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DFI LanPartyUT 915P-T12 Review
Author: Dennis Garcia
Published: Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Board Layout and Features
LGA775 processors feature a completely new installation method due to the pinless nature of the processor package. While this will protect your 500+ dollar processor from pin damage it does present a more challenging installation procedure. The trick is to take your time and carefully insert the processor from a vertical position directly above the socket. Drop it into place and then clamp everything together.
As with most motherboards these days to save production and support costs a passive cooler is used on the north and south bridges, a fan header is in close proximity for those itching to upgrade to active cooling.
A nice feature from an upgrade standpoint is how the 915P supports both DDR1 and DDR2. Keep in mind that only one memory type can be used at a time so a maximum of 2 matching memory sticks is all you can install.
PCI Express is a hot topic these days and with the promise of increased bandwidth it will soon be everywhere. Unfortunately, as of this writing, the only PCIe items you can get are video cards and even they are relatively hard to come by.
PCI Express is a hot topic these days and with the promise of increased bandwidth it will soon be everywhere. Unfortunately, as of this writing, the only PCIe items you can get are video cards and even they are relatively hard to come by.
A unique feature of PCIe is the compact interface design so they can be positioned anywhere. For a little extra connectivity DFI has placed a single PCIe 1x slot right below the south bridge chip facing forward. While this slot may not ever get used it does open up some very interesting usage scenarios.
The LanPartyUT 915P has support for (1)16x PCIe, (3)PCIe 1x slots, and (3) regular PCI slots for "legacy" support.. Other items include 4 native SerialATA connectors (with RAID support) quick access power and rest buttons, a single Parallel ATA connector, fan header and floppy connector. (Granted the floppy connection is at the bottom of the motherboard but at least it's not under the last PCI slot.
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The LanPartyUT 915P has support for (1)16x PCIe, (3)PCIe 1x slots, and (3) regular PCI slots for "legacy" support.. Other items include 4 native SerialATA connectors (with RAID support) quick access power and rest buttons, a single Parallel ATA connector, fan header and floppy connector. (Granted the floppy connection is at the bottom of the motherboard but at least it's not under the last PCI slot.
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