ATI RD600 DFI LANPARTY UT ICFX3200-T2R-G REVIEW BENCHMARK AND OVERCLOCKING
Posted:2007-01-31 By motherboard review Number of View:27507
ATI RD600 DFI LANPARTY UT ICFX3200-T2R-G REVIEW BENCHMARK AND OVERCLOCKING By :motherboard review Posted:2007-01-31 xtreview is your : Video card - cpu - memory - Hard drive - power supply unit source Still several years ago it was not possible to visualize that for the systems based on processors intel the best chipsets for advanced users would be considered from other producers. Until recently the alternative developers of chipset microcircuits could compete with intel chipset due to their low cost products, oriented first of all in the budget sector of market. Since then situation strongly changed. Chipsets owners of contemporary processors from Intel practically entirely forgot about the Taiwan producers, and their place was occupied by new forces, companies AMD/ATI and NVIDIA. Not so long time ago we introduced to proposed by NVIDIA for processors  family intel core 2, chipset NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI. According to the results in our study it s completely ossible to indicate that this chipset can compose the alternative to i975X and iP965 as the basis of high performance systems. Today arrived the competitive solution for intel processors from AMD/ATI, chipset RD600, known also under their official name crossfire xpress 3200. Let us immediately note that within our article we will try to not use the official name of this chipset, since in our view it is selected by producer unjustifiably. It is necessary to note that the released by company ATI, which appears today partly of firm AMD, chipset for processors intel appears sufficiently amusingly. It is obvious that this curious confluence of circumstances is explained only by the fact that the development of RD600 was conducted in the times of independent ATI activity , but to reject the release of practically completely finished product AMD did not wish.  RD600 is the last chipset, which AMD (or ATI) witch they will proposes for processors intel. . AMD is not interested in its aggressive advance, the more that support to the technology crossfire with the same success can be realized also in the platforms, based on Intel chipset  . To the given moment motherboard, based on ATI RD600, proposes only one company – DFI. . Specifically, this motherboard, DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G, arrived in our test laboratory. ATI RD600: chipset AMD for intel processors (DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G) Being deepened before into the examination of special features from motherboard DFI, a certain attention is necessary to give directly to the chipset ATI RD600. Basic intrigue around this chipset consists in the fact that this the first discrete chipset of company with the support to the technology  crossfire for the platform intel, introduced by producer as the excellent solution for the high performance systems. Therefore it is obvious, RD600 is the radically new solution  , and therefore interesting. As u can see from the diagrams, ATI RD600 are built according to the standard principles two-chip chipset. As the north bridge is used similar microcircuit RD600, for the south bridge was used the chip SB600, with which we already met in chipset crossfire xpress 3200 (now it is called AMD 580X Crossfire) for AMD processors . The components of chipset are connected between themselves on the system bus with name A -Link xpress II, analogous PCI express x4. The north bridge ATI RD600 support the severely limited number of lines PCI express. While its namesake for AMD processors  proposes 36 lines PCI express, which allows the realization of two valuable PCI express x16 in the interfaces of the motherboard,  in RD600 the number of lines PCI  express is reduced to 20. As a result, the new chipset proposes support two video card only according to the diagram PCI express x8 + PCI express x8. However, as is known, this decrease of  graphic system bus will lead only in an insignificant reduction in speed. moreover chipsets for intel processors , which could work with technology crossfire according to diagram PCI express x16 + PCI express x16, are absent in today market generally. Besides two graphic system buses in chipset ATI RD600 , this last proposes and additional system bus PCI express x2 for the connection of third video card, intended for physics calculations, and also two system buses PCI express x1 About The possibilities of new north bridge For ATI company  it was possible to create the dual-channel controller DDR2 SDRAM, which at the given moment does not have analogs. It support truly asynchronous memory frequency with system bus , which is not connected with the FSB frequency . The support OF DDR 2-667 and DDR 2-800 SDRAM, is also present in the specification, ATI RD600. Still one important merit to the controller DDR2 SDRAM ATI RD600 consists in the support of 1T Command rate. However, this already was done in nForce 680i SLI witch has a similar functionality. But in contrast to chipset NVIDIA, ATI RD600 support not only 2T Command rate, but also 3T Command rate, which in the separate situations can improve operational stability and increase the overclocing potential of memory module. However, as far as the support of CPU is concerned, the new chipset from ATI is compatible with