DFI SLI-DR Expert Edition (Worth it?)

I am using Expert in my home rig with my new Vapochill LS. So far I'm using my FX57 around 3.45-3.50 ghz for daily use. I'm extremely happy with this board. So I recommend it to everyone who's considering this board for their systems. I think it's better than the old sli-dr bc I also used that board and the layout, voltages and pwm temps are improved in this version

By the way do you guys know a version of Speedfan that works with the Expert? Bc mine shuts down the pc as soon as I start the program

My expert has run into a problem. The memory slot closest to the cpu gives a c1 error on boot. I have a feeling it has to do with condensation spreading to the memory slots - there have been times where I've taken my sticks out after a night of benching and they've felt frozen :rolleyes: Hopefully it's just a minor prob - I'll tear down my insulation and take a look at what may be happening underneath.......

i have a question.
does the processor oc better under phase or di if you switch from sli-dr to expert?

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Originally Posted by Ozan Baseski

By the way do you guys know a version of Speedfan that works with the Expert? Bc mine shuts down the pc as soon as I start the program

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With speedfan you can get around this problem by using the /nosmbscan parameter. However if you are using the newest version of Sisoft Sandra and double click on Mainboard information you will also bring down your pc. I also don't seem to be able to install Smartguardian.

It's pretty annoying and I wish DFI would fix it, otherwise i'm pretty happy with the board also.

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Originally Posted by .Cyber1an>>

i have a question.
does the processor oc better under phase or di if you switch from sli-dr to expert?

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I am at a loss for words:) LOL

It really depends on temps and if you have a good cpu or not.

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Originally Posted by Wilsont

I also don't seem to be able to install Smartguardian.

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I think this is specific to your system. I've not heard of any other reports like this. Although the Sandra issue is known, I don't think there are any issues with SmartGuardian. Did you do a fresh OS installation? What version of SmartGuardian are you running? (The one that comes with the mobo CD should work fine...but there are different versions out there depending on the monitoring chip on the board)

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Originally Posted by Wilsont

With speedfan you can get around this problem by using the /nosmbscan parameter. However if you are using the newest version of Sisoft Sandra and double click on Mainboard information you will also bring down your pc. I also don't seem to be able to install Smartguardian.

It's pretty annoying and I wish DFI would fix it, otherwise i'm pretty happy with the board also.

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Yes that really worked out well. Thanks

I got rma taken care of.. sorta:rolleyes:
The board was used for overclocking but it did not die while it was running.
Simply.. I woke up yesterday.. go on my desktop.. turn on my computer..
then bzz bzz noise and smoke comes out. The board never booted after that.

Btw.. everything was set back to "stock" and the board did not die because of anything related to high voltage.

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Originally Posted by k00lance

I got rma taken care of.. sorta:rolleyes:
The board was used for overclocking but it did not die while it was running.
Simply.. I woke up yesterday.. go on my desktop.. turn on my computer..
then bzz bzz noise and smoke comes out. The board never booted after that.

Btw.. everything was set back to "stock" and the board did not die because of anything related to high voltage.

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Argh.. Sorry to hear that..
Was wondering if those initial revisions are really causing troubles..
I tried a few more A02s, and everything seems OK so far..

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Originally Posted by k00lance

I got rma taken care of.. sorta:rolleyes:
The board was used for overclocking but it did not die while it was running.
Simply.. I woke up yesterday.. go on my desktop.. turn on my computer..
then bzz bzz noise and smoke comes out. The board never booted after that....

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Exactly what happened to me a few weeks ago...... :( Good luck on the RMA........

EDIT: AMD handled the RMA promptly without issue. Monarch (on the Expert) appears to be a different story. The jury's still out.

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Originally Posted by k00lance

I got rma taken care of.. sorta:rolleyes:
The board was used for overclocking but it did not die while it was running.
Simply.. I woke up yesterday.. go on my desktop.. turn on my computer..
then bzz bzz noise and smoke comes out. The board never booted after that.

Btw.. everything was set back to "stock" and the board did not die because of anything related to high voltage.

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Wow...super bummer!!

When you looked at the board, what blew? Could it have been condensation or anything? It sounds much different than the other reports.

Sorry to hear about this:(

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Originally Posted by k00lance

I got rma taken care of.. sorta:rolleyes:
The board was used for overclocking but it did not die while it was running.
Simply.. I woke up yesterday.. go on my desktop.. turn on my computer..
then bzz bzz noise and smoke comes out. The board never booted after that.

Btw.. everything was set back to "stock" and the board did not die because of anything related to high voltage.

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Bzzt noise sound familiar with my RDX200:(
Hows the other components k00lance? Hope all are ok.

