Test Setup

• Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 @ 3.0GHz (9 x 333MHz)
• Gigabyte EP35-DS4
• Aeneon 2GB Dual Kit DDR2-1066 CL5 @ 1066MHz, CL5-5-5-15
• Inno3D Geforce 9600GT 512MB (Reference clocks)
• 2 x 80GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA HDD
• Pioneer DVR-215BK DVD-RW
• Enermax Galaxy 1kW PSU
• Intel Chipset Drivers 8.3.1.1009
• NVIDIA ForceWare 174.16 WHQL
• Windows Vista Ultimate x86

The GIGABYTE EP35-DS4 is based on the older P35-DS4 and so we will be looking at the performance impact (if any) from enabling the DES features rather than comparing it to other boards. The performance of boards based on the P35 chipset are a dime a dozen and the same goes for reviews of the P35-DS4 boards. Hence, we will concentrate on the DES feature of the EP35-DS4 instead.