DFI LANPARTY DK 790FXB-M3H5 Living Review - Page 3

supershanks · #21 05-04-2009, 12:55

Genie Bios - Main Menu 3of3

CPU NB Clock Ratio

HT Link Frequency
Top

Bottom

OC Fail Retry Counter

OC Fail CMOS Reload

Spread Spectrum

CPU Host/HTT Boot Up Clock - Usual option from DFI allowing a lower boot clock at boot up which is then raised to the value below, if different.

CPU Host/HTT - Clock FSB/BCLK to you Intel Guys

CPU Host/HTT Adjust Gap

PCIE Clock

Bottom of main Genie Bios Page

supershanks · #22 05-04-2009, 12:55

CPU Features Sub Menu

AMD C1E Support

Advanced Clock calibration - This is where hopefully the extra few Mhz of the CPU clock will come from. It's a bit like GTLref on Intel 775 where a bit more stabilty is gained by tuning the core values.

Value All Cores +12~-12%
0~12%

to -12%

Secure Virtual Machine Mode

AMD Family 10h Down Core

AMD CPU Stepping

supershanks · #23 05-04-2009, 12:55

PWM Settings - Voltage settings in other words

CPU VID Special Add +775.0mV~-800.0mv

CPU NB VID Special Add +775.0mV~-800.0mv

DRAM Voltage Control 1.50~2.493v

SB PLL 1.25v Voltage 1.20~1.50V

NB Core Voltage 1.120~1.50v
Top

Bottom

NB PCIE Voltage 1.120~1.50v
Top

Bottom

NB HT Voltage 1.040~1.50v
Top

Bottom

PWM Settings - Voltage settings in other words

CPU VID Special Add +775.0mV~-800.0mv

CPU NB VID Special Add +775.0mV~-800.0mv

DRAM Voltage Control 1.50~2.493v

SB PLL 1.25v Voltage 1.20~1.50V

NB Core Voltage 1.120~1.50v
Top

Bottom

NB PCIE Voltage 1.120~1.50v
Top

Bottom

NB HT Voltage 1.040~1.50v
Top

Bottom

supershanks · #24 05-04-2009, 12:55

Copy The text below into a Post and then add your bios settings.

PHP Code:


			
[CODE]
[Size=5][U][B]DFI LANPARTY DK 790FXB-M3H5[/B][/U][/size]
[B]Note:[/B] There are 2 Bios modes Easy and Advanced Easy is default use [F9} for advanced items(shown as *)
[B]Genie Bios Settings[/B]
[B]Onboard Devices..........Sub Menu  [Press Enter ][/B]
Onboard Lan1.........................: [Enabled]
[B}DRAM Configuration...... Sub Menu  [Press Enter ][/B]
[B]MCT Memory Timing ...... Sub Menu  [Press Enter ][/B]
MCT Memory Timing ...................: [Auto]/[Enabled]
2T Mode.................: [Auto]/[Enabled]
CAS Latency Time.....................:
Precharge delay (tRAS)...............: 
DRAM RAS# Precharge..................:
DRAM RAS#  to CAS# Delay.............:
Bank to Bank Cmd (TRRD)..............: 
TRC..................................:
TRTP*................................: 
Write Recovery (TWR)*................:
Write-Read Command (TWTR)*...........:
TRFCO................................: [90.0Ns][110.0ns][160.5ns][300.0ns][350.5ns]
TRFC1 ...............................: [90.0Ns][110.0ns][160.5ns][300.0ns][350.5ns]
TRFC2 ...............................: [90.0Ns][110.0ns][160.5ns][300.0ns][350.5ns]
TRFC3................................: [90.0Ns][110.0ns][160.5ns][300.0ns][350.5ns]
Trdrd*...............................: 
TrwtTO* .............................:
Twrrd*...............................: 
Twrwr*...............................:
Bank Swizzle Mode....................:
Auto Tweak Performance...............:
Optimal Performance Mode.............:

[B]ODC Control........... Sub Menu  [Press Enter][/B]
Output Driver Comp...................: 
Channel A
CPU On-die Termination..............:[240 ohms +/-20%][120 ohms +/-20%][60 ohms +/-20%]
DOS Drive Strength .................:[0.75x][1.00x][1.25x][1.50x]
Data Drive Strength  ...............:[0.75x][1.00x][1.25x][1.50x]
MEMCLK Drive Strength ..............:[0.75x][1.00x][1.25x][1.50x]
Addr/Cmd Drive Streng...............:[1.00x][1.25x][1.50x][2.00x]
CS/ODT Drive Strength...............:[1.00x][1.25x][1.50x][2.00x]
CKE Drive Strength..................:[1.00x][1.25x][1.50x][2.00x]
Channel B
CPU On-die Termination..............:[240 ohms +/-20%][120 ohms +/-20%][60 ohms +/-20%]
DOS Drive Strength .................:[0.75x][1.00x][1.25x][1.50x]
Data Drive Strength  ...............:[0.75x][1.00x][1.25x][1.50x]
MEMCLK Drive Strength ...............:[0.75x][1.00x][1.25x][1.50x]
Addr/Cmd Drive Streng...............:[1.00x][1.25x][1.50x][2.00x]
CS/ODT Drive Strength...............:[1.00x][1.25x][1.50x][2.00x]
CKE Drive Strength..................:[1.00x][1.25x][1.50x][2.00x]
----------------------Dram Configuration--------------------------
DCTs Mode...........: [Ganged]/[Unganged]  
CKE base power down mode 
CKE based power down......: [Per Channel]/Per CS]

