The high-end model, DFI LANParty LT X38-T2R works great with reasonable DDR2 memory

[windwithme]

The most popular chipset of 1st half year of 2007 must be Intel’s P35 + ICH9R.
So, X38 should be the most eye-catching chipset in the 2nd half year of 2007.
The differences between X38 and P35 are PCI-E 2.0 and Crossfire bandwidth as x16 + x16.

X38 is mainly support DDR3 memory. Some 1st tier manufacture has launched their X38 mobo around October.
After a month, DFI also launched their X38 motherboard too.
Meanwhile, DDR3 is relatively expansive.
Therefore, DFI “mix and match” X38 with DDR2 for a higher C/P ratio product.

The new model of X38 is a LANParty LT series.
They uses mostly white and blue color to light up the package box with some special clothing.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/2452/dx38lt01ip8.jpg

The accessories:
The menu, Driver CD, Cables, IO shield.
The audio part, they features Bernstein audio module, which uses ALC885 high definition codec.
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6721/dx38lt02fa6.jpg

The north bridge heat sink
DFI provides a high-level thermal paste- SHIN-ETSU X23-7783D
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/2995/dx38lt03sy0.jpg

As per last model LP680i, this one can also add a fan on the heat sink too.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/6548/dx38lt04xf4.jpg

DFI LANParty LT X38-T2R motherboard:
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/4427/dx38lt05nn5.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/496/dx38lt06jp5.jpg

The lower left of the board
*a total of three PCIe x16 slots (3way crossfire or a crossfire + physics render card)
1 x PCIe x1 slot
3 x PCI slots
Below VIA chipset, is the connecting port of Bernstein audio
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/4113/dx38lt07sm6.jpg

The lower right:
1x Floppy
8 x SATA II (ICH9R + JMB 363)
ICH9R supports RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5
JMB363 supports RAID 0, 1
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/222/dx38lt08vt3.jpg

The upper right:
1x IDE
4x DIMM DDRII support 667/ 800/ 1066.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3749/dx38lt09zk2.jpg

The upper left:
LANParty series keep using 8-phase digital PWM for CPU power supplying.
I know you can order a Transpiper separately.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3936/dx38lt10rl7.jpg

IO parts:
6 x USB 2.0
1 x 1394
2 x Gigabit LAN (supports Teaming function)
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7200/dx38lt11up6.jpg

X38 Chipset has a different way to cover the chipset itself
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5831/dx38lt12lm8.jpg

Installed Northbridge
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2273/dx38lt13ur3.jpg


Start-up screen
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6876/dx38ltb01jb3.jpg

The ratio and voltage settings
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5721/dx38ltb02qz1.jpg

DRAM multiplier settings
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3589/dx38ltb03bz8.jpg

CPU Feature
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/9591/dx38ltb04hu2.jpg

DRAM‘s settings
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9783/dx38ltb05fi3.jpg

This setting might be push the DRAM’s performance a bit higher
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7905/dx38ltb06ba5.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1364/dx38ltb07ws1.jpg

The voltage settings
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5882/dx38ltb08yx4.jpg

The DRAM’s voltage setting
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2177/dx38ltb09qo3.jpg

Northbridge’s voltage setting
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5140/dx38ltb10hu8.jpg

PC Health Status
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/7357/dx38ltb11mt9.jpg


The test bed
CPU:INTEL Core 2 Extreme QX6800/QX9770
MB: DFI LanParty LT X38-T2R
DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF
VGA:ELSA 8800GT 512M
HD:WD1600AAJS
POWER:Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply
Cooler:Thermaltake V1
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/2941/dx38lt14zh6.jpg

Software and monitoring control interface
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/841/dx38ltosah3.png

The performance of the CPU,
The Quad core FSB at 462MHz, stable at 4X Super PI 32M
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7831/dx38lt462pigk4.png

The performance of DDRII
1200 CL5 5-5-15 1.85V
A single Super PI 32M stable
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1200/dx38lt12005pipe2.png

1.9V Dual SP2004, 2GB full loaded and stable
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5882/dx38lt12005spxa4.png

1200 CL4 4-4-9 2.35V
Single Super PI 32M stable
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1765/dx38lt12004pivq6.png

2.41V Dual SP2004, 2GB also full-loaded stable
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5682/dx38lt12004spgw5.png

The test of memory’s bandwidth
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8517/dx38lt12004memjp6.png

The DRAM part, this board is “inherent” the good traditional from DFI, it still keeps the high record.
It even can use a lower voltage setting than P35.

