4-Way Intel P35 Motherboard Overclocking Roundup

Motherboards/Intel S775 by massman @ 2007-11-26

In this group test we compare the overclocking capabilities and performance of 4 motherboards based on the mid-range P35 Intel chipset. From the low cost Asus P5K, affordable Foxconn P35AP-S and MSI Platinum Combo to the expensive DFI P35 Lanparty, which one will come out on top? Find out in this article.

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DFI P35 Lanparty: Bios walktrough

DFI bios

DFI is known for its extensive bios options, far more than any other manufacturer provides. Oskar Wu worked on this bios, so our expectations were very high.

By tapping the DEL-button on your keyboard, you will enter the bios screen

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We won't discuss the basic screens as those are standard for every modern motherboard. The first bios page we highlight is the PC Health page.

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This is as complete as it gets, nothing is really missing. Thumbs up, DFI!

Our next stop is the Genie Bios, known from the superb NF4-series.

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Let's have a look at the available memory timings

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Impressive, isn’t it? This is definitely the board for the tweakers!

Next stop, the DRAM dividers.

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Very clear summing up of the dividers. The real memory speed is calculated on the fly as well.

Last but not least, the voltage settings.

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No reason to modify the motherboard with voltmod, this board pretty much covers every need you have.

The DFI bios gives you the opportunity to save 4 user bios presets, more than enough to be able to easily switch between 24/7 and, if needed, benching settings.

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Comment from Rutar @ 2007/11/26
the madshrimps roundup attack on motherboard reviews, I'd be affraid if I was still writing the outdated one motherboard reviews


Foxconn really works on their street cred with that board
Comment from geoffrey @ 2007/11/26
Owning a P5K myself, good performance considering its price, and not too overloaded with BIOS features which hardly make a difference and are too complicated to understand for people who just jumped in.

Liked the article btw
Comment from Sidney @ 2007/11/26
Can't beat the Asus P5K board in both price and performance.
Comment from Massman @ 2007/11/27
You can by overclocking
Comment from jmke @ 2007/11/27
if you overclock,how will you beat the price/performance value? since FSB OCing hardly has any effect in real world applications
Comment from Rutar @ 2007/11/27
I think it would be more noticable with a Quadcore, where the Vdrop is more important.
Comment from Massman @ 2007/11/27
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmke View Post
if you overclock,how will you beat the price/performance value? since FSB OCing hardly has any effect in real world applications
You and me have different definitions of overclocking . I see it as benching, you as cost-effective performance tweaking. In other words, I am willing to pay 45€ extra for a board which is faster, you're not.
Comment from thorgal @ 2007/11/28
Quote:
Originally Posted by Massman View Post
You and me have different definitions of overclocking . I see it as benching, you as cost-effective performance tweaking. In other words, I am willing to pay 45€ extra for a board which is faster, you're not.
I can second that, so am I But the majority of people are not, unfortunately for the hardware vendors
Comment from jmke @ 2007/11/28
but Massman, as a reviewer you'll have to look at both sides of the overclocking approach
Comment from Massman @ 2007/11/28
That's why the Price/Perfomance winner =/= High-end winner
Comment from jmke @ 2007/11/29
nope
Comment from Kougar @ 2007/12/02
45nm support on 975X chipsets is iffy, best to check on a individual board by board basis. Some sites have run 45nm chips on 975X ASUS boards however.

Interesting review! Am I correct that the ASUS P5k only has 3 vRegs? That's pitiful, no wonder there are reports that Quadcores would kill the thing. Does explain the 0.1v vdroop problem too, my own 3vReg DS3 had about that same vdroop also with a E6300. To bad Gigabyte didn't show up to the party.

 

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