X58-T3eH8 BIOS, Software, And Accessories
Focusing on the most commonly-used BIOS settings reveals that DFI’s frequency ranges are far more realistic than many of its competitors. For example, Core i7 processors are well known to have a base clock limit of around 215 MHz, so the LANParty UT X58-T3eH8 offers a maximum setting of “only” 250 MHz.
| BIOS Frequency And Voltage Settings | |
|---|---|
| CPU Reference Clock | 133 to 250 MHz (1 MHz) |
| Clock Multiplier Adjustment | Yes |
| DRAM Ratios | DDR3-800 to DDR3-2133 (266 MHz) |
| PCIe Clock | 100 to 250 MHz (1 MHz) |
| CPU Vcore, Special Add | 1.06255 to 1.600 volts (0.00625 volts), |
| + 0.23% to + 114.88% (0.235%) | |
| CPU VTT (Uncore) Voltage | 1.21 to 1.61 volts (0.02 volts) |
| IOH (Northbridge) Vcore | 1.10 to 1.70 volts (0.020 volts) |
| ICH (Southbridge) Vcore | 1.05 to 1.35 volts (0.10 volts) |
| DRAM Voltage | 1.455 to 2.400 volts (0.015 volts) |
| CAS Latency Range | tCAS:3-11; tRCD: 3-10; tRP: 3-10; tRAS: 3-31 |
While the range for each setting appears reasonable, DFI still provides enough added control to confuse overclocking novices.
However, the learning curve isn’t as steep as some previous DFI motherboards, and settings such as reference voltage (VREF) that used to make DFI unique, are now found on many competing products. With that uniqueness gone, we still look forward to seeing how the X58-T3eH8 stacks up against those competitors.
DFI also allows user settings to be stored to several banks in BIOS, but the feature we found most useful was the “Load last bootable setting” option, which allows us to return to the previous “highest bootable speed” after trying a setting that wasn’t bootable.
DFI also includes an Auto Boost application for setting an overclock through Windows, but this is simply a Windows interface for stored BIOS values. Thus, it requires rebooting at each setting change. The software can also be used to install downloaded BIOS profiles, but the only one we found on the company’s site didn’t work properly with our RAM.
Accessories
| Accessories | |
|---|---|
| Documentation and Software | Motherboard Manual |
| VRM sink installation guide | |
| Motherboard Driver DVD | |
| Hardware | 1 x I/O Panel Shield |
| 1 x Thermal Paste Syringe | |
| 4 x Easy-Grip Jumpers | |
| 1 x Quick Connector Kit | |
| 1 x 3-way SLI Bridge | |
| 1 x Nvidia SLI Bridge | |
| 1 x CrossFire Bridge | |
| 1 x 80-conductor Ultra ATA Cable (Round) | |
| 1 x Floppy Cable (Round) | |
| 1 x Bernstein-R889 Audio Module | |
| 4 x SATA Cable | |
| 1 x Audio Module Cable | |
| 2 x 4-pin to 2-drive SATA Power Adapter |
DFI’s accessory focus appears to be SLI-centric, although the company does include a single CrossFire bridge.
Notice that the CrossFire and standard (two-way) SLI bridges are spaced to use the top and bottom x16 slots, as the center slot is meant to hold a potential third card. By spacing two cards farther apart, DFI is able to optimize airflow for extra-hot four-GPU configurations such as a pair of HD 4870 X2 or GTX 295 graphics assemblies.
