mini-PCs are not only intended to be used as powerful and energy-efficient desktop PCs, but also as high-performance workstations or mini-servers. Thanks to their compatibility with a wide range of removable graphics cards, gamers are also happy to use these machines as easy-to-carry gaming rigs.

For gamers who don't plan on overclocking their CPUs, GIGABYTE announced a new gaming desktop motherboard, branded within its G1.Killer series no less. The G1.Sniper B5 combines the key ingredients of a G1.Killer motherboard, with the mid-range Intel B85 Express platform, supporting Core "Haswell" processors in the LGA1150 package. It's built in the standard ATX form-factor. Since the chipset doesn't support CPU overclocking, GIGABYTE went easy on the CPU VRM, with a 4+1 phase design, which is guaranteed to run any socket LGA1150 CPU at its stock speeds. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS connectors.

Expansion slots include two long PCI-Express slots, but only one of them is wired to the CPU, and supports PCI-Express 3.0 x16 speeds. The other slot is electrical gen 2.0 x4, and wired to the B85 PCH. Two each of PCI-Express 2.0 x1 and legacy PCI, make up the remaining expansion slots. Storage connectivity includes four SATA 6 Gb/s, and two SATA 3 Gb/s ports. The audio solution is based on a Realtek ALC898 CODEC (110 dBA SNR), ground-layer isolation, Nichicon audiophile-grade electrolytic capacitors on the AMP stage, and a removable OPAMP chip. There's no Bigfoot Killer NIC, but a decent Intel-made GbE LAN chip. The board features AMI UEFI BIOS with GIGABYTE's latest G1.Killer series setup program (minus the CPU overclocking options, of course), backed by dual-BIOS.

DeepCool has just added a new CPU cooler to its product portfolio, a model known as IceEdge 400 E (Elite Edition) that supports Intel LGA1156/LGA1155/LGA1150/LGA775 and AMD FM2/FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2/940/939/754 processors with a TDP of up to 130 W.

Pictured below, DeepCool's creation measures 100 x 86 x 125.5 mm, it weighs 475 grams and features an aluminum heatsink, four direct touch copper heatpipes, and a 92 mm Hydro Bearing fan that operates at 2200 RPM and has a sound output of 26.3 dBA. The IceEdge 400 E's price tag was not announced.

Performance CPU cooler by X2. Following the award winning TherMax series CPU Coolers by our parent company Spire, the enthusiasts at X2 have further developed and improved the product's performance. Introducing the successor; Eclipse IV universal compatible performance CPU cooler.

Starting with the heat-sink, 45 aluminum stacked fins provide a larger surface area. The front and rear sides of the fins are patterned with shark-teeth for better outflow of air which helps to a more silent solution. Six (6) all copper heat-pipes of 6mm in diameter which are bend into the tower u-shape to achieve unrestricted air-flow and best cooling performance. All six (6) heat-pipes are soldered onto the heat spreader-base and cooling fins. Following the complete heat-sink is anodized and coated with pure nickel which fills any tiny imperfections and preserves the copper heat-pipes from oxidation.

Intel's 9-series chipset, which is built for the company's next-generation Core "Broadwell" processor family, and slated for the second half of 2014, may face backwards-compatibility issues with current-generation Core "Haswell" processors, and the ability of current 8-series platforms to support "Broadwell," even though the two processor families share a common LGA1150 CPU socket, according to a VR-Zone report.

The report notes that a number of electrical connections between the CPU socket and chipset are different, and the chip follows a different power supply (as in power distribution within the chip/motherboard) than "Haswell." Such differences could pose backwards-compatibility issues. Although a generation ahead of Haswell, Broadwell isn't its immediate successor. Intel plans to roll out a refreshed Core "Haswell" processor family in a few quarters from now, which in addition to fully-integrated clocking mode, could introduce a few other platform changes. The report notes that 9-series chipset motherboards could be more compatible with Haswell (refresh), than the current Haswell platform. Intel 9-series chipset could introduce support for SATA-Express, the next big consumer internal storage interface that succeeds SATA 6 Gb/s.

Motherboards in the ATX form-factor, based on entry-level chipsets are a rarity, but one that MSI attempted anyway. The company rolled out its H81-P33 socket LGA1150 motherboard in the 220 x 305 mm ATX form-factor, based on Intel's entry-level H81 Express chipset. The board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS connectors; and uses a 6-phase VRM to condition it for the CPU. The CPU socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 32 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1600 MHz memory; and a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot (gen 3.0 is unsupported on H81 platform).

Apart from the PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot, two other PCIe 2.0 x1 slots, and three legacy PCI, make for the rest of the expansion. The H81 Express PCH gives out two each of SATA 6 Gb/s and SATA 3 Gb/s ports, wired out as internal ports on this board. Its four USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports are wired out as two on the rear panel, and two via header. Display outputs include one each of dual-link DVI and D-Sub (VGA). 6-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, legacy PS/2 mouse/keyboard, and a number of USB 2.0/1.1 ports make for the rest of the connectivity. The board is driven by AMI UEFI BIOS, which supports Windows 8 fast boot. Expect a sub-$100 price-tag on this one.

