DFI Lanparty JR P45-T2RS MATX - Living Review

Clunk · #1 19-08-2008, 22:37

DFI Lanparty JR P45-T2RS MATX - Living Review

There's been plenty of speculation about this motherboard and there's even been photoshopped pictures of an X48 DK claiming to be one of these! - You'll be pleased to hear that we have the genuine article here today at Clunk.org.uk.

MATX motherboards as a rule, don't tend to be great overclockers, or they lack other important features - That's not the case with the JR P45-T2RS, it's a fully featured DFI motherboard (See specs further down) and the only thing it appears to be lacking is size!

I've been looking forward to this review for quite some time now, and on the face of it, DFI have a niche market filled with this little beauty, but how will it perform? Does size really matter? Read on to find out...

Index

1. Intro & Index
2. Official Specs
3. The Package & Contents
4. DFI JR P45-T2RS - First Look
5. DFI JR P45-T2RS - A Closer Look
6. The Genie BIOS
7. Test Set Up
8. Easy Overclocking
9. Hard Disk performance
10. Conclusion

Clunk · #2 19-08-2008, 23:00

DFI JR P45-T2RS - Official Specs.

I'm sure you'll agree, most of these don't look like the specs of a MATX motherboard - very impressive indeed!

Click here for more info.

CPU

LGA 775 socket for: - Intel® CoreTM2 Quad and Intel® CoreTM2 Duo
Supports Intel Enhanced Memory 64 Technology (EMT64T)
Supports Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST)
Supports Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
Supports 1333/1066/800MHz FSB

Chipset

Intel® chipset - Northbridge: Intel® P45 Express chipset Intel® Fast Memory Access technology - Southbridge: Intel® ICH10R

System Memory

Four 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets
Supports DDR2 667/800/1066 MHz
Delivers up to 12.8Gb/s bandwidth
Supports dual channel (128-bit wide) memory interface
Supports up to 8GB system memory
Supports unbuffered x8 and x16 DIMMs

Expansion Slots

2 PCI Express (Gen 2) x16 slots - 2-way CrossFire: One slot operating at x8 (8-lane port) or two slots each operating at x8 (8-lane ports) bandwidth
1 PCI Express x1 slot
1 PCI slot

BIOS

Award BIOS
8Mbit SPI flash BIOS
CMOS Reloaded

Audio

Realtek ALC885 High Definition audio CODEC
8-channel audio output
DAC SNR/ADC SNR of 106dB/101dB
Full-rate lossless content protection technology
Optical S/PDIF-out and coaxial RCA S/PDIF-out interfaces

LAN

Marvell 88E8053 PCIE Gigabit LAN controller
Fully compliant to IEEE 802.3 (10BASE-T), 802.3u (100BASE-TX) and 802.3ab (1000BASE-T) standards

Serial ATA with RAID

Intel Matrix Storage technology
Supports up to 6 SATA devices
SATA speed up to 3Gb/s
RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 and RAID 5

IDE

JMicron JMB368 PCI Express to PATA host controller
Supports up to 2 UltraDMA 33/66/100Mbps IDE devices

Rear Panel I/O

1 mini-DIN-6 PS/2 mouse port
1 mini-DIN-6 PS/2 keyboard port
1 optical S/PDIF-out port
1 coaxial RCA S/PDIF-out port
6 USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 RJ45 LAN port
Center/subwoofer, rear R/L and side R/L jacks
Line-in, line-out (front R/L) and mic-in jacks

Internal I/O

3 connectors for 6 additional external USB 2.0 ports
1 connector for an external COM port
1 front audio connector
1 CD-in connector
1 IrDA connector
6 Serial ATA connectors
1 40-pin IDE connector
1 floppy connector
1 24-pin ATX power connector
1 8-pin 12V power connector
1 front panel connector
3 fan connectors
1 download flash BIOS connector
EZ touch switches (power switch and reset switch)

Power Management

ACPI and OS Directed Power Management
ACPI STR (Suspend to RAM) function
Wake-On-PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse
Wake-On-USB Keyboard/Mouse
Wake-On-LAN
Wake-On-Ring
RTC timer to power-on the system
AC power failure recovery

Hardware Monitor

Monitors CPU/system/Northbridge temperature and overheat alarm
Monitors Vcore/Vdimm/Vnb/VCC5/12V/V5sb/Vbat voltages
Monitors the speed of the cooling fans
CPU Overheat Protection function monitors CPU temperature and fan during system boot-up - automatic shutdown upon system overheat

PCB

4 layers, microATX form factor
24.5cm (9.64") x 24.5cm (9.64")

Quote:

I have included a three way comparison with P35/X48/P45 to illustrate the differences between the chipsets.