any LGA775 processors, accessible today. Let us note that this chipset support new CPU family intel core 2 Duo, designed for the work with frequency quad pumped bus 1333 MHz. Although there are no official data on this occasion. Despite the fact that originally ATI planned to use paired with RD600 a new south bridge SB650, in the composition of the examined chipset adapts older microcircuit SB600. Its possibilities are already well known: it support ten ports USB 2.0, four ports serial ATA-300, one channel parallel ATA-133, six system buses PCI and High definition audio (Azalia). In this case of built-in south bridge serial ATA controller support RAID massifs of levels 0, 1 and 0+1, NCQ and the speed of data transmission is equal to 3 Gbit per second, but it do not support RAID 5. Because of the reduced possibilities in chipset from ATI in the part of support to the system bus expansion and the use of relatively old south bridge in the comparison with the previous solution their no much update    AMD crossfire xpress 3200 Intel 975X Express Intel p965 express NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI North bridge RD600 82975X MCH 82P965 C55 SPP FSB Frequency 1333/1066 /800/533 MHz 1066/800/533 MHz 1066/800/533 MHz 1333/1066 /800/533 MHz Maximum volume of memory 8 Gb 8 Gb 8 Gb 8 Gb] Quantity of memory module 2 DIMM 2 channels 2 DIMM 2 channels 2 DIMM 2 channels 2 DIMM 2 channels Supported types of memory DDR 2-533/667/800 /1067/1200 SDRAM DDR 2-533/667 SDRAM DDR 2-533/667/800 SDRAM DDR 2-533/667/800 /1067/1200 SDRAM Graphic interface PCI express x16 or 2 x PCI express x8 PCI express x16 or 2 x PCI express x8 PCI express x16 2 x PCI express x16 Additional system buses PCI express 1 x PCI express x2 2 x PCI express x1 6 x PCI express x1 6 x PCI express x1 1 x PCI express x8 6 x PCI express x1 South bridge SB600 ICH7R ICH8R MCP55PXE System bus for connection of bridges A -Link xpress II, 1 Gb/s DMI, 2 Gb/s DMI, 2 Gb/s HyperTransport, 8 Gb/s USB 2.0 10 ports 8 ports 8 ports 10 ports Speed serial ATA 3 Gbit/s 3 Gbit/s 3 Gbit/s 3 Gbit/s Support NCQ + + + + Support eSATA - - + + Number ports SATA 4 4 6 6 Number channels PATA 1 1 0 1 Support RAID 0, 1, 0+1 0, 1, 0+1, 5 0, 1, 0+1, 5 0, 1, 0+1, 5 Network No No No 2 x 1 Gbit/s Support PCI 6 devices 6 devices 6 devices 5 devices Sound High definition audio, AC97/20- bit audio High definition audio, AC97/20- bit audio High definition audio, AC97/20- bit audio High definition audio, AC97/20- bit audio chipset from ATI possesses all necessary base possibilities, which with the need can be easily augmented by the addition of external controllers. But taking in account the fact that the chipset RD600 is cheaper than competing chipsets, motheroard on its basis must have a completely acceptable cost even with the condition of adding a number of external controllers. Focus attention also to the low spacing speed of the system bus, which connects north and south bridges. Chipset of company ATI has all high-speed interfaces in the northern bridge; therefore south bridge does not need connection with the high capacity.   Specification and delivery set ( DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G ) At the given moment in the stores is accessible only one motherboard, based on chipset ATI RD600. This DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G. The interest of company DFI, which is famous by its products for overclocker on this chipset, obviously, is caused by the overclocking properties of this new collection of microcircuits promised by ATI company .. DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G Processors LGA775 processors celeron D, Pentium 4, Pentium D, Pentium 4 XE, Pentium XE, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Extreme Chipset AMD crossfire xtreme 3200 (ATI RD600 + ATI SB 600) Frequencies FSB, MHz To 511 MHz (with 1 MHz step ) Functions for overclock Possibility of changing the voltage on processor, memory, north and south bridges, processor system bus. :-) Independent frequency system bus PCI and PCI express Independent frequency of the system bus of memory Memory 4 slots DDR2 DIMM for dual-channel DDR 2-1067/800/667/533 SDRAM Slots PCI express x16 2 of them has  the support to ATI crossfire (work in regime PCI express 8x) and 1, connected to the system bus PCI express x2 Slots PCI express x1 - Slots expansion PCI 3 Ports USB 2.0 10 (6 on the rear panel) Ports IEEE1394 2 ports iEEE1394a (1  on the rear panel, through the controller VIA VT6307) ATA-100/133 1 channel ATA-133 (through chipset) Serial ATA 4 channels serial ATA-300 (through chipset, with RAID support ) 4 channels serial ATA-300 (through controller promise PDC40719, with RAID support ) Support ATA RAID RAID 0, 1, 0+1 in chipset RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5 in the controller promise PDC40719 Integrated sound Eight-channel HD codec realtek ALC885 Integrated network Two Gigabit ethernet controller (through controllers marvell of 88E8052 and 88E8053) Additional possibilities POST controller BIOS Phoenix awardBIOS v6.00PG Form factor ATX, 305x240 mm It is completely logical, which the possibilities allowed by ATI RD600,to the engineers OF DFI seemed insufficient. Therefore to the motherboard were added several additional controllers in order to make the corresponding demands of users. At the same time, besides LANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G producer plans to supply and the advanced version of this motherboard, with additional SATA controller.   