Jetway 939GT4-SLI: Gem with a New SLI Twist
by Wesley Fink on August 24, 2005 8:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Our Take
Surprises are one of the things that can turn the routine of testing computer components into a few moments of excitement. We confess that we were totally surprised to find the Jetway at least the equal of any enthusiast AMD 939 board that we have tested. Who would have even considered before this review that the Jetway 939GT4-SLI-G would benchmark in the same league as the top 939 boards that we have tested, and overclock in the same league as the legendary DFI LANParty nF4 SLI. But benchmarks are benchmarks and the Jetway equaled the best Socket 939 boards we have tested, and then went on to top performance in stock ratio overclocking and reduced ratio overclocking.There is a lot to like about the Jetway 939GT4-SLI, starting with a near ideal board layout. There is also the elegant simplicity of the 3 PCIe video slots with a dedicated x16 single video slot and an additional pair of x8 Dual/SLI video slots. The 3 slots are not overkill or a waste of board space, since even the most basic SLI board uses 3 slot spaces for the SLI video slots. The Jetway uses the same space, but the 3 dedicated slots do away with any need at all for paddles, jumpers, or switches for SLI. This simplicity probably contributes to the excellent performance that we found with the Jetway in these tests.
Add to this: processor voltages to 1.9V, memory voltage to 3.25V, a wide 200 to 400 range for CPU clock, and a complete range of memory adjustments and chipset/LDT voltages, and you have the legitimate makings of an AMD enthusiast board. The diagnostic LEDs and momentary switches are just the icing on the enthusiast cake. We've seen other boards all decked out with everything but performance, but that is certainly not the case with this Jetway - it performed as well in all our tests as we hoped that it would. Our only real complaint is that the tested BIOS did not implement the added memory ratios (433, 466, 500, 533) available with the Rev. E Athlon64 processors. However, we have asked Jetway for an updated BIOS to fix this oversight.
Some will be screaming and flaming with our recommendation here, but at a $129 web price, you should really include this Jetway on your short shopping list for Socket 939 AMD enthusiast motherboards. This Jetway delivers great value and performs very well, no matter how you measure the performance. It's nice to see a real surprise once in a while, and this Jetway will open the eyes of any buyer who approaches it with an open mind.
A great job, Jetway, and we hope that you can really get behind this board with the kind of support that it deserves. We highly recommend the 939GT4-SLI to both the non-overclocking AMD user and the AMD Enthusiast looking to reach new heights in overclocking with their new Athlon 64.
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zemane - Thursday, August 25, 2005 - link
Table on page 2 says this board has 2 x1 PCIe slots but I see only one in the picture.Could you confirm this? Thanks.
Wesley Fink - Sunday, August 28, 2005 - link
We are told the middle x16 slot can function as an x1/x2 slot when the outer two x16 video slots are in use (as SLI or dual video). While there is only one physical PCIe x1 slot, the ability to have two funstioning x1 PCIe slots even with full SLI persuaded us to list the slots as 2 x1 PCIe.Shalmanese - Thursday, August 25, 2005 - link
Can I stick 3 dual DVI cards in there and hook up 6 monitors?tanekaha - Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - link
Thx for the heads up on this board WesleyLooks like many ppl in this thread would like 2 see the EVGA freebie reviewed
Maybe, when ya get over your excitement, a review of the EVGA Bd would give you some more.
Looks like a lotta ppl here would be into it as well.
Thx again
Tanekaha
AMDScooter - Thursday, August 25, 2005 - link
I ordered one of those EVGA combo's yesterday. From the looks of it some people are having a bit of a time with the EVGA BIOS holding the OC settings after a reboot. There is a new Jetway BIOS out that fixes this issue on their board. EVGA has not issued a new BIOS yet. If my setup has the same issues I'll prolly try the Jetway BIOS, against the EVGA forum mod's advice. Hopefully EVGA will just release their own BIOS fix in the next few days. That issue aside, the folks seem to be having very good luck OC'ing this board. I was going to wait for the ATI soloution but bit early. I like this boards 3 PCI/no jumper/bridge soloution.zShowtimez - Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - link
If they offered it in the all silver that they did some boards in Id jump on it.SilentRunning - Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - link
Is it just me or does the color scheme look a little too much like a preschool toy. I can see this motherboard perfectly at home in a lego computer case. I think a more subdued color palette would do wonders for the physical appeal.lchyi - Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - link
I would totally build a case out of legos and include this mobo.bldckstark - Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - link
Pricewatch --> EVGA 7800GT $399 + MB for $129 = $528 (shipping included)EVGA site --> EVGA 7800GT $449 + EVGA SLI MB for $0 + 11.95 shipping = $460.95
A savings of $67.50. Not a bad deal at all if EVGA's MB is as hot as the Jetway.
What I am concerned about tho, is that the EVGA is priced $70 more than the Jetway. No wonder they are giving them away, they won't be able to sell any after word gets out about this.
Omega215D - Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - link
I saw the exact same board at monarch computer but it is an eVGA board and it too retails at a 939 AGP killing price of $129.http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant....">http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...t_Code=1...