Final Thoughts

Gigabyte's G1.Sniper2 is an awesome motherboard that delivers the kind of functioning and features gamers and overclockers dream nearly. However, as is often the case, this fine specimen doesn't come cheaply. As of writing, the G1.Sniper2 is fetching $360 on Newegg, which is $10 over Gigabyte'due south suggested retail price and a tad higher than the Z68X-UD7-B3 -- a board that is arguably the G1.Sniper2'southward biggest competitor.

Not but is the Z68X-UD7-B3 a tad cheaper, but it delivers similar performance and overclocking abilities with a more applied configuration in our stance. For a $360 motherboard, the G1.Sniper2'south spec canvas seems underwhelming with a single Ethernet connection, 4 USB 3.0 ports, 1 eSATA port and a standard PCI Express expansion slot setup.

Naturally, it forgoes those features for components that might be more highly-seasoned to a sure audience: Bigfoot Networks' Killer E2100 network controller and Creative's Audio Blaster X-Fi Digital audio processor. Although we believe the Sound Blaster chip is a semi-worthy addition to the G1.Sniper2, the Killer E2100 seems like a load of nonsense to us.

I'g not going to debate the claim of Bigfoot Networks' NIC and frankly, I don't come across how yous could with piddling existent-world data to back up the company's claims. I'm as satisfied with the Gigabit Ethernet Realtek RTL8111E controllers found on the Z68X-UD7-B3.

It'due south worth noting that I'one thousand not much of an audiophile and then the Creative Audio Blaster is wasted on me and again, I'm just as happy with the Realtek ALC889. Although I tin can empathize why others would value the inclusion of this high-end audio solution as it can bring a new dynamic to gaming, someone spending $360 on a motherboard would probably opt for dedicated expansion menu if they truly cared about their automobile'due south audio. Not just would y'all gain more performance and functionality out of a discrete audio card, just y'all could install it in your next car.

Circling back to my original argument, when you remove those extras, the Gigabyte Z68X-UD7-B3 seems to be twice the motherboard and information technology'southward available for $10 less. You get twice as many USB 3.0 ports, dual Gigabit network ports, more onboard SATA ports, more PCI Express bandwidth for graphics cards thanks to the NF200 bridge flake, Firewire back up, and arguably a better ability phase pattern. With that in mind, we observe it hard to recommend the G1.Sniper2.