Official DFI LanParty UT X38-T2R(and LT) Discussion/Review/Overclock/Guide Thread

[shawn1998]

I'm back after my first and LAST experience with crossfire!!! I got in two brand-new Sapphire HD3850 512's today, installed them, formatted and reinstalled Vista X64 Ultimate. No problems yet. Installed chipset and ahci drivers, still no issues. Installed the 7.11 cat's. No problems. Enabled crossfire and rebotted, still, no problems. Tried to update Vista via windows update. It was a train wreck. I could never get back into Vista, ever. If I booted normally, it would either bsod and restart, or it wold simply go to a black screen just before the desktop and sit there. Safe mode was the same. It would try to configure the updates and freeze. I tried everything possible. I powered downm removed the crossfire bridge and powered back up, no change. I tried it with each of the 3850's individually, no change. The only thing that worked was remove the ATI cards and put back in my 8800GT. After that, all was back to normal.

Now, it seems to me that one of the update hosed me, but I have no idea which one. Or, less possibly both of the 3850's are faulty. Bottom line, ATI is dead to me. If anyone with this board has had success with an ATI card, most notably the 3850, post and maybe I can figure this thing out.

Shawn

[MrGarrison]

Just arrived, DFI LANParty LT X38-T2R







Used Artic Cooling MX-2 thermal paste on northbridge and replaced SB and PWM heatsinks' thermal paste with MX-2 as well. Installing WinXP Pro SP2 right now

Hm won't CPU cooling performance be affected when you have the CPU sink turned 90 degrees like that?

[koei]

I have no problems with my 3870s. And I have all the windows updates running for Vista32. Not sure what exactly is causing your problem but definitely seems like software related.

[jkresh]

motherboardpro's is listing the UT on their site, (no preorders yet). Does anyone know what the differences are to justify the $50 higher cost. It appears to have different coloration (yellow/orange vs green) and a different chipset cooling (I would guess its a heatpipe system), and if thats it then I might just go with the LT if I can find one, but if there are any useful additional features/accessories I would pay more for the ut.

[shawn1998]

I have no problems with my 3870s. And I have all the windows updates running for Vista32. Not sure what exactly is causing your problem but definitely seems like software related.

I agree that it seems to be software related, but I haven't a clue as to what, though. It was a fresh install, then only thing loaded was the Intel chipset drivers, then the Cat 7.11's. That's it, nothing else at all. I wonder if it is related to Vista 64 somehow?

[sofarfrome]

try doing your vista update immediately after you install your chipset drivers. typically I only load enough drivers to get the lan going then do all of the rest after the windows update.

[Praz]

Hm won't CPU cooling performance be affected when you have the CPU sink turned 90 degrees like that?

Mine's mounted the same way and seems to work fine. 3600MHz processor speed. CPU temperature is BIOS adjusted to read same as CoreTemp.

[qdemn7]

Well I ordered my mobo from NCIX, we shall see.

[shawn1998]

try doing your vista update immediately after you install your chipset drivers. typically I only load enough drivers to get the lan going then do all of the rest after the windows update.

I tried that as well, no go. There is really something not good happening with one of the Vista updates for X64 and the ATI drivers. It's probably just me, but damned if I can figure out what it is...back to nVidia.

[retrospooty]

I tried that as well, no go. There is really something not good happening with one of the Vista updates for X64 and the ATI drivers. It's probably just me, but damned if I can figure out what it is...back to nVidia.

Have you had Nvidia SLI up and running on Vista64 ? I have heard nothing but negative on both Nvidia and ATI cards in Vista 64. I thought the general concept was that Vista 64 sucked.

[shawn1998]

Vista 64 does not suck at all. It may have issues with crossfire and/or SLI, who knows, but that wouldn't constitute it to "suck". I, for one, think Vista 64 is extremely stable and bug free. If this is indeed and OS issue that I am having, it will be the first real problem that I've ever had running Vista 64. To me, it's more of ATI's drivers (and crossfire) sucking. That is, though, just my opinion.

[Praz]

The only real difference concerning video between Vista x64 and XP is the drop in performance.

