Features
With the relocation of the memory controller and PCI-Express controller from the chipset to the CPU the performance differences between P55 motherboards is generally minuscule. As a result, manufacturer-specific features and design elements are really what serve to distinguish models from each other. Gigabyte obviously knows this and seeing as how the P55-UD6 is their Top of the Line P55 motherboard, they have outfitted this model with quite a few new and interesting features.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these standout features: 24-Phase Power Design
 The P55-UD6 is the very first motherboard with a 24-phase power design. This VRM has been designed to deliver fast transient response times ensuring superior power delivery during full load scenarios. Also, by spreading the load across all 24 power phases, the overall heat ouput is reduced and reliability is increased.
| DDR3 2600+ Support
 The Intel Core i5/i7 processors feature an integrated memory controller and a dual-channel DDR3 memory interface. Featuring the highest supported memory speeds of any motherboard, the P55-UD6 has native support for DDR3-2600 and above! | Ultra Durable 3
 Like all Gigabyte motherboards, this model features the Ultra Durable 3 design. As with Ultra Durable 2, this signifies that the motherboard was designed with high quality and energy efficient components, namely Low RDS(on) MOSFETs, ferrite core chokes, and long-lasting solid capacitors. However, it also features a 2 ounce copper PCB delivering lower system temperature, improved energy efficiency and enhanced overclocking stability. | Dynamic Energy Saver 2
 As the follow-up to D.E.S Advanced, GIGABYTE's Dynamic Energy Saver 2 incorporates a host of intelligent features that use a proprietary hardware and software design to considerably enhance PC system energy efficiency, Reduce power consumption and deliver optimized auto-phase-switching for the CPU, Memory, Chipset, VGA, HDD, and fans with a simple click of button. | DualBIOS
 Providing bullet-proof BIOS protection, the P55-UD6 has 2 physical BIOS ROMs which permit instant recovery from BIOS damage or failure due to viruses or improper BIOS updating. | Smart Dual LAN The Dual LAN technology features intelligent LAN port auto-switching preventing network downtime by transferring the workload between the 2 physical Gigabit LAN chips. | EasyTune6
 Historically, the majority of manufacturer provided utilities have been quite poor. It is due to this undeniable fact that Gigabyte redesigned EasyTune6 from the ground up to make it easier than ever to manage, monitor, and tweak your hardware and system settings. | Smart 6
 GIGABYTE Smart 6 offers a combination of 6 new software utilities that provide superior PC system management. Smart 6 allows you to speed up system performance, reduce boot-up time, manage a secure platform and recover previous system settings easily with a click of the mouse button. | XHD (eXtreme HardDrive)
 Improving system performance is made easy with the quick and easy GIGABYTE eXtreme Hard Drive (X.H.D). GIGABYTE eXtreme Hard Drive (X.H.D) provides a user-friendly way to boost hard drive performance through RAID-0 by adding another hard drive. | eSATA/USB Combo
 eSATA/USB combo ports provides significant convenience by supporting eSATA and USB devices in one port, and requires no additional power source when connecting eSATA/USB combo devices through the applicable cable. |
Smart TPM
 GIGABYTE Smart TPM provides the highest level of data protection with 2048-bit hardware encryption. Smart TPM allows users to store their digital key on a USB thumb drive. In addition, Smart TPM allows users to lock the protected data remotely using a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. | AutoGreen
 AutoGreen technology can automatically save power when you are away from your computer by putting the system into a low power state when it doesn't sense your bluetooth-enabled cell phone in the vicinity. |
As you can see, Gigabyte have integrated some interesting new features on this motherboard. The 24-phase power design is mightily impressive, if not slightly overboard. The very high DDR3 memory frequency support is matched only by EVGA's high-end P55 models. The new software suite has some worthwhile new capabilities that will definitely appeal to those who want total control over every aspect of their system. The potential to have a mobile phone interact and manage the system is definitely an industry first and it's some very promising technology. Now we have to find out whether all these features work as they should, and whether they actually improve the general computing experience.
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