Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6
revision 2.0

    Motherboard layout....... 

       Physically speaking, the second revision is a carbon copy of the first highly successful version. Even so, there are some things we want to highlight in this stand alone review. The Quad theme is plastered all over the retail box, as we can see stamped on the upper most MOSFET heatsink. The P965-DQ6 revision 2.0 is being marketed with 6-Quad features

     1. Quad BIOS - upping the ante from the more normal Dual-Bios Gigabyte is known for.
     2. Quad Dual Cooling - MOSFETS - North/South bridges and motherboard bottom
     3. Quad eSata2 - The DQ6 r2.0 ships with two eSata auxiliary plates giving users 4 eSata ports
     4. Quad Triple Phase - Gigabyte engineered Virtual 12 Power Phase for rock solid overclocking stability
     5. Quad Core Optimized - Need we say more! The DQ6 r2 is ready for Intel's Core2Quad Processor
     6. Quad DDR2 slots - For those times when you absolutely need to maximize your PC's memory capability

     Gigabyte was sure to highlight the fact that they used solid core capacitors on the inside folds of the retail box. In fact, I was hoping the above picture would highlight the main ATX connector and the additional Molex plug. However, we can see a few of those capacitors jutting up between the pairs of memory slots. We'll take a closer look at those rows of capacitors around the CPU socket as well.

     So from this vantage point we can see that those capacitors shouldn't get in the way of the memory modules. At least, not any typically built memory modules. There are a few companies out there that now offer heatsinks and other gadgets on their memory that make a typical module take up quite a bit more room [than they need to.]

     The bottom corner on most ATX boards is usually the busiest, and the DQ6 is no exception. Two IEEE 1394 headers, three USB 2.0 headers, eight SATA connections, a PATA port and the color coded front panel headers for the enclosure. In fact, all of the connection headers except the IEEE 1394 have been color coded. Most of these connectors are far enough away from the PCI and PCI-E expansion slots that only the largest of cards should present any kind of problem. Considering that the DQ6 is Cross-fire ready, setting this board up with a pair of video cards is a real possibility. The top set of SATA ports have been offset enough from the PCI-E slot that there should be no clearance issues.