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

[tmchow]

Originally posted by: jmg888

Anyone have any exact measurements of how loud? Is it quiet enough that it's a non-issue in an HTPC case?

I put my ear to it and couldn't hear it over my very quiet CPU and PSU fan's. I have a HTPC and I would have no hesitation whatsoever using one of these mb's for it.

Thanks for the very specific answer img888, much appreciated! Looks like I'm getting the DFI for my HTCP.

 

[PascalT]

So after the weekend, what are people's review of this board? Is it as good as Anand's review said it was?

i'm getting mine in a few days, i'm stoked.

 

[JackDanielsDrinker]

Originally posted by: chilled

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).

:shocked:

AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm NOT happy. I wanted this board, but seeing I have a parallel port scanner and laserjet, I'm not so tempted anymore....

Is there such a thing as a parallel PCI card or hub???



Back to square one.

I just ordered this parallel port PCI card:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=15-104-211&depa=0

Only $8.50 + shipping. I thought it might be better to get a real parallel port on the motherboard with the card rather than doing the USB to Parallel translation. And for the money, you can't beat it. I'm using a Koutech SATA RAID controller, and it works fine, so I trust Koutech (somewhat).

 

[Kovie]

Id suggest USB to parallel/serial adaptors (though Im not sure how well they work), since the board only has two regular PCI slots. For me they are taken up by my TV card and Audigy ZS.

I hated this in the legacy free Abit boards, some of us still have and like our old stuff.

 

[JackDanielsDrinker]

Originally posted by: Kovie
Id suggest USB to parallel/serial adaptors (though Im not sure how well they work), since the board only has two regular PCI slots. For me they are taken up by my TV card and Audigy ZS.

I hated this in the legacy free Abit boards, some of us still have and like our old stuff.

I agree with Kovie if you're short of slots. The DFI nF4 board will provide everything I need, so I'm not short of PCI slots. So I went with the Koutech parallel port PCI card so my printer can work.

 

[tmchow]

shoot, just realized that this board won'twork for my HTPC since my case uses a parallel port VFD.. arg!


The parallel port PCI add-on card won't work for me becaues I need to put in a TV tuner card and sound card.. what a let down.

My only choice now looks like to wait for the Asus A8N non-SLI since it has both a parallel port and 3 PCI slots.

 

[Vedder323]

any us SLI-DR boards in stock?

 

[juysocal]

Anyone ordered their ultra d from monarch?

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: juysocal
Anyone ordered their ultra d from monarch?

They're currently out of stock on all the DFI NF4 MBs. The Ultra-D is due back in stock on 2/19.

 

[tmchow]

in stock at Zipzoomfly.com

 

[imported_DanW]

Does anyone know how the DFI NF4 Ultra-D has its PCI-Express slots configured out of the box? Its got 2 16x slots, 1 4x slot and 1 1x slot. Obviously, these can't all be configured at full capacity, since there are only 20 PCI Express slots on the system chip. So, is it 1 16x, and 3 1x?

DanW

 

[majkeli]

Can someone tell me if my Antec TruePower 430 will work on this thing? Do I have the right pins?

Thanks!

 

[majkeli]

Looks like it's not a good option. What are people using for Power Supplies in these things?

The Athena power one listed earlier in the thread looks like it includes an adapter and is actually a 20 pin model.

 

[majkeli]

Ah never mind, I was looking at the wrong one. I ordered the Athena Power.

 

[PascalT]

Hmm why would a True Power not work? what is required there? I have a True Power 550w and i thought it'd work just fine with this.


some info:
http://www.hardforum.com/printthread.php?t=854106
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/image/11254/

so should I sell back my True Power 550? I just got it for this, grr..

 

[Waylay00]

Blackinches was using an OCZ Modstream.

 

[wmansfield]

Originally posted by: majkeli
Ah never mind, I was looking at the wrong one. I ordered the Athena Power.

That seems to be happening a lot lately... mine should be here Wednesday. I just can't make myself spend $125-200 on a power supply...

 

[wmansfield]

Originally posted by: PascalT
Hmm why would a True Power not work? what is required there? I have a True Power 550w and i thought it'd work just fine with this.


some info:
http://www.hardforum.com/printthread.php?t=854106
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/image/11254/

so should I sell back my True Power 550? I just got it for this, grr..

If it has 24 pin atx I wouldn't worry about it. Do not use an adaptor if you plan on using SLI or dual graphics or whatever... those 4 extra pins go straight to the PCIe bus if I'm not mistaken. If you use the adapter you're splitting your 12v+ in half.

 

[PascalT]

Well from what I read there's 2 diff. versions of the True 550W, so i am not sure anymore.

But I think it's 24pin, so np.

 

[jmg888]

so a normal 20 pin works also?

My current and very temporary PSU is a ghetto Antec 350w. I am using the 20 pin and the 4 pin p4 plugged into their respective slots. It's running a 3000+ fine, although I don't dare oc it. With the Athena it is a 20 pin and there is a 4 pin that can slide together. My PSU was bad, so I RMA'd for a replacement today via newegg.

 

[PascalT]

My PSU is a 20 pin finally, checked it.

Should I use an adapter or not? I do plan on ocing but not SLing.

 

[vanvock]

Maybe not if the number of modable boards is too low to make it worthwhile. My quote didn't stick. This is in responce to KHARVEY 16 regarding a non nVIDIA tied company selling bridge connectors

 

[wmansfield]

You might check on DFI Street. There are a few DFI employees there that can answer this better than me.

 

[ryant]

Where to start... hmmm:

DanW - The Ultra-D has PCI-e configured in two ways, interchangeable through jumper settings on the mainboard.

In SLI mode (for all DFI nf4) we have: (Pins 2-3 on)
x4 PCIE2
x8 PCIE1
N.C PCIE3
x8 PCIE4

In Single VGA mode: (Pins 1-2 on)
x1 PCIE2
x16 PCIE1
x1 PCIE3
x2 PCIE4

majkeli - Looks like the board will work with any standard 24-pin powersupply, they recommend 300+ Watts depending on the hardware. Im sure my Thermaltake Silentpower will fit fine. The board it self has an additional 12v spot to plug in power - DFI claims the board will run more stable using this. Im not sure which lines feed to the PCI-e.

vanvock - I find it hard to belive that graphics cards wont come bundled in pairs soon. I also find it hard to belive that other firms will leave the SLI-brdige alone. Im sure youll be able to buy them within 1-2months of nf4 going mainstream.

 

[vanvock]

That's encouraging ryant, but Ive got 1 6800GT comming with the board. I was planning to add 1 later. I think you may be right about the bundles I just hope we can get just the connectors. I'd hate to have to sell 1 card to buy 2 more