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Tags : 1600fsb   45nm   Dark   DDR2   DFI   DK X38 T2RB   genie bios   intel X38 chipset   LanParty   Motherboard   penryn   Reviews  

Introduction Features and Specifications Photos and Pictures Installation and contents Test Setup, Procedures and BIOS CPU-Z Information and Everest Benchmarks: Sandra Pro XII SP2 Benchmarks: FutureMark Suite Benchmarks: FEAR (DX9) and Science Mark 2 Benchmarks (DX10): Call of Juarez and Crysis Overclocking Verdict and Conclusion

DFI shows it can still compete with its competition ... the LanParty DK X38-T2RB is quite a performer.

 

INTRODUCTION

DFI is the acronym for Diamond Flower Incorporated. Yes that's right, it's a stange name, but DFI is no stranger when it comes to performance motherboards. They've been around for quite a while, producing mainly motherboards for embedded systems (DFI-ACP), and the LanParty series of gaming motherboards. Their name is now much recognised among high-end users and enthusiasts. Here's a little blurb taken from their website.

"Established in 1981, DFI is a leading PC motherboard and embedded board manufacturer, which’s based in Taiwan and headquartered in Hsi-Chih City. DFI designs and manufactures embedded boards and systems in application of retail solution, financial service system, gaming, kiosk, medical, security and communication. Besides these, DFI owns premium brand image of over-clocking MB among power users around the world. With more than 26 years of motherboard manufacturing experience, DFI produces innovative products in house and practices strict in-house." 

 

 

Do you remember a fews ago, when the AMD was on top of their game with their socket-939 processors? Well back then, enthusiasts (including myself) were using the much sort-after Opteron 165 processor with DFI's Lanparty NF4 DR Expert motherboards.

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This CPU/Motherboard combination produced astonishing results, which easily matched AMD's flagship Althon FX-60 processor ... at a fraction of the price. It offered amazing results both in terms of performance and overclocking ability. It was at that time, no doubt one of the best available purchases back then ... that's if you can find an Opteron 165. With this in mind, DFI sucessfully managed to capture a key share of the enthusiast market and made much of its success through their LanParty NF4 DR Expert motherboards. However, it wasn't all 'milk and honey'  for DFI. They hit a stagnant stage around 2006 after the launch of Intel's Conroe (Core 2 Duo) processors, which they should have capitalised on it, but failed to do so. It's now 2008, and it looks they are about to take the LanParty brand, back where it belongs ... and that's right there at the very top.

DFI have 2 new product lines ... the LanParty LT and DK (Dark) series of motherboards. We'll be taking a look at the DK series in this review. The DK series is DFI's high-end series and is dedicated to the LAN party goer and enthusiast. The LanParty boards are designed with UV sensitive components and accessories on a stylish black PCB. This gives LanParty owners a unique eye-catching PC during LAN parties.

 

 

In this review, we'll be taking a look at the DFI LanParty DK X38-T2RB motherboard. It utilises the already proven Intel X38 chipset and offers support for 1600FSB, DDR2 ram, Intel socket-775 processors including Core 2 Duo and Quad, as well as the newer 45nm processors. What's really interesting about the LanParty DK X38-T2RB, is that it features all the things you would expect from an enthusiast motherboard. These include internal EZ switch for power-on and reset, diagnostic LEDs, and a clear CMOS jumper which is located at the rear ATX I/O panel. Other features include a silent heatpipe chipset cooler, a very good overclocking BIOS called GENIE and of course DFI's famous UV sensitive components (PCIe/PCI/DIMM slots).

 

               

 

We're expecting the DFI LanParty DK X38-T2RB to perform just as well as any X38 based motherboard, and it should compete very well against others in its class. I'm also hoping that this board can provide some good overclocking results too. We'll be testing the board using an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ default 2.4Ghz, OCZ DDR2-1066 SLI-Ready 2Gb Kit, a Radeon HD3870 512MB DDR4, PC Power & Cooling Turbo Cool 860W PSU and a 19" Dell Ultrascan P990 monitor.

Ok, let's not waste any more time and take a closer look at DFI LanParty DK X38-T2RB motherboard.

 

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Introduction Features and Specifications Photos and Pictures Installation and contents Test Setup, Procedures and BIOS CPU-Z Information and Everest Benchmarks: Sandra Pro XII SP2 Benchmarks: FutureMark Suite Benchmarks: FEAR (DX9) and Science Mark 2 Benchmarks (DX10): Call of Juarez and Crysis Overclocking Verdict and Conclusion