Subsystem Testing - Sound
We downloaded and installed to test its CPU utilization. CPU utilization was fairly high throughout the DirectSound3D tests. CPU utilization never got to 15%, but it did average in the 8% - 11% range, which is a lot higher than the <2% averages we've seen with the nForce 2. It's not the end of the world, given that the slowest CPU you would ideally be using is a 2.4GHz "C", but we would have liked to have seen lower numbers this late into the Realtek chipsets lifecycle. This is a synthetic benchmark though, and since I know all of you enjoy a game or two, let's see how the sound will affect UT 2003 performance.
The [H]ardocp Tool has an option to enable and disable sound during testing. Tests will be done with the same hardware configuration as the rest of the benchmarks.
While the DFI flat-out outperformed the ASUS motherboard, it was a dead heat as to which got the greater performance hit by using sound.
Subsystem Testing - Hard Drive Performance
DFI Ultra-D Left, ASUS P5DGC Right
Although it may not appear that way, the DFI does take this one, the graph is skewed by the program to display performance line starting at the top of the scale, and the DFI scale is higher. However, the ASUS is noticeably cleaner all the way through the test.
Subsystem Testing - Network Performance
We used DU Meter to test the networking speed, and Windows Task Manager for CPU usage. With gigabyte NIC's installed in these systems I am getting hard pressed to actually make them work, you need a lot of files. I copied a variety of files totaling 2.8GB, varying in size of 300kb to as much as 150MB per file from the ASUS machine to the DFI box and back. Then I performed the same test with a 3.7GB ISO image. This test was performed at stock CPU speeds and a crossover cable.
As you can see, the ASUS and DFI are almost identical, of course they are both using the Marvell Yukon Gigabyte NIC. The only variance would be the CPU efficiency, and a slight advantage goes to the DFI for this one.
Final Words
Brooks 2 cent’s
DFI has once again announced that they are here to stay in the enthusiast’s marketplace. The LANParty Ultra-D stands out as not only a true performer but a product with very few limitations when it comes to modification of settings and control over your motherboard. Although this is not a motherboard for the faint of heart, as confusion will be the talk of the day if you are not up to speed. The main reason for this is that DFI have used what appears to be an ‘SLI’ motherboard with an Ultra chipset and DFI’s own DXG Dual Graphics solution. While the DXG solution itself is great allowing up to 4 monitors, the fact that we still find an SLI jumper block which is of no use to the end user on this board*, and if adjustments are made to this block by anyone curious enough the board will no longer post, can be a little confusing. Still, the intended target audience for this motherboard is likely to be someone who does their homework and is a true enthusiast so perhaps errors like this could be kept to a minimum, but it is still quite confusing, especially since the supplied hard copy manual doesn’t go into too much detail.
The overall layout is a unique one and does provide a great amount of room to work in around the CPU socket and is one of the better layouts you will find on a motherboard although as can be said for even the best of layouts, it does have a few drawbacks, the main one that springs to mind is the placement of the chipset cooler which was a little too close to the rear end of our test graphics card.
The BIOS is one of the better ones I have worked with, giving you control over quite a lot of functions, including the impressive 2.1v+ CPU Core voltage that hardcore overclockers will enjoy. This is coupled by a possible 4v DRAM voltage and a possible 1000MHz HT, making this board quite appealing to performance junkies. Again though, there are a few items that users will find confusing, and without enough documentation supplied, you will need the Web/Google to truly make the most of this board.
Scott’s 2 cent’s
I agree with everything that Brook has to say about the board but just to expand a little about the whole SLI jumper and Dual Graphics …
The DXG is a good solution for a multiple monitor setup, however since most graphics cards these days will support 2 monitors I do have to question if this is a feature that will be required by many enthusiasts. LANParty suggests to me Gamer, and not many Gamers will be using more than one monitor for gaming, and since this board provides multiple graphics card support for multiple monitors and not combined graphics processing power like SLI, you won’t be using multiple monitors in games.
However, the reason for the apparent SLI configuration on the board is that originally this Ultra board did have SLI, as found a way to enable SLI on the Ultra chipset giving you a fairly cheap SLI motherboard. Naturally NVIDIA was not to impressed by this and while I’m obviously not going to go into detail, the Ultra-D and some help from Google for those prepared to take the risk modifying the board can provide … interesting results.
If you truly do not want an SLI board (remembering you don't have to use the SLI function) then the Ultra-D will suit but for not all that much more, the DFI LANParty nF4 SLI-DR would probably be a better buy, although the same could be said about most Ultra chipset motherboards.
Pros: Great Performance and tweakability, Good looks, matching high performance connectors, Well thought out layout of components and connectors, Great overclockability and stability
Cons: Includes items you can't use with board (jumpers) just confuses end user, Tight fit for DXG use if your main Graphics is of the 2 slot variety, documentation could be a lot better
Bottom Line: An enthusiast’s enthusiast motherboard. Tweaks, tweaks and more tweaks make this a must choice outside of an SLI solution for the overclocker extraordinaire. Sexy looks and performance to match it, hits the mark, again.
