Is the dfi ultra-d a bad board for a first time builder?

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kcporsche959

Senior member
Oct 17, 2004
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I am very adept in computer knowledge, so i know a lot about how things work and what goes with what etc. This is going to be my first build and i have a few ?'s about the dfi ultra-d motherboard.

Will i not be able to install everything and boot it up and expect it to work? Many of the reviews clearly state "not for the first time builder" and "dont expect to get your system up and running immeadiately". If this board requires so much tweaking and fine tuning to get it to work correctly, why is it so popular? Or are these people just exaggerating and will it work fine for a first timer? I plan to overclock, but nothing beyond stock cooling on my 3000+ venice. So, would you recommend another board for a very experienced first time builder? Thanks.
 
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The Pentium Guy

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2005
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ASUS A8N-E. Only missing feature is Firewire.
But yeah, You gotta tweak the board (DFI) to hell to get it to be stable, it's REALLY picky with voltages (especialy vDIMM) and value ram. Lots of annoying jumpers you gotta set, HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE amounts of bios options (this is good, but it's also bad for the beginner who'll be overwhelmed).

How can you be a "very experienced" first-time builder?
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He's been here since2004. After a month of browsing anandtech forums I learned so much.....

-The Pentium Guy
 
rise

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
46
91
dfi sli-dr was my first complete build. piece of cake. do your homework, visit dfi.street and get good components and you'll be fine.

only problem i had was user error, wrong dimm slots gave me a dual channel error. its been flawless since.
 
K

kcporsche959

Senior member
Oct 17, 2004
205
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hm.... ive also been on the gamefaqs dos/windows board for over 2 years, so i have learned from them too. So, get the a8n-e or the dfi?
 
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imported_g33k

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
821
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Get the MSI board. It still has great OC features, but yet not as intimidating as the DFI. If you do get the DFI, make sure you get the right ram. The new DFI boards are very picky when it comes to RAM.
 
bob4432

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,726
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91
Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
Originally posted by: bob4432
Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
Well OCZ's VX series RAM is the best partner of the DFI board
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even the value vx?
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why not? Vavlue VX runs great as well with extra voltage DFI boards can provide
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i just know how picky the dfi boards are with ram and for ~$105 you can get 1GB of value vx
 
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MVasigh

Member
Jun 13, 2005
60
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Newegg has the MSI K8N board for like $172. I'm going to be building my first rig soon, I'll be getting that.
 
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Sniper82

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
16,517
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Although not my first build but I went with the DFI Ultra-D(one of the launch boards) with Corsair Value Select PC3200 and all worked fine first try. This build was easier then anything in the past and I have built several. As long as your not using a launch BIOS(which I was with no problems) you should have no problems. If you buy one now it should come with latest.
 
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imported_g33k

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
821
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Originally posted by: kcporsche959
link to a cheap msi nforce4?
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MSI NF-4 It's not really cheap, but it's NF-4. Its a bit more user freindly than the DFI and you will not be disappointed should you get it.

Learning how to overclock is not something you learn in a couple of days, it takes time. If you have the time and want to commit yourself to tweaking various settings, than get the DFI.
 
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MobiusPizza

Platinum Member
Apr 23, 2004
2,001
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Originally posted by: gloryfieldzi
where can I get ocz value vx 1gb (512 x 2) for 105? new egg has them for 115
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You must have found the wrong newegg product page

The OCZ Value VX is $105 on Newegg
 
K

knothead34

Senior member
Apr 6, 2005
381
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0
dfi requires at least 480watts and native 24 pin cord to motherboard. no adapter. i would go to dfi-street.com if you have more questions concerning dfi boards. can get alot of good answers there not to mention good answers here also at anandtech.
 
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Gloryfieldzi

Member
Mar 22, 2003
176
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0
no, buy the DFI, comes with round cables, can be easily mod to SLI, and can have voltages up to 4v, not to mention excellent overclocking settings. I read somewhere, I believe here at anandtech actually, that neo 4 has some issues with amd
 
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kcporsche959

Senior member
Oct 17, 2004
205
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so, with the default voltage on everything, should i be able to plug everything in and expect it to work without ANY tweaking of settings? also, would the corsair value ram thats like 80 on newegg work on this board?
 
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