Forget DFI, MSI Is The Motherboard to Have??

[maverik-sg1]

Forget DFI, is MSI The Motherboard to Have??

Hardwarezone has reviewed the sli16 version of their K8N Diamond and it's a belter for phase users:

4.1v DIMMS

2.1v CPU voltage options

There is an alternative for the DFI and this looks like it could be the one for Overclockers - or at least give DFI some Competition that it desperately needs to ensure it gets it's act together.

Review is here:

http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=1&id=1787

Mav

 

[boardy]

Not sure on that board mate. Looks like it performs worse than the original version.

Have to admit that the clockability of it looks awsome tho!!

 

[maverik-sg1]

I agree boardy mate.

It's marginally slower because it uses a northbridge and the MCP to get full on 16x PCI-E x2 - this makes the pipeline longer than before but overclocked the bandwidth should help especially with 512MB cards.

I think it's great that the overclocking options (voltages) are as good as the DFI - The review does not show the options but reflects on the number of options available in the BIOS also.

It's an alternative which we did not have before.

I asked my e-tailor in possession of my first blown EXPERT to replace with this instead of refund - not sure whn they will be out though - hopefully next month (early lol)

 

[boardy]

So does this mean there may be an EXPERT up for grabs off you at some point soon? *cough hint hint cough*

 

[scorchio]

Nice find Mav lets hope it does well under phase might be tempted myself

 

[Matt_Hirst]

Mav,

Be interesting to see how you get on with that board - when it turns up.

regards,

Matt

 

[scorchio]

TBH had loads of stability trouble with me expert for the mow im going to back to me trusty dfi FFS!! Hopefully get it RMA'd for one that works properly

 

[Master_G]

Looks pretty good, think the DFI is ahead with it's range of options still though, for total tweakability DFI is still top, but others are catching up, and cover most of the bases ordinary overclockers want.

G

 

[maverik-sg1]

Okay I now have this board and it's great..... but:

Like all the new boards that have been released it needs a BIOS update - ram defaults to 333mhz and 2T, dual channel is inactive.

The overclocking options are superb although I think the CPU undervolts a bit - there is no MOSFET cooling so I fitted my own modded ramsinks (and used some fans to direct cool air over the RAM).

Potentially a great board (certainly a contender) and is a keeper - but for now it's back to the EXPERT - At least I have the board for when teh updates are relased which will hopefully coincide or be before I get the G71's

 

[maverik-sg1]

PICs of Work so far....

Here some pics (refer to the original review for before pics) MOSFET coolers are the blue aluminium parts you can see on the board - though I'd show off the 7800GTX with watercooled MOSFETS also:

 

[sacha35]

Hi maverik where did you get the Blue ramsinks from mate

 

[maverik-sg1]

These were made up from old Thermaltake video ram coolers - cut to shape with a cremel (cheap dremel type unit lol) and using thermal tape supplied

 

[sacha35]

Thanks maverik, just got mine today so will start to have a play when i get it up and running.

Hi maverick all up and running, have installed msi live monitor and have noticed there is a bios update, but mine says 1.00 version and the update says 1.00 version, will download and install and let you know, but this board is great as you said the memory is set to 333MHZ but i think like you said this will get sorted the best bit is the CPU temps mate i am only running at 2.5GHz at the moment and the cpu temp is 17c i dont think this can be right can it when the asus a8n32 used to be about 30c.

but great board thanks for your advice mate.

will get back to you later with info about the bios.

 

[sacha35]

Hi mate looks like the bios has not changed, but i am running at 1-1 and fsb at 290 x 9 memory running at 236MHz 3.3.3.8 with now problems at all and with 1.35 volts to cpu, i think the cpu temps are wrong as its showing 17c even at this speed but my own readings are still low showing 21.4c with room temp being 22c so this motherboard looks like a good one as you said, i will pester MSI to get a bios update to sort out memory timmings.

keep you posted mate, and thanks again for the recomendation this is a great board fair better than the asus.