Super C/P ratio DDR2 motherboard, DFI LANParty DK X38-T2R introduction

[windwithme]

Intel launched its X38 almost more than 3, 4 months.
Then, X48 also shows up in the market this year.
Since X48 has been postponed the official launch time, so many gossip about X38 and X48 were upon the internet.
Users are compares with X38 and X48 so hard recently.

X48 is around the corner now.
So, X38 still the highest-end of Intel’s product line.
Coz, the price of DDR3 memory is still sky-high in market,
therefore, DDRII + X38 chipset seems the best choice for a super C/P ratio platform.

The review target board this time is LANParty DK X38-T2R, which belongs to LANParty series, an entry level overclocking board.

The package box is still reminding the same in Black color.


Accessories inside the box


The Northbridge heat sink is the same with LT X38.
The thermal paste is high quality product.


DFI LANParty DK X38-T2R




The lower left of the motherboard:
2 x PCI-EX16(CrossFire mode in X16+X16)
1 x PCI-EX4
3 x PCI
Realtek ALC885 7.1 channels audio codec


The lower right of the boar
1 x Floppy
6 x SATAII,ICH9R
ICH9R支援RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 and RAID 5
Built-in power/Reset button and debug light, a good design for DIY users.


The upper right parts:
1 x IDE
4 x DIMM DDRII supports 667/800/1066


The upper right:
The board incorporates with 4-phase digital PWM


IO parts:
6 x USB 2.0
1 x 1394
1 x Gigabit LAN
Red jumper is for clear CMOS function.

[windwithme]

The audio module card uses electrolytic capacitors,
but I think if the solid state capacitors can be in place of them, the quality of sound will be better.


Booting scene


BIOS main option page


Voltage and FSB option setting page:
The following 3 settings are new functions:
1.CPU Clock Amplitude=>Clock Generator, The voltage enhances function. The default setting is 800mV.
2.CPU Clock 0 Skew=>CPU’s Clock signal, this option is for increasing the stability with FSB while overclocking
3.CPU clock 1 Skew =>NB’s clock, this option is also for increasing the stability with FSB while overclocking


DRAM multiplier option


CPU Feature


DRAM parameters option:




Clock Fine Delay: This function is mainly for pushing the limit of memory by its “characteristic”


Voltage page:
CPU VID Special Add +12.5mV~787.5mV
DRAM Voltage 1.800~3.375V
SB Core/CPU PLL Voltage 1.510~2.380V
NB Core Voltage 1.265~2.040V
CPU VTT Voltage 1.100~1.603V

(These are reference for Quad core CPU)

[windwithme]

System details:
CPU:INTEL Core 2 Duo E6300/Xeon X3320
MB: DFI LanParty DK X38-T2R
DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF
VGA:ELSA GLADIAC 880GT PW 512M
HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G
POWER:Corsair VX450W Power Supply
Cooler:Thermaltake V1


E6300 Dual core CPU, OC to 533MHz. Dual Super PI 32M
This CPU can be performed around 540MHz in UT P35 platform(others around 520~530MHz)


X3320 Quad core CPU overclocked to 460MHz FSB, Quad super PI 32M.
This processor can reached 480MHz(Maximum) with LP DK P35.
the others P35 are also can reach 460~470MHz.


Memory OC parts:
DDRII 1200 CL5 5-5-15 2.01V, Dual SP2004(stable)


EVEREST the bandwidth of memory


DDRII 1200 CL4 4-4-9, EVEREST the bandwidth of memory


works with Elsa 8800GT “whale version” 630/2000


3DMARK2003


3DMARK2005


3DMARK2006


The result of 3D rendering test of X38 is just like the one before hand, a little higher than P35.

DFI LANParty LT X38-T2R summaries:
Goods:
1.DK series has a constant image and price around 190~200USD
2.Fully solid state capacitors, also provides PCIE x16 + x16 bandwidth
3.Rich BIOS OC options and voltage settings
4.Good product strategy for DDR2 users, the performance for DDR2 is excellent too.
5.The OC performance with Quad core CPU is better than P35.

Drawbacks:
1.some users blame that the board is a bit hard to buy
2.It would be better if the voltage option can be set a little lower

Performance ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Component use ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Appearance ★★★★★★★★☆☆
C/P ratio ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Although DK X38 is a step lower than LT X38.
But the performance of overclocking and component using are having a similar
Standard with LT X38.
This is such a reasonable choice for users

Most of the X38 based motherboard is launched in 2007, but only a few can satisfy users.
DFI’s X38 is still doing well in overclocking parts by its rich BIOS settings and Dual PICE x16 design.
For price and performance, should a good choice for users.

[Feriuz]

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