Immediately, we can see that the P45 is similar to the P35 in many ways, although there are a few key changes.

P45 supports up to a massive 16GB of memory officially, whereas the X48 and P35 support 8GB each.

Curiously, Intel don't list any support for their own Extreme processors, something which I suspect is an error in their literature. There appear to be more errors in the table of supported FSB/memory configurations too, once I find out the correct details, I will update this part.

Surprisingly, there is no official support for 1600FSB CPUs, just like the P35.

PCI-E 2 is limited to either a single 16x slot, or dual 8x slots.

Another error in the table appears to show that the ICH10R has less features than the ICH9R - I will find out more on this and update as needed.

Next, The Package & Contents...

Clunk · #3 19-08-2008, 23:51

The Package & Contents.

The DFI JR P45-T2RS's packaging has been treated to a new eye catching, glossy design - Looks great actually.

We have the kind of bundle of accessories you would see on DFI's other mid range boards.

User Manual
Quick Start Guide
Auto Boost Manual
Warranty Info
Driver / Utils CD
Driver Floppy Disk
2x UV Orange SATA Cables
1x UV Orange PATA Cable
1x UV Orange Floppy Cable
1x SATA Power Cable
1x Bag Of Smart Connectors
1x Bag Of Jumpers
1x I/O Shield

Just the essentials here.

The obligatory shot of the board in it's anti-static bag.

Clunk · #4 20-08-2008, 00:26

DFI JR P45-T2RS - First look.

Looking around the JR, there are many familiar features and at first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a DK model.

I have to say that for an MATX board, the JR is incredibly well specified and could put some high end boards to shame.

We have the new heatpipe cooling assembly and it sports the same removable North Bridge heat sink as on the DK X48-T2RSB+.

The four phase PWM end of the heatpipe is cooled by an all new heatsink and looks suspiciously like Thermalright, although I'm led to believe that it isn't the case - I will confirm this later.

The South Bridge is fitted with DFI's latest design, anodised aluminium heat sink, held in place with plastic spring clips.

Interestingly, the packaging claims that the JR has two 16x PCI-E 2 slots - Actually, they are physical 16x slots, but they run at 8x permanently (either in crossfire or as single slots).

There is a single PCI slot and a PCI-E 1x slot.

There are four DDR2 slots supporting a mammoth 16GB of memory!

Capacitors are solid throughout and the PCB is a 4 layer affair.

Click on image for full size.

Here's a few shots of the board itself.

Click Image For Full Size.

Clunk · #5 20-08-2008, 03:26

DFI JR P45-T2RS - A Closer Look.

The JR features new cooling, so let's have a look at what's happening there.

The top of the North Bridge heatsink unscrews away from the heatpipe assembly to leave a nickel plated copper block which you can fit a water block or heavy duty air cooler.

As with the previous incarnations of this setup, you need to be really careful not to overtighten your heatsink/water block screws or it bow and lift away from the IHS.

Also note the the stock screws that hold the NB heatsink down are a very small Phillips head, so if you use the wrong size screwdriver you'll strip the thread - numpties beware

The heatsink also has four holes so you can screw a 40mm fan onto it.

The PWM heatsink looks to be well made and pretty solid.

The PWM heatsink is also wider than on other DFI boards, so there's more surface area for cooling....at least that's the theory!

Here's a shot of the PWM heatsink from above - You can also see that the CPU socket is pretty much clutter free on three sides. When I saw this, I had the usual thought that it should be easy enough to insulate for sub zero cooling, and then I remembered it's an MATX board and really I shouldn't be having such thoughts...mwuhahah!

The entire heatpipe assembly is held in place with nuts and bolts like these.

Round the back of the board we have the I/O panel - From left to right we have;

PS/2 Mouse
PS/2 Keyboard
Optical Digital Out
Coaxial Digital Out
CMOS Clear Jumper
6x USB2 - Yes, six and a further two on board!
Gigabit LAN
6.1 Channel Analog Outputs

The only thing of note that's missing is Firewire and if I wanted to be really picky, E-SATA - But I'm not!