[BeastNotro]

Vista 64 does not suck at all. It may have issues with crossfire and/or SLI, who knows, but that wouldn't constitute it to "suck". I, for one, think Vista 64 is extremely stable and bug free. If this is indeed and OS issue that I am having, it will be the first real problem that I've ever had running Vista 64. To me, it's more of ATI's drivers (and crossfire) sucking. That is, though, just my opinion.

Hey guys no need to fight.

Vista runs fine for Crossfire and Sli and has been proven so many times.

This can be an issue of a immature Bios or new ATI drivers... try about 1-2 older drivers from ATI to see if that solves the issue.

It truely sounds like a Driver issue.

Do you have a separate sound card?

If so try taking it out to see if it solves the issue and if not then try other drivers for the cards.... leave the sound card out if you have one that is.

Check the Bios for any settings for Crossfire you may have missed, also mabye it is a video card voltage issue in the bios when running two cards on this virgin Bios .... I am not sure but check that out too .... maybe up it to 110 to try and see if that solves the issue.

[zsamz_]

i finnally got confimation of shipping
i ordered last wednesday shippin today

[mondocool]

Just arrived, DFI LANParty LT X38-T2R







Used Artic Cooling MX-2 thermal paste on northbridge and replaced SB and PWM heatsinks' thermal paste with MX-2 as well. Installing WinXP Pro SP2 right now

Hmm, is there any possibly way to install the thermalright ultra 120 xtreme to blow out the case and through the top?

[Brother Esau]

Anybody got a Areca Card to throw into it and see whats up with X38 and Areca cards?

[2000army]

ya thats what i want to know ....does this work with the areca 1210

[eva2000]

With Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme, unfortunately not with included NB heatsink.. the NB heatsink gets in the way. I suppose a 3rd party NB heatsink would allow it.

[deckard]

Anybody got a Areca Card to throw into it and see whats up with X38 and Areca cards?

Yes i have got an areca 1220 build in and it works with our new baby. But did not do any overclocking yet.Anyone got an 3ware/amcc 9590se? Would be nice to hear some folks about it too.

[MrGarrison]

With Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme, unfortunately not with included NB heatsink.. the NB heatsink gets in the way. I suppose a 3rd party NB heatsink would allow it.

Then what 3rd party nb heatsink should i get for this mobo so i can place my ultra 120 correctly? Any suggestions?

[eva2000]

Then what 3rd party nb heatsink should i get for this mobo so i can place my ultra 120 correctly? Any suggestions?

Not 100% sure - maybe thermalright HR-05 series NB heatsink ? but QX9650 runs cooler than E6850 and here's my E6850 on the DFI LT X38-T2R with Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme + 120x38mm Panaflo 103cfm fan positioned the way pictured below



Room temp = 28.8C

[emoners]

Not 100% sure - maybe thermalright HR-05 series NB heatsink ? but QX9650 runs cooler than E6850 and here's my E6850 on the DFI LT X38-T2R with Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme + 120x38mm Panaflo 103cfm fan positioned the way pictured below



Room temp = 28.8C

@eva2000: Can you post your bios settings on that? Thanks

[shawn1998]

Anybody got a Areca Card to throw into it and see whats up with X38 and Areca cards?

I have already posted this info earlier in this thread and in the other thread (Areca cards and X38). But, I'm bored, so...

I have the ARC-1210. I tried it in the 2nd pci-express (16X 2.0 slot) and while it did work (I could access the card's bios, etc..), it would only operate at 1X, not 4 or 8X. It does, however, work perfectly in the upper 4X slot, so no worries there.

Shawn

[eva2000]

@eva2000: Can you post your bios settings on that? Thanks

No need to quote my images too

Haven't whipped up a bios template yet.

Everything AUTO/default except

vcore = 1.2875v
vdimm = 2.000v
cpu vtt = 1.299v
NB = 1.492v
tRFC = 42
1:1 memory divider

[Praz]

Not 100% sure - maybe thermalright HR-05 series NB heatsink ? but QX9650 runs cooler than E6850 and here's my E6850 on the DFI LT X38-T2R with Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme + 120x38mm Panaflo 103cfm fan positioned the way pictured below

The 120 seems to work fine positioned like that. Both of our processors run at the same temps. Mine was set at 450x8. I'm getting enough airflow through the 120 to not need a fan on the NB heatsink.