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

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

imported_g33k

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
821
0
0
That twinmos memory is capable of running 2-2-2 @ 250 fsb or so...

It is runs this at a higher voltage than normal memory, which the DFI board is capable of providing. It is similiar to OCZ VX that is reviewed here at anand. This stuff is great for overclocking. It doesnt really sound like you are an avid overclocker though, hence that is why I recommended the MSI board.

If you really want the DFI, just pick one of those memories listed on the supported memory page I linked too. You have a wide variety to choose from, including value ram.
 

imported_g33k

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
821
0
0
No you are supposed to run it at ~3.3V to reach 250htt at 2-2-2. The only thing is that the twinmos is not guaranteed to run at the higher voltage. While this OCZ is guaranteed to run at the higher voltage. You pay more for it though.

UTT memory requires a burn in period and tweaking of various bios settings to work properly. You may even need active cooling to get the most out of them. You don't have to overvolt them though. They will work fine at 2.6V 2.5-3-3 just like regular value.
 

imported_g33k

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
821
0
0
The OCZ is a safer bet, but it still has all the issue of overvolting, namely heat and instability at first. After a burn in period of a week or so, they *should* be able to get to a higher htt with the tight timings. This memory is not for the timid. But again, you don't have to overvolt them. Just run it at stock voltage and timings and it will work just like regular value. If you want to overvolt to increase performance though, you have the option.
 

CMC79

Senior member
May 31, 2003
313
0
71
Do not buy the Corsair VS if you are into overclocking. Mine ran just fine at stock at 1T, but it has had myriad problems with overclocking. No divider will work for me at 1T--even if the memory is running at well less than its rated speed! It is VERY quirky on the DFI board--I'm running a divider and 2T, and while the processor is oc'd okay, the memory has proven a disappointment--esp. since I bought it back when it was $120 and not $80 like it is now.
 

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
46
91
Here are TWO Improtant threads on the motherboard you are talking about.

better off going to dfi.street then read through those. the first is good but the second is about an issue thats been addressed already.
 

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
46
91
OP, stay away from vx/utt ram. it "needs" active cooling for it to shine because you need to punch so many volts through it.

if you want to run 1:1 the best bet is the ocz rev2. if you want to use a divider go through the dfi.street memory thread and pick one. mushkies work well. all depends on your budget.

but vx is not for everyday use imo. the only spec sheet i saw from a munufacturer of the vx/utt/ch5 whatever you want to call it says its rated at 2.6v, everything else comes from ocz. which is fine because they support their products well, i love ocz, but if you are looking for everyday use you don't want your sticks spending 3 weeks in rma process.
 

Sniper82

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
16,517
0
76
Originally posted by: g33k
Originally posted by: ^Sniper^
No Corsair VS will not work on that DFI board.

Well thats BS I been running Corsair VS since first part of March and for the first month or longer I ran everything at stock and memtest86 and prime95 was solid after 24 hour testing. Then I decided to o/c my 3000+ to 3200+ at default voltage and again solid. IMO I think the ppl having problems with Corsair VS either don't know what they are doing, they have something faulty somewhere or are not running them in slot 2/4?

Also I'd say the newer BIOS fixes alot of issues with it being picky with memory. Go with whatever memory you want I just wanted to say C:VS works fine for me.

Well you may have gotten lucky, but dfi-street is full of threads and the tech support themselves state that Corsair VS has issues with the DFI nf-4 board. I simply stated no it will not work to simplify it for the OP. BTW I think it is BS that you would recommend a memory with known issues. Why even bother to take a chance? Just get something like mushkin, or crucial. Both can be had just a cheaply as the corsair.

Well I've heard alot of ppl using it just fine. I know a couple ppl on dfi-street are DFI techs and don't recommend it because some ppl are having problems. But maybe they haven't tested it them selfs? Granted its not good for o/cing but it should run fine at stock settings. I don't recall recommending him to get the memory but if he is on a budget and can save $20-40+ by getting the C:VS then I would. But it's entirely up to him.
 

Bonesdad

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2002
2,213
0
76
Originally posted by: kcporsche959
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.


Mine was up in 20 min out of the box, no tweaking...have not tried to OC it yet, may not actually. I did have problems with the condition of the board on the first shipment, but not its functionality. It was extremely easy to set up and everything installed very smoothly.
 

Bonesdad

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2002
2,213
0
76
Originally posted by: g33k
Originally posted by: gloryfieldzi
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


You imply that the MSI board does not come with rounded cables. In fact they both do. This is an A64 board, why would it have "issues" with AMD? The MSI actually won the Gold Editor's choice award here at Anandtech.


Originally posted by: kcporsche959
also, would the corsair value ram thats like 80 on newegg work on this board?

No Corsair VS will not work on that DFI board.



Corsair VS works flawlessly here...not a single hitch.
 

