DFI LANparty DK P45-T2RS/T3RS (Intel P45) - News|Info|Results

[DemonEyez]

For all you guys who want to watercool their VRM's and Southbridges:

http://www.pc-icebox.de/anfitec-pwm0...er-p-4728.html






http://anfi-tec.de/mainboardpwm.pdf

Only downside is that currently they're sold in Germany, don't know if they do international shipping

[tamashumi]

I replaced my board for plus verions today.
It has PCB rev A2, it's written on it (I mean revision of the board itself not the chipset).
Seller from which I have the board told me that non-plus also going to be on new PCB rev (so probably with newer chipset revision, that is A3).
Also it delivered with 09-01 bios (non-beta? o_O).

Bad news are I haven't tested anything not even checked chips with cpuz becouse my OCZ SSD core V2 drive stop working.
After whole day of tries and tests I have to confirm that drive is not compatible with DFI LN DK P45-T2RS+ (or with new PCB/chipset rev of both mobo versions).

I going share with you some detalis, maybe someone could help me, but probably tomorrow I'll have to replace again for Asus P5Q Deluxe as I'm tired and disappointed with DFI issues.
Here's the story:
After replacing board system stopped boot. I mean not even started booting. After showing devices table and standard message about cmos backup just stops and nothing happened. I've checked drive with couple tools, recreated partitions (many times: by windows install and acronis disk director suite), reinstalled vista (later many times). Only difference after installation was I got "BOOTMGR IS MISSING" instead of no communicate at all. I was trying to recreate MBR, boot sector, boot menu and all that stuff automatically and manually by commands (bcdedit, bootrec, bootsect), different sata cables and different sata slots on the board including additional sata controller (main feature of plus version) also flash 812 bios. Nothing... Moreover I connected normal 7200 drive installed system and it works. On the other hand, if SSD is connected via usb (it has such a feature) it boots o_O also I was trying via sata in my friend's PC - boots no problem WTF?!. So there isn't any bootmgr problem in fact, is it? Bootmgr is in its place and works correct but not with this board. It's so strange issue, damn... I have no idea what's going on especially previous board was (?) almost the same
Now it's late and I'm going sleep but tomorrow morning I'll check this topic for any advice before I'll go for Asus board.

PS. this revision/version is almost 15C cooler on chipset (checked in PC Helath in BIOS). I have 35C instead of 50C

[SeLecT]

Only downside is that currently they're sold in Germany, don't know if they do international shipping

I will ask andre from anfitec tomorrow

[Praz]

Bad news are I haven't tested anything not even checked chips with cpuz becouse my OCZ SSD core V2 drive stop working.
After whole day of tries and tests I have to confirm that drive is not compatible with DFI LN DK P45-T2RS+ (or with new PCB/chipset rev of both mobo versions).

Try setting the Intel controller to RAID. Install Windows using the Raid driver and F6. The drive will install as a non-member Raid drive. I have tries an SSD on at least six different DFI models and this is the only way I could get Windows to boot. The upside is installed like this the performance is really good.

[P_1]

@P_1: could you post your bios settings? thanks

Here you go:

[tamashumi]

Try setting the Intel controller to RAID. Install Windows using the Raid driver and F6. The drive will install as a non-member Raid drive. I have tries an SSD on at least six different DFI models and this is the only way I could get Windows to boot. The upside is installed like this the performance is really good.

Praz! I love you xD
It helped.
Small difference: I had to switch to JMicron chip and change to 'RAID+IDE'.
On Intel's chip bios-post freezes if I change to anything different than 'IDE'. I didn't have to install anything - not even a driver. Vista just booted
Intel chip is unusable for this SSD drive. Well it going to handle dvd and storage drive.
I wonder if OCed NB can damage drive or corrupt files if drive is connected to it? If yes, JMicron should be safer for system drive.

btw. anyone successful with running Linux on that board? I've tried Ubuntu Hardy Hadron 8.04 x64 - Live CD hanges before there is option to install. On my mobile this OS runs fine.

[P_1]

I had almost the same issue as you, the solution in the end was to change to IDE and flash to new bios. Its a known issue with the stock bios, I suggest using the A03 bios on DFI's beta site.

[Praz]

tamashumi

Did you try Intel RAID with th JMicron enabled and disabled. Some BIOS versions won't allow the board to boot depending on the JMicron setting.

[tamashumi]

Praz

I didn't. I'm during windows installation with jmicron driver, set at BIOS to RAID+IDE. I think it going to work, do you think it would cost in performance against NB ?

