Gigabyte H55N-USB3 Mini ITX overclocking and discussion thread

[mudkip]

Introduction:

"The GIGABYTE GA-H55N-USB3 was designed specifically for users wanting to build the ultimate home entertainment PC; small and sleek enough to seamlessly fit into the living room as part of the home, yet powerful enough to easily transfer, store and view today's many types of digital media content, whatever the format," commented Tim Handley, Deputy Director of Motherboard Marketing at GIGABYTE Technology Co. Ltd. "Not only does the GA-H55N-USB3 offer one of the industry's most exciting integrated graphics solutions with flawless HD video playback, it also allows users to spend less time waiting for their content to transfer, and more time to actually enjoy it due to its USB 3.0 GIGABYTE 3x USB Power Boost features."
XL ATX form factor


Mini-ITX form factor
Powered by the Intel® H55 chipset and supporting the latest Intel® Core™ i5 and Core™i3 LGA 1156 socket processors with integrated on-die graphics, the GIGABYTE GA-H55N-USB3 motherboard provides exceptional high definition content playback unmatched by previous integrated graphic solutions. The GIGABYTE GA-H55N-USB3 is also equipped with GIGABYTE 3x USB Power Boost and USB 3.0 support by utilizing the industry-leading NEC® controller, ensuring users are able to take advantage the next wave of high speed data transfer and storage technologies. Also supported is GIGABYTE's latest On/Off Charge technology, allowing users to fast charge their Apple devices including iPads, iPhones and iPod Touch devices even when the PS is powered off.

GIGABYTE has also designed the GA-H55N-USB3 motherboard to withstand the rigors of an always on device, both in terms of energy efficiency and temperature. Featuring the unique GIGABYTE Ultra Durable™ 3 design utilizing 2x the amount of copper of a traditional motherboard PCB, the GIGABYTE GA-H55N-USB3 provides better power efficiency and lower operating temperatures. The GA-H55N-USB3 is also equipped with the GIGABYTE Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2 for an even greater level of system-wide power savings and DualBIOS™ technology, which provides a back-up BIOS chip in case the main BIOS becomes corrupted or damaged.

More information about the GIGABYTE GA-H55N-USB3 motherboard is available from:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/pro...px?pid=3455#sp

There was a thread about this beautiful Mini ITX motherboard on extremesystems, but TPU deserves one too.

CPU Coolers who'll fit on this mothboard:

Corsair H50,fits but standard backplate need's some modding. doesn't block pci-e/ memory slots.
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus , doesn't block pci-e slot, can be hard to install when using memory with large heatspreaders
Thermalright Venomous X,apparently fits no info available on if it blocks the pci-e / memory slots.
Thermalright AXP-140, fits doesn't block pci-e/ memory slots.Perfect for using in a Lian LI PC-Q08
Scythe Shuriken, fits doesn't block pci-e but blocks memory slot
Prolimatech Samuel 17 , fits, doesn't block pci-e blocks but memory slots when using memory with high heatspreaders.
Scythe Ninja 3, fits but blocks pci-e slot.
Nexus Low-7000 aka Nexus Low-7000 R2, fits but blocks memory slot when using memory with high heatspreaders, blocks pci-e slot but can be solved by bending the heatsink a bit. Perfect for using in a Low profile case.

Mosfets cooling with heatsicks

My overclock result:



Reviews:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3769/r...e-gigabyte-way
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/mot...-motherboard/1
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/c...te_h55n_usb3/1
http://techgage.com/article/gigabyte...small_package/
http://www.hardwarezone.com/product-...2/review/47323
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=get...e&articID=1051
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/342...ard/index.html
http://lanoc.org/review/hardware/mot...e-ga-h55n-usb3
http://www.pro-clockers.com/motherbo...therboard.html
http://www.techwarelabs.com/gigabyte-h55n-usb3/
http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/...ds/2098_1.html
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.ph...=564&Itemid=69
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mai...h55n-usb3.html
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1095-page1.html
http://www.ocia.net/reviews/h55nusb3/page1.shtml

useful links:

Gigabyte H55N-USB3 product page
Gigabyte H55N-USB3 Mini ITX overclocking and discussion thread at XtremeSystems Forums

[Kantastic]

Pigeon shit! I have an H50 coming in on Wednesday and this board coming in tomorrow. Now I need washers to get the H50 to fit... ROAAARRR!!!

[mudkip]

Originally Posted by Kantastic

Pigeon shit! I have an H50 coming in on Wednesday and this board coming in tomorrow. Now I need washers to get the H50 to fit... ROAAARRR!!!

Yep, it sucks pretty hard. I think I'm going for the Thermalright AXP-140 but then i have to buy a new case. The Lian Li PC-Q07 is too small

[mudkip]

Originally Posted by Kantastic

Pigeon shit! I have an H50 coming in on Wednesday and this board coming in tomorrow. Now I need washers to get the H50 to fit... ROAAARRR!!!

Oh wait you can use the standard backplate but you've to trim some plastic.

