DFI nForce4: SLI and Ultra for Mad Overclockers
by Wesley Fink on February 5, 2005 9:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Overclocking: DFI nForce4
With DFI's reputation as an overclocker's board, and the incredible range of tweaking options available in the BIOS, everyone is expecting incredible overclocking performance with the new DFI nForce4 boards. They will definitely not be disappointed.
| Front Side Bus Overclocking Testbed | |
| Processor: | Athlon 64 4000+ (2.4GHz, 1MB Cache) |
| CPU Voltage: | 1.55V (default 1.50V) |
| Cooling: | Thermaltake Silent Boost K8 Heatsink/Fan |
| Power Supply: | OCZ Power Stream 520W |
| Memory: | OCZ PC3200 EL Platinum Rev. 2 (Samsung TCCD Memory Chips) |
| Hard Drive: | Seagate 120GB 7200RPM IDE 8MB Cache |
| Maximum OC: (Standard Ratio) |
238x12 (Auto HT, 2-3-2-7, 1T, 2.9V) 2856MHz (+19%) |
| Maximum FSB: (Lower Ratio) |
318x9 (2862MHz) (Auto HT, 2.5-4-3-7, 2.9V) (1:1 Memory, 1T, 2 DIMMs in DC mode) (+59% Bus Overclock) |
The DFI nForce4 boards shredded all previous records with this CPU and memory - reaching the highest overclocks at stock speed and at a lower mulitiplier that we have ever tested with this combination. We have squeaked by the 300 CPU clock frequency (DDR600) in the past, but it always required a 2T command rate. This time, we reached an astounding 318 (DDR636) at 1T, at the rather aggressive memory timings of 2.5-4-3-7 with our standard OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev.2, which is based on Samsung TCCD chips. This is the highest DDR speed that we have ever reached with this memory or any other double-sided DDR memory.
What impact does 318 have on performance? Quake 3 ran at 642FPS and SiSoft Sandra 2004 standard memory bandwidth was 8,300 MB/s. The Sandra unbuffered memory bandwidth was at 4000 MB/s. All these results are new performance records in our memory testing. The very wide range of memory voltages to 4.0V is particularly useful in reaching the highest possible overclocks, along with a very complete set of memory tweaking options in the BIOS. There is still a huge reserve in the available memory voltage range as we only needed 2.9V to reach these performance levels. Those with exotic cooling will appreciate that the CPU voltage and memory voltage settings on the DFI will give them what they need to squeeze every bit of performance from their CPU and memory.
DFI delayed final release of both nForce4 boards to update some 20 components on the board and to make further modifications to BIOS timings. The goal was to improve memory compatibility and further improve the already stellar overclocking abilities of the engineering sample. Compared to the engineering sample board that we tested, the final retail board is a much better overclocker. The update certainly appears to be a success, and DFI tells us that all retail boards, the boards coming off the line, have the modifications and new BIOS.
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bigtoe36 - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
regarding the NF3 939 i hear NF3 may disapear soon so we may never see an AGP version of this board.Wesley Fink - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
DFI has advised that the final nF4 product line will consist of 3 models. The information on page 2 has been revised to reflect the latest information.bigtoe36 - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
The extra molex is to add extra power to the board especially when using 2 video cards.The chipset fan is very quiet and does work quite well. When stressed the chipset does get quite warm though but I have seen no instability on my boards here and all use stock chipset cooling.
The board will work with 20 and 24 pin ATX connectors.
The SLI bridge can only be sold with SLI boards, you will be able to but it seperately though.
jwix - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for this board. Finally, Anandtech posts this review late last night just as someone posts in the forum that the board is stocked at ZZF. I surf to ZZF. Indeed, the board is in stock. I quicky read the review then return to ZZF to buy. Board is out of Stock. *sigh* I'm betting the price of this board goes up before it goes down.LoneWolf15 - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
A good review overall. Some questions I'd have liked to see answered though:a)As others have said, what is the 5.25" Molex power connector on the board for?
b)ATX power connectors - does the board require the 24-pin, or, like other boards, will a 20pin +4pin P4 connector run it just fine?
c) I'd have liked a little more detail on the maglev chipset fan, was it noisy, the design, etc. I'm being picky, but it's a new feature and all of us get annoyed when a northbridge HSF fails, especially if it's in a location where you can't replace it with just anything due to expansion cards.
d)Question on the SLI finger-board: It seems like it doesn't come with the non-SLI boards, if it doesn't, how useful is it to be able to convert this to SLI? I've not seen retailers selling them separately.
I like the boards. Only minor gripe is, I still need an onboard serial port, I use it for things like configuring a router now and again. Hopefully they include a backplate for it at least, though I'd doubt it.
Burbot - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
#22: It would be a good idea to look back at history of industries. When was the last time a sprinter broke a record by 8%? Probaby in first days of organized sprint. When was the last time processor speed increased by 8%? Every A64 200MHz speedbump gave slightly bettter improvements. 8% is difference between 2.4 and 2.6 GHz Athlon FX. Does one demolish the other? Or it is "merely" a fair improvement? I side with the latter.I do not want to diminish DFI effort, but I'd reserve "demolished" to huge improvements, as in "that A64 machine demolishes my Duron box".
lsman - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
#14. it provides extra current when under SLI mode so its more "stable"Aquila76 - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
I've said it before, I'll ask for it again:SLI Mobo Roundup.
Please.
byvis - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
The board is nice, but not outstanding, incredible, top performing, etc... Jesus AnandTech I have never seen you so biased. I hope that the benchmarks don't lie. Poor preview, poor...Wesley Fink - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
ChineseDemocrcyGNR - Thank you for all your replies to reader's questions.#22 - Good analogy and a very accurate descrip-tion of breaking records at the top end. New CPU's are often hyped to the heavens and often they don't even do 8% more performance than the one they replace. Breaking new ground at the top is quite different than 8% in the middle.