星期六, 7月 18, 2009

Intel最新中高階LGA1156平台-MSI P55-GD65搶鮮看





話說去年Intel推出新架構,也就是LGA 1366腳位,CPU代號Core i7為代號的新平台

這架構的產品線,一直到現在還是定位在高階產品,相信未來一年內也不會改變

這段時間靠LGA 775老架構來支援高階以下的平台,老實說產品線分級的斷層也需要來補足。



謠傳的LGA 1156平台,CPU代號Core i5會取代Intel高階以下,中階以上的產品線

但是在近期這方面的產品線分級又出現了變化,LGA 1366依然是未來最高階的平台

除了目前所有的Core i7以外,還會推出6核心 快取高達12MB的Core i9 CPU。



LGA 1156方面,也改變CPU路線,除了Core i5外,也會推出Core i7 CPU支援

以後應該不能以Core i5或Core i7做為產品分級,要以LGA 1366或LGA 1156腳位來分級比較明確。



接下來就是此回的主角,以LGA 1156腳位為架構的主機板

MSI P55-GD65,以型號來說應該不是MSI最高階的P55產品。



首先是MSI P55-GD65全貌













主機板左下

2 X PCIE X16(支援ATI CrossFireX與Nvidia SLI技術,頻寬為X8+X8)

1 X PCI-E X4

2 X PCI-E X1

2 X PCI

與先前的產品線定位相同

X系列晶片在使用多VGA時有X16+X16的頻寬,P系列晶片組依然被限制在X8+X8的頻寬。





主機板右下

7 X SATAII

1 X IDE





主機板右上

4 X DIMM DDR3

1 X Floppy

24PIN 電源輸入

藍色區塊為V-Check Points,使用者可以利用電錶實際測量系統電壓

可以量到的電壓值有CPU Vcore/CPU VTT/DDR VCC/PCH





主機板左上

CPU使用6+1相供電,另外也支援DrMOS技術





IO方面





LGA 1156與LGA 1336最大的不同在於少DDR3 三通道與QPI兩種技術

P55主要是DDR3 雙通道,雖然這樣的效能會落後X58的三通道架構,但P55的原生支援能提升至DDR3-1333

相信i5/i7記憶體控制器內建在CPU中,會有比傳統雙通道更優秀的頻寬。





LGA 1156腳位一覽

扣具使用的方式與其他腳位略為不同





P55為南北橋合一的晶片組,MSI這次的散熱片外觀還不錯

左方有MSI OC GENIE控制晶片





OC GENIE,是自動超頻的晶片,只要利用按鈕的設計讓某些狀況下要超頻更加便利

另外黑色的+/-按鍵名為Direct OC,可以直接操作改變CPU Base Clock,也是方便的即時硬體超頻工具。





這次MSI的熱導管取名為SuperPipe

應該是傳導效能會比傳統熱導管還好,但還是需要實際的測量後才能得知差異性











個人感覺在最近兩款X58/P55的晶片組上,MB廠在用料與設計方面更加地用心

幾乎每一家品牌都想推出新的技術、新的用料或是新的功能來加強自家產品的競爭力

也讓市場上更熱鬧,產品間的競爭越來越激烈。



今天看到網路新聞,指出LGA 1156的CPU會在九月後開始發售

相信這段期間,各大MB廠也應該開始摩拳擦掌,準備推出一系列的P55主機板產品。

希望新推出的LGA 1156高階以下、中階以上的架構平台,可以讓預算在中階以上的消費者,能夠買到更具備C/P值的產品:)

星期六, 7月 11, 2009

windwithme’s Core i7 review Part 6-DFI LANParty DK X58-T3eH6 Extreme performance





Core i7 (LGA 1366) is the most powerful solution in Intel platform, there is only one choice in chipset ~ X58 + ICH10R.

Each MB brands unveiled many X58 solutions in recent few months.

Price of most X58 MB are around USD $300, the design & materials are luxury.

However, in order to make X58 more affordable, some brands produced X58 solutions that priced under USD $250 recently.

To face the bad financial environment, it’s necessary to low down the hi-end platform price; it’s impossible to sell in USD $350 like X48.



DFI launches new product faster than before since 2009; it unveils several X58 products listed below:

Extreme-Hi ~ UT X58-T3eH8

Middle-Hi ~ DK X58-T3eH6

Performance microATX ~ JR X58-T3H6



Our leading role today “DK X58-T3eH6”

DK X58-T3eH6 looks like UT X58-T3eH8, all have great layout and materials; it sells at USD $250, $50 cheaper than UT X58.



The package





Accessories; bridges for CrossFireX & SLI





DFI LANParty DK X58-T3eH6













Bottom left of DK X58:

3 * PCIe x16 (3-Way SLI ready with x16, x8, x8; CrossFireX with x16, x16, x4)

1 * PCIe x4

2 * PCI

Marvell 88E8053 gigabit LAN; Realtek ALC889HD for 8 channels HD audio





Bottom right of DK X58

6 * SATAII (by ICH10R, Raid 0/1/5/10)

2 * SATAII (by JMicron JMB 363, RAID 0/1/JBOD)

On board Power/ Reset buttons





Upper right of DK X58

6 * DDR3 memory DIMM, supports 800/ 1066/ 1333/ 1600 (OC)

(Actually, DFI shows the specification conservatively, it can OC up to 2000MHz)

1 * IDE (by JMicron, JMB 363)

24-pipn Power input





Upper left of DK X58

6-phase digital PWM (40W for each phase, total in 240W)

According to Intel spec sheet, TDP of Core i7 965 Extreme is 130W; the PWM of DK X58 is much more than suggested spec.





