DFI X48 LT T2R: Floats like a Butterfly…
by Rajinder Gill on April 28, 2008 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Test Setup
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DFI X48 LT T2R Standard/Overclocking/Benchmark Testbed |
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| Processor | Intel E8500, 1333FSB 9X Multiplier, Intel QX9650 Quad CPU, 12MB Cache, 1333FSB Unlocked multiplier - 9X Default |
| CPU Voltage | 1.200V ~ 1.450V |
| Cooling | Air Cooling Thermalright Ultra 1200 using 2x Noctua NF-P12 120mm fans |
| Power Supply | PCP&C1200W |
| Motherboard | DFI X48 LT T2R |
| Memory | OCZ Reaper-X 1000MHz 2X2GB kit, OCZ Platinum XTC PC2 8000 2x2GB, OCZ Flex 9200 4X1GB |
| Memory Settings | Various - as shown |
| Video Cards | ASUS 8800 GTS 512 G92 - Underclocked to match Nvidia base clock levels for test comparison to 790/X48 chipset board scores |
| Video Drivers | 169.28 Drivers (Vista 64-bit) |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital 7200RPM 250GB SATA 3/Gbps 16MB Buffer |
| Optical Drives | Plextor 755A, Toshiba SD-H802A |
| Case | Lian-Li V-2110 |
| BIOS | Lttest |
| Operating System | Vista 64-bit SP1 |
| . | |
With such a vast array of overclocking BIOS functions at our disposal, a decision was made to stick with a single operating system environment. We feel Vista 64-bit has approached a level of maturity that eliminates the possibilities of OS-level conflicts, allowing us to spend time pushing the motherboard without fear of not being able to diagnose issues.
A majority of the benchmarks were run using an E8500 processor; our QX9650 gave up the ghost during testing. However, we still mustered enough experience with the QX9650 to find its sensible limits and provide users with our BIOS setup experience using this processor.
Both high-resolution 1920x1200 and 1280x1024 resolution game benchmark tests were run to find performance benefits for gamers, should such advancements through BIOS tweaking exist. We utilize new drive images on each board in order to minimize any potential driver conflicts. Our 3DMark results are generated utilizing the standard benchmark resolution for each program. We run each benchmark five times, throw out the two low and high scores, and report the remaining score.
Recent reviews of 780i, 790i, and X48 boards have allowed us to compile benchmark results in comparison to scores using the ASUS Striker II Extreme and ASUS P5E3 Premium and ASUS Striker II Formula. This gives us the chance to look at single card results from three different chipsets running either DDR3 or DDR2 memory. It's no surprise that things will be close, as most of us already know that memory bandwidth and speed typically only makes a 1-3% difference between DDR2 and DDR3 boards.
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24 Comments
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orangeblue - Friday, June 13, 2008 - link
hi,can anybody tell me if the ocz flex 9200 4gb-kit(2x2048) workz too instead the four 1024 plz.
Zoomer - Saturday, May 3, 2008 - link
I miss the analysis of other features than just plain memory latency.Max fsb overclock, max mem overclock, etc?
Running the board at 400fsb seems boring - lots of P965 boards can best that. Tons of people don't buy these multiplier unlocked chips.
Rajinder Gill - Sunday, May 4, 2008 - link
Hi,Dual core 45nm's top out at around 510-515FSB using air cooling. Most of the quad CPU info is in the review.
We are looking at perhaps adding some more content tomorrow. Mainly 2x2GB and 4X1GB maxmimum stable overclocks and best operating points - using air cooling.
When Using 45nm dual core CPU's X48/X38 chipsets are really only 'good' to around 500FSB tops for 24/7, after this VMCH requirements and total stability with low tRD becomes futile rather quickly. SOme of the DDR3 boards are a little better in this regard, though this overhaed always comes at a high voltage price when used with a suitably high CPU multiplier.
65nm CPU's in dual core form may cruise upto 550fsb with some work, perhaps a 67% GTL table will help for that. Many of the benches in the review were run at 8x500FSB just to reflect the maximum 24/7 somebody is likely to be able to achieve and/or use consistently. FSB values over this are prone to failure in applications like PC Mark Vantage or 3D in some instance (even with lots of GTL work). Our E8500 processor managed 510FSB with 4X1GB maximum stable on this board, while using 2x1GB memory allowed me to boot at a around 520FSB - though this was far from being called stable.
regards
Raja
Zoomer - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - link
Thanks for taking the time to respond.Unfortunately, I have not been keeping up with the latest tweaks on the best boards. Thanks for the detail, though. :)
amalinov - Friday, May 2, 2008 - link
Am I imaging things or something fishy is going on here?The board has 2 PCIe 2.0 x16 slots - from the X48 MCH. OK.
The board has the following PCIe devices connected to the ICH9R:
1. PCIe x1 slot
2. PCIe x1 JMB363 SATA/PATA controller
3. PCIe x1 Marvell 88E8052 Gigabit Ethernet controller
4. PCIe x1 Marvell 88E8053 Gigabit Ethernet controller
5. PCIe x4 slot (physical x16)
IMHO in this situation the x4 slot can be utilized as x4 only if at least 2 of the PCIe x1 devices are disabled? (if so, then wich exactly?) But this is not mentioned anywhere - neighter in the review, nor in the official DFI specifications or manual. Also, in the manual there is no BIOS settings description section - so I can't find what does the "PCIE Slot Config - 1X 1X" option stand for? (I assume for putting the x4/x16 slot in x1/x16 mode when the other devices are not disabled?)
n7 - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - link
Great stuff.I have one concern though.
What are you using to test stability for 8 GB?
I have found that what people like to consider "stable" is only stable because of the use of applications like P95, Everest, OCCT, & Memtest86+, which don't tend to really stress 4+ GB RAM & the Northbridge to the same extent as multiple instances of HCI Memtest or as LinPack.
Just curious is all.
Rajinder Gill - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
HCI memtest seems the way to go for me for memory NBGTL related stuff.For CPU core testing Prime/PC Mark Vantage (Blu-Ray test).regards
Raja
aldy402 - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - link
great review RajinderIt was very in-depth and well written. A big chunk of the memory portion seemed to focus on micron D9 chips. I have the 4gb Gskill(powerchip ICs) and would really like to see a write up on this board involving "other ICs" and maby a guide with 65nm quads.
also have you tested the performance differential between the intel and jmicron sata ports?
well done
-Aldy
Rajinder Gill - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - link
HI Andy,Although the guide says Micron I did add a comment on TRFC and double density modules. tRAS adn tRFC are the 2 tiimings that need to be changed for the most part. The boards will hold upto 450FSB and a dual core 45nm 'stable' with most of the chipset registers set to fast/more aggressive. Comments are already in the guide for 65nm CPU's pertaining to leaving the GTL controls at defaults - nothing more is really needed tbh..
regards
Raja
coolbluewater - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - link
Replacing two of the six USB ports ith two eSata ports would seem to make sense. Not sure why they didn't do this on a board in this price range.