GIGABYTE X299-WU8 DDR4 Intel Motherboard

The Gigabyte X299-WU8 is a CEB-form-factor motherboard built on the Intel X299 Express Chipset, designed to support Intel Core X-series processors (6-core or above) in the LGA2066 socket. It is engineered for demanding multi-GPU and content-creation workloads, offering simultaneous 4-Way NVIDIA SLI and 4-Way AMD CrossFire support through dual PLX8747 chips that expand the available PCIe lanes. Seven PCIe 3.0 slots are provided in total: four running at x16 and three running at x8. Memory capacity scales with your processor. With a 48-lane Intel Core X-series CPU installed, all eight DDR4 DIMM slots operate in quad-channel mode and support up to 256 GB of system memory (using 32 GB modules). With 44-lane or 28-lane processors the ceiling drops to 128 GB per 16 GB module. The board officially supports DDR4 speeds from 2133 MHz up to 4000 MHz via XMP overclocking profiles, and Gigabyte states compatibility with over 1,000 validated DDR4 modules. Storage connectivity comprises one M.2 Socket 3 connector (M key, types 2242/2260/2280, supporting SATA and PCIe x4/x2 SSDs) alongside eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 supported on the SATA array. The board is also Intel Optane Memory Ready. For audio, Gigabyte integrates the Realtek ALC1220-VB codec, which delivers High Definition Audio with up to 120 dB SNR playback and 7.1-channel output, including optical S/PDIF out and DSD audio support on the rear line-out jack. Networking is handled by dual Intel GbE LAN controllers (10/100/1000 Mbit), and USB connectivity spans USB 3.1 Gen 2 (one Type-C and one Type-A on the rear) plus ten USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports and two USB 2.0/1.1 ports. Thermal management relies on Gigabyte's Smart Fan 5 platform, which supports up to six fan or pump headers with hybrid PWM/Voltage detection, a dedicated 3 A water-cooling pump header, and real-time water flow-rate monitoring. Dedicated heatsinks cover both PLX chips. RGB Fusion with digital LED and RGBW/UV strip support is included. The BIOS features dual 128 Mbit flash with Gigabyte DualBIOS redundancy and a licensed AMI UEFI interface. A TPM 2.0 header (GC-TPM2.0_S module) and Thunderbolt add-in card connector are also provided. Key Specifications: • Socket: LGA2066 | Chipset: Intel X299 Express • Form Factor: CEB – 30.5 cm × 26.7 cm • Memory: 8 × DDR4 DIMM, quad-channel; up to 256 GB (48-lane CPU) / 128 GB (44/28-lane CPU); DDR4-2133 to DDR4-4000 (O.C.) XMP • Expansion: 4 × PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16) + 3 × PCIe 3.0 x16 (x8); 4-Way SLI / 4-Way CrossFire via dual PLX8747 • Storage: 1 × M.2 (PCIe x4/x2 or SATA, 2242/2260/2280) + 8 × SATA 6 Gb/s; RAID 0/1/5/10 • Audio: Realtek ALC1220-VB; 7.1-ch HD Audio; 120 dB SNR; S/PDIF optical out • LAN: 2 × Intel GbE (10/100/1000 Mbit) • USB (rear): 1 × USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, 1 × USB-A 3.1 Gen 2, 6 × USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2 × USB 2.0 • BIOS: AMI UEFI, DualBIOS, 2 × 128 Mbit flash • Operating Temperature: -10 °C to 50 °C • Warranty: 3 Years