"Official" DFI nF4 Ultra-D / SLI-DR Thread

[vanvock]

Originally posted by: venne

Originally posted by: vanvock
Was it a Ultra-D? If so was there a sli bridge connector with it?

There was no bridge with mine.

Hopefully someone will make one.

Hope so. The sli mod is meaningless without that. I thought something like this would crop up. The reason I went ahead & got the Ultra was because the ZZF pics showed one. The DFI site doesn't & that's why I was concerned. I may just send it back & buy a MSI or ASUS out of spite.

 

[wylecoyote]

In October of last year, Nvidia "launched" Nforce 4, something that I had been waiting for for a month or so.

Now, in Feburary of 2005, I finally ordered the board I had been waiting for... DFI SLI-DR. 3 and a half months later.

Builds character, i guess. Time to update the signature.

 

[number9]

is an SLI bridge PCB included with the DFI NF4 Ultra-D?


thanks

 

[KameLeon]

Originally posted by: venne

Originally posted by: vanvock
Was it a Ultra-D? If so was there a sli bridge connector with it?

There was no bridge with mine.

Hopefully someone will make one.

[edit] Ack.. I thought it would just be a matter of connecting the pins from one card to the other. But, from the pictures, it seems a bit more complicated because there's actual circuitry on the bridge.. [/edit]

Looking at this pic, It doesn't seem like a bridge connector is necessarily required.

 

[jmg888]

No bridge connector with my Ultra-D either. There is no 9 pin serial port either, although there is a header for connecting a daughter card (not included).

 

[Waylay00]

Would Crucial Ballistix PC4000 be a good match for this board?

 

[ryant]

Well i've just had my first wave of deliveries, the DFI is not one of them - still traveling the long journey home...

Meanwhile Im sure SLI-bridges will become available for independant purchase with the advent of more and more users switching to PCI-e. ($5-$10)

The news about nVidia comming down on DFI hurt though not as much - seeing that ill be one of the lucky ones with a modable board (hopefully).

What the latest nVidia driver version to run SLI on Ultra?

Still doesnt worry much either way, I have the distinct impression that SLI is gona be a waste of money, unless youre the hardcore gamer who can appreciate every minute reflection while ditching a HE gren at your next frag...

I remember running CS on my TNT2 and thinking that if graphics got any better theyd be real. (23 fps btw *shudder*)

Anyway, more on stuff later.
Gl with your deliveries all

 

[chilled]

Originally posted by: KameLeon

Originally posted by: venne

Originally posted by: vanvock
Was it a Ultra-D? If so was there a sli bridge connector with it?

There was no bridge with mine.

Hopefully someone will make one.

[edit] Ack.. I thought it would just be a matter of connecting the pins from one card to the other. But, from the pictures, it seems a bit more complicated because there's actual circuitry on the bridge.. [/edit]

Looking at this pic, It doesn't seem like a bridge connector is necessarily required.

Your link doesn't work

 

[PascalT]

Hmm I hope I get a moddable board.

Ryant: SLI does offer nice performance boosts, but not efficient ones. Tom's Hardware has a test on SLI setups. 2x6600GT cards is not bad at all, especially given its value.. down the road in 1-2 yrs it could be a pretty good upgrade. But who knows what will happen by then.

 

[Pieded]

http://www.dfi.com.tw/index_us_noflash.jsp?SITE=US

 

[chilled]

Originally posted by: monkeydust

Originally posted by: jmg888
I got mine yesterday and was a bit surprised it doesn't have a parallel port. Other than that it's awesome so far. I'm waiting to oc because my new PS was DOA.

No parrallel port? Crap, I just ordered mine yesterday. I thought all mobo's had parallel ports. No parallel port daughter card either? I guess I won't be using my old HP Deskjet anymore (its been on its last leg for a couple of years now anyway).

:shocked:

AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm NOT happy. I wanted this board, but seeing I have a parallel port scanner and laserjet, I'm not so tempted anymore....

Is there such a thing as a parallel PCI card or hub???



Back to square one.

 

[monkeydust]

Just did a search on NewEgg. They have Parallel Port PCI-Cards and Parallel to USB adapters in the $15-25 range. So, there's a couple of options.

 

[llars]

Just bought the SLI-DR for 224.33 shipped to California. Now all I need is a video card (or two) and a power supply...

 

[wmansfield]

All the new NF4 boards recommend a real 24 pin power supply. I'm in the same boat, but would rather get the right solution now as opposed to blowing up a power supply or parts of my computer because I tried to save a few bucks.

I'm probably going to pick up this power supply soon. It seems reasonable for what I need and includes the 24 pin connector. The reviews I've seen say it is good at holding stable voltages and it has a 28A 12 rail.