There are six SATA II sockets.

That's all the pics for now, next up, the BIOS...

Clunk · #6 20-08-2008, 03:53

The Genie BIOS.

For a board of this type, the overclocking and tweaking features are excellent with a wide range of fine incremental voltage adjustments.

Clunk · #7 20-08-2008, 03:54

Test Set Up.

The test set up is as follows:

DFI JR P45-T2RS - NB water cooled.
Intel E8500 - Water cooled
Gainward 8800GT
Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-8500 2x1GB
Raptor 74GB
Corsair HX620/Lian Li 850w

The CPU and North Bridge are water cooled and everything is set up on my test bench, with the exception of the Lian Li PSU which is sat beside the bench.

For anyone that's wondering, the JR will sit straight onto the motherboard stand-offs in a standard ATX case, leaving the lower three uncovered.

Clunk · #8 20-08-2008, 03:54

Overclocking The DFI JR P45-T2RS.

Instead of diving in for the kill, I've decided to see how we do with some typical overclocks with the lowest Vcore possible.

3.6GHz is a desired target for many people and will give you excellent performance with not a lot of heat using the settings below.

3600MHz was easily doable with just 1.12v, that's 0.1v above the CPU's stock VID. All other voltage settings are at stock values.

3.6GHz @ 1.12v 333/667 5-5-5-15

Click image for full size.

CPU Feature:
Thermal Management Control: Disabled
PPM (EIST) Mode: Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal: Disabled
C1E Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled
Virtualization Technology: Disabled
Core Multi-Processing: Enabled

DRAM Timing:
CAS Latency Time (tCL) 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 5
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5
Precharge Delay (tRAS) 15
All Precharge to Act AUTO
REF to ACT Delay (tRFC) AUTO
Write to PRE Delay (tWR) AUTO
Rank Write to Read (tWTR) AUTO
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD) AUTO
Read CAS# Precharge (tRTP) AUTO
Read CAS# Precharge (tRTP) AUTO
All PRE to Refresh AUTO

Voltage Setting:
CPU VID Special Add: +87.5mV
DRAM Voltage Control: 2.194
SB Core/CPU PLL Voltage: 1.55v
NB Core Voltage: 1.10v
Clockgen Voltage Control: 3.45v
CPU GTL 0/2 REF Volt: 0.67X
CPU GTL 1/3 REF Volt: 0.67X
North Bridge GTL REF Volt: 0.67X
FSB Vref: AUTO

AC Shutdown Free: Enabled
O.C. Fail Retry Counter: 1
O.C. Fail CMOS Reload: Disabled
CPU Clock Ratio: 10X
CPU N/2 Ratio: Disabled
Target CPU Clock: 3600MHz
CPU Clock: 360 MHz
DRAM Speed: 333/667
Target DRAM Speed: DDR2 721
PCIE Clock: 100MHz

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Next up, 4GHz - another much sought after milestone and it is within easy grasp with the JR and a Wolfdale.

Using the same settings as above, but with 1.2v Vcore.

4GHz @ 1.2v 333/667 5-5-5-15

Click image for full size.

4.4GHz @ 1.31v 333/667 5-5-5-15

Click image for full size.

The settings are all the same as above with the exception of Vcore at 1.31v.

I have to say that this is the highest I've been stable on any board without having to adjust anything other than the Vcore - A mighty impressive job by DFI with their AUTO and Stock settings. This illustrates just how user friendly the JR is.

4.5GHz @ 1.36v 333/667 5-5-5-15

The settings are all the same as above with the exception of Vcore at 1.36v.

Click image for full size.

4.6GHz @ 1.40v 333/667 5-5-5-15

1.41v is kind of on the border of what I would consider acceptable for 24/7 use on a Wolfdale.

For this overclock I had to up the NB voltage to 1.25v and the Vcore to 1.4v - everything else is at stock (apart from memory timings and voltage), see the settings below.

Click image for full size.