3D parts
8800GT OC

3DMARK2003
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5844/dx38lt2003vy2.png

3DMARK2005
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/2285/dx38lt2005dp1.png

3DMARK2006
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9753/dx38lt2006lz1.png

The basic performance of X38 is a little bit higher than P35, besides, the VGA supports x16 + x16 bandwidth.
It just like a “value-add” for X38.

DFI LANParty LT X38-T2R
The merits:
1)a special style design for both package and relative covers
2)All solid-state capacitors
3)rich and variety BIOS setting and wide range of voltage options
4)8-phase digital PWM and the isolated Bernstein audio module
5)The board utilizes DDR2 for a cheaper cost to users. The performance is excellent

The drawbacks:
1)The launch day of DFI X38 was two months later than the others
2)If the price of the LANParty X38 can be down a little, more users will love it, I think.
3)The OC of Quad core CPU doesn’t better than P35

X38/ P35, Intel made them as a main product in 2007.
X38 is almost like P35, but the Dual x16 VGA and PCIe 2.0.

The Quad cores CPU seems hard to reach the record of P35. but it still can reach 550 to 600MHz.

If you want a upgrade VGA platform, X38 is almost a best choice for you,
particularly it has dual x16 VGA and PCIe2.0 supports.
But if budget is your first consideration. P35 is still the best choice for you!!

[Red Evil]

Love your reviews.

Would you take this mobo over Maximus?
The price, at least in Germany is cheaper than Maximus`.

[Origin_Unknown]

i'd love this board but finding it in the UK is a PITA!! and importing it carries a whole lot of risks

[Solarfall]

top notch review as always :up:

[lowfat]

That is one of the most attractive boards I have seen. Layout is good, colours are great, no silly heatpipes everywhere. It looks like a perfect board visually. :)

[freeloader]

I'd love to see the IDE connectors gone by now. Other than that, a good looking board.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

its only there for a measure on versatility, like say if someone wants to use all 8 on the SATA ports

[DMH]

I'd love to see the IDE connectors gone by now. Other than that, a good looking board.

There are many people that still use PATA;)

[zanzabar]

I'd love to see the IDE connectors gone by now. Other than that, a good looking board.

i like my dvd drives ive had them for like 5+ years, but i would have liked to see no jmicron im about to buy some sata dvd drives so that i can disable it (it covers teh green ide and yellow sata)

[rioja]

2Gb ram will not enough for 64-bit OS, i wonder how it'll go with 2x2 or 4x2?

[Dede99]

Great review hope I'll get my board next week then I have to learn again the DFI OC guides :D
Thank You

[[XC] Aerosupra]

I love this boards memory tweaking options ... I am dying waiting for it to go in stock again! Thanks for your pictures and OC showcase with quads. What about that "transpiper"? Where to get one? thx

[zanzabar]

u can get them at www.motherboardpro.com

[Heidfirst]

i'd love this board but finding it in the UK is a PITA!! and importing it carries a whole lot of risks
OcUK are talking about bringing a few DFI lines back into stock.

[Origin_Unknown]

OcUK are talking about bringing a few DFI lines back into stock.

ooo, thanks for that information, ill email them and check

[Origin_Unknown]

i just asked OCUK and got the following answer...


Subject: Online message reply
From: Overclockers UK <noreply@overclockers.co.uk>
Date: Fri, January 4, 2008 3:00 pm
To:


Dear

Thank you for your webnote.

If enough stock is avaialble we do stock DFI boards however they are usually in very
small quantities for limited runs.

