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

[CraigSlice]

Just got board in, and when im going to be running a dualcore processor and i heard that you need to flash BIOS to do this. So i looked at site, and there are 5 different version available Which one do i use? here is direct link http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/Download/...CATEGORY_TYPE=LP&STATUS_FLAG=A&SITE=US

 

[CheesePoofs]

Some corsair value select works fine on the DFI nF4 boards (I'm running), but a high percentage of it refuses to run on these boards.

Chances are you wont' need to flash your bios to use a dual core processor. If it detects the processor correctly (ie, lists the name of the processor correctly on bootup) you won't need to. If you do have to flash yoru bios, you want the 6/23 bios. Since you probably wont' have windows installed at this point, you can't use the diamond flash image and should just download zip file that contains it.

 

[CraigSlice]

well, im just gonna take my harddrive from my old comp and shove it in new one. But should i flash it anyways, when processor arrives

 

[CheesePoofs]

Not if you don't need to. Chances are it will already have the 6/23 bios on it.

 

[Griffinhart]

I just installed the DFI Lanparty UT NF4 SLI-Expert last night.

I'm still installing my software, but so far it looks like an oustanding board.

Zero problems with the installation. The layout of the board is the best I've seen. The extra room between the PCIe slots are great, and there is still plenty of room for the three normal PCI slots.

I'll update once I've had a chance to put it through it's paces.

System Specs are:
4400+ X2
2GB RAM (two 1GB Patriot PC3200 sticks 2-3-2-5)
two XFX 7800GT's
SB X-FI sound board
Antec p-180 case w/ Antec Neo HE 550 watt PS
A pair of WD 200GB SATA drives.

I've had most of the system for a while, but I just got the MB, Soundcard, and RAM last night. I was using a Giga-Byte SLI board, Audigy2 (started having problems), 4 sticks of 512MB Crucial (only CAS 3) PC3200.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: Griffinhart
I just installed the DFI Lanparty UT NF4 SLI-Expert last night.

I'm still installing my software, but so far it looks like an oustanding board.

Zero problems with the installation. The layout of the board is the best I've seen. The extra room between the PCIe slots are great, and there is still plenty of room for the three normal PCI slots.

I'll update once I've had a chance to put it through it's paces.

System Specs are:
4400+ X2
2GB RAM (two 1GB Patriot PC3200 sticks 2-3-2-5)
two XFX 7800GT's
SB X-FI sound board
Antec p-180 case w/ Antec Neo HE 550 watt PS
A pair of WD 200GB SATA drives.

I've had most of the system for a while, but I just got the MB, Soundcard, and RAM last night. I was using a Giga-Byte SLI board, Audigy2 (started having problems), 4 sticks of 512MB Crucial (only CAS 3) PC3200.

How do you like that NeoHE?

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: Pens1566
How do you like that NeoHE?

So far, I like it a lot. It's fairly quiet, The modular cables are great, and it seems to work as advertised. It seems to be an excellent match for the Lan Party board since it has both the 24pin power cable and the 8pin connection for the CPU power.

 

[poopyman67]

I've been having problems overclocking... when ever i try to set different ram timings, I'm unable to boot into windows... any suggestions?? what should I do with all the other settings? leave them @ auto?

thx.

 

[vanvock]

System spec's? What settings are you changing? How much? General rule is to go a little at a time, not big jumps all at once. Auto should be fine for most of the settings if you're not trying for an uber OC. What are volts & temps?

 

[CraigSlice]

i have the DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D, and im wondering what slots i put my 2 sticks of ram in for Dual Channel? I've heard a couple of different ways and just want to make sure.
I've heard the 2 yellow ones, 2 orange ones, first 2 slots and last 2 slots, which way is correct and best?

Also, incase my ram doesnt work, what is the best timing for ram? 2-3-3-6?

 

[vanvock]

I run mine in the orange slots. If you're not OC'ing just let the ram run at SPD settings & you'll be fine.

 

[Griffinhart]

I did a lot of gaming over the holiday weekend, so I finally got to put the board through its "real world" paces. It's been rock solid for me.

I'm not overclocking at the moment, but I'm honestly not predicting any problems when and if I do.

 

[vanvock]

Just got a Opty146 & have a few questions. I'm running the 3-10 bios & guess I'll flash to 6-23 but is it really needed? Anyone running one on the 3-10? Are they recognized? Will the SmartGuardian work with it or do I need to update chipset drivers as well? Thanx.

I'll try a post on the CPU Forum.

 

[CommodoreRed]

Heyas very nice posts about card. I am deciding between the DFI LAN Party UT Ultra+ (not SLI). I hear SLI version layout is exactly same (minus SLI bridge) is that true? Also... been hearing some things about chipset fan breaking or getting in way and needing to be replaced. I am interested in a highly stable board, run STOCK speeds for a while (OC later) since Im new to custom building from ground up. Also hear installation of everything is a breeze.

 

[vanvock]

Welcome, Yes the only diff is what's enabled on the chipset. I didn't have any probs with my fan or the setup, it's been a great board for me.