I'll check with jmicron@disabled and intel@raid after the installation.
Anyway, I can use it at last


P_1
I tried 812 from DFI site. On this bios non-plus board worked fine with SSD drive (On A03 too). I haven't tried A03 with fresh's Plus of mine.
Will see, maybe if I would be able to run on both chips I'll benchmark them for comparision

[DemonEyez]

I will ask andre from anfitec tomorrow

For myself it's not a problem as I live in The Netherlands, but I was thinking off those guys living in the States.

[Tal Bar]

With 10/3 BIOS task manager reports 2gb With 12/8 BIOS task manager reports 2.75gb I have XP SP2

Yep, same here. I checked 2 BIOS'es with Vista x32bit and find same strange issue with 10.03BIOS and 4x1Gb G.Skill mem. It's reported 3075Mb available memory, but after reflashing 901 BIOS, it's about 3300Mb mem. available. Approx. 300mb more! Wassup? And no matter if it's 1Gb card or 1/2 Gb video- only BIOS was changed. Same setting and configuration.

[tamashumi]

Finally I'm running SD drive on Intel chip in AHCI mode.
Flasing 10.03 bios allowed me to pass through bios drive detection. No freezes anymore so I could choose any possible option: intel @ raid/ide/ahci with jmicron @ disable/raid+ide/native ide.
I stayed with AHCI on JMicron: system on OCZ SSD + storage on Samsung F1.
DVD-RW is connected to JMicron in Native IDE.

I'm tired (yesterday tries until 5 a.m. xD) but satisfied. I stayed with rig I wanted and drive incompatibility has been eliminated. Mostly thanks to Praz and P_1

I can't do benchmark comparison because changing any sata option prevents loading system :/ Even if I just disable JMicron - in my opinion it should't affect Intel's config o_O

Also I can't run Acronis True Image bootable CD for partitions cloning. Maybe any recommendation here?

Probably installing linux would blow this thing up in the sky shattered into pieces (I'll try again).

Not to mention that I'm had to use beta bios...

This board is an experimental poligon
DFI should care more about their product finish. Their reales seem to be not complete for the market yet.


One thing to mention, now chipset rev I got is A3 and seems to be cooler.

For myself it's not a problem as I live in The Netherlands, but I was thinking off those guys living in the States.

Probably I'll get some too when WC set starts working on my rig. Germany are close to me
But you posted pieces for JR board, yup? Would they fit on full-atx one?

[Praz]

Also I can't run Acronis True Image bootable CD for partitions cloning. Maybe any recommendation here?

The latest build of v11 should work fine. 2009 Beta will also work if you can snag it somewhere.

[tamashumi]

The latest build of v11 should work fine. 2009 Beta will also work if you can snag it somewhere.

I'm using v11 but not latest build for sure. I'll check for some update.

rev A3 P45 Intel chipe runs stable at FSB 400 @ 1.16V (1.1925 set at bios). I'm during first tests now so I try later, maybe even it gona works at default voltage :]
New mobo also keeps voltages strongly fixed and closer to what was set at the bios. I think it's advantage of newer PCB rev not plus-version itself.

But mine E8600 is more hungry for voltages, to keep it stable @4GHz +1.37mV is needed. Is it normal? It becomes quite hot during benchmarking - up to 70C. I guess I need replace stock thermal grease...
Guys, what do you think about Xeon E3110?

[C-N]

New mobo also keeps voltages strongly fixed and closer to what was set at the bios. I think it's advantage of newer PCB rev not plus-version itself.

1003 BIOS needs more vcore to be set in BIOS to get the same CPU-Z voltage in windows for me but everything else appears the same as previous versions.

How can you tell? what are you using to compare?

VDIMM measured on the EC5 + spot between the SB & DIMM slots show me .05v more voltage than set in BIOS.

@ PRAZ I don't suppose you would have & mind sharing the volt read points for this board?

On a good note my board is flying along on the 266 strap

[tamashumi]

1003 BIOS needs more vcore to be set in BIOS to get the same CPU-Z voltage in windows for me but everything else appears the same as previous versions.

How can you tell? what are you using to compare?

VDIMM measured on the EC5 + spot between the SB & DIMM slots show me .05v more voltage than set in BIOS.

