DFI UT X48-T3RS LanParty - Living Review

[Clunk]

While I was fitting the TRUE, I decided to have a closer look at the removable part of the North Bridge heatsink. You can see the clip on the NB heatsink, it's similar to the kind of clip that you would find on old Socket A CPU heatsinks.

You can see the clip on the NB heatsink, it's a similar kind of clip that you would find on old Socket A CPU heatsinks.

Simply grab a small electrical screwdriver and gently push downwards and it will release - It is very easy and not a lot of pressure is required.



Once the heatsink is removed, we are left with a solid block of nickel plated copper which the heatpipes run through. The surface is very flat and shiney, and if you have ever seen the base of a Thermalright heatsink, it looks like that.

You can fit any suitable aftermarket heatsink here and you can also fit a suitable chipset waterblock if that's your thing. Personally, I think this is a fantastic idea.



The underside of the stock heatsink is flat, but not a mirror finish.

[Clunk]

Some good news for Thermalright Ultra Extreme users.

The TRUE fits on both ways, I've rested it in place to show how tight the fit is

[supershanks]

Oh I love that with the removable NB cooler it's the perfect solution

[Clunk]

Added a bit of a BIOS guide.

[SquidgyB]

Very nice review you have shaping up here Clunk!

Could you at some point take a photo of the area directly beneath the CPU? I have an IFX-10 to fit, I'm just wondering if they've made sure the other side of the PCB is free of any obstructions.

I can't seem to find any QVL or compatible memory lists anywhere either. I'd like 4Gb of 1600+ memory, but getting that to work on an Asus P5E3 Premium Wifi was near impossible, even at 3Ghz/333/1333 speeds

I'm still quite torn between the T3Rs, Foxconn Blackops and the upcoming Avenger... They all look like such nice motherboards. I'd like to say I'm interested in the 790i's by dfi and Foxconn, but after the debacle that seems to be ongoing with corruption issues on that chipset I can't really bring myself to go for it, though I would like to go SLI over Crossfire.

Anyhow, I digress. Nice work, and I hope it all goes well!

[Doc_D]

Very nice review Clunk, I am not sure which one to get yet, LP UT X-48 DDR3 or the DDR2 board, I like the new slot arrangement on the DDR3 board.

Is the DDR3 version worth the price over the DDR2 one?

[Praz]

Originally Posted by SquidgyB

I can't seem to find any QVL or compatible memory lists anywhere either. I'd like 4Gb of 1600+ memory, but getting that to work on an Asus P5E3 Premium Wifi was near impossible, even at 3Ghz/333/1333 speeds

I have some OCZ Platinum DDR3-1600 2x2GB that seem like they might be a good combination with this board. Haven't had time to do anything with them but they are at 1510MHz now with 1.70V. That's right at 0.25V under spec. Will know more tonight.

Now for the bad news. I have several sets of 2x2GB kits here and the board will not boot with any of them with the shipping BIOS. The alpha version that Oskar sent out yesterday has no issues though. Looks like the boards currently in retail will have to have a BIOS flash using 1GB sticks.

[Clunk]

Welcome to the forums

I will be adding some results later today.

I'm using Corsair sticks at the moment, and both the 2x2GB and 2x1GB are playing nicely without any problems. I also have a set of OCZ 2000Mhz sticks that I'll be trying out later too.

As for 790i, I am hesitant too. Not just because of the corruption issues, but because I still have nightmares about the 680i - I suppose that once they get the problems fixed, it should be ok, but I'm not holding my breath for that one.

The Foxconn is another that we were really looking forward to, but the price has killed it for me. Of course, you do get a huge bundle of accessories, but I would have liked to have see a bare board with no fancy bits and pieces for less than half the price.



I can ask DFI if they have a recommended list later on tonight.

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by Praz

I have some OCZ Platinum DDR3-1600 2x2GB that seem like they might be a good combination with this board. Haven't had time to do anything with them but they are at 1510MHz now with 1.70V. That's right at 0.25V under spec. Will know more tonight.

Now for the bad news. I have several sets of 2x2GB kits here and the board will not boot with any of them with the shipping BIOS. The alpha version that Oskar sent out yesterday has no issues though. Looks like the boards currently in retail will have to have a BIOS flash using 1GB sticks.

Praz, I reported some BIOS problems last night.

I have only one 16x PCI-E slot, regardless of what is set. It appears to be configured the same as the P35 at the moment.

Mine is reading the VID on my CPU wrong. It's an 8500 and the VID is 1.1v, yet the BIOS is showing a default of 1.22v

The 2x2GB sticks are working ok though.

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by Doc_D

Very nice review Clunk, I am not sure which one to get yet, LP UT X-48 DDR3 or the DDR2 board, I like the new slot arrangement on the DDR3 board.

Is the DDR3 version worth the price over the DDR2 one?

Welcome to the forums Doc_D

Is the DDR3 version worth the price over the DDR2 one?

I'm not sure yet, that's what I'm going to establish in the review as moire tests are done