[B]HT Link Control ........ Sub Menu  [Press Enter ] [/B]
HT Link Width *.....................:
IH Flow-Control Mode................:
HI Link Tristate*...................:
UnitiD Clumping.....................: 

[B]CPU Feature........... Sub Menu  [Press Enter ][/B]
AMD ClE Support.....................:
Advanced Clock Calibration..........: [Disabled][Auto][All Cores][Per Core]
Value  (All Cores)) - 
x Value (Core 8)....................: -2% 
x Value (Core 2)....................: - 2% 
x Value (Core 1)....................: - 2% 
x Value (Core 3)....................: -2% 
Secure Virtual Machine Mod..........: [Disabled]
AND Family lOH Down core............:
AND CPU stepping....................: 

[B]PWM Setting............ Sub Menu  [Press Enter ][/B]
PWM Control.........................:[ Enabled]
CPU VII Special Add .................:mv
CPU NB VID Special Add..............: v
DRAM Voltage Control ...............:v
SB PLL 1.2V Voltage.................:v 
NB PCI! Voltage.....................:v
NB Core Voltage.....................:v 
NB HT Voltage.......................:v 

------------------Main Genie Menu------------------------
Memory Current Vallue...............: Mhz
Timing Mode.........................:
Memory Clock value or Limit.........:[DDR3 800][DDR3 1066] [DDR3 1333][DDR3 1600]
AMD KB Cool & Quiet control.........: 
CPU Clock Ratio.....................: 
CPU NB Clock Ratio..................: 
HT Link Frequency ..................:
O.C. Fail retry Counter.............:1 
O.C. Fail CMOS Reload ..............:
Spread Spectrum.....................: 
CPU Host/HTT Boot Up Clock..........: 
CPU HostHTT Clock...................: 
CPU Host,HTT  Adjust Gap............: 
PCI Clock ..........................:
[/CODE]

supershanks · #25 05-04-2009, 12:55

Conclusion

This has been my first venture back with AMD for a good while and it's been a great experience. I certainly am convinced that AMD and more specifically DFI are a very cost effective alternative to Intel. Though some benches notably Super Pi lag behind Intel, in real world everyday computing there feels to be little difference in effective performance.

AM3 is now maturing rapidly, AMD have a wide range of seventeen AM3 CPUs to choose from. At prices from £45 for a dual core AMD Athlon II X2 240, Regor Core, to £146 for the current top CPU, the quad core, AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition. The new Phenom II 965 BE is due out shortly with a stock speed of 3.4Ghz, which should give a stable >4Ghz, hopefully more. Price is expected around £180.
With DDR3 now at affordable levels, opting for AM3 gives a great balance of price, performance with reasonably future proof components.

The DFI LANPARTY DK 790FXB-M3H5 provides another DK motherboard that brings good performance and build, though price, unlike it's Intel counterparts, is not mid range. With a street price of around £140 ($180 164EU) the DK, appears towards the top of the AM3 motherboard price range. This reflects the general lower prices of AM3 motherboards compared to their Intel counterparts.

The DK has performed extremely well, has the usual highly tweakable bios that is one of DFI's trademarks, this time with a twist. there is the option to run with a advanced or easy mode Together with ABS this gives the beginner an easier learning curve into overclocking their new system.

The board itself is well designed with no obstructions to block graphics cards, with a low profile Southbridge and horizontal Sata ports.

Pros

Advanced /Easy Mode bios Operation
Comprehensive Advanced bios features.
Removable Chipset heatsink
Effective heatpipes
3xPCI-E slots gives 3-way CrossFire at x16/x16/x4 bandwidth.
Good clearance for long graphics cards
Great overclocking recovery using the [Home] or [Insert] keys.

Cons

Unlike Intel DK boards the AMD DK boards have no removable bios chip.
Not a DFI issue rather a chipset issue, ram slots are very close, giving poorer cooling.
Price relative to other AM3 boards is high.

supershanks · #26 10-04-2009, 21:21

3,150Mhz 15x210 @1333 1,400 6-6-6-20
For starters I thought i'd see how far I could push HTT leaving voltages unchanged.
got up to 212mhz but it was unstable, along with 211. Backing down to 210 ran stable. giving a 5% overclock.
Ram started off with auto of 1066 giving 1,120Mhz so put it up to 1333 giving 1,400.

Looking at the above HT was left on auto giving 2100Mhz, which may be reason for failure >210.

