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

[t_ski]

I got a set of the same ram (G.Skill PC8000 2x2gb) in Monday, and I've been trying it since. It's actually been less stable for me than my four sticks of HZ's. Last night it locked up so hard I couldn't use the EZ-Clear, and the old-school CMOS clear took about an hour to work (after several attempts at a minute or two). Finally got it to boot again and found out it took the video card drivers with it.

I'm wondering if part of my problem was swapping out the ram and re-using old CMOS Reloaded settings. After the CMOS cleared I set everything manually this time, and didn't touch anything I didn't need to. I ran Windows MemTest again last night and it was 1000% tested, 0 errors. I am also wondering if I'm pushing my PSU too hard: the BIOS and Smart Guardian show the 12v rail is running as low as 11.90v, and OCCT showed it even lower.

[zsamz_]

i bought a dfi ut p35 boys i goin back to p35
this is why

[Hamilton]

Has anyone tried the 400/1066 and got it stable?
I'm currently running a QX9650 stable at 400x11 with the strap at 333/800 but it only gives me a mem speed of 960...
would like to get my mem closer to its rated 1066MHz.

[Neuuubeh]

Has anyone tried the 400/1066 and got it stable?
I'm currently running a QX9650 stable at 400x11 with the strap at 333/800 but it only gives me a mem speed of 960...
would like to get my mem closer to its rated 1066MHz.

I'm running mine on 400/1066, never had an issue really. For some reason its more stable that 333/800 for me lol, no problems whatsoever. Tried going from 400/1066 to 333/800 before and couldnt boot for half an hour . Whats your vNB?

zsamz_ if DFI manages an uber-BIOS, are you coming back :p. Nice numbers :p. 4 banks populated? How much of an increase in bandwidth do you get from 2 to 4 sticks?

[Hamilton]

I'm running mine on 400/1066, never had an issue really. For some reason its more stable that 333/800 for me lol, no problems whatsoever. Tried going from 400/1066 to 333/800 before and couldnt boot for half an hour . Whats your vNB?

I've got my vNB at stock 1.25V. Would it need an increase for the 400/1066 strap?

Are there changes in timings when going from 333/800 to 400/1066?
I had all my timings on Auto when I tried going to 400/1066.

[t_ski]

The ram probably can't do 4-4-4-12 @ 1066. You'd probably need to go to 5-5-5-15.

[Hamilton]

The ram probably can't do 4-4-4-12 @ 1066. You'd probably need to go to 5-5-5-15.

When I tried 1066 I had the ram set to Auto and CPU-Z and Memset showed it as 5-5-5-18.

I could boot XP on the 400/1066 strap but Prime or OCCT would fail within seconds...

I've had the ram up to 1080 with no problem on the 333/800 strap but with higher FSB. But it required very high NB and VTT voltages so I'm trying it out at 400 which runs stable at stock vNB and VTT.

[Unoid]

Hammy, you try to max out FSB?

[zsamz_]

zsamz_ if DFI manages an uber-BIOS, are you coming back :p. Nice numbers :p. 4 banks populated? How much of an increase in bandwidth do you get from 2 to 4 sticks?

i will be back lol gonna retire my dfi-p35 and my ballistix after i play a bit more with em i bought open box so .. out of warranty
from 2to4 stick you lose about 400 in bandwidth 2 sticks always better
btw the x38 is better for 4 sticks i did 1240mhz 2.12v on x38 these ballestix are sick sick

[Unoid]

i will be back lol gonna retire my dfi-p35 and my ballistix after i play a bit more with em i bought open box so .. out of warranty
from 2to4 stick you lose about 400 in bandwidth 2 sticks always better

zsam is it really ideal to update to latest 3/17? x38 DK bios from the January one?
IE: will my OC's or stability really improve?

[zsamz_]

zsam is it really ideal to update to latest 3/17? x38 DK bios from the January one?
IE: will my OC's or stability really improve?

it is better i did not like the latest bios
but this time dont update with vista64
safest way is floppy

[Unoid]

it is better i did not like the latest bios
but this time dont update with vista64
safest way is floppy

Lol yeah I think i'll learn my lesson. I'm curious if its even worth me trying to update to latest.