I/O

6 * USB 2.0

1 * Optical S/PDIF-out port

1 * Coaxial RCA S/PDIF-out port

1 * IEEE 1394 port

1 * RJ45 LAN port

Red Jumper for Clear CMOS





DK X58 thermal module, more ordinary than UT X58, but the quality & performance are quite good.





Tri-channel memory architecture

Core i7 embedded with memory control, the memory performance is better than before.











Boot screen





BIOS page





Performance setting page, includes Frequency & Voltage settings.





Frequency of DRAM & Uncore inter work each other; if you set DRAM at 1600MHz, the Uncore will be 3200MHz.

Usually, the system is stable when DRAM:Uncore=1:2.





CPU Feature





DRAM Timing: the first three options are related with performance.

Of course, if you want higher performance, you need better memory module.





Voltage setting

CPU VID Control 1.0000~2.0000V

Power Saving,For preventing voltage drop.

DRAM Bus Voltage 1.455~2.400V

CPU VTT Special Add +0.0125~0.1875V

CPU VTT Voltage 1.21~1.61V









PC Health Status







Testing platform

CPU: Intel Core i7 965 Extreme

MB: DFI LANParty DK X58-T3eH6

DRAM: CORSAIR Dominator 2GBX3 DDR3 1866C9D

VGA: MSI N9600GT Diamond SLI

HD: Intel X25-M 80GB SSD

POWER: Corsair HX1000W Modular Power Supply

Cooler: DFI LANParty Cooler/Lubic





DRAM

CORSAIR Dominator 2GBX3 DDR3 1866C9D

Official specification DDR3 1866 CL9 9-9-24 1.65V



DDR3 1860 CL9 9-9-24 1T,1.63V

SP2004 3 X Blend,5.88GB(Stable at full loading)





DDR3 1863 CL9 9-9-24 1T

Sandra Memory Bandwidth-31701MB/s

EVEREST Memory Read-19603MB/s





DDR3 2000 CL9 9-9-24 1T,164V

SP2004 3 X Blend,5.77GB(Stable at full loading)





DDR3 2000 CL9 9-9-24 1T

Sandra Memory Bandwidth-33935MB/s

EVEREST Memory Read-20911MB/s





DDR3 2101 CL9 9-9-20 1T,188V

Hyper PI 4 X 32M





DDR3 2101 CL9 9-9-24 1T

Sandra Memory Bandwidth-35752MB/s

EVEREST Memory Read-21717MB/s





DK X58 has as good OC potential as UT X58, the DDR3 OC result is better than other competitors.

When OC to DDR3 2100MHz, it’s stable in 4 “PI 32M”. There is no other X58 motherboards can get the same result.





CPU

Intel Core i7 Extreme 965

OC 20X20=>3997Mhz

DDR3 2000 CL9 9-9-24 1T



CrystalMark 2004R3





CINEBENCH R10





200/2000

Hyper PI 4 X 32M





DK X58 gets the best performance in retail market.

It works stable in 200/2000 and passes several benchmarks.

Also, it gets high score in CPU & DDR3 sections.



3D performance

MSI N9600GT Diamond SLI



3DMARK VANTAGE





Crysis Benchmark





Need for Speed Undercover

1920X1200

Anti-Aliasing 4X





9600GT performs well in SLI mode, it’s compatible with most PC games surrently.



DFI LANParty DK X58-T3eH6 Conclusion:

Positive

1.As high performance as UT X58; similar design & materials.

2.6-phase full digital PWM; all “made in Japan” solid capacitor; on board Power/ Reset buttons; Debug LED.

3.Many intervals for voltage tuning; ABS technology ready.

4.It’s very stable when OC DDR3 to extreme hi-frequency. When overclocking, it needs lower voltage in DRAM/ VTT than competitors.

5.Realtek ALC889, the best audio CODEC of Realtek.





Negative

1.Selling for USD $250, it’s a little bit higher. It would be better if the price can be $230.

2.No eSATA port



Performance ★★★★★★★★★★

Materials ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Appearance★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Cost/ Performance★★★★★★★★☆☆



X58 is the highest level chipset of Intel platform; There are three price segments of X58 products:

Hi-end: over USD $300

Middle-hi: USD $240~$270

Entry: USD $200~230



According to the overclocking ability & performance, DK X58-T3eH6 is a “Hi-end” product.

If it can be sold at USD $230, it would be the “most wanted” X58 motherboard.



The performance of DK X58 is very impressive.

To compare with the previous DFI product, DK X58 is cheaper, but it would be good to be cheaper.



In my opinion, DK X58 is the best choice for people who want to overclock and chase performance but with budget limitation.