Product Listing

Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R (Intel P35)

By Zachary Chan - 1 Aug 2007

Introduction

Introduction

The Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R really needs no introduction. This board is a hybrid derivative of the GA-P35-DS3R which was reviewed just a little more than two weeks ago. As we mentioned then, Gigabyte has a pretty large selection of models this time around for their S-Series motherboards based on the P35 chipset and the 'S3' line gets the most love. Although we've already reviewed the GA-P35-DS3R, the arrival of the GA-P35C-DS3R presented an opportunity that we could not miss.

Like almost every manufacturer churning out Intel's latest P35 chipset, Gigabyte has the usual crop of DDR2-only, DDR3-only and DDR2/DDR3 hybrid models to satisfy the market progression into DDR3. For Gigabyte, these different board configurations are identified through an extra letter in its model number. Boards supporting DDR3-only have a 'T' as the sixth character in its naming sequence (GA-P35T-DS4). For hybrid DDR2/DDR3 boards, the identifier is 'C' (GA-P35C-DS3R), and regular DDR2-only board do not feature any extra letters (GA-P35-DS3R).

The Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R motherboard is a hybrid DDR2/DDR3 motherboard.

Notice that the GA-P35-DS3R and GA-P35C-DS3R share identical PCB layout and components, though the GA-P35-DS3R has a shorter depth with only DDR2 support.

You'd probably have surmised by now, and you'd be right, that the GA-P35C-DS3R is really just a hybrid version of the GA-P35-DS3R. The features, layout and configuration of both these boards are identical, besides the fact that one supports both DDR2 and DDR3, and the other only DDR2 that is. So, why are we excited about the GA-P35C-DS3R? Instead of replacing two DDR2 DIMM slots with two DDR3 like most manufacturers (such as the MSI P35 Neo Combo), Gigabyte retains all four DDR2 slots and adds in two DDR3, making a total of six slots in all. This is a very important design consideration as it allows you to maximize existing DDR2 memory configurations while still being able to switch over to DDR3 eventually when it's prime.

The two green slots are DDR3. Notice the different pin notches.

Because the board is extended to full ATX size to accommodate the additional DIMMs, other components aren't affected and component spacing remains good.

Physically, the GA-P35C-DS3R has grown to a full sized ATX PCB in order to accommodate the additional DIMM slots, but there are no other design or feature changes from the GA-P35-DS3R. As such, we won't waste your time by regurgitating what's already been said before and go straight to what matters the most - performance. If you would like to know more about the board's features, you can check out our full review of the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R right here .

Since there isn't a need for design changes, the additional space is not used.

Side view of PCB.

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