Regards,

Thomas Lamb


looks like im getting mine imported

[Don_Dan]

This board is really amazing, I would get it if wasn't saving for a notebook... So I'm stuck with my Striker.

However, this board is available in Germany:
http://www.alternate.de/html/productDetails.html?artno=GPED08
I get most of my parts from them, they are very reliable. Maybe you can e-mail them, they ship internationally if I'm not mistaken.
Yeah, I just checked, they ship to most countries of the EU.

EDIT: mail-form: http://www.alternate.de/html/myAlternate/mailContact.html

[Origin_Unknown]

thanks Don_Dan

i cant speak a word of german :(

[vcp-cur]

ok, so DFI is just WOW
I currently still have my NFORCE 4 Sli-D with an x2 4200+ ... but this is just wow.

anyways...however i'm still not into x38 .. am still looking at p35

between these 2, what the difference?

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136039

2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136037

[vcp-cur]

there is an alternate.nl

they ship all EU ... when i lived in holland i either walked to the local store or ordered online...
they have a store in Rotterdam

[Origin_Unknown]

i'm gona get it from http://www.hpm-computer.de/product_info.php?info=p7952_DFI-LANparty-LT-X38-T2R.html

thanks guys :D

[comment]

Nice job, windwithme :toast:

Story submitted, to be posted on the XS front page soon...

[jooney]

i'm gona get it from http://www.hpm-computer.de/product_info.php?info=p7952_DFI-LANparty-LT-X38-T2R.html

thanks guys :D

Good choice,a competent and fast Shop :)
I ordered there today the DFI and the Scythe Backplate ;)

[HKPolice]

No dram drive strength settings?!? :(

[Origin_Unknown]

Good choice,a competent and fast Shop :)
I ordered there today the DFI and the Scythe Backplate ;)

scythe back plate? this is going to sound really, really retarded but is that for mounting the scythe heatsink? :rolleyes:

[zanzabar]

ok, so DFI is just WOW
I currently still have my NFORCE 4 Sli-D with an x2 4200+ ... but this is just wow.

anyways...however i'm still not into x38 .. am still looking at p35

between these 2, what the difference?

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136039

2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136037

the lt has independent heat sinks and the ut has the heatpipes, the lt is a better pick

[jooney]

scythe back plate? this is going to sound really, really retarded but is that for mounting the scythe heatsink? :rolleyes:

I will use it backward for my Fuzion then the Mobo doesnt reflex.

[Origin_Unknown]

I will use it backward for my Fuzion then the Mobo doesnt reflex.

i've just ordered it from that site :D

[ferrari_freak]

Nice review Windwithme, always something to look forward to on the forums :up: . Wouldn't the P35 be a better deal overall since you save ~$70 and achieve the same clock. Is there anything else that the X38 beats the P35 in? Does P35 have DDR3/Crossfire support?

[Origin_Unknown]

16 + 16 pci-e 2.0 on the x38 and 16 + 4/8 pci-e 2.0 on the p35 i beleive...

an added bonus is the lack of heatpipe

[windwithme]

Love your reviews.

Would you take this mobo over Maximus?
The price, at least in Germany is cheaper than Maximus`.

I dont have Maximus,but i think DFI is better for dram:)

[windwithme]

I love this boards memory tweaking options ... I am dying waiting for it to go in stock again! Thanks for your pictures and OC showcase with quads. What about that "transpiper"? Where to get one? thx

DFI LP UT P35-T2R have Transpiper
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/6688/dfilpp3507ko7.jpg

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/9753/dfilpp3524nr8.jpg

[linflas]

DFI LP UT P35-T2R have Transpiper


How well does that thing work to cool the digital pwm's? Is it worth adding for higher quad clocking?

[intothefantasy]

How well does that thing work to cool the digital pwm's? Is it worth adding for higher quad clocking?

yea i would love someone could answer his question as well...i am abit curious of this transpipe thingy mount in the x38...would it cool of the pwm better then putting a fan to it?