Nebben

Senior member
May 20, 2004
706
0
0
Originally posted by: Bonesdad
Originally posted by: g33k
Originally posted by: gloryfieldzi
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


You imply that the MSI board does not come with rounded cables. In fact they both do. This is an A64 board, why would it have "issues" with AMD? The MSI actually won the Gold Editor's choice award here at Anandtech.


Originally posted by: kcporsche959
also, would the corsair value ram thats like 80 on newegg work on this board?

No Corsair VS will not work on that DFI board.



Corsair VS works flawlessly here...not a single hitch.

2x512MB Corsair VS here, and it's working flawlessly. I also am a little puzzled by this talk of this board being so incredibly hard to tweak... unless I'm just lucky, mine booted right up and was running totally stable immediately. The only problem I ran into was needing to disable the onboard USB when first entering the XP setup; for some reason it was causing a hang. Turn it back on right after the first reboot, and then you're good to go.

Totally stable at stock speeds (3000+, 1.8ghz), totally stable overclocked to 2.38GHZ with stock cooling, and now totally stable and REALLY cool at 2.42GHZ with an XP-90.

I wholeheartedly recommend this board. It's been more stable (and FUN to use!) than all of my previous Asus and Abit boards.

And if/when you want to start tweaking BIOS options for performance, with a bit of research required, there are endless options with this board.

 

Nebben

Senior member
May 20, 2004
706
0
0
Originally posted by: CMC79
Do not buy the Corsair VS if you are into overclocking. Mine ran just fine at stock at 1T, but it has had myriad problems with overclocking. No divider will work for me at 1T--even if the memory is running at well less than its rated speed! It is VERY quirky on the DFI board--I'm running a divider and 2T, and while the processor is oc'd okay, the memory has proven a disappointment--esp. since I bought it back when it was $120 and not $80 like it is now.


I'm using Corsair VS and while I'd agree with the recommendation not to buy it if you can just buy something equally cheap, it's not the case that this RAM will not work. Seems fairly uncommon for there to be big problems with it, though I have heard of some.

Mine is working fine in 1T with a divider, although it maxes out around 210mhz. You sure your voltages aren't a problem?
 

imported_g33k

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
821
0
0
Originally posted by: Bonesdad
Originally posted by: g33k
Originally posted by: gloryfieldzi
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


You imply that the MSI board does not come with rounded cables. In fact they both do. This is an A64 board, why would it have "issues" with AMD? The MSI actually won the Gold Editor's choice award here at Anandtech.


Originally posted by: kcporsche959
also, would the corsair value ram thats like 80 on newegg work on this board?

No Corsair VS will not work on that DFI board.



Corsair VS works flawlessly here...not a single hitch.

Sigh, everyone keeps quoting that. I know it may work, but it is not recomended. I will edit the post.

 

kcporsche959

Senior member
Oct 17, 2004
205
0
0
so, would you recommend the dfi board and the twinmos value ram, the ocz 100 dollar ram, or the msi k8n platinum and corsair vs?
 

Cheezeit

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2005
3,298
0
76
dfi and VS is what i went. But if you want to really sure you get it up and running, you can try the twinmos. I just don't trust "twinmos" much.
 

imported_g33k

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
821
0
0
Originally posted by: kcporsche959
so, would you recommend the dfi board and the twinmos value ram, the ocz 100 dollar ram, or the msi k8n platinum and corsair vs?

Are you planning on pushing your OC? If so then get the DFI.

Are you planning on not OC or a more modest OC? If so, get the MSI.


If you get the MSI, you can get Corsair VS. I have already answered what kind of ram to get with the DFI upthread.
 

myrcgarage

Senior member
Feb 2, 2005
360
0
0
Originally posted by: g33k
Originally posted by: kcporsche959
so, would you recommend the dfi board and the twinmos value ram, the ocz 100 dollar ram, or the msi k8n platinum and corsair vs?

Are you planning on pushing your OC? If so then get the DFI.

Are you planning on not OC or a more modest OC? If so, get the MSI.


If you get the MSI, you can get Corsair VS. I have already answered what kind of ram to get with the DFI upthread.

I am torn between these 2 boards too. One of the hold up for me not to get the MSI is the fan for the chipset being loud. Is it improved with with the new batch or they are still the same?
 

dripgoss

Senior member
Mar 13, 2003
496
0
0
To answer your original question, this is a great mobo if you want to learn more than you ever wanted to know about RAM tweaking. Also, many of my stability and booting issues were taken care of with the most recent 618-1 BIOS update. My XMS is OK at 3:4 or 7:10 divider, but you don't want to run XMS with more than 2.8v or so because unlike other mfr's, it tends to be less stable at higher voltages. Honestly, I'd suggest trying to find some cheapo PC4000 (that will actually do PC4000) and get a 3200+ venice at least. My 3000+ is cool, but I'd love to have an extra multiplier notch...
 

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
46
91
i have a new chip coming so i was looking at another board to go with it but in the end it looks like i'll just get another dfi, an ultra-d this time. i love this thing.