Bench

Stability: OCCT

supershanks · #27 10-04-2009, 23:25

Ganged v Unganged Ram
The memory controller can be run in 2 modes:-
These options are controlled by the DCTs Mode in bios. DCT stands for DRAM controller definition. The modes are :

Ganged (dual controller) 128Bits
Unganged (single controller) 64bits

Click to Enlarge
Unganged

Ganged

Comparison

So running Ganged is roughly the same difference as running 1n rather than 2N Command Mode, on Intel. Unfortunately there is no other value option than 2T at the moment.

supershanks · #28 11-04-2009, 00:52

3,300Mhz 220x15 @1333 1,466Mhz 7-7-7-19
Benches

Stability

Bios Settings

Code:

DFI LANPARTY DK 790FXB-M3H5
Note: There are 2 Bios modes Easy and Advanced Easy is default use [F9} for advanced items(shown as *)
Genie Bios Settings
Onboard Devices..........Sub Menu  [Press Enter ]
Onboard Lan1.........................: [Enabled]
[B}DRAM Configuration...... Sub Menu  [Press Enter ][/b]
MCT Memory Timing ...... Sub Menu  [Press Enter ]
MCT Memory Timing ...................: [Auto]/[Enabled]
2T Mode.................: [Auto]/[Enabled]
CAS Latency Time.....................:7
Precharge delay (tRAS)...............: 19
DRAM RAS# Precharge..................:7
DRAM RAS#  to CAS# Delay.............7:
Bank to Bank Cmd (TRRD)..............: 4
TRC..................................:26
TRTP*................................: 4
Write Recovery (TWR)*.............10...:
Write-Read Command (TWTR)*......4.....:
TRFCO.................................: [110.0ns]
TRFC1 ................................: [110.0ns]
TRFC2 .................................: [Auto]
TRFC3..................................: [[Auto]
Trdrd*.................................:  [[Auto]
TrwtTO* ..............................:[Auto]
Twrrd*.................................: [Auto]
Twrwr*................................: [Auto]
Bank Swizzle Mode....................: [Enabled]
Auto Tweak Performance...............: [Enabled]
Optimal Performance Mode.............: [Enabled]

ODC Control........... Sub Menu  [Press Enter]
Output Driver Comp...................: [Auto]
Channel A
CPU On-die Termination..............:[240 ohms +/-20%][120 ohms +/-20%][60 ohms +/-20%]
DOS Drive Strength ...................:[1.00x]
Data Drive Strength  .................:[1.00x]
MEMCLK Drive Strength ..............:[1.00x]
Addr/Cmd Drive Streng...............:[1.50x]
CS/ODT Drive Strength...............:[1.50x]
CKE Drive Strength....................: [1.50x]
Channel B
CPU On-die Termination..............:[240 ohms +/-20%][120 ohms +/-20%][60 ohms +/-20%]
DOS Drive Strength ...................:[1.00x]
Data Drive Strength  .................:[1.00x]
MEMCLK Drive Strength ..............:[1.00x]
Addr/Cmd Drive Streng...............:[1.50x]
CS/ODT Drive Strength...............:[1.50x]
CKE Drive Strength....................: [1.50x]
----------------------Dram Configuration--------------------------
DCTs Mode...............................: [Ganged]
CKE base power down mode.........:[ Enabled] 
CKE based power down...............: [Per Channel]

HT Link Control ........ Sub Menu  [Press Enter ] 
HT Link Width *.....................:[Auto]
IH Flow-Control Mode................: [Disable]
HI Link Tristate*......................:[Disable]
UnitiD Clumping........................: [Disable]

CPU Feature........... Sub Menu  [Press Enter ]
AMD ClE Support.....................:[Disabled]
Advanced Clock Calibration..........: [All Cores]
Value  (All Cores)) - 
x Value (Core 8)....................: -2% 
x Value (Core 2)....................: - 2% 
x Value (Core 1)....................: - 2% 
x Value (Core 3)....................: -2% 
Secure Virtual Machine Mod..........: [Disabled]
AND Family lOH Down core............:[Auto]
AND CPU stepping....................: P0

PWM Setting............ Sub Menu  [Press Enter ]
PWM Control.........................:[ Enabled]
CPU VII Special Add .................:+0.075mv
CPU NB VID Special Add..............: Auto
DRAM Voltage Control ...............:1.635v
SB PLL 1.2V Voltage.................:1.20v 
NB PCI! Voltage.....................:1.25v
NB Core Voltage.....................:1.12v 
NB HT Voltage.......................:1.270v 

------------------Main Genie Menu------------------------
Memory Current Vallue...............: Mhz
Timing Mode.........................:[Enabled]
Memory Clock value or Limit.........:[DDR3 1333]
AMD KB Cool & Quiet control.........: [Disabled]
CPU Clock Ratio.....................: 15x
CPU NB Clock Ratio..................: 10x
HT Link Frequency ..................:20000
O.C. Fail retry Counter.............:1 
O.C. Fail CMOS Reload ..............:[Disabled]
Spread Spectrum.....................: [Disabled]
CPU Host/HTT Boot Up Clock..........: 200
CPU HostHTT Clock...................: 220
CPU Host,HTT  Adjust Gap............: 5
PCI Clock ..........................:103

Yidaki · #29 20-04-2009, 09:01

Excellent review!

Seems to be a nice board.

supershanks · #30 20-04-2009, 12:16

Cheers mate, yes both CPU and Board seem a nice match