The motherboard was supplied in the traditional DFI box standard size, made in the red tones. The reverse side of box is more informative, it contains the photograph of the motherboard and the brief enumeration of its basic strong sides. inside the box u will find the motherboard :-) with the completely normal collection of additional equipment. Delivery set includes multilingual instruction and colorfully designed rapid management on the installation of motherboard; diskette and CD with drivers and necessary software; audio- module karajan audio ; cable aerodynamic for FDD connection  and PATA devices;; two yellow SATA cable and the power cable for two SATA ; LOGO lANParty in the front panel of case and the large one with the logotype lANParty. more detail about the motherboard possibilities After close acquaintance with ATI RD600 we came to the conclusion that according to its characteristics it somewhat loses to contemporary alternatives from Intel and NVIDIA. Therefore for the realization of some possibilities for the engineers OF DFI it was necessary to use additional controllers. In particular,the support of motherboard DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G of eight Serial ATA-300 ports is reached only due to the application of additional controller promise PDC40719. This controller has four from the eight presented on the motherboard ports, making possible to connect to them hard disks with NCQ and speed of data transmission to 3 Gbit per second and the RAID massifs is not only on levels 0, 1 and 0+1, but also 5. But, despite to the contemporary possibilities, this controller has one unpleasant special feature : it is connected to the south bridge chipset on the system bus PCI, which can perceptibly limit its operating speed. We dont have Other versions from DFI engineers , since two free in the chipset ATI RD600  line PCI express x1 are used by the card for the connection of two gigabit net controllers, which also need high-speed connection chipset. As these controllers to LANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G are begun to operate the microcircuits marvell of 88E8052 and 88E8053. Besides ten ports USB 2.0, presented by the chipset, the motherboard proposes two ports IEEE1394. These ports work through PCI controller VIA VT6307. in other products of series lANParty UT, on the motherboard the question of sound part is made by the separate card , named Karajan audio module (in the honor of Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan). This module contains one of the most contemporary eight-channel High definition codecs realtek ALC885, which among other characteristics possesses compatability with the requirements of Windows vista premium. The remaining characteristics of DFI Of lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G are completely predicted. Majority of them is determined by the properties of chipset ATI RD600. The motherboard in question proposes three slots PCI express x16. First two are for video card, in the case of installation of pair video card they will function in regime PCI express x8. But if the second slot is free – the first works in the full regime. The mode switch of system bus occurs completely automatically. However, the third slot PCI express x16 is connected to the system bus PCI express x2, it is intended for both  video card, that work as physical accelerator . Also, this motherboard is equipped with three usual slots PCI. For the installation of memory on DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G are provided four slots DDR2 DIMM. Because of the available possibility of asynchronous regime with the system bus memory, motherboard is compatible with the wide range of modules DDR2 SDRAM, oriented to the work with different speeds. chipset memory Controller support single-channel and dual-channel regimes. g. Speaking about the basic possibilities of chipset RD600, company ATI accentuated attention in the possibility of configuration of its basic parameters from Windows with the aid of the special utility. After obtaining the motherboard based on this chipset, we could ascertain that ATI promises that user will be happy . With the motherboard supplied the specific routine AMD system manager, which realizes the appropriate functionality. Besides the system information, this utility knows how to change the frequency of processor system bus, system bus PCI express and system bus memory, to controle the basic system voltage and even to set the latency of memory without the BIOS Setup and without reboot . In other words, AMD system manager it is possible to name the analog of utility NVIDIA nTune for chipsets ATI. Also, together with DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G is supplied and one utility, intended for system monitoring. This ITE smart guardian. In spite of exterior view, possibilities of this utility are not limited to temperature, voltage and fan speeds . Existing in interface ITE smart guardian make possible to controle the speeds of fans, connecting with them the temperatures of different system units . Design and impression ( DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G ) Since the motherboard in question relates to series lANParty UT, developers cared that their product would