NVIDIA nForce4 SLI XE: Enthusiast Features on a Budget
by Gary Key on March 23, 2006 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Test Setup
The NVIDIA nForce4 SLI XE chipset fully supports all dual core Pentium D processors in both stock and overclocked conditions. Dual core really makes a difference in certain multi-tasking scenarios, as was demonstrated in the dual core performance preview. If you are interested in how the various chipsets perform in a real world multitasking setup, please take another look at that review.
We tested our XFX 7800GTX video cards using NVIDIA 81.98 WHQL drivers to provide recent performance results. (Testing began before the recent 84.21 driver release.) Resolution in all benchmarks is 1280x1024x32, except for 3DMark03 and 3DMark05, which use a "Standard Score" setup at the 1024x768 video resolution for testing. Our SLI game test resolution is set to 1600x1200 with 4xAA and 8xAF where applicable. Our Asus P5N32-SLI and Biostar TForce U 775 motherboards were retested with the latest available bios and platform drivers.
The NVIDIA nForce4 SLI XE chipset fully supports all dual core Pentium D processors in both stock and overclocked conditions. Dual core really makes a difference in certain multi-tasking scenarios, as was demonstrated in the dual core performance preview. If you are interested in how the various chipsets perform in a real world multitasking setup, please take another look at that review.
| Performance Test Configuration | |
| Processor(s): | Intel Pentium 840EE (3.2GHz, 800FSB, Dual-Core, 2x1MB L2, HT) utilized for all tests |
| RAM: | 2 x 512mb Corsair CM2X512A-5400UL revision 1.3 Settings- DDR2-667 as noted at (CL3-2-2-8, 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: | Intel Chipset Software - 7.2.2.1006 NVIDIA Platform Driver - 8.22 |
| Video Cards: | 1 x XFX 7800GTX OC (PCI Express) for base tests 2 x XFX 7800GTX OC (PCI Express) for SLI tests |
| Video Drivers: | NVIDIA nForce 81.98 WHQL |
| Cooling: | Thermaltake Big Typhoon |
| Power Supply: | Fortron Source FX700-GLN |
| Operating System(s): | Windows XP Professional SP2 |
| Motherboards: | Biostar TForce4 U 775 Asus P5LD2 Deluxe Intel D975XBX Asus P5WD2-E Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe Gigabyte GA-G1 975X |
We tested our XFX 7800GTX video cards using NVIDIA 81.98 WHQL drivers to provide recent performance results. (Testing began before the recent 84.21 driver release.) Resolution in all benchmarks is 1280x1024x32, except for 3DMark03 and 3DMark05, which use a "Standard Score" setup at the 1024x768 video resolution for testing. Our SLI game test resolution is set to 1600x1200 with 4xAA and 8xAF where applicable. Our Asus P5N32-SLI and Biostar TForce U 775 motherboards were retested with the latest available bios and platform drivers.
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blackmetalegg - Friday, March 24, 2006 - link
"Unfortunately, we ran into an issue with this process as the clear CMOS process sometimes required the removal of the battery for the jumper process to work. This process is not acceptable, considering how well other BIOS recovery systems work."Sounds a lot like the reviewer is too lazy to use his finger to release the battery from its holder.
Gary Key - Friday, March 24, 2006 - link
Certainly not lazy as I removed the battery at least a dozen times during testing. The fact remains that having to remove the battery is not an acceptable option when the clear CMOS jumper does not work over 60% of the time because the bios self recovery routine fails 85% of the time when the memory settings are extended past the board's ability to boot properly. This only occurred a couple of times when setting the FSB past the board's limit.
kmmatney - Friday, March 24, 2006 - link
I hate removing the battery. I broke the flimsy battery clip off of one motherboard doing this, and had to solder new wires in place and dangle a new battery from it. Removing the battery for a BIOS clear is not good.cornfedone - Thursday, March 23, 2006 - link
Obviously this mobo wasn't tested before release or it wouldn't have all the problems it has.phillock - Thursday, February 1, 2018 - link
Sounds a lot like the reviewer is too lazy to use his finger to release the battery from its holder.https://jumjex.bandcamp.com/releases
Puddleglum - Thursday, March 23, 2006 - link
Not sure if it's worth fixing or not, but the Content Creation (Disk Controller Performance) chart shows the Biostar TForce4 in red, mistaken as the board being tested.smut - Thursday, March 23, 2006 - link
Is this going to be an Intel only board?Gary Key - Thursday, March 23, 2006 - link
Yes. The upcoming NVIDIA nForce 500 launch will address chipset updates to the AMD product family.
bldckstark - Thursday, March 23, 2006 - link
No, upon release the board will come with alternate CPU sockets included in the box. You got an AMD? Just pop out the Intel socket and plug in the AMD socket. Gat a VIA, Cyrix, or TI85 chip? Just break the chosen socket out of the plastic holders like a model car part.Oh, wait, I guess you want to know if ECS is going to make an AMD board. Duh.
Gary Key - Thursday, March 23, 2006 - link
Our next article will have a high resolution picture of the capacitors and other items of importance in a pop-up window. I am sure the capacitors utilized on this board will be of interest to you. ;->