[Origin_Unknown]

yea i would love someone could answer his question as well...i am abit curious of this transpipe thingy mount in the x38...would it cool of the pwm better then putting a fan to it?

the x38 doesnt have that gizmo i dont beleive

[linflas]

the x38 doesnt have that gizmo i dont beleive


It does not come with it, but it can be purchased seperately.

[[XC] Aerosupra]

It does not come with it, but it can be purchased seperately.

where?

[linflas]

where?

Motherboardpro has it listed, but out of stock

DFI's website has it listed, but page is still under construction.

I am sure it will become more available, in DFI's own sweet time :rolleyes:

[ooeric]

umm does the dfi x38 have the c1 problems like the p35.

i mean.. would it work with ballistix at first boot.

need cheap ram to start it up?

[zsamz_]

umm does the dfi x38 have the c1 problems like the p35.

i mean.. would it work with ballistix at first boot.

need cheap ram to start it up?


from all my sticks it loves ballistix the most
1.8v for stock 2.13v for 1200+:D

[Zucker2k]

I dont have Maximus,but i think DFI is better for dram:)

Thought I'd share these...

[zsamz_]

i'd thought i'd share these
i'm on first bios need better bios to make it faster:D
first pic is 4 sticks:D 2.2v

[Origin_Unknown]

umm does the dfi x38 have the c1 problems like the p35.

i mean.. would it work with ballistix at first boot.

need cheap ram to start it up?



arg, you mean its got the problem where you need to stick some crap ram in to set the bios then change your ram to ballistix? or (someone will confirm?) will it work with ballistix strait off the bat? (i have 4 sticks of it! :D )

[Schmetterling]

Unfortunatly, there's no dutch stores selling this perfect mainboard so far. Guess I'll have to sell my P5K Deluxe and import one of these from Germany :)

[Origin_Unknown]

Unfortunatly, there's no dutch stores selling this perfect mainboard so far. Guess I'll have to sell my P5K Deluxe and import one of these from Germany :)

thats what i did :D https://www.hpm-computer.de/

awesome responce to emails, i messed up my first order and they agreed to cancel it so i could do it all over again

[giorgadzed]

exellent review.... thank you ''windwithme''

[Praz]

Thought I'd share these...You need to push the Maximus a bit more. :)


http://edgeofstability.com/images/x38lt/misc/532x7_everest.jpg

[mascaras]

Can you test Max FSB with Quad-core ???

regards

[Håkki]

Will a RAID controller work in the third PCI-E slot?

[messerchmidt]

this thing have a big vdroop? or a voltage stab. option (that workds with quad core 45nm cpus) ?

[Zucker2k]

You need to push the Maximus a bit more. :)

You asked for it... :D

Edit: @ Praz; is this enough?

[A2C]

Now i want to buy this MB but in Slovakia it´s horrible problem to buy it i must it pursuate from Germany
but this MB looks very good it is thrue?

[Praz]

You asked for it... :D

Edit: @ Praz; is this enough?
212MB read speed and 0.9ns latency difference with 1000MHz more on the CPU. Wonder where those scores would have fell at the same processor speed?

[zsamz_]

212MB read speed and 0.9ns latency difference with 1000MHz more on the CPU. Wonder where those scores would have fell at the same processor speed?

i bet i can do better if i had a better cpu too lol

[Zucker2k]

Where are the screenies guys? I guess all was well when guys were posting CAS 4 ocs. ROFL. Thought you said to push the Maximus?

[Praz]

And we're still waiting to see it pushed.

[Zucker2k]

Why don't you just give credit where it's due? These are 11k+ across the board, highest I've seen so far on any X38/DDR2 platform. I may be wrong, but you'll have to show us some screenies. It's kinda pathetic when you can't top these numbers but try to slight them. The most important thing is that the board could handle these outputs, right? wrong?

I bet if I can get my hands on better rams, I could push these numbers way past 12k easily. Those settings were 5-6-6-21, just in case you didn't notice.

[Praz]

Ok. I'll be the one to say it. You have the best board in the world. Now notice the title of this thread and go back and play on the other side of the street.

[GripS]

Ok. I'll be the one to say it. You have the best board in the world. Now notice the title of this thread and go back and play on the other side of the street.