appear effectively both with the usual and with the ultraviolet illumination. Therefore slots and port on the motherboard have brilliant yellow and bright orange colors, under the ultraviolet rays. Color pcb OF PCB in this case is selected noble- black, The rear panel in DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G contains the completely customary collection of port. Here are revealed six ports high speed USB; port IEEE1394; two net connectors of type RJ45, the diagnostic light-emitting diodes; coaxial SPDIF in and out; PS/2 ports for the connection of keyboard and mouse; and, with the installation Of karajan audio module, – six audio jack . The designers OF DFI in their products always manifest the touching concern about the testers and those originals, which do not use computer case. DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G in this plan is not exception . In the right lower angle on the motherboard there are two soldered buttons, which fulfill the functions Of reset and Power On. Furthermore, testers and overclockers, out of any doubt, will remain contented by the located in the left lower angle of motherboard POST controller, which makes possible to diagnose appearing during the load of system problem. One of the completely interesting special features of this motherboard should be counted the power converter  with the digital feedback, in which the chemical capacitors do not adapt. This module is assembled according to six-channel diagram, in it adapt high-frequency MOSFET and small ceramic SMT capacitors. It must be noted, that transistors of such type differ in terms of comparatively large operating temperatures and for this reason they are closed with the aluminum radiator, which with the work of processor can perceptibly heat a lot without the proper blowout from the side of processor cooler . It is offensive that together with the passage for the application of a progressive processor converter voltage DFI  forewent the use of capacitors with the solid-state polymeric electrolyte. Although the chemical capacitors do not adapt on DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G in the diagram of processor power, it is possible to note them in large quantities on the motherboard. The north and south bridges of chipset are cooled by passive radiators, thanks to DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G  since there are no fan there. Is explained  that for the production of ATI RD600 is selected 90 nm technological process, which made possible to decrease the heat emission of this microcircuit. during overclock and the associating to it (raising the voltage supply on the northern bridge), passive cooling can prove to be insufficient. If in the default mode the maximum temperature of north bridge does not cross 70 degrees, then with overclock we succeeded in observing the warming-up of this microcircuit up to 95 , which indicated the need for more effective heat removal from this chip. Good, possibilities for the connection of additional fans are allowed on DFI Of lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G . On PCB are provided five port with the corresponding designation, without considering processor. Plus , motherboard because of the utilized controller of hardware monitoring ITE IT8718F, can controle the rotation speed the of three fans depending on the temperature of different system units . BIOS It is deservedly considered that many motherboard DFI are separated among the competing products by their first of all overclocking possibilities. Such achievements are explained by the good design of products and by the BIOS programming , for which in DFI work some of the best engineers in the branch. THE BIOS is considered in motherboard DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G as the key possible to describe or not the working skill. BIOS Setup of this motherboard has great possibilities even for old overclocker. It seems that all parameters, which somehow can influence the overclock and system performance, are taken in account. Let us focus attention precisely to these options. All, concerning overclock, the developers of DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G made separate division, named Genie BIOS setup. This division contains two subsections – performance options and Northbridge ASIC CFG. On the page Of performance options u will find the control of system bus and memory frequencies. Frequency FSB in this case can vary in the limits from 0 to 511 MHz,. It is necessary to note that the upper limit for FSB change in 511 MHz seems low, then, in contrast to many other motherboard, on DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G it is completely operational. Frequency on memory can change synchronously (with the coefficients FSB:DRAM, equal 2:1, 8:5, 4:3, 1:1, 4:5, 2:3, 2:1), or completely asynchronous with 1 MHz step . Moreover, in contrast to the motherboard on the base of NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI, where for the installation of memory frequency  is used a large quantity of dividers, and BIOS Setup selects automatically from them, which makes possible to obtain the close value of frequency, ATI RD600 can set the memory completely asynchronously. Any frequency from 133 to 658 MHz is accessible for selection. The subsection Of northbridge ASIC CFG also contains numerous curious options. But the