Qiyida X99‑H5 Review

qiyida x99 h5

X99‑H5 is Qiyida’s simplest and most budget‑friendly mATX motherboard for LGA2011‑3. The model is based on the H55 chipset and offers a very limited feature set.

The closest relative is the ZSUS X99‑8D4 and ZSUS X99-W.

⚠️ Warning

This is an absolute bottom-tier X99 motherboard. If you're thinking of buying one, keep in mind that while the price is temptingly low, the savings rarely pay off in the long run.

Manufacturers heavily cut corners on these models, so expect hardware quirks and broken BIOS features. Some issues can be fixed, but it takes time, effort, and often an SPI programmer.

If you care about decent functionality, hassle-free BIOS flashing, and modern connectivity, you're better off spending a bit more on solid budget options like Qiyida X99 K9s, Qiyida X99 H9s, or X99-XD4.

Specifications

ModelQiyida X99-H5
SocketLGA 2011-3
ChipsetH55
Supported ProcessorsIntel Core i7 (5000, 6000 series, Haswell-E/Broadwell-E)
Intel Xeon E5-1600 v3/v4, E5-2600 v3/v4, E5-4600 v3/v4 (Haswell-EP/Broadwell-EP)
VRM Configuration3 phase (6 virtual via doublers)
Total MOSFETs: 12 (6 high-side + 6 low-side)
Maximum Recommended TDP≤90W (v3 processors)
≤100W (v4 processors)
Supported Memory4 x DDR4 DIMM (dual-channel) with ECC and non-ECC support
Maximum capacity: 64 GB
S3 Sleep Mode SupportNo
Expansion Slots1 x PCI-e x16 (Gen 3.0)
1 x PCI-e x1 (Gen 2.0)
Storage4 x SATA 2.0
2 x M.2 NVME (Gen 3.0 x4)
Fan Connectors1 x CPU cooler (4pin)
2 x case fans (3pin)
PS/2 Ports2 (mouse + keyboard)
USB 3.0 Ports-
USB 2.0 Ports8 (+ front panel support)
NetworkGigabit LAN (RTL8168H \ RTL8111H)
Audio5.1 channel (ALC662 \ ALC897)
Super I/ONCT5532D
Bios ChipWinbond 25Q128JVSQ
TPM 2.0 headerNo
JLPC1 headerYes
Form Factor & DimensionsmATX 220 x 190 mm
Approximate Price


AliExpress: $30 - $45
Check Price

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The H55 chipset this board uses was introduced back in 2010 and even then couldn’t boast modern I/O support. It’s the main reason the board is so inexpensive, but the trade‑off is the lack of both SATA III and USB 3.0. Fortunately, the manufacturer provided two M.2 NVMe slots whose lanes come directly from the CPU (so the chipset doesn’t affect them), which somewhat compensates for the absence of fast SATA. As for the missing USB 3.0, you’ll have to live without it or use the only available PCIe x1 expansion slot.

The power delivery is typical for boards in this class: three doubled phases (six “virtual” phases) with two MOSFETs per phase. We don’t recommend using CPUs with a TDP above 100 W; if you must, add extra airflow over the VRM area from the start.

qiyida x99 h5 vrm capasitors
The VRM is cooled by a fairly modest heatsink mounted with spring‑loaded screws.

In other respects, this is a typical budget Chinese board: a thin PCB, no S3 sleep, basic audio without dedicated filtering capacitors, and only two fan headers (the 4‑pin header is the only controllable one). On the plus side, there’s a built‑in PC speaker, a Winbond BIOS chip, decent build quality, and a fairly attractive appearance.

A note on TPM 2.0: There is no dedicated TPM 2.0 header, but the board exposes a JLPC1 header that can accept LPC TPM 2.0 modules. Learn more about TPM 2.0 on Chinese X99 motherboards.

BIOS Capabilities

x99 bios menu

The board runs a classic Chinese UEFI/BIOS based on Aptio V. Qiyida included most basic options in the firmware: memory timing controls, ReBAR support, and TPM 2.0. A Secure Boot menu option is also present, but remains untested. The BIOS still suffers from typical flaws — incorrect motherboard temperature monitoring, inaccurate power consumption reporting, and SmartFan working only via the 4-pin header. It gets the job done for general use, but users should still keep the chipset’s limitations in mind.
 

ℹ️ Important Note

Motherboards on 5-series chipsets often run into issues when disabling CSM or enabling Secure Boot. If you're facing similar problems after tweaking these settings, check out our fix guide.

Unfortunately, 5-Series chipsets create real headaches for backup and flashing. Standard tools like the Intel Flash Programming Tool don’t work with these platforms. AFUDOS / AFUWIN can dump only the BIOS region. Full flashing and full backup require a hardware programmer.

Must-have Tool
CH341A
If you experiment with BIOS or work with computer hardware, there’s one tool worth keeping close at hand — the CH341A programmer. It allows you to directly read and flash SPI BIOS chips, often saving motherboards after a failed update.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
BIOS version & dateRam TimingsReBARUnlocked CPU OCTurbo Boost unlockUndervoltSecure Boot & TPM2.0 SupportNotes & Link
X99H5 Ver:002 07/09/2024++---+Stock BIOS
[Download]
X99H5 Ver:002 07/09/2024++-+-50 mV+Stock BIOS + TBU for V3 CPUs
[Download]

Frequently Asked Questions

The board won’t boot, black screen, etc. — what should I do?

Check out our guide to the most common LGA2011‑3 issues.

Where can I find drivers for this board?

Our current driver collection for socket 2011‑3 boards is here.

Where’s the BIOS chip located?

To the right of the chipset heatsink — you can clip a programmer directly onto it.

qiyida x99 h5 bios chip location

How do I connect the front panel?

Front panel connectors pinout

Conclusion

Qiyida X99‑H5
OldRigRevive Review

Price / Value
5.0
VRM & Cooling
3.5
Features & Connectivity
2.5
BIOS & Software
3.6

3.5
★★★☆☆
The Verdict
“Qiyida X99‑H5 is the clear leader among the H55‑based boards we’ve handled. Compared to the ZSUS X99‑8D4, it offers more ports and more functional firmware — important, given how difficult it is to replace. It’s a viable ultra‑budget option for a second PC (country house, garage, relatives, and similar scenarios). But if you’re building even a very cheap primary system you’ll spend a lot of time on, think twice — it may be worth paying extra for a model with a newer chipset that at least provides USB 3.0.”

Written by

Senior Hardware Specialist proving you don't need top-tier gear to game. Expert in smart upgrades and budget-friendly PC restoration.

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