AGPB 500W 2 fan PS - 28A on 12V rail

 

[Demo24]

DFI told me not to use a 20-24 pin adapter. sooo... I bought a new power supply

also some of you are disappointed theres not SLI connector. and one wanted to send it back for a MSI or giga. well why not just buy a DFI sli board if you want it? sure its a bit more expensive and harder to find but that wont last to long

 

[wmansfield]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
DFI told me not to use a 20-24 pin adapter. sooo... I bought a new power supply

also some of you are disappointed theres not SLI connector. and one wanted to send it back for a MSI or giga. well why not just buy a DFI sli board if you want it? sure its a bit more expensive and harder to find but that wont last to long

After Nvidia's clamp on any non Nvidia SLI solution I doubt SLI is going to last much longer. With all the restrictions they are trying to implement I doubt that VIA's dual graphic solution will work anymore, nor will anything from SIS. The price to performance on the whole thing is insane and only for those that have an extra $1250 laying around to spend. 2 PCIe video cards and a giant power supply will be at least $1000 + $250ish board = $1250

 

[GRAFiZ]

Originally posted by: wmansfield
All the new NF4 boards recommend a real 24 pin power supply. I'm in the same boat, but would rather get the right solution now as opposed to blowing up a power supply or parts of my computer because I tried to save a few bucks.

I'm probably going to pick up this power supply soon. It seems reasonable for what I need and includes the 24 pin connector. The reviews I've seen say it is good at holding stable voltages and it has a 28A 12 rail.

AGPB 500W 2 fan PS - 28A on 12V rail

Whoa! "+5V@61A"

Is that right?!??!

Also, the lower review sounds like a press release. LOL.

 

[wmansfield]

It appears to be correct. This particular unit is designed as a server power supply. The 2nd review is a little humorous...

 

[|TOAST|]

So anybody got two nv silencer 5's working on this thing?

 

[jmg888]

Originally posted by: wmansfield
All the new NF4 boards recommend a real 24 pin power supply. I'm in the same boat, but would rather get the right solution now as opposed to blowing up a power supply or parts of my computer because I tried to save a few bucks.

I'm probably going to pick up this power supply soon. It seems reasonable for what I need and includes the 24 pin connector. The reviews I've seen say it is good at holding stable voltages and it has a 28A 12 rail.

AGPB 500W 2 fan PS - 28A on 12V rail

I got one of those and it wouldn't power up my Ultra-D. I had to resort to an old Antec 350w. I'm leaning towards trying another one because it does seem very impressive, quiet and heavy.

 

[vanvock]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
DFI told me not to use a 20-24 pin adapter. sooo... I bought a new power supply

also some of you are disappointed theres not SLI connector. and one wanted to send it back for a MSI or giga. well why not just buy a DFI sli board if you want it? sure its a bit more expensive and harder to find but that wont last to long

I don't like bait & switch sales tactics (being shown one thing & sold another). They sold these boards fully aware of the buzz about the ultra or else how did the sli bridge get in the pics on their site(s)? Maybe it jumped in there on it's own to help them with a little price gouging.

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: jmg888

Originally posted by: wmansfield
All the new NF4 boards recommend a real 24 pin power supply. I'm in the same boat, but would rather get the right solution now as opposed to blowing up a power supply or parts of my computer because I tried to save a few bucks.

I'm probably going to pick up this power supply soon. It seems reasonable for what I need and includes the 24 pin connector. The reviews I've seen say it is good at holding stable voltages and it has a 28A 12 rail.

AGPB 500W 2 fan PS - 28A on 12V rail

I got one of those and it wouldn't power up my Ultra-D. I had to resort to an old Antec 350w. I'm leaning towards trying another one because it does seem very impressive, quiet and heavy.

so a normal 20 pin works also?

 

[rgreen83]

In Wesley's original article I believe it showed 5 different boards, particularly an ultra-DR. Does this board no longer exist? I dont need to spend the extra for SLI, but the extra SATA ports would be nice.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: wmansfield
After Nvidia's clamp on any non Nvidia SLI solution I doubt SLI is going to last much longer. With all the restrictions they are trying to implement I doubt that VIA's dual graphic solution will work anymore, nor will anything from SIS. The price to performance on the whole thing is insane and only for those that have an extra $1250 laying around to spend. 2 PCIe video cards and a giant power supply will be at least $1000 + $250ish board = $1250

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you on the point that nVidia seems to be acting a bit draconian about their restrictions. And, in fact, I think it will end up hurting their sales. BUT, your estimate of an "extra $1250" is waaaaay off. You do not need a "giant" PSU. I paid $375 for a second PCIe card, and the DFI SLI only cost $40 more than the Ultra for me.

So, a little over $400 was my cost for SLI. I had planned on spending that $400 on a set of Klipsch Ultras and a Audigy Platinum, but decided on SLI at the last minute. I mainly play with headphones late at night anyway, so the SLI seemed like a better purchase.

 

[tokath]

I called the Fry's here in oregon, the sales guy said currently only the ultra-d is listed in their system and the price is $179.99 and they were out.