first priority interest here present to the memory controller . As evidently, BIOS Setup of the motherboard in question makes possible to controle not only all basic and secondary memory latency, but also as nForce 680i SLI it give the possibility to change the parameter Of command rate. The greatest admiration deserve the staggering possibilities of BIOS setup and the considered control of different voltage. Parameter Range of change CPU VID control 0.44375 - 1.6 v CPU VID special add 100 – 121.25% DDR2 RAM 1.8V Voltage 1.5 – 3.01 v CPU VTT 1.2V Voltage 1.21 – 1.59 v NB core 1.2V Voltage 1.3 – 2.18 v NB PLL 1.8V Voltage 1.83 – 2.51 v NB PLL 1.2V Voltage 1.21 – 1.46 v NB PCI- E 1.2V Voltage 1.22 – 1.60 v NB core 1.2V Convert from 1.81 – 2.39 v SB core 1.2V Voltage 1.23 – 1.59 v Clockgen voltage 2.92 – 3.4 v CPU core 1/2 GTL ref volt 0 – 255 CPU core 3/4 GTL ref volt 0 – 255 Northbridge GTL ref volt 0 – 255 Into the first turn here we turn attention to the two basic with overclock voltage – on processor and on memory. Processor voltage can be increased to 1.94 in, and voltage on the memory to 3.01 v.it is obvious that this will be sufficient even for extreme overclock, on DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G this can be done even without voltmod. we also find other usefful options to control the voltage on the system bus and northbridge. Specifically, because of them DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G must manage well the overclock of processors on the system bus. The unique property Of BIOS setup of this motherboard in question should be considered the presence of options GTL ref volt for all processor cores and north bridge. Because of a change in these bytes is made by real the more fine adjustment of the recognition of the levels in logical signals on the input buffers of processor cores and north bridge with overclock. As practice shows, a increase in the corresponding values can positively be shown with the overclock of processor on the system bus. cmos reloaded makes possible to preserve the pervious setting  parameters Of BIOS setup in Flash- memory of motherboard, and then it is easy to restore them if u need . Entire DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G makes possible to preserve up to four profile. For control of technology CMOS reloaded is provided separate division. Overclock on DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G today's leaders in overclock are motherboards based on chipset intel p965 express, witch make possible to subjugate the frequencies of system bus FSB, which reach 500 MHz and above, only by a simple increase in the voltage supply of northbridge in the chipset. The motherboard DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G in question hardly will be able to brag by the best results – it does not make possible to raise the frequency FSB of more than 511 MHz. It seems that the engineers OF DFI developed so complex BIOS . It is necessary to say that in our view from this approach overclock became excessively complex. It is time-consuming, since only correct selection of a large quantity of parameters makes possible to achieve the highest result. In particular,in our tests on the development of maximum accessible frequency we tryed several days. and because of these numerous experiences we succeeded in revealing some interesting regularities. In the first turn, it seem that the presented into Setup frequency FSB strap practically does not influence the motherboard indicated neither on maximum overclock nor the syste, performance . Obviously, this is explained by complete asynchronism of memory controller . By a simple change in the voltage on the processor and memory it is possible to attain free overclock only to frequencies FSB on the order of 400 MHz. Further overclock as the minimum will require an increase in NB core to 1.2V Voltage. For that, for example the motherboard would work stably with 450 MHz on the system bus, and the voltage necessary is approximately 1.5 v. for the subjugation of frequencies FSB of approximately 500 MHz is required a increase in this voltage to approximately 2 v, which already by 66% higher than thedefault rating. In this case the temperature of north bridge during work reaches the high limit ; therefore the overclock of system bus FSB must be accompanied without fail by the installation of active cooling to the radiator of north bridge. Unfortunately, motherboard cannot show its entire potential without the fine adjustment and all remaining accessible into BIOS Setup voltage. Therefore for a increase in the frequency FSB in more than 420-430 MHz is required the sufficiently thin setting of all parameters. In particular, the perceptible influence of the parameter CPU VTT 1.2V Voltage; however, its excessive increase can prevent overclock. Simultaneously with this it is necessary to increase the voltage  NB PLL 1.8V Voltage, NB PLL 1.2V Voltage. For example, the first of these voltage is necessary to install in the values of approximately 2 v already with the reaching 450 MHz on the system bus. NB PLL 1.2V Voltage many overclockers recommend to set to 1.38 v. we joined their selection. Voltage NB PCI- E 1.2V Voltage, SB core  1.2V Voltage and Clockgen voltage influence overclock not so strongly. However, their small increase can improve the stability of system with high frequencies FSB. The parameter