On the audio section a Realtek ALC888DD codec is used, which provides an impressive 97 dB output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a 90 dB input signal-to-noise ratio, eight audio channels (7.1 format) and SPDIF input/output using up to 192 kHz sampling rate. This motherboard provides an optical SPDIF output soldered on it. For using SPDIF input, an I/O bracket is necessary, which doesn’t come with the board. This codec also features two independent audio channels for audio streamming, available on the audio front panel header. This codec is compatible with Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect standards.

This motherboard has two Gigabit Ethernet ports, both controlled by the south bridge using two Marvell 88E1116 to make the physical layer interface.

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Figure 10: Rear panel.

On the memory side, GA-M59SLI-S5 has four DDR2-DIMM sockets, supporting up 16 GB up to DDR2-800. On this motherboard sockets 1 and 2 are yellow and sockets 3 and 4 are red. To use DDR2 dual channel mode just install each module on sockets with the same color.

This motherboard provides an eight-pin EPS12V connector however you can still use a regular 4-pin ATX12V connector on it, as the other four pins of this connectors come closed with a plastic cover, see Figure 11. If your power supply has an EPS12V connector, prefer using it instead of ATX12V.

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Figure 11: You can use an ATX12V connector on this motherboard EPS12V connector.

This motherboard also has an extra 12V power connector using a regular peripheral power plug. Gigabyte does not explain when this extra connector should be used, they only say ”depending on your system requirements“. We recommend you using it.

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Figure 12: Extra power plug.

In Figure 12 you can also see a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) connector, which is an optional microcontroller that stores keys, passwords and digital certificates. Click here for more information on this subject.

In Figure 13, you can see the SLI bridge and a retainer that must be used to hold the SLI bridge to the case and in Figure 14 you can see all other cables that come with this motherboard.

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Figure 13: SLI components.

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Figure 14: Cables that come with this motherboard.

This motherboard is RoHS-compatible, meaning that no lead was used on its soldering.

Gigabyte also provides this same motherboard without its fancy features. Called GA-M59SLI-S4 it lacks the copper passive heatsink with heat-pipes, the dual BIOS, the two extra SATA-300 ports with port multiplier, the TPM connector, the EPS12V connector, it has only one Gigabit LAN and also the audio codec used is a Realtek ALC883 instead of a Realtek ALC888DD.

The motherboard CD-ROM comes with Norton Internet Security and motherboard drivers and utilities.