[mudkip]

4Ghz @ 1.264v, Memory OC from 1600Mhz 7-7-7-24 to 2000Mhz 9-8-8-30
http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=1390600



I need better cooling

[ERazer]

scythe mini-ninja fits but it blocks pci-e just fyi for peeps trying to build htpc or server

Edit: Has anyone tried to put h50/70 with this mobo in a lian li pc-q08b? it looks like thers enuf room for it

[mudkip]

Originally Posted by ERazer

scythe mini-ninja fits but it blocks pci-e just fyi for peeps trying to build htpc or server

Edit: Has anyone tried to put h50/70 with this mobo in a lian li pc-q08b? it looks like thers enuf room for it

I'm sure it fits, but the corsair H50 isn't worth buying imho.

[ERazer]

true, but h70 rad thickness its gonna be problematic in such a small case

[Hayder_Master]

this is very nice try, keep as on updates

[alucasa]

My main rig is using this mobo as well in Silverstone SUGO07. It's not OCed though.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=128425

I recently upgraded CPU, RAM and Videocard though just today.

CPU went from i5 750 to i7 870.
RAM went from 2 x 2 gb to 2 x 4gb.
Video card went from HD 5770 to GTX 460.
Detailed spec is in my system specs.

For cpu heatsink, I am not using a fan since a 160mm fan is right above it.
I can take update pictures if you want.

[digibucc]

just finished putting together this rig that includes this mobo & an i3-530

installing media applications and was thinking of OSx86 later on - but from what I read the ethernet port is touchy...

[Kantastic]

I was able to get the H50 on without modding the backplate, it wasn't even an issue.

Prime95 small FFT load temps with an i3 530 @ stock tops out at around 48-50 according to RealTemp.

[digibucc]

Originally Posted by Kantastic

I was able to get the H50 on without modding the backplate, it wasn't even an issue.

Prime95 small FFT load temps with an i3 530 @ stock tops out at around 48-50 according to RealTemp.

those Fahrenheit? i'm using stock cooler and the cpu stays below 30c in a small case with no airflow, using stock HSF (i know... i know) have not logged temps to track top , but in all regular usage checking speedfan or easytune it is in high 20s

[mudkip]

Bought a new Lian LI PC-Q08 case for the H55N-USB3 .

[ERazer]

Originally Posted by mudkip

Bought a new Lian LI PC-Q08 case for the H55N-USB3 .

u gonna love it bud

[mudkip]

Originally Posted by ERazer

u gonna love it bud

Installed my components in the new Lian Li C-Q08 and it's looking all good so far!
Top fan is now running @ 5v its pretty quiet, front fan is silenced down with a fancontroller. now I need to buy a new cpu cooler and a HDD enclosure to silence the Western Digital Green.

[ERazer]

Originally Posted by mudkip

Installed my components in the new Lian Li C-Q08 and it's looking all good so far!
Top fan is now running @ 5v its pretty quiet, front fan is silenced down with a fancontroller. now I need to buy a new cpu cooler and a HDD enclosure to silence the Western Digital Green.

nice wat color did u get?

[mudkip]

Originally Posted by ERazer

u gonna love it bud

Installed my components in the new Lian Li C-Q08 and it's looking all good so far!
Top fan is now running @ 5v its pretty quiet, front fan is silenced down with a fancontroller. now I need to buy a new cpu cooler and a HDD enclosure to silence the Western Digital Green.

[miahallen]

I'm very impressed with this board

With a custom water loop and 21C ambient:

[mudkip]

Originally Posted by ERazer

nice wat color did u get?

black, the silver version was actually cheaper but i decided to go for black since all my things are black. (except my penis)

[miahallen]

Can anyone confirm OCP behavior on this board?
I think I'm hitting OCP with an i5 750 @ about 1.425V or more....does that sound about right?
The symptom is a hard lock that requires hard power off.....reset button is unresponsive.

[wolf]

I really want one of these boards and the Lian Li C-Q08, seems like the perfect board and case for a kickass Mini-ITX gaming rig.

fantastic results to see that 4ghz is capable with a i5 750/760 and 4.5ghz+ with an i5 dual core. how long-a video card does the Lian Li case fit?

[mudkip]

Originally Posted by miahallen

Can anyone confirm OCP behavior on this board?
I think I'm hitting OCP with an i5 750 @ about 1.425V or more....does that sound about right?
The symptom is a hard lock that requires hard power off.....reset button is unresponsive.

What is OCP?

[mudkip]

Originally Posted by wolf

I really want one of these boards and the Lian Li C-Q08, seems like the perfect board and case for a kickass Mini-ITX gaming rig.

fantastic results to see that 4ghz is capable with a i5 750/760 and 4.5ghz+ with an i5 dual core. how long-a video card does the Lian Li case fit?

12 inches

[wolf]

Originally Posted by mudkip

What is OCP?

Over Current Protection, basically when your drawing too much power/voltage the board will shut down. I've had this before hard-voltmodding a 8800GT, no matter the clocks if I put more than ~1.35v through her it would just black screen and need a completel shut down then power on.

Originally Posted by mudkip

12 inches

sick, cheers.