NB core 1.2V Convert from also exerts small influence on the stability of system with overclock. We succeeded in reaching the best result with the installation of this parameter in 2.31 v. we do not forget, also about the GTL ref volt. the proposed BY DFI BIOS Setup values of these bytes do not always give the possibility to open entire frequency potential of the motherboard. A increase in these values can add stability with the perceptible increase in the voltage CPU VTT 1.2V Voltage and high FSB frequencies . However, recommendations should be not considered as the comprehensive instruction. These are only our observations, based on the experience with the copy DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G during several days. However, the highest achievements in the overclock of system bus FSB we succeeded to attain with the following set of parameters. For the experiments we used the system based on this motherboard with processor intel core 2 Extreme x6800 . In addition to this was used 2 GB DDR2 operational memory corsair TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF, video card powerColor x1900 XTX 512MB and hard disk western digital raptor WD1500ADFD. The chipset ATI RD600 makes possible to set the memory independently from the frequency of frontal system bus, during the tests DDR2 SDRAM  worked always at the frequency of 1000 MHz with latency 4- 4- 4- 12-2T. For cooling the processor was used the cooler zalman CNPS9500 LED, and furthermore we used additional 80 mm fan for the blowout of the radiator in the north bridge . The operational stability of the system with the overclock indicated was checked with the aid of the well recommended utility ORTHOS, based on the code Of prime95. The maximum frequency FSB, with which the system built on the base of motherboard DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G, demonstrated hundred per-cent stability, proved to be 490 MHz. It should be noted that with a increase in the frequency FSB up to 511 MHz motherboard load operating system, but to attain stability for us it no longer impossible. However, further increases in the voltage  did not improve the result. Thus, on its overclocking potential DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G could not go around the good overclocking motherboard, built on the base of  intel p965 express. The motherboard in question did not make possible to subjugate the frequency of system bus in 500 MHz. it showed better overclock than motherboard on chipset intel 975X Express, straight competitor of which (because of the support to technology crossfire) is ATI RD600. But the motherboard in question is not suitable for better shape overclock of low-end Core 2 Duo e6300 and E6400. The controller of memory ATI RD600 works in the chipset asynchronously. This means that during increase in the FSB frequency with overclock on DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G do not occurs drops in performance as on motherboard on the base of others chipsets. performance with overclock grows continuously. In addition to this, asynchronous memory regime give another advantage. Overclocker obtains in their hands the possibility of independent overclock of memory, which together with the overclock of processor also can give increase in the performance. DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G overclocked the memory very well. We tried to do a test, to what limit will be able to increase in this motherboard the frequency of our test memory modules corsair TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF. Let us recall that in the tests of overclock using ASUS P5B deluxe this memory demonstrated the frequency of 576 MHz with latency 4- 4- 4-12 and with supply voltage 2.4 v. On DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G this memory run under analogous conditions but overclocked more, after subjugating the frequency of 588 MHz. the motherboard in question appears a good platform not only for CPU overclock , but also for DDR2 SDRAM overclock. It is desirable to mention at conclusion of story about the overclocker that the existing version of bios for DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G, dated on 22 December of last year, unfortunately, is not deprived of very annoying problems. In other words, the process of overclock on DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G is extremely captivating and it is not predicted. After acquiring this motherboard, overclocker can obtain in their hands the mass of interesting and efficient tools for overclock, whose only correct application will make possible to achieve the highest result. Testing the performance Since we examined the motherboard DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G witch is based on ATI RD600, which earlier we did not encounter, interest causes usual performance.  Therefore we decided to compare the speed of operation  from DFI with the speed of other popular motherboards from Intel and NVIDIA. In the composition of test systems we have used the following collection of equipment: Processor: Intel core 2 Extreme x6800 (LGA775, 2.93GHz, 4MB L2). Motherboard: DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G (LGA775, AMD crossfire xpress 3200); DFI infinity 975X/G (LGA775, Intel 975X Express); ASUS P5B deluxe (LGA775, Intel p965 express); ASUS striker extreme (LGA775, NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI); Memory: 2 Gb DDR of 2-800 SDRAM (Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5D). Graphic card: PowerColor x1900 XTX 512MB (PCI- E x16). Disk : Western digital WD1500AHFD (SATA150). Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 with DirectX 9.0c. We tried to place tested system in the approximately identical conditions; therefore in all platforms operational memory operated at the frequency of 400 MHz with latency 4- 4- 4-12.  The motherboards, based on chipset intel, as is known do not make possible to change the command rate. Therefore on platforms i975X and iP965 it worked with 2T Command rate. The collection of NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI was tested with 1T Command rate. As it was indicated above, ATI RD600 can also change this value. Unfortunately, company ATI could not create the memory controller  compared in performance with the controllers of memory chipsets intel and NVIDIA. ATI RD600 loses to competitors both according to the capacity and on latency. Accordingly, it is possible to expect that the speed of motherboard DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G in the majority of benchmarks will be inferior to the performance of motherboard based on NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI, Intel p965 express and Intel 975X Express. For example, in the popular benchmark superPi, DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G loses to competitors in speed 9-10%, that in this case can be estimated as completely poor result. The picture is not so bad with 3DMark2001 SE. Although the motherboard, built on chipset ATI RD600, is inferior to its rivals by 1-2%. The contemporary test of 3DMark06 also puts ATI RD600 in last place on performance, but here again we can not speak about the catastrophic loss on DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G . This motherboard shows average speed, compared with the competing products, built on other chipset. In the complex test pCMark05 occurs deferent situation. On the general index the motherboard in question, built on ATI RD600, loses only to DFI infinity 975X/G, at basis of which lies i975X. Processor index demonstrates the small difference between the results, in the limits of one percent. Then in the test of memory subsystem  as that it was expected, DFI  lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G is considerably inferior to competing products. In games for ATI RD600 this is not the best situation. DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G is alwais last  , the platform on the base of chipset NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI, is up to 4-9% more powerfulll.   Testing in applications confirms conclusion . The chipset ATI RD600, despite all its default possibilities and configuration , possesses the sufficiently weak memory controller . Because of this the motherboard, based on this chipset, loses to competing products on performance . Conclusions As a result of the study of motherboard DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G simultaneously has two side . From one side  this is unique product, at least because that company DFI became only producer, who release motherboard on the base of chipset ATI RD600. Moreover, because of the efforts of companies DFI engineers , LANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G became remarkable toy for the enthusiasts. BIOS Setup of this motherboard allows tho tweak all system settings. It includes the tuning for the frontal system bus and   memory controller, and also the large collection of variable voltage. Therefore this motherboard can make possible to achieve the considerable achievements in overclock of processors, which do not require increase in the frequency FSB above 490 MHz. despite to entire placed potential, DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G did not  become leader in overclock of frontal system bus. here leading positions preserve the products, based on chipset iP965. Moreover, as this not is strange, overclock on motherboard with intel chipset is made more simply. However, main minus of DFI lANParty UT ICFX3200-T2R/G – this is the comparatively low performance. This deficiency that DFI engineers was not able to solve . However,  the key properties of chipset ATI RD600 is the support to technology crossfire witch makes valuable competitor to chipset intel of 975X Express. And in the comparison with the proposal ATI/AMD has chances to find its worshippers, in the first turn from a number of overclocker. Pluses: Support to technology ATI crossfire; default possibilities for configuration of internal system parameters  ; Overclock of system bus FSB to 490 MHz; Independent overclock of operational memory; Passive cooling of components   Six-channel digital converter of the processor power. Minuses: Low performance; Complex BIOS. xtreview is your : Video card - cpu - memory - Hard drive - power supply unit source we would be happy to answer for your question . if you have suggestion or comment regarding this review our support would be glad to help just join our forum and ask u will get the best answer to discuss check our forum section :-) RATE THIS REVIEW 1 2 3 4 5    / 5   View Stat

computer news computer parts review Old Forum Downloads New Forum Login Join Articles terms Hardware blog Sitemap Get Freebies