 

[thenemesis2]

Originally posted by: vanvock
Just got a Opty146 & have a few questions. I'm running the 3-10 bios & guess I'll flash to 6-23 but is it really needed? Anyone running one on the 3-10? Are they recognized? Will the SmartGuardian work with it or do I need to update chipset drivers as well? Thanx.

When I was using 3200xl's I had the most success with the yellow slots and bigtoes 704ta mod bios. Max stable was 290mhz for 3mark05 3mark03 & PcMark 05, 295mhz 12+ prime. However I now use 3200Xl pro's and the 510-1 fix. I used the 310 breifly but it didn't have a couple of ram settings in the bios that were added in the 623 & the 623 mods (510's). I would recommend the 510's or the bigtoes mod. I'll try my 3200XL's with the 510 since i hadn't but I'm sure I'm not gonna reach the 600ddr with em. Smart Guardian works fine.

 

[Michael]

I'm curious about the PCI slots on the DFI Lanparty UT NF4 SLI-Expert. I will be using a sound card and a PCI wireless NIC. That will burn 2 PCI slots. If I use SLI, will one of the video cards interfere with one of the PCI slots?

thanks,

Michael

 

[Triggerhappy007]

Originally posted by: Michael
I'm curious about the PCI slots on the DFI Lanparty UT NF4 SLI-Expert. I will be using a sound card and a PCI wireless NIC. That will burn 2 PCI slots. If I use SLI, will one of the video cards interfere with one of the PCI slots?

thanks,

Michael

If you haven't bought the Wireless PCI NIC yet, buy a USB one instead. It will save a PCI slot.

 

[Michael]

I've had bad luck with USB based Nics (always seem to lose connection while my daughter's computer that I put a PCI card into connects stongly all the time). So I have bought the Wireless PCI card.

I'm worried that the cooler from the videocard will spill over into the space required for the PCI slot. I like to be able to be flexible and move from slot to slot if needed for interupt purposes. I will be able to turn off the on board sound and the onboard LAN since I won't be making a wired connection.

USB wireless NICs also are yet another cable sticking out and catching on things when I could simply plug in a NIC.

Right now I foresee the wireless card, maybe a sound card, and maybe some sort of TV Tuner solution in the far future. So I only need 1-2 PCI slots right now.

Michael

 

[Griffinhart]

If it's the one I got, it shouldn't be a problem. The Lanparty UT NF4 SLI Expert has 3 PCI slots in addition to the PCIe slots. You should be able to add a soundboard and a PCI Wireless card and have plenty of room for an SLI set up. Well, for most videoboards anyway. What are you using for video boards? In my case I am using a pair of XFX 7800GT's and there is plenty of room.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: Griffinhart

Originally posted by: Pens1566
How do you like that NeoHE?

So far, I like it a lot. It's fairly quiet, The modular cables are great, and it seems to work as advertised. It seems to be an excellent match for the Lan Party board since it has both the 24pin power cable and the 8pin connection for the CPU power.

Did you route the ATX/EPS cables under the MB?

 

[Michael]

Griffinhart,

Will I be able to use all three PCI slots even with a SLI set-up or am I likely to have one slot blocked? I haven't bought the SLI cards yet, but I doubt I would remove stock coolers and overclock with 3rd party coolers. I would like to use the NIC and a soundcard and still have one slot free in case I decide to put a TV tuner or something else in there.

thanks,

Michael

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: Pens1566


Did you route the ATX/EPS cables under the MB?

No, I ran them along the front edge, tied down to the case with Zip ties.

Griffinhart,

Will I be able to use all three PCI slots even with a SLI set-up or am I likely to have one slot blocked? I haven't bought the SLI cards yet, but I doubt I would remove stock coolers and overclock with 3rd party coolers. I would like to use the NIC and a soundcard and still have one slot free in case I decide to put a TV tuner or something else in there.

thanks,

Michael

If you are using video boards with standard size cooling, you can use all three slots, but, I'm paranoid and like leaving an unused slot between the Video and the first PCI board. But, if your plan is to use a Wireless NIC, and a soundboard, you'll have plenty of room for both with this board.

 

[shortylickens]

Since we already have an official thread and AT frowns on making new threads, I thought I'd brag right here.

I just completed my order for a DR Expert along with a sckt 939 3200+.
I know it seems silly to spend more on the MB than the CPU, but socket 939 will be around for a long time, and I didn't feel like spending 750 bucks on a processor right away when I know there's going to be better stuff coming around the corner. Eventually I will move up to a 4800+ or the new FX dual core, whenever it shows up.

Am swapping over my 2x512MB of OCZ PC3500EB, which I'm sure will be more than enough for now.

Also have the eVGA 7800 GT, and may add a second one when I feel the need. Currently have an Enermax 550W power supply, so dont anybody worry about me. I'll be just fine.

Got into nForce with my ASUS A7N8X and discovered DFI with my socket 754 upgrade. I think it shall be a winning combo for my new game system.

 

[5t3v0]

I'm thinking of getting rid of my Epox board and getting an Ultra-D instead. Does anyone know if there is enough clearance over the chipset fan for an Arctic ATI Sliencer 5 rev .2 mounted on a GTO2?