"Official" DFI nF4 Ultra-D / SLI-DR Thread

[JackDanielsDrinker]

Originally posted by: mooncancook

Originally posted by: JackDanielsDrinker
Well I just ordered a DFI nF4 Ultra and a Zalman 7700-Cu. These will live with a Leadtek 6600GT video card. We'll see if it all fits.

good choice. I'm getting the same with a 3000+. Not sure about the 7700Cu. are you sure it will fit? would pure Cu HSF be too heavy?

I'm not positive it will fit, but from what I've read, it should. The first post in this thread talks about (speculates) about the 7000 and probably the 7700 fitting.

Concerning weight, also from what I've read, as long as I don't move the computer around too much/too quickly, it should be OK. I'm going to screw every screw and bolt every bolt.

But, we'll see for sure when they show up.

 

[KameLeon]

Originally posted by: Tyson95
Got my board from ZZF today and FedEx beat it up pretty good. The pins for all of the power switches and stuff are all bent. The onboard power switch is smashed and there are loose springs all over. My new video card was in the same shape. I was really looking forward to setting this up tonight.

Are you serious ???????????? :Q :Q :Q

 

[EvolutionWRC]

Well, I pre-ordered my DFI LANPARTY NF4 SLI-DR from NCIX on January 30. My order status says that they verified availability on February 3, and shipped out my board today (February 4)

I will be here on Wednesday so we'll see. I'm running my MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI right now, but it won't detect my second 6800GT OC

Plus I have to RMA back my LCD because it's been acting very weird lately *sigh*

EvolutionWRC

 

[tmchow]

CAn someone give me a quick rundown on why everyone is so interested in this DFI NF4 board vs. the MSI K8N Neo4 nForce4?

Is it the overclockability of the DFI? I don't plan on overclocking so.... just wondering if there is a reason for me to choose one over the other.

 

[Kagy]

Has anyone mentiond that Monarch computer has the boards for sale for less than Newegg and ZZF.

They have 2 models with SLI and the Ultra-D. I ordered the SLI and am already selling my Ultra-D (Don't ask, I just didn't want any regrets). If you're interested in my Ultra-D:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=45&threadid=1511436&enterthread=y

 

[rususa]

I planning on grabbing this board some time in the near future for overclocking. My question is since the DFI website lists the highest memory speed as DDR400, what will happen if I put some sticks of PC3500, or even 4000 in?

 

[bradley]

I like that DFI chose to use only Japanese capacitors. Looks like a super quality board, and a really nice layout. But has anyone tried running a PCI video card on a DFI nF4 Ultra-D yet? Because currently the Chaintechs have this problem, and I want to hold off buying a PCI-e card until a summer price drop.

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: rususa
I planning on grabbing this board some time in the near future for overclocking. My question is since the DFI website lists the highest memory speed as DDR400, what will happen if I put some sticks of PC3500, or even 4000 in?

thats the maximum speed it will run stock. overclocking and useing the features of this board will let you go higher than DDr400. all boards are like that

 

[shira]

Check out AT's update to their DFI MB review which, in part, referred to the DFI Ultra-D's convertability to SLI functionality: Here's the relevant quote:

"UPDATE 2/05/2005: nVidia has acted to prevent, or at least make it more difficult, to mod the Ultra board to SLI. First, DFI has advised us, and posted on their website, that they will NOT sell the SLI bridge to buyers of the Ultra board. Second, nVidia has advised us that future shipments of the Ultra chipset have been modified so that the mod to SLI will no longer be possible. An additional side effect of this second action is that the "Dual Video" mode, which performs at about 90% of SLI performance levels, will only work with nVidia SLI drivers 66.75 or earlier. If you do a quick check of web driver postings you will see it is now very difficult to find 66.75 drivers. With a chipset modded to SLI the "Dual Video" mode worked through 70.xx versions of the nVidia driver. nVidia also made it clear they will continue to make driver changes to prevent functioning of any "non-standard" (8X/8X) operation of their SLI driver. This also throws into question whether the VIA "dual graphics" mode on the 894 Pro chipset will ever work with nVidia graphics cards. If you are interested in the current UT Ultra-D we suggest you buy one now if you can find it. Future versions of the UT Ultra-D will not have the same capabilities as a result of these actions."

I'm sure that Nvidia's release yesterday of updated NF4 drivers was not a coincidence. It was noted that Nvidia was violating their own UDA policy in doing so. And although these drivers will (hopefully) fix some of the problems experienced with NF4 MBs, sounds like Nvidia had an ulterior motive.

 

[Demo24]

yeah I read that. Looks like Ill be one of the luck ones with the modable board

 

[wmansfield]

Originally posted by: tmchow
CAn someone give me a quick rundown on why everyone is so interested in this DFI NF4 board vs. the MSI K8N Neo4 nForce4?

Is it the overclockability of the DFI? I don't plan on overclocking so.... just wondering if there is a reason for me to choose one over the other.

