DFI nF4 SLI-DR EXPERT First look

These 2 weeks, DFI has done a lot.
Just remember DFI launched ATI RD482, RDX200 CF-DR, 2 weeks ago.
I am still impressive in the OC ability, great layout and components.
Today, DFI launches revised nF4 – EXPERT version.

Lets have a look.
The box changes to green plus EXPERT wording.
Previous nF4 is blue and RDX200 is red.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/01_002.jpg

The backside of box has detail description.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/02_001.jpg

The outlook of the board
We can see it’s similar with RDX200.
The same 100% Japanese capacitors keep good quality.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/03_000.jpg

Left below
For advanced user who has audio card or TV tuner card, the original nF4 just has 2 PCI.
This version increase to 3 PCIs and keep the diagnostic LEDs.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/04_000.jpg

Right below
The same as usual to have POWER&RESET switches.
4 nF4 built-in SATAII and 4 SATA from Sil3114 which supports RAID5.
Also built-in PC speaker which can be disable by jumper.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/05.jpg

Left above
2 IDE slots.
The same as INTEL LGA775 uses 24PIN + 8PIN in power connectors.
But normal 20PIN + 4PIN POWER still can use.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/06.jpg

IO and Memory
6 USB 2.0 + Dual Gigabit LAN + 1 IEEE1394
The memory slots are great. You can use CPU and chassis coolers to reduce the heat of memory


http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/07_000.jpg

SLI switch is electrical.
Enlarged PCI-E gap is wonderful for user to use water blocks or compressor to tweak the VGA performance.
nF4 chipset cooler is magnetic levitated fan. It’s 3000 to 7000rpm. User can adjust it by himself. This design is great for performance and low noise.
http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/08_000.jpg

The components close to CPU socket
4 phases PWM with aluminum components to enhance the stability.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/09_000.jpg

The best selling point for this board
Keep the nF4 great OC blood, in memory, it break the AMD 4DIMM in DDR333 2T spce.
In EXPERT, we may can reach DDR400 1T with 2 2-2-5.
I use 2 pairs GSkill 1GBFX to test this.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/10.jpg


Time is late. Wait for more detail test in BIOS and memory tuning............

BIOS Options…

The boot up screen is getting better.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B0.jpg


BIOS
Basically, the setup is similar with previous DFI LanPARTY nF4 series.
However, the range is more flexible.

Main setup options

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B1.jpg


Built-in MEMTEST is a great tool. The version is 1.65

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B2.jpg




The highest frequency is 550

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B3.jpg



HT 1~5X also has 1.5X and 2.5X

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B4.jpg



CPU voltage also has 2 segments adjustment.
1st segment is 0.08V to 1.55V

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B5.jpg


http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B6.jpg

The 2nd segment is %, maximum is 136%
The overall highest voltage is 2.108V

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B7_000.jpg


DRAM voltage
Previous version is setting into 2 sections : 2.5V~3.2V&3.3~4V JUMP.
This version is non-section voltage from 2.29V~4V. Even the voltage is over 3.3V, there is no heat issue as before.

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B8_000.jpg

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B9.jpg



SLI uses electronic switch. You can switch into 1X/16X or 8X/8X mode in BIOS

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B10.jpg

DRAM tuning options
Same as previous version
First page

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B11.jpg

Next page

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B12.jpg

The key factor of OC - DRAM Drive Strength
From LEVEL1~LEVEL8 to LEVEL1~LEVEL15

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B13.jpg


BIOS Temp./Speed control page

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/B14.jpg

Test Congiuration

AMD K8 939 3000+ 0517
DFI nF4 SLI-DR EXPERT
GSkill 1GBFX DDR400 2 2-2-5 2 pairs
SPARKLE 6200
Maxtor 30GB
DELTA 350W

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/11.jpg

Even it’s 512X2 DDR400 2 2-2-5, when you plug 4 DIMMs, you still need to adjust the BIOS very carefully.
DDR400 1T 4 DIMM is not CPU(AMD).MB(DFI).DRAM(GSkill) official guarantee.
All official guarantee is dual channels not 4 DIMMs in 2 channels.

Reached! DDR400 2 2-2-5 1T 512MBX4 2.68V
PI 32M finished!!!


http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/400.jpg


Forget the most important accessory

Longer SLI bridge

http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/11/12_010.jpg



3D VGA
MSI 7800GT SLI
http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/13/01_010.jpg

3DMARK2003
http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/13/20031.png

3DMARK2005
http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/13/20051.png

DRAM
2GB Kit
GSkill 2GBHZ
http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/13/HZ3.JPG

DDR570 3 4-4-8 1T 2.49V PI 32M
http://img4.picsplace.to/img4/13/570.png

thats a pretty board.. looking foward to see if there is a difference with this compared to the old

Nice :) Thanks for posting :toast:
Now, lets see how it performs with 4X512...RDX200 can do it @206-1T ;)

glad to see someone finally HAS the board...definitely looking forward to results :)

good job wwm, now show us if it can handle those sticks like the ati version!!!

no more jumpers ? :)

AHH that's the stuff!

I need my fix though, show some benches!!!

retail eta?


very truly yours,
politenessman

any tests?

Beautiful board. Looking forward to dump my Asus Premium for this.

Retail ETA:
4-10 November

Awesome! I knew waiting would pay off. Lets see some exterme overclocking with this board. Also if you have any ballistix please test 2x1gb please. Let us know if there are any problems with this board like the RDX200.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AfterClock

Retail ETA:
4-10 November

---

thanx, man. besides cleaning up 5.0/3.3 vdimm jumper probs, more space between pcie slots and dimm slot layout change, anything else different? will there be an expert d, expert ultra-d, expert sli, etc?

edit yea i sees 3 pci slots, too. good. can now use pvr 150 and wifi AND my xmystique7.1

very truly yours,
politenessman

how much ?

this is a beauty.. but I could not use it because the video card nearest the processor would hit my 2nd radiator. doh! oh well.. the video cards are much more towards the middle of the board now.. which is good in general, but could cause some isssues with people with Lian-Li vXXXX cases who have a 120mm radiator installed on the rear fan.. just make a note of that if that's you. :)

Nice to see the boards actually exist ;)

wow...wanting results!

Forget the recent Sapphire and DFI RDX200 boards...this is where the real OC'ers will be.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by politenessman

thanx, man. besides cleaning up 5.0/3.3 vdimm jumper probs, more space between pcie slots and dimm slot layout change, anything else different? will there be an expert d, expert ultra-d, expert sli, etc?

edit yea i sees 3 pci slots, too. good. can now use pvr 150 and wifi AND my xmystique7.1

very truly yours,
politenessman

---

Hi there :)

I can see no more expert nF4 versions...only the SLI-DR eXpert...being shown here.

the question is....how does it perform under subzero? :D

wow thx for post it up windwithme - like always
that will be my next board for sure, did you try some oc ?
and im wonder , he is better than the "old" pcb ?

Guess retail ETA is now 5-10 Nov... ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by don_vercetti

wow...wanting results!

Forget the recent Sapphire and DFI RDX200 boards...this is where the real OC'ers will be.

---

Once RDX200 gets a newer bios fixing locks the real ocers will be there too running 2x 1800xts

OMG...finaly...I was ready to get an other board...I hope it will be nice to my new 144 :woot:

Update? ;)

Great job windwithme. We hope your results.