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

[zanzabar]

is that an aluminum top

and how stable is it with no lateral support

[jcool]

Aluminum? Hell no. It's all-copper, just nickel-plated. Never seen any mips block containing aluminum, have you
Very stable, because it lies flat on the pulse chips, too.

Here's another one, don't mind the EK CPU block, it's just filling in for the evap (fits on the mounting lol).
My SS unit is down, bad leak :/

[zanzabar]

i thought that it was odd, but it didnt look shiny to be nickle

are u seeing more stability or just lower temps

[jcool]

Just lower temps for now. You don't need that block if you're using supercooling anyways, I used to run it passive at 60C with stock heatsink (stock is pretty good on the LT). But if you run water and have a power-hungry quad CPU I'd say it's needed, I instantly hit 90C PWM passive without the single stage to cool down the area. No need for dualies either.

[jupitersj]

it looks like u didnt set the VID special add, u need to set it to the lowest setting and not auto

You can't change VID Special add with the vcore this low, it won't let you.

I'm gonna try to jack up the voltage and take it off auto, then turn back down the voltage XD

btw according to coretemp my e8400's stock VID is 1.0500 .... isn't that the same as e8500? Wonder if my 8400 is a rebadged 8500 or because it's such a new batch

...and I forgot to multi quote, but why would I want to turn off Vdroop option?

*edit*

I was right; as soon as I reset my vcore back down the "Special VID add" went back to AUTO and would not let me change it. Any idea's Zanzabar? Right now I'm testing 1.05625 ... cpu-z/everest/bios reads it as 1.104 (hmmm finally... after some prime95 it's dropping to 1.088 ..)

[Praz]

You can't change VID Special add with the vcore this low, it won't let you.

I was right; as soon as I reset my vcore back down the "Special VID add" went back to AUTO and would not let me change it. Any idea's Zanzabar? Right now I'm testing 1.05625 ... cpu-z/everest/bios reads it as 1.104 (hmmm finally... after some prime95 it's dropping to 1.088 ..)

Works for me.

[DoObs]

Aluminum? Hell no. It's all-copper, just nickel-plated. Never seen any mips block containing aluminum, have you
Very stable, because it lies flat on the pulse chips, too.

Here's another one, don't mind the EK CPU block, it's just filling in for the evap (fits on the mounting lol).
My SS unit is down, bad leak :/

Can i ask where you bought that block...

Thnks very much for that post.... at least i know these things exist

[jupitersj]

Works for me.

I don't think you read my post correctly, or the way I meant it to be meant >.>
You have your CPU VID set to AUTO.

I have my CPU VID manually set to 1.05625. At this low of a setting the SPECIAL ADD option is NOT changeable.

If I raise my voltage high enough (i think it's over 1.2 or 1.3, forgot) then SPECIAL ADD will unlock. However, as soon as I lower my CPU VID again the SPECIAL ADD automatically resets itself to AUTO.
We might also have different BIOS revision because when on CPU VID set to AUTO it shows a vcc number next to it.

[Praz]

I have my CPU VID manually set to 1.05625. At this low of a setting the SPECIAL ADD option is NOT changeable.

Never had a need to mess with Special Add at voltages that low unless using the Auto setting. If the purpose is attempting to match the VID it's pretty much useless. Programs that display VID only display one value. The processor has a range of values that the board can set from.

[jupitersj]

Never had a need to mess with Special Add at voltages that low unless using the Auto setting. If the purpose is attempting to match the VID it's pretty much useless. Programs that display VID only display one value. The processor has a range of values that the board can set from.

I know, I was just replaying to zanzabar who mentioned my problem was having SPECIAL set to AUTO... of which it can't be since I'm running a low vcc which does not enable the changing of special(infact i'm betting the board just ignores it at that low).

I'm not trying to match the VID, I'm trying to get as low as possible and be prime stable. I just wanted to know why everything read so much higher than what you set in the bios. For most boards I've noticed it is the exact opposite(lower than what you set).

I have a feeling this chip will run under 1v stable at stock. I also notice my temps on load don't change much at all between 1.05 and 1.232 with my TRUE w/nf-p12. Maybe 2 degrees if that. I could use better cooling though for my case... atm I'm not running the side fan and I just have one harddrive bay intaking air with stock coolermaster fan and two stock exaust(one rear one top). I believe they are just 1200 fan.

[vws]

@jupitersj: I understand your pain. The 03/14 BIOS (and the onward versions as well) overvolts quite a bit and it seems to be the norm now. Try 01/11 BIOS instead which doesn't overvolt as much, meanwhile it offers much lower VID options unlike the 03/14 version that doesn't offer anything below 0.99v. It's beyond me why DFI BIOS designer wants to design it this way perhaps they just want to help their users to brag. For me it's nothing less than the Emperor's New Clothes they're trying to make.