Most people probably want it for the SLI capabilities, but Nvidia seems to have killed this before it really got off the ground. I wanted it for the overclocking and the cute UV reactive slots/cables/etc, and wanted an NF4 board now instead of later. I probably got nailed a little on price ($169) but have no regrets.

The MSI Neo4 is about $20 cheaper, but doesn't have the same overall ability of the DFI board. It also doesn't have the UV reactive slots, etc...

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: wmansfield

Originally posted by: tmchow
CAn someone give me a quick rundown on why everyone is so interested in this DFI NF4 board vs. the MSI K8N Neo4 nForce4?

Is it the overclockability of the DFI? I don't plan on overclocking so.... just wondering if there is a reason for me to choose one over the other.

Most people probably want it for the SLI capabilities, but Nvidia seems to have killed this before it really got off the ground. I wanted it for the overclocking and the cute UV reactive slots/cables/etc, and wanted an NF4 board now instead of later. I probably got nailed a little on price ($169) but have no regrets.

The MSI Neo4 is about $20 cheaper, but doesn't have the same overall ability of the DFI board. It also doesn't have the UV reactive slots, etc...

agreed! Also DFI's tend to be a bit more reliable MSI's can be iffy

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
yeah I read that. Looks like Ill be one of the luck ones with the modable board

But if you need to use the newest drivers to solve other problems, you may be out of luck (unless someone comes up with a hack).

 

[Demo24]

well if you mod the chip you can still have SLI

 

[vanvock]

Should have mine first of the week,(ULTRA-D) PCP&C 510sli backordered till tues. Anyone know where to get the 66.75 drivers?(just in case) I'm planning on a Alpha heatsink, it's big hope it fits. Where are we supposed to get the card bridges? I believe the pics at ZZF showed one in the box. I figured NV would do something to crap on this parade.

 

[imported_Underpar]

Question reguarding PSU. I have an enermax 470w noisetaker which is the 1.3 version with the 20pin connector. Is it safe to use a 20-24pin adapter like thermaltake makes?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=12-183-045&depa=1

I sure hope I don't have to buy a new PSU. Can anyone with ths board confirm that the adapter works fine.

 

[vanvock]

Originally posted by: Underpar
Question reguarding PSU. I have an enermax 470w noisetaker which is the 1.3 version with the 20pin connector. Is it safe to use a 20-24pin adapter like thermaltake makes?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=12-183-045&depa=1

I sure hope I don't have to buy a new PSU. Can anyone with ths board confirm that the adapter works fine.

From what I've read that's not a good idea. I'f your not going to run sli or a lot of drives etc. you might be ok.

 

[llars]

Even if you mod an Ultra-D to SLI you still need a bridge connector. And according to DFI they will not sell them seperately...

 

[Sea Shadow]

Originally posted by: EvolutionWRC
Well, I pre-ordered my DFI LANPARTY NF4 SLI-DR from NCIX on January 30. My order status says that they verified availability on February 3, and shipped out my board today (February 4)

I will be here on Wednesday so we'll see. I'm running my MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI right now, but it won't detect my second 6800GT OC

Plus I have to RMA back my LCD because it's been acting very weird lately *sigh*

EvolutionWRC

You and me both. Can't wait till we recieve our boards.

 

[jmg888]

I got mine yesterday and was a bit surprised it doesn't have a parallel port. Other than that it's awesome so far. I'm waiting to oc because my new PS was DOA.

 

[vanvock]

Originally posted by: jmg888
I got mine yesterday and was a bit surprised it doesn't have a parallel port. Other than that it's awesome so far. I'm waiting to oc because my new PS was DOA.

Was it a Ultra-D? If so was there a SLI bridge connector with it?

 

[vanvock]

Originally posted by: jmg888
I got mine yesterday and was a bit surprised it doesn't have a parallel port. Other than that it's awesome so far. I'm waiting to oc because my new PS was DOA.

Was it a Ultra-D? If so was there a sli bridge connector with it? Sorry for the double post. PLEASE REMOVE

 

[monkeydust]

Originally posted by: jmg888
I got mine yesterday and was a bit surprised it doesn't have a parallel port. Other than that it's awesome so far. I'm waiting to oc because my new PS was DOA.

No parrallel port? Crap, I just ordered mine yesterday. I thought all mobo's had parallel ports. No parallel port daughter card either? I guess I won't be using my old HP Deskjet anymore (its been on its last leg for a couple of years now anyway).

 

[vanvock]

Originally posted by: monkeydust

Originally posted by: jmg888
I got mine yesterday and was a bit surprised it doesn't have a parallel port. Other than that it's awesome so far. I'm waiting to oc because my new PS was DOA.

No parrallel port? Crap, I just ordered mine yesterday. I thought all mobo's had parallel ports. No parallel port daughter card either? I guess I won't be using my old HP Deskjet anymore (its been on its last leg for a couple of years now anyway).

I don't miss it myself thats one of the things I like about this board. There may be a pin connection on the board for one if you got to have it.

 

[venne]

Originally posted by: vanvock
Was it a Ultra-D? If so was there a sli bridge connector with it?

There was no bridge with mine.

Hopefully someone will make one.