Motherboard, Memory and Graphics Briefing WW45
by Kristopher Kubicki on November 8, 2005 7:40 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
DFI
DFI's LanParty series reigns as one of the most respectable and recognizable motherboard series out there. Of course, if you're DFI, already having the undisputed overclocking Socket 939 motherboard just isn't enough. Check out DFI's new ultra-enthusiast board, the LanParty nF4 SLI-DR Expert.
Although the premise behind the LanParty nF4 SLI Expert is the same as the original nF4 SLI, DFI has put some considerable work on filling in the gaps. For starters, the SLI toggle paddle is gone, but DFI isn't using an expensive C51 bridge. Instead, ICs automatically configure the motherboard for SLI mode if two cards are inserted. The PEG slots are also spaced out slightly further as well.
The power management has been completely revamped as well. The old 3-phase PWM has been replaced with a 4-phase parallel PWM instead. The four pin ATX12V connection is also replaced with a backwards compatible 8-pin EPS12V - you can still use an ATX 1.2 AUX input if you don't have the 8-pin interconnect. The tighter phase control also allows for much smaller DRAM voltage adjustment. Rather than flipping between 3.5V and 3.6V, you'll now be able to tweak on increments of 0.025V.
Our bot picked up the Expert on pre order already. Expect several other merchants to have the board within the next few weeks as well.
OCZ
OCZ semi-quietly unveiled their new heatspreader design over the last couple weeks on their GX XTC modules. The new honeycomb design is expected to dissipate better than traditional designs according to OCZ documentation. GX XTC modules are already on sale at some vendors and will likely start showing up en masse by the end of the week.
OCZ's phase cooler is starting to see the light of day as well. Don't be surprised if we see a phase cooler launch sometime around early January.
DFI's LanParty series reigns as one of the most respectable and recognizable motherboard series out there. Of course, if you're DFI, already having the undisputed overclocking Socket 939 motherboard just isn't enough. Check out DFI's new ultra-enthusiast board, the LanParty nF4 SLI-DR Expert.
Although the premise behind the LanParty nF4 SLI Expert is the same as the original nF4 SLI, DFI has put some considerable work on filling in the gaps. For starters, the SLI toggle paddle is gone, but DFI isn't using an expensive C51 bridge. Instead, ICs automatically configure the motherboard for SLI mode if two cards are inserted. The PEG slots are also spaced out slightly further as well.
The power management has been completely revamped as well. The old 3-phase PWM has been replaced with a 4-phase parallel PWM instead. The four pin ATX12V connection is also replaced with a backwards compatible 8-pin EPS12V - you can still use an ATX 1.2 AUX input if you don't have the 8-pin interconnect. The tighter phase control also allows for much smaller DRAM voltage adjustment. Rather than flipping between 3.5V and 3.6V, you'll now be able to tweak on increments of 0.025V.
Our bot picked up the Expert on pre order already. Expect several other merchants to have the board within the next few weeks as well.
OCZ
OCZ semi-quietly unveiled their new heatspreader design over the last couple weeks on their GX XTC modules. The new honeycomb design is expected to dissipate better than traditional designs according to OCZ documentation. GX XTC modules are already on sale at some vendors and will likely start showing up en masse by the end of the week.
OCZ's phase cooler is starting to see the light of day as well. Don't be surprised if we see a phase cooler launch sometime around early January.
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unclebud - Thursday, November 10, 2005 - link
they all the way in taiwan or somwehere and they see that the fame of south park has stretched all the way to there? i have friend in Taiwan and it is amusing to me that she uses Bart Simpson icons for MSNgeri don't care about none of this stuff cause i'm not gonna buy any of it til its sub $100 if then
but its good to be entertained
thanks to the authors for the article
kerii7 - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
Anyone else notice the Kenny figureine hanging on the cubicle wall? :)ksherman - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
OMG that is absolutely crazy that you all would notice that and think it was important enough to mention...JarredWalton - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
Looks to me more like a bundle of cables. Close, though!JarredWalton - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
Oops... looked at the wrong thing! There's a little kenny *next* to the bundle of cables. LOL. "OMG - They killed Kenny!"yacoub - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
Any update on when the passively-cooled Asus 7800 series card will hit the supply lines?Looking forward to a passively cooled 7800GT!
decptt - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
Waiting for the DFI-Expert review from Anandtech :Dmostlyprudent - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
The Anandtech team will be awefully busy as I expect in depth reviews of all of these products...ASAP! :-)segagenesis - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
...OCZ putting holes in the heat spreader only to be covered up in one spot by a big "Z"? Ummm, ok, just dont charge me $10 for that please.The Gigabyte video with Zalman cooler is a terrific idea at least. I still find modern video card coolers to not be that much better than the old Geforce FX 5800 hairdryer.
ksherman - Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - link
definetly agree with the gigabyte comment.... I LOVE my Zalman 770ALCu, so quite and at full load, my temps are STILL lower than idle used to be with the factory HSF (MSI 6600GT) and it is overclocked from 500/1000 to 585/1200MHz... the only thing missing though is that there does not seem to be any heatsinks on the memory chips, which is really a huge part of the genious behind the Zalman cooler...