CPU Feature:
Thermal Management Control: Disabled
PPM (EIST) Mode: Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal: Disabled
C1E Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled
Virtualization Technology: Disabled
Core Multi-Processing: Enabled

DRAM Timing:
CAS Latency Time (tCL) 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 5
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5
Precharge Delay (tRAS) 15
All Precharge to Act AUTO
REF to ACT Delay (tRFC) AUTO
Write to PRE Delay (tWR) AUTO
Rank Write to Read (tWTR) AUTO
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD) AUTO
Read CAS# Precharge (tRTP) AUTO
Read CAS# Precharge (tRTP) AUTO
All PRE to Refresh AUTO

Voltage Setting:
CPU VID Special Add: +375.0mV
DRAM Voltage Control: 2.194
SB Core/CPU PLL Voltage: 1.55v
NB Core Voltage: 1.2575v
Clockgen Voltage Control: 3.45v
CPU GTL 0/2 REF Volt: 0.67X
CPU GTL 1/3 REF Volt: 0.67X
North Bridge GTL REF Volt: 0.67X
FSB Vref: AUTO

AC Shutdown Free: Enabled
O.C. Fail Retry Counter: 1
O.C. Fail CMOS Reload: Disabled
CPU Clock Ratio: 10X
CPU N/2 Ratio: Disabled
Target CPU Clock: 3600MHz
CPU Clock: 360 MHz
DRAM Speed: 333/667
Target DRAM Speed: DDR2 721
PCIE Clock: 100MHz

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Overall, I'm very impressed with the JR's overclocking abilities. The thing that has really impressed me is the way it can hit very high overclocks with a Wolfdale and with very little voltage with only a couple of settings changed.

Much has been made about the JR being able to hit 693FSB, however, you need to keep in mind that those boards weren't using standard cooling and they were using incredible amounts of CPU PLL voltage to get there.

Johnny Bravo sent me his 600FSB ABS profile to try, but I couldn't get anywhere near - the closest I got was Windows desktop and then a BSOD.

I managed 550FSB but it wasn't stable. I suspect this has as much to do with the CPU as it does with the JR's performance, so I can't complain there.

4.8GHz was easily bootable but not very stable, so I will leave it there for now.

Next, Hard Disk Performance...

Clunk · #9 20-08-2008, 03:58

Hard Disk Performance.

Disk performance is in line with other ICH10 based boards, not a great deal more to say here.

I tested under Windows XP32.

HDTach

Random Access Time - 8.2 ms
Average Read - 75.3 MB/sec

Click image for full size.

HDTune

Random Access Time - 8.2 ms
Average Read - 71.8 MB/sec

Click image for full size.

Sisoft Sandra Read Benchmark

Random Access Time - 8 ms
Average Read - 76 MB/sec

Click image for full size.

Everything looks fine here, so on to the conclusion...

Clunk · #10 15-10-2008, 04:01

Conclusion.

My time with the DFI JR P45-T2RS has been a thoroughly enjoyable one (aside from the initial problems with the shipping BIOS) and the board has felt solid and in control throughout my tests.

I’ve been using the JR in my main rig for around six weeks now, and since I updated the BIOS, I can honestly say that I haven’t found any major issues, which is quite unusual for me.

A nice characteristic of the JR is that it doesn’t require large amounts of voltage to get to your desired destination, from the CPU, NB or VTT.

Overclocking performance was far better than expected and I managed 4.5GHz Stable with 1.36v on the E8600, which for me would be a 24/7 clock. I also managed 4.6GHz stable with 1.41v, but that’s maybe pushing it for day to day use. Of course, the JR will go higher (and did), but I got to the stage where the voltage went up in larger increments just to get a small bump in core frequency – Overall though, an excellent performance.

The on board cooling is excellent and the option to remove the top of the north bridge block and fit after market cooling is a welcome feature and works well.

The feature list is a lengthy one for a board in this price bracket, and that brings me to my next point.
The JR is priced at just under £100 but has no direct competition in the MATX sector. In fact, finding an MATX board that can give you a stable overclock of 4GHz+ is unheard of at any price (that I’m aware of).

Of course, the whole idea of an MATX board is to fit in a space saving MATX case, but the big plus here is that you can have a high end crossfire set up in there too – Brilliant!

To sum up, I would have no hesitation in recommending the DFI JR P45-T2RS to anyone looking for P45 based board with the intention of overclocking. Pair the JR up with a Wolfdale CPU and you have an excellent combination that is lightning fast, budget priced, and there’s also the added bonus of being able to squeeze it all into a tiny MATX case!

Pros