ASRock 939SLI32-eSATA2: ULi Dual x16 SLI
by Gary Key on March 2, 2006 12:15 PM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Test Setup
The ULi M1695 and M1697 chipsets fully support all AMD Athlon 64 processors in both stock and overclocked conditions.
We tested our MSI 7800GTX video cards utilizing NVIDIA 81.98 WHQL drivers to provide recent performance results. Resolution in all benchmarks is 1280x1024x32 unless SLI operation is enabled. Resolution in SLI game benchmarks is 1600x1200x32 with 4XAA and 8xAF implemented where applicable. 3DMark and Aquamark3 benchmarks use a "Standard Score" setup at the 1024x768 video resolution for both SLI and non-SLI testing.
The ULi M1695 and M1697 chipsets fully support all AMD Athlon 64 processors in both stock and overclocked conditions.
| Performance Test Configuration | |
| Processor(s): | AMD Athlon 64 4000+ utilized for all tests |
| RAM: | 2 x 512MB OCZ Technology PC4800 Platinum Edition Settings- DDR-400 at (CL2-2-2-5, 1T) |
| Hard Drive(s): | 2 x Maxtor MaXLine III 7L300S0 300GB 7200 RPM SATA (16MB Buffer), 1 x Maxtor MaXLine III 7L300R0 300GB 7200 RPM IDE (16MB Buffer) |
| System Platform Drivers: | ULi SATA Driver - 1059 ULi PowerExpress Engine Enabling driver - 1006E |
| Video Cards: | 1 x MSI 7800GTX (PCI Express) for all non-SLI tests 2 x MSI 7800GTX (PCI Express) for SLI tests |
| Video Drivers: | NVIDIA nForce 81.98 WHQL |
| Cooling: | Thermaltake Big Typhoon |
| Power Supply: | OCZ Power Stream 520 |
| Operating System(s): | Windows XP Professional SP2 |
| Motherboards: | Asus A8N-SLI Premium Albatron K8SLI Foxconn NF4SK8AA-8KRS Asus A8R-MVP (ATI RD480/ULi1575) Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe |
We tested our MSI 7800GTX video cards utilizing NVIDIA 81.98 WHQL drivers to provide recent performance results. Resolution in all benchmarks is 1280x1024x32 unless SLI operation is enabled. Resolution in SLI game benchmarks is 1600x1200x32 with 4XAA and 8xAF implemented where applicable. 3DMark and Aquamark3 benchmarks use a "Standard Score" setup at the 1024x768 video resolution for both SLI and non-SLI testing.
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UJMA - Sunday, March 5, 2006 - link
I see, I'm still interested to see how this Epox board overclocks, I look forward to the Anantech review. If its priced similar to the Asrock Sli but with better voltage options I will get one despite it being x8 x8 ... thanks for the info.UJMA - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
fantastic!!! I rate Epox boards highly, I'm waiting for that particular board to make an appearance in the UK ... I look forward to your results!Redrider - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
I am looking to build a system for my 15 year old son who does video editing as his system stressing function, not gaming. We do video editing on my own aging but still quite nice FIC AU13max, Athlon2500+, All-in-Wonder 9700pro, 1GB (2x 512)PC2700, system that I built 3 years ago (my only other previous build). I want to build a system that will be good for video editing primarily but provide for gaming should his gaming interest change from his Playstation2 to his PC. I would build my own system and pass my old system down to him like I did last time, but really like the DVR/home theater I have set up with my TV, JVC 9010VBK receiver, and AIW AGP card.Anyway, things sure have changed since my last build! I could use a bit of guidance. I am considering this board and would like advice on the least expensive (as a baseline, I will work my way up from there budgetarily) CPU, memory, video card, etcetera that would serve the aforementioned needs.
To add a bit of complexity to my question (I hope this off topic diversion is ok) I had been considering a DFI LP UT NF4 Ultra-D mainly for the future potential if he gets into overclocking and such as well as the cool factor with a uv lighted case. Some reviews gave this poor marks for stability at the default settings which sent me looking elsewhere like here. Does the X2 support of the ASRock 939SLI32 warrant going with a dual core and this board for multitasking capability?
Thanks for your assistance.
dab - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
my $.02I just RMA'd a defective Ultra-D. The power requirements are very high, as it is capable of severely overvolting your hardware. It is also a very advanced board and may be difficult to use in many situations. Read at dfi-street.com before purchasing system components if you're serious about this avenue.
Perhaps he would be better off with a less demanding, more user friendly board like the Asrock board or an Asus offering.
Redrider - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
Thanks for the heads up. I was a bit apprehensive about the reviews referencing compatibility issues on the DFI. This ASRock seems interesting. Asus seems like people either love'm or hate'm. I tend away from mainstream as evidenced by my FIC Mobo which appears to be one of the last of the line. I guess I'll keep on looking to see what I come up with.If I go with the ASRock any component suggestions? Any other specific components that I should avoid?
Live - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
Great to see the new way of presenting the gaming benchmarks. The "min" numbers are especially useful. Nice and easy to understand as well. Keep up the good work! I hope you will continue to use this in all your gaming benches. With the reports/speculation of Nvidias next high end offering being close to ATIs X1900XTX in the sense that it will beat it in some and loose in others this extra info might be the decisive factor.Missing Ghost - Thursday, March 2, 2006 - link
I don't like it. The layout is not very good. The chipset heatsinks look crappy. It seems like the southbridge heatsink is too high and will be in the way of expansion cards. And why a 20 pin power connector? I want 24 pins, especially because this board supports sli. I think I can find better for this price, but maybe that's because I don't care about 16x pcie slots.kelim - Thursday, March 2, 2006 - link
Can anyone confirm what (if any) Zalman HSFs are compatible with this motherboard?Gary Key - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
Zalman CNPS-9500 - YesZalman CNPS-7700 - No
Zalman CNPS-7000 - I do not have this item but looking at the measurements it would be extremely close, taking the measurements off the 7700 unit in place it might fit but just as easily might not.
kelim - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
Thank you good sir. The 9500 is what I'll be coupling with this baby.