Review: HEXUS Group Test :: Is there a perfect high-end Intel motherboard?

by Michael Harries on 10 July 2008, 05:15

Tags: LANPARTY LT X48-TR2, DX48BT2, 132-CK-NF79-A1, P7N Diamond, nForce 790i Ultra SLI MCP, nForce 780i SLI MCP, X48 Express Chipset, EVGA, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), AMD (NYSE:AMD), MSI, NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), DFI (TPE:2397)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qanqd

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DFI LANPARTY LT X48-TR2 bundle and warranty













Items
  • Multi-language user manual
  • Notice of warranty exemptions
  • NB heatsink installation Guide
  • Driver + Utility CD
    • ClockGen from CPUID.com 1.0.5.1.
    • Smart Guardian
    • Audio
    • LAN
    • ATI and NVIDIA graphic drivers
      • (Cat 7.9 for both 32 and 64bit versions of Vista and XP)
      • (ForceWare 163.69 for Vista 32 and 64 bit, 162.18 for xp, 158.22 for xp64)
    • Digital copy of the User manual
  • SATA RAID driver FDD
  • Thermal paste and Heat-minator thermal paste helper (card to spread)
  • NB cooler
  • Flexible audio connector
  • Blanking plate
  • Bernstein audio module
  • 1 x UV green IDE cable
  • 1 x UV green FDD cable
  • 4 x UV green SATA cables
  • 2 x Molex-to-dual-SATA power connectors


DFI provides quite a decent bundle, with all the cables and connectors you would need to get your system up and running, whilst adding a little pimp to the proceedings with UV-reactive cables and a heatpipe-laden northbridge cooler.

The value of the audio module is questionable, however, considering it lacks features available on many integrated solutions (Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect), or discrete solutions (advanced EAX modes), and yet takes up an expansion slot. For most people, though, losing an expansion slot is hardly the end of the world, but losing an expansion slot whilst gaining nothing over other on-board solutions is a bitter pill to swallow.

The instruction manual is not comprehensive, failing to mention memory compatability or discussing the vast array of overclocking options the board offers.

Warranty

Interestingly, the LGA775 socket is not covered by standard warranty Our testing has showed that it is the first part of a motherboard to fail if, like us, you repeatedly change CPUs on a regular basis.

The board is covered with a two-year warranty that starts on the date of purchase and is handled by the supplier from which it was purchased from.