Xigmatek rolled out second generations of two of its iconic mainstream CPU coolers, Gaia II and Loki II (pictured in that order). With its 120 mm PWM fan detached, the Gaia II measures 120(W) x 50(D) x 159(H) mm, and is a conventional aluminum fin tower heatsink, with three 8 mm-thick exposed copper heat-pipes tasked with drawing heat directly from the CPU, and transporting it to the aluminum fin stack. Weighin 460 g, the Gaia II is a mid-range heatsink. Its included 120 mm spinner can push up to 56.3 CFM of air, spinning at 800 to 1,500 RPM. Gaia II is designed to handle thermal loads as high as 150W.

Moving on, Loki II is a compact tower-type CPU cooler for light thermal loads, as high as 130W. It features a dense aluminum fin stack to which heat directly drawn from the CPU is conducted by three 6 mm-thick exposed copper heat pipes. The heatsink is ventilated by a rare 92 mm PWM-controlled fan, which can push up to 52 CFM of air, spinning at speeds between 1,200 and 2,800 RPM. Measuring 92(W)x134(H)x50(D) mm without the fan, Loki II weighs about 330 g. Both coolers are designed to support the latest CPU socket types, including Intel LGA1150/LGA1155/LGA1156, LGA1366, AM3+/AM3, and FM2/FM1. Xigmatek didn't announce pricing, but we imagine the two Asgardians to replace their current-generation counterparts, at $30 and $25, respectively.

HWBot.org blanket-banning benchmark submissions from Windows 8 machines sent ripples across the PC enthusiast community. Overclocker Christian Ney from OCaholic.ch spent some time trying out different combinations of hardware and operating system to check if Windows 8 RTC (realtime-clock) bug affects benchmarks consistently, on all hardware platforms. His findings are interesting, and one can draw the inference that only Intel processor-based machines could be affected by the bug, not AMD-based ones.

Ney observed the Windows 8 RTC bug to affect benchmark results only on Windows 8 machines running Intel LGA1150 "Haswell," LGA1155 "Ivy Bridge," and LGA1155 "Sandy Bridge," and not AMD AM3 and FM2 platforms. The issue didn't surface on any system running the older Windows 7 operating system. With it, it's clear that it's not just Microsoft that has to do some troubleshooting, Intel has to, as well. HWBot.org may have just saved itself time and pointless "bias" debates by blanket-banning Windows 8.

Known more for its server and workstation motherboards; and rackmount server chassis; Supermicro dipped its toes into consumer (DIY) motherboards, announcing the C7Z87-OCE, a socket LGA1150 motherboard based on the Intel Z87 Express chipset. Built in the standard ATX form-factor, this board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX, and 8-pin EPS connectors. It features a rather bland blue PCB, with seemingly basic heatsinks over the chipset and CPU VRM. In reality, the 22 nm-built Z87 Express PCH, with a 4.1W TDP can make do with a heatsink like that. The one on the VRM, on the other hand, is suspect. It appears to use a 6-phase digital PWM circuitry with driver-MOSFETs.

The LGA1150 socket is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, and three PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots (x16/NC/NC, x8/x8/NC, x8/x4/x4). A trio of close-ended PCI-Express 2.0 x4 find room in between them. The board offers a total of eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, six from the Z87 PCH, two from a third-party controller. Also on offer, are eight USB 3.0 ports, four on the rear panel, four by headers. The board offers 8-channel HD audio with optical SPDIF output, a pair of gigabit Ethernet interfaces, Thunderbolt (which doubles up as mini-DisplayPort), dual-link DVI and D-Sub display outputs. Although driven by AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS, it features a classic keyboard-driven setup program UI. The company didn't release pricing. Find a complete review at the source.

While GIGABYTE's first motherboards based on Intel's new entry-level H81 Express chipset were mostly focused on small business PC builds, its latest one could lure HTPC builders. The new H81M-HD3 is built in the narrow micro-ATX (244 x 190 mm) form-factor as the other H81-based motherboards from the company, with a feature-set tuned for the living room. To begin with, the board draws power from a combination of 24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS connectors; the LGA1150 socket is powered by the same simple 2+1 phase VRM. The CPU socket is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 32 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory; and a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot (as PCIe gen 3.0 is outside the platform's feature-set). A pair of legacy PCI slots and a PCI-Express 2.0 x1 make for the rest of the expansion area.

The H81 PCH gives out two each of SATA 6 Gb/s and SATA 3 Gb/s ports. With the help of an additional VLI-made USB 3.0 host controller, the board features a total of six USB 3.0 ports (four on the rear panel, two by header). Display connectivity includes dual-link DVI, D-Sub (VGA), DisplayPort, and HDMI. 8-channel HD audio with optical (TOSLINK) SPDIF output, driven by Realtek ALC892 CODEC; and gigabit Ethernet, driven by Realtek 8111F controller, make for the rest of the connectivity. COM and LPT ports are given out by headers. The board is driven by AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS, backed by GIGABYTE's dual-UEFI technology. We expect this one to go for around $60.