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Originally Posted by s7e9h3n

My expert has run into a problem. The memory slot closest to the cpu gives a c1 error on boot. I have a feeling it has to do with condensation spreading to the memory slots - there have been times where I've taken my sticks out after a night of benching and they've felt frozen :rolleyes: Hopefully it's just a minor prob - I'll tear down my insulation and take a look at what may be happening underneath.......

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Same here...sometimes it happened with cascade and sli-dr and rdx200. A few hours break then it will be ok.

My first Expert died and took my Opty 170 with it. Like the other guy I just shut it down and then it didn't restart in the morning while it was running at stock speed with everything set to auto. My 2nd one now does not turn on if I hold the front power button down to turn it off, and has serious problem with my Mushkin memory modules. I can't even crank up the FSB to 230 without major data corruption or boot problem. I've ordered the 3rd one last night and will RMA this one when it comes in...

I feel pretty disappointed. Perhaps I should switch back to Ultra-D if the 3rd board craps out on me again.

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Originally Posted by mdzcpa

I think this is specific to your system. I've not heard of any other reports like this. Although the Sandra issue is known, I don't think there are any issues with SmartGuardian. Did you do a fresh OS installation? What version of SmartGuardian are you running? (The one that comes with the mobo CD should work fine...but there are different versions out there depending on the monitoring chip on the board)

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Yep you're right, can install it fine after a reinstall of Windows =)

From my experience only the orange slots are decent for overclocking.

I have 2 x 1G of PC4000 Crucial Ballistix and I think I may have done something to one of the sticks as if I just leave it in and clear the CMOS the system will not POST. If I use the other stick it's fine.

If I then go into the bios and set the vdimm to 2.7+ both sticks work again. So I'm not sure if one stick is damaged or what, it seemed to work ok on another motherboard. So the only real outstanding issue I have with this board is some monitoring programs crash the system and I seem to have to really increase the vdimm to get my memory stable.

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Originally Posted by Wilsont

If I then go into the bios and set the vdimm to 2.7+ both sticks work again. So I'm not sure if one stick is damaged or what, it seemed to work ok on another motherboard. So the only real outstanding issue I have with this board is some monitoring programs crash the system and I seem to have to really increase the vdimm to get my memory stable.

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Unfortunately those Ballsitix sticks have a reputation of dying:( They OC great, but many many folks have reported trouble after a few weeks of use. I'd recommend a google search on this and check it out. You may want to RMA.

Can someone please elaborate on DFI's quirks, in general and specifically about the CPU problem? I'm probably ordering an expert edition very soon, but I'd like to investigate more first and know what I'm getting into.

How about the power connectors. Can it be people that uses 4 pin instead of the special 8-pin power connector more likely get this issue?

Guys actually I will going back to the eXpert turns out the A8N32-SLI DLX is not as good as I thought it would be. Really missing what i had

Crawling back, now are you :hrhr:

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Originally Posted by oqvist

How about the power connectors. Can it be people that uses 4 pin instead of the special 8-pin power connector more likely get this issue?

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I got some pretty good clocks using an OCZ 520 with 4 pin. For the max in top end OCing, it likely best to have te 8 pin. But you can get some seriously robust overclocking done using a 4 pin based on my own trials.

I'm not sure if it contributes to any problems.

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Originally Posted by CrashOv3r1De

Guys actually I will going back to the eXpert turns out the A8N32-SLI DLX is not as good as I thought it would be. Really missing what i had

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That's how I felt when I tried the Asus and put the Expert back in the box. I switched back again in a few days:)

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Originally Posted by mdzcpa

I got some pretty good clocks using an OCZ 520 with 4 pin. For the max in top end OCing, it likely best to have te 8 pin. But you can get some seriously robust overclocking done using a 4 pin based on my own trials.

I'm not sure if it contributes to any problems.

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Guys on DFI forum advices against it though. Guess there has to be some reason the DFI don´t recommend that?

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Originally Posted by oqvist

Guys on DFI forum advices against it though. Guess there has to be some reason the DFI don´t recommend that?

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I'd have to agree that there is a reason its designed with it. I'm sure it provides better power to the board no doubt. Whether it causes any problems other than decreased high end performance using a 4 pin is another issue.

I'll be honest, though. I moved to 8 pin PSUs for the same reasons you mention.

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Originally Posted by mdzcpa

I got some pretty good clocks using an OCZ 520 with 4 pin. For the max in top end OCing, it likely best to have te 8 pin. But you can get some seriously robust overclocking done using a 4 pin based on my own trials.

I'm not sure if it contributes to any problems.

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do you mean the ModStream, or the Powerstream? I'm planning to buy the 520 Powerstream, and I was under the impression that it does have the 8pin connector... yes/no?