You asking how I measure voltages? Only by software (SmartGuard) and bios PC Health.
My comparision base only on that. I can see now that voltages are closer to that set in bios (only at NB is greater difference but before was at almost all key components).
More important is that before voltages wasn't fixed they waved in some range +/- 0.02V @ CPU f.e., VTT, VDIMM and NB also. Now voltages are fixed. I think its advantege of newer PCB revision. It's rather not bios domain as on non-plus with older PCB rev I tried both bioses with no difference when speaking of fixed voltages. Fixed I mean values aren't changening when I look on SmartGuardian readings for longer period of time while benchmarking.

AFAIK non-plus board going to be (probably alredy is) released on newer PCB rev. BTW. can you check what rev has yours board? It's written in corner of the board near com1.

What's EC5? Do you measure voltages with some tool?

[C-N]

You asking how I measure voltages?

Yes, I thought maybe you were using a DMM (Digital Multi Meter)

More important is that before voltages wasn't fixed they waved in some range +/- 0.02V @ CPU f.e., VTT, VDIMM and NB also. Now voltages are fixed. I think its advantege of newer PCB revision.

Mine appears good a solid.

Can you check what rev has yours board? It's written in corner of the board near com1.

REV.A

What's EC5? Do you measure voltages with some tool?

Look in between the southbridge heatsink & the memory slots, you will see a capacitor & beside it the pad for another cap with the letters EC5 written between them. I use a DMM to check VDIMM here (that is assuming I am in the right spot)

[tamashumi]

Yes, I thought maybe you were using a DMM (Digital Multi Meter)

Not yet, maybe I will. I have one around somewhere in the house.

Mine appears good a solid.

Good to you mate
At previous board mine wasn't. They were varing...

REV.A

I guess, 1st one. Maybe good piece of it. Pity I haven't checked the replaced one's rev

Look in between the southbridge heatsink & the memory slots, you will see a capacitor & beside it the pad for another cap with the letters EC5 written between them. I use a DMM to check VDIMM here (that is assuming I am in the right spot)

Good to know. If I have some time to play with DMM I'll check it.


NB voltage decreased to 1.185V at bios (SmartGuardian reading shows 1.15V). FSB still 400MHz. It seems to be stable after my test procedure. I try to lowering it more but not today. Newer chipset (mobo?) revision is less power hungry in fact. I hope it results with better OC potential

[SEPTH]

thanks for all advice, I've changed GTL REF, but still hang at windows load with 1.37 nb core, maybe I'll check my other devices like graphic cards or somethin

[P_1]

I noticed that at my current settings my pcie link width is being reported as 2x instead of 16x. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm thinking its the SB/PLL voltage I am using(1.75) any thoughts?

[C-N]

I noticed that at my current settings my pcie link width is being reported as 2x instead of 16x. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm thinking its the SB/PLL voltage I am using(1.75) any thoughts?

Haven't seen this with this board yet but I used to get the same issue on my P35 when I upped the PCI-E frequency too high.

[P_1]

Haven't seen this with this board yet but I used to get the same issue on my P35 when I upped the PCI-E frequency too high.

So I'm guessing the board isn't locking the pcie properly?

[DemonEyez]

...

On a good note my board is flying along on the 266 strap

Nice! It would be interesting to see what kind of bandwidth and latency you get in Everest. Here's mine for 9x500 and the 333/800 strap:



CPU Clock Ratio........................... 9x
CPU Clock................................... 500
DRAM Speed............................... 333/800

Enhance Data transmitting............. Fast
Enhance Addressing...................... Fast
T2 Dispatch................................. Disabled

Let us know how you get on as it would be nice to work out whether the much coveted A3 revision of the P45 is actually a superior lower voltage chip than its A2 brother or not.

My board is currently priming 500x8.5 atm with fast/more aggressive settings & 1.54*vnb

Right now I'm running Othos for 1.5 hours stable with your settings at 9x500. vNB is 1.41v right now, I have to do some further testing and see if I can lower it.

With vNB @ 1.41v I'm running as follows:

CPU Clock Ratio........................... 9x
CPU Clock................................... 500
DRAM Speed............................... 333/800

Performance Level........................9
Read Delay Phase Adjust................All on Auto

Ch1 Clock Crossing Setting............ More Aggressive
Ch2 Clock Crossing Setting............ More Aggressive
CH1CH2 CommonClock Setting........ More Aggressive

[

[emoners]

Anybody noticed these on DFI JR P45 with the 10/07 bios?

[tamashumi]

Uhm I guess I need to check pcie link width too though ;]

DemonEyez
Lowering voltage on NB is a good thought. I'm looking forward for results

emoners
What's that right of your screen shot - some Vista sidebar gadget? I''m looking for something like that :>