DFI Infinity P965

[Bobsled]

Finally got my rig up and running last night (due to lack of time). Setup RAID0 w/ the included floppy w/o a hitch. Setup was very easy. Used a OCZ GameXstream 700W PSU w/o any compatibility problems. I didn't have time to go into the BIOS or even check which BIOS I have (again, it was late). This evening , I'll clean up the cabling, yank the floppy, tweak the BIOS a bit and try some mild OCing.

 

[lopri]

Please let us know how it goes.

 

[Bobsled]

Originally posted by: lopri
Please let us know how it goes.

Yeah, I will. I was very pleased to see everything running imediately after reading about problems w/ PSUs and "death by flex" and the like. I did use a OCZ GameXstream 700W PSU and an Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 HSF w/ the bolt-thru mod. As I mentioned, install was a snap.

 

[Fallengod]

If anyone is looking to buy one, I think motherboardpro.com is your best bet. They are supposedly backordered until 5/14. They have free shipping because of it. Anyways, I just placed an order yesterday it says shipped today, which is strange..... They told me their next shipment is 5/14. Perhaps they are shipping direct from DFI? Not really sure. Anyways..... just a heads up. They have the cheapest price around so...

 

[Bobsled]

Originally posted by: Fallengod
If anyone is looking to buy one, I think motherboardpro.com is your best bet. Perhaps they are shipping direct from DFI? Not really sure. Anyways..... just a heads up. They have the cheapest price around so...

That's where I bought mine. And they did ship from DFI (S.J.), because of that I had to pay taxes. Plus side, I got it in 2 days. I think newegg is cheaper but at this point if you want this board just get it first place it's available.

As a side note, on Monday I powered up my rig and and because it was late didn't have time to set up the BIOS, I just checked "System Props" to check CPU speed and amount of RAM and all was cool. Anyway, yesterday, I tweak the BIOS (no OCing, just disabled crap) and after reboot I run CPU-Z and it tells me I have a 1.2GB CPU x6 multi (for E4300). I'm like WTF. Checking sys props still said 1.8 tho. I go back to undo some settings I think are responsible and still 1.2. So, after a few other attempts and reboots, I press "F7" in the Genie BIOS Settings and then all of a sudden it's 1.8. But I couldn't see that any settings were changed from when it was reading 1.2. Double checked that the settings were what I wanted while maintaining my CPU at 1.8. It did. Oh well. I hope to do some mild OCing soon.

 

[lopri]

Does this board allow to manually arrange PCI-E lanes? In other words, can you have 4-16 or 8-8 instead of 16-4? Or is it fixed at 16-4.

 

[Fallengod]

I see. Nah bobsled, newegg charges shipping and of course is OOS. Motherboard pro does not, and is apparently shipping even though backordered? Came to about $7.00 cheaper than newegg. lol. Anyways, seems like a good deal. They still charged me tax but oh well... at least free shipping.

 

[Bobsled]

That's cool. They're a great outfit and give lots of personal attention. They called me to notify me the MoBo had shipped. Then FedEx left the MoBo at my front door and MoBo Pros emailed me to check everything was cool, which it was. Then they sent me a post card thanking me for my business. Things like that.

Anyway, you get a tracking # yet?

Good luck.

 

[Fallengod]

No it seems I was wrong. They sent an item has shipped message but it hasnt really shipped yet. I guess he was doing something with my order. It will be 5/14-5/16 like they stated. So no they are not shipping direct from dfi.

 

[Gary Key]

Originally posted by: lopri
Does this board allow to manually arrange PCI-E lanes? In other words, can you have 4-16 or 8-8 instead of 16-4? Or is it fixed at 16-4.

Fixed at 16-4 (or 1). The manufacturers could use a new PCIe bridge chip that would provide 8x8 on this chipset or the P35. They are not willing to at this time due to cost although I send strongly worded letters once a week asking, "When?". The reason, it would be faster than 975X.

 

[soybeast]

So Gary, when is the ETA on the review? Exams end next week and I'm reaaaally itching to upgrade mobo and vid card for the summer. WHHHEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNN????????????????????????????

Thanks

 

[Gary Key]

Originally posted by: soybeast
So Gary, when is the ETA on the review? Exams end next week and I'm reaaaally itching to upgrade mobo and vid card for the summer. WHHHEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNN????????????????????????????

Thanks

Next Week...

 

[soybeast]

Wow Gary, you are awesome. Want to have my babies?


Oh, and while you're having my babies, you mind testing an Enhance 5150GH 500w PSU to see if it works? I believe they're the same as one of those nice silverstone ones...

Thanks again!

 

[brencat]

Gary...if possible, can you also test an E4300 in the new P35 mobos as well and compare the performance to it in the DFI Dark?

Thx, B

 

[Fallengod]

Id love to see a review comparing the dfi to the abit quadgt is possible as well.

 

[lsman]

motherboardpro.com has it in stock now.

 

[tallman45]

What DDR2 is everyone using with these ?

 

[Fallengod]

ewiz has it in stock also.

 

[MotF Bane]

I'd like to see this board in a head-to-head comparison against one of those new P35 boards, seems like a fair fight.

 

[Bobsled]

seems to be in stock now at most places except newegg.

 

[iluvdeal]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
I'd like to see this board in a head-to-head comparison against one of those new P35 boards, seems like a fair fight.

The DDR3 vs DDR2 article had this to say about P965 boards vs P35 boards:

"That brings up the more difficult question: what to buy today? That is a much more complicated question. If you are looking for a new system, definitely choose the new P35 chipset over the P965, as it is a better memory performer."

 

[Fallengod]

Anyone know or have a link to DFI's warranty policy period? I cant find any info anywhere.... Is it 2 years?





In regards to the ddr3 question/statement. DDR3 upon initial release is supposed to be upwards of $1000 for 2gb... DDR3 is also currently plagued with poor performance and timings. It is better than ddr2, but who cares. If you actually read articles, many have said DDR3 wont be mainstream until, and I quote "2009!" Anyone who buys a new ddr3 board and pays $1000 for 2gb of memory at this period in time, isnt the sharpest knife in the drawer.

 

[soybeast]

But I'm definitely the shiniest! *squeak *squeak

 

[tallman45]

Originally posted by: Fallengod
Anyone know or have a link to DFI's warranty policy period? I cant find any info anywhere.... Is it 2 years?

3 Year Mfr warranty, see bottom of specs page below

3 yr warranty

 

[iluvdeal]

Originally posted by: Fallengod
Anyone know or have a link to DFI's warranty policy period? I cant find any info anywhere.... Is it 2 years?





In regards to the ddr3 question/statement. DDR3 upon initial release is supposed to be upwards of $1000 for 2gb... DDR3 is also currently plagued with poor performance and timings. It is better than ddr2, but who cares. If you actually read articles, many have said DDR3 wont be mainstream until, and I quote "2009!" Anyone who buys a new ddr3 board and pays $1000 for 2gb of memory at this period in time, isnt the sharpest knife in the drawer.

I think you misunderstood my quote, I wasn't trying to advise people to buy a DDR3 board as you are right they aren't worth it right now given the cost and performance. What I took home from that article was the P35 chipset has a better memory controller than P965 boards using the same DDR2 memory.