[vws]

I have a feeling this chip will run under 1v stable at stock. I also notice my temps on load don't change much at all between 1.05 and 1.232 with my TRUE w/nf-p12. Maybe 2 degrees if that.

You are right about the new round of E8400/8500/7200 batches being great clockers. I just tested a E7200 that is able to run 3.1x GHz prime-stable (for both smallFFT & Blend) at 1.05v under load (reported by CPU-Z/Everest), and my friend's E8500 could do the same around 1.06v. Both of our temps have never gone above 48C aircooled by Zalman 9700. I think your rig can do better (but don't stop just there.. )

[jcool]

Can i ask where you bought that block...

Thnks very much for that post.... at least i know these things exist

Well like I said, it's a MIPS block (should ring a bell )
If not, www.mips-computer.de (German but they ship internationally, just send an email). There are also custom blocks for the NB and SB, but I decided to pass on them since the stock SB cooler is fine and almost anything fits the NB.
This PWM block has been out for quite some time BTW, since this was originally made for the P35 LT/UT (same layout).

[DoObs]

Well like I said, it's a MIPS block (should ring a bell )
If not, www.mips-computer.de (German but they ship internationally, just send an email). There are also custom blocks for the NB and SB, but I decided to pass on them since the stock SB cooler is fine and almost anything fits the NB.
This PWM block has been out for quite some time BTW, since this was originally made for the P35 LT/UT (same layout).

OH wicked thanks jcool, see what i can do, maybe they can ship to South Africa.

[zsamz_]

you guys should try the 603 beta bios it got me stable again @ 500fsb+
ballistix running 1200mhz with 2.0v

[jcool]

I will zsamz, now that my SS unit is up and running again.. this time working great.
Currently priming 4Ghz again, got myself an uber-mount - delta Core <-> evap is 20C which is ridiculously good at around 250W. The best waterblock can hardly do that...
Now if I only got my fsb a little higher.. hello to 4,1 or 4,2
Still on 1/11 bios here.



Evap temp holding at around -20C.. not great but what do I care if I got 0C CPU temp
For the load/ambient/type of unit, it's great that it's holding at all.

[zsamz_]

nice quad you got there jcool enjoy it its a gem

[jcool]

Still runnin
Ambient 29C oO still holding

Gonna try for less Vcore later.. GTL disabled atm

[zfactor]

I don't think you read my post correctly, or the way I meant it to be meant >.>
You have your CPU VID set to AUTO.

I have my CPU VID manually set to 1.05625. At this low of a setting the SPECIAL ADD option is NOT changeable.

If I raise my voltage high enough (i think it's over 1.2 or 1.3, forgot) then SPECIAL ADD will unlock. However, as soon as I lower my CPU VID again the SPECIAL ADD automatically resets itself to AUTO.
We might also have different BIOS revision because when on CPU VID set to AUTO it shows a vcc number next to it.

YES I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE my bios is the same way.. how do we unlock this setting or enable it for use??

[Neo4ever]

Hi! Does anyone know, what FSB is reachable with the DFI x38LT in addition with an 65nm Quad? In german forums, people said that i can reach 475MHz. 500 were pretty fine for me.
Here is my actual setup.

And only reached with watercooling.

[jcool]

Yeah I can prime up to 450 fine.. after that, it's a nogo.
Tried all sorts of strap/GTL/etc settings, but gonna try again with the 0603 beta bios zamz suggested.
I'd love to hit 460-470 but I'm not optimistic on this mobo.

W8, did u say you hit FSB 500 or am I misreading that?

[Neo4ever]

you did. i only reached 450x9FSB for the time. I just want to know if someone hit 500FSB with a quad or if it's pretty impossible.

[jcool]

No, it's not impossible, provided the right CPU and mainboard.
I could bench at FSB 495 on the Abit IX38 QuadGT, but with the DFI I can't even boot above 460
Something is off with the DFI X38, and it really sucks cause this board is so great otherwise. Oh well, I'm gonna get myself a QX soon so I don't have to worry about FSB any more

By the way I managed to bring down the Vcore to your level Neo.. 1,408V
Running for half an hour now, 1,392V gave me a BSOD. How much VTT you using for 4Ghz? GTL enabled/disabled?

[Neo4ever]

With a single stage, its easy to reach. Gtls are 97/98/102. The other voltages you can see on the screen. But this was not the question. I know, with other boards people reached 500FSB+. I asked, if someone hit it on the DFI!

[jcool]

And I answered it.. no, FSB500 with a Quad is not happening on the DFI X38, not even close. P35 yes, if the CPU can do it. X38 no.. read the last few pages of this thread and you will understand, DFI has a lot of catching up to do regarding the bios.

Oh and 4Ghz might be easy to reach with a SS unit, but finding one that can actually hold the heat dump is more challenging

Thanks for the GTL ref values.