More DFI nF4 SLI-DR

Naturally, the nF4 SLI-DR derives most of its features from its host chipset, such as four SATA 2 ports, integrated Gigabit Ethernet, ActiveArmor, and NV Firewall. However, DFI also added a second SATA controller--the same Silicon Image chip used by ASUS--for four more 1.5 Gbps ports and up to RAID 5 support. There’s a second Gigabit chip, too, in addition to a VIA IEEE 1394a controller. The board ships by default without an audio codec, but a bundled Karajan module plugs directly onto a header, enabling eight-channel sound for those who need it.

The magical Genie BIOS

Manual memory timing

Those are your advanced options

Other touches include four vacant fan headers, one-touch power and reset switches onboard, UV-reactive slots, connectors, and retention mechanisms, passive cooling on the power circuitry, six USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel, and an auxiliary power input for added stability in an SLI configuration. And then there’s the rest of DFI’s package, which includes round cables, a strappy sling for lugging around an ATX chassis, UV-reactive cable sleeving, and a 5.25” front bay with several different ports and plugs. At roughly $220 online, though, DFI doesn’t quite have the value advantage it once suggested.

Fortunately, DFI includes a BIOS that affirms the board’s enthusiast appeal. Manual bus settings are available between 200 and 456MHz. PCI Express frequencies can be manually configured anywhere between 100 and 145MHz. There are also plenty of HyperTransport ratios, in addition to processor multipliers between 4x and 25x in .5x increments. Not only does the board facilitate voltage settings between .825 and 1.55V, but it also specifies a startup voltage and a VID Special setting that multiplies your standard voltages setting by as little as 104 percent to as much as 136 percent.

Peripherals please

In good health

BIOS: Reloaded

Another great attribute is plentiful DRAM divisors, including 3/5, 2/3, 7/10, 3/4, 5/6, 9/10, and 1/1. The nF4 SLI-DR also supports chipset and HyperTransport voltage adjustments, which ASUS’ board does not allow. Finally, a special bank of jumpers unlocks ultra-aggressive memory voltages up to 4.0v. Higher voltage settings make it possible to extract greater memory performance through tighter timings, but they also often necessitate active cooling as well.