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DFI LANPARTY UT X58-T3eH8 Review
[Abstract]
Flame Freezing the Intel X58 So far, Intel's latest CPU microarchitecture has been limited to the high-end niche segment. Blame it on the success of the Intel Core 2 microarchitecture, for Core...
[Content] PCDigitalMobileGame
Flame Freezing the Intel X58
So far, Intel's latest CPU microarchitecture has been limited to the high-end niche segment. Blame it on the success of the Intel Core 2 microarchitecture, for Core 2 based dual and quad-core processors have been too good to be retired easily. Moreover, the mainstream variants of Intel's Core i7 architecture have yet to be introduced. The fact that you almost have to start from scratch when shifting to the Core i7 platform presents another daunting bill for enthusiasts in today's less than favorable economic climate.
Yet, there are no doubt extremely good reasons to go for the Core i7 - if you have the cash to spend and the workload to fully utilize its potential. Those using the PC for raw number crunching or its huge memory bandwidth will find the Core i7 a proper investment. To that end, we previously looked at some of the high-end monster motherboards that are targeted at the most extreme of users in our Intel X58 motherboard shootout.
Initially, we had four candidates in mind, but unfortunately only three made it in time for the shootout, which was eventually won by the Gigabyte GA-EX58 EXTREME for its mix of features, power efficiency and competitive pricing. What happened to that fourth board you may ask?
Well, that last candidate is the DFI UT X58-T3eH8 and while it did miss out on our shootout, we did manage to get the board finally. Tested, rated and now ready to meet the world, here's our take on DFI's version of the Intel X58 chipset, which continues to include the Flame Freezer heatpipe-based heatsink that we first saw on the DFI LANParty UT X48-T2R.
DFI's typical color scheme of yellows and greens continues to be popular, with ultraviolet light-sensitive expansion ports, cables and connectors making it a glowing attraction with the right setup. |
To make way for the add-on Flame Freezer heatsink, the rear connectors are reduced. Audio I/O too has been shunted to the Bernstein audio module, leaving six USB 2.0, FireWire and two Gigabit LAN connectors to go with the standard PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports. |
DFI is still going strong with its ultraviolet light-sensitive PCB and cables and you'll find these cables in the package, along with other accessories:-
- 4 x SATA data cables
- 4 x SATA power converter cables
- 1 x 80-conductor Ultra ATA round data cable
- 1 x floppy drive round data cable
- 1 x Bernstein audio module with cable
- 1 x Flame-Freezer heatsink kit
- Smart connectors
- I/O shield
- Driver DVD
- User manual
DFI LANParty UT X58-T3eH8 Technical Specifications
| CPU Support | - Intel Core i7 using LGA 1366 package
- Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) - 4.8GT/s to6.4GT/s
| | Chipset | - Northbridge:Intel X58 Express chipset
- Southbridge: IntelICH10R
| | Memory | - Supports 6 DIMM DDR3 SDRAM
- Supports up to 24GB memory size (max 4GB per DIMM)
- 800/1066/1333/1600 (O.C) MHz triple channelDDR3 memoryarchitecture
| | Storage | - Intel ICH10RSouthbridge
- 6 x SATA3.0Gbpsinterface
- Intel MatrixStorage Technology
- Support AHCI controller with SATA RAID 0, RAID 1,RAID 5 and RAID 0+1
- JMicron JMB363 PCIe to PATA controller
- 1 x IDE connector supporting up to two ATA-133 IDEdevices
| | Audio | - Bernstein audio module
- Realtek ALC889 HD Audio CODEC
- 2 coaxial S/PDIF-in/out jacks
- 1 optical S/PDIF connector
| | Networking | - Marvell 88E8052 and Marvell 88E8053 PCIe GigabitEthernet controllers (with Teaming technology)
| | IEEE 1394 (FireWire) | - VIA VT6308P FireWire controller
- Up to 2 x IEEE1394aports @ 400 Mbps speed (1 x rear, 1 x header)
| | Rear I/O | - 6 x USB 2.0ports
- 2 x RJ45 LANport
- 1 x FireWire port
- 1x PS/2keyboard port
- 1 x PS/2 mouse port
| | Internal Connectors | - 1x Floppy connector
- 1 x Ultra ATAIDE connector
- 8 x SATAconnectors
- 1 x COM port header
- 3 x USB 2.0 headers (Up to 6 USB 2.0 ports)
- 1 x FireWire header
- 1 x Bernstein audio module connector
- 1 x 24-pin ATX power connector
- 1 x 8-pin 12V power connector
- 6 x fan connectors
- 1 x diagnostic LED
- Power and reset switches
| | Expansion Slots | - 3 x PCIe x16 slot (PCI Express 2.0)- 2-way CrossFireX (dual x16) or 3-way SLI (x16/x8/x8)
- 1 x PCIe x4slot
- 2 xPCI slots
| | Special Features | - Auto Boost System
- CMOS Reloaded
| | PCB | - ATX FormFactor, 24.5 x 30.5cm
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