:rofl: :ROTF:

I was wondering what talk of Asus was doing in a DFI thread.:rolleyes:

[Zucker2k]

Ok. I'll be the one to say it. You have the best board in the world. Now notice the title of this thread and go back and play on the other side of the street.

Off to find better competition...

[coo-coo-clocker]

i bet i can do better if i had a better cpu too lol I think you've got some awesome numbers there with the e6850.

[LockBreaker]

Windwithme: Great review, as always. ;) (Read your review of the 45nm Intel E8500) :)

Does the heatsink come with the motherboard? As a stoc chipset cooler? :)

A feature I've wanted to see with other manufacturers as well. Nice DFI included this pretty little thing. :)

Do they have a 780i board as well? :)

[zsamz_]

I think you've got some awesome numbers there with the e6850.

thanks but i didnt push it yet lol
soon verry soon i gonna test the limits
i got her to 555fsb n only pushed ballistix to 2.13 n mushkins to 2.3
gonna try da fatties n see

[adya]

Im thinking of getting this board. just wondering whats dfi support is like? do they answer emails? have phone numbers u can ring ? or are they retarded like asus? easy to rm?
i never use to take support inton consideration but after loosing my maximus formula to asus i need to know.

also on there website it says it supports DDR2 667/800 MHz doesnt say anything about 1066mhz? how easy would it be to run ddr2 1066 and further to maybe 1200mhz?

[quake6]

Could somebody test max fsb for QUAD? Please... :D

[t_ski]

You guys need to look at the discussion thread:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=166338

All your questions are answered there.

[quake6]

Not all,that's why I asked...

[Leeghoofd]

You need to push the Maximus a bit more. :

Try a quad next plz...wanna see some DFI magic... awaiting P45 release here

Nice review Windwithme :) top notch as always

[deadman'sclick]

You need to push the Maximus a bit more. :)


http://edgeofstability.com/images/x38lt/misc/532x7_everest.jpg

now thats impressive at 3.7 odd GHz & 400MHz memory :worship: :D

[Zucker2k]

Less mhz, less bus speed, less ram frequency, looser ram timings..... more impressive:

Edit: Oh, 400mhz memory :D

[zsamz_]

howz this:D
2.24v
my new board suks:(
wait till i get my hands on a wolfie

[mustrum]

Try a quad next plz...wanna see some DFI magic... awaiting P45 release here

Nice review Windwithme :) top notch as always

There's no magic here. 65nm quads do fine from what i read but the new 45nm ones crap out at an extremely low FSB wall on the X38 and X48 DFI's.

I wish i'd read up on it earlier on because i am stuck at a 445 FSB wall and there's many out there that can't even get there.

[zfactor]

^^^ really .. man i hope thats not in all cases

[zsamz_]

^^^ really .. man i hope thats not in all cases

new quads make no sense unless you gettin a 1000$ cpu lol
as for duallies only 8600+ makes sense to me :D

[Zucker2k]

howz this:D
2.24v
my new board suks:(
wait till i get my hands on a wolfie

Nice one, you're getting there....

This is E8400 @ 8x533 and G.Skill DDR2 1000 4x2GB running at 1066mhz

[zfactor]

new quads make no sense unless you gettin a 1000$ cpu lol
as for duallies only 8600+ makes sense to me :D

looking to the future ones not the current ones.. i hope those will be better

[zsamz_]

looking to the future ones not the current ones.. i hope those will be better

me2 lol but i in no rush
i just want a 600x8 cpu n i'm good

[minaelromany]

I don' like the 3DMark06 score , my rig scores 15030 :confused:

[chester]

ehm .just like to buzz in and point out>Ur using an engeneering smaple .buy some stuff then shoe ur score:>)Ur the best ur the greatest but u think anyone else might do that on.reg cooling reg board?yea ur right this is extreme but buy somn then compare!I bought ddr3 a year ago got the board that holds fsb recordz
GUess what no where near.U prollly own a websit prolly own a porsh but put ur numbers with store bought stuff next to that.sry thx