[zanzabar]

Lol yeah I think i'll learn my lesson. I'm curious if its even worth me trying to update to latest.

u can be lazy if u have 2 bios blocks

[zsamz_]

u can be lazy if u have 2 bios blocks

zanza unoid has the dk lol but he keep posting here
it confuses some

[zsamz_]

Lol yeah I think i'll learn my lesson. I'm curious if its even worth me trying to update to latest.

try with vista64 i feel another rma commin

[zanzabar]

zanza unoid has the dk lol but he keep posting here
it confuses some

oh well then u can unsolder and resolder and then u can flash in windows

[Unoid]

lol, the dk resource is too little.

[zsamz_]

i'm back on the x38 only reason is i dont wanna punish my dfi-p35 its just too perfect lol
i'll keep it as my backup or when i really need somethin better

zanza i took the zalman off n put my moded hr-07 -3c compared with zalman
when i get more time i'm gonna mod my zalman 9500
it will fit lol just gotta cut some fins n mod the bracket

[BustaH]

Hi guys. Ive read thru about 90% of this thread and identify with a lot of the issues described. I bought the board back in january, then put it in the closet and went back to my p5k because the board seemed to be very highly strung, a bit like a woman at the wrong time of the month!

anyhow I got it out a few days ago and hooked it up to my phase unit. first testing with a e6850 and 2gb ballistix 8500's. I hit 4.8 ghz on x9 multi with 1.6vcore gtl settings all on auto. mem timings all auto too.

I remembered the main reason why I returned to the p5k today when running cod4, after 20mins with my 3870x2 it just freezes. all my hw in the p5k it never happens? anyone got any ideas or similar experience?
The card is in the centre pcie slot so should be fine. btw clocks are not as above when gaming. I run modest settings for games 400x9] with enuff juice to vcore to cope.

thanks everyone for your tips etc, especially zsamz, eva and praz. any ideas on the lockups in game would be welcome...I know its not driver/punkbuster or any other issue than something to do with this x38 t2r mobo. kinda getting beyond a joke now. incidently, i did call to rma the board, when I told them my other componets, they said everything aside from my cpu were not compatible with this board? kinda left me thinking it would be easier to change the board!

But I like the board and see others here are running similar components to me. anyone?

[Praz]

There is an issue with the board and 3870x2 cards. So far, GeCube seems to be the only card manufacturer interested in finding a solution to the issue. But as of yet neither DFI nor Gecube has found a reason for the lock ups. But both are still working on it.

[BustaH]

Ah ok Praz, I forgot to mention, this only seems to happen with 'online games' which is confusing. You would have thought after all this time a solution would have been found for this.
Ive even rma'd the card once thinking it was a dud card, the new one came exactly the same issue. like I said b4, it doesnt do it on my p5k prem at all?

Its a real pain, cos I bought this board for gaming/benching. like others have said its kind of a love/hate relationship, such a shame really cos I can see the board has great potential!

[Praz]

This particular issue seems mostly isolated to the DFI boards (x38/x48). The fix is taking so long because nobody seems to know what the problem is. DFI and GeCube have been modifying their respective BIOS without success. Although these modifications are more or less a shot in the dark because there has been nothing found that causes this problem by neither company. Seems to be some type of hardware issue that is triggered by the driver.

[BustaH]

I was hoping the newer drivers would come out that fixed it. Oh well - I already have the fix, and plan on putting it in today

Thanks Praz

The fix being a different board I take it, or gpu?

I have a 3870xt and a 2900 pro but cant [wont] put them in because of my wc set up. pipes restrictions wont allow it without taking the whole wc set up apart! argggghhhh. my head hurts.

MNy solution for now is to set up the p5k prem purely as a gaming rig..... have to say tho, its not really good enuff considering the cash outlayy on the x38 t2r and 3870x2 to not even be able to game with it.

[BustaH]

catalyst 8.5 now up....heres hoping.

[Unoid]

Newb question, how do I enable CPU vid control? I don't see the option in my DK X38 bios.

Can't find the hotkey to enable it anywhere by searching..