DFI LANParty UT ICFX3200 T2R/G

Below, you can see what I mean when I say that you'll need to use the CMOS Reloaded function to save BIOS states as you progressively overclock. Since the memory is totally separate from the CPU FSB this allows you to adjust the memory timings independently, so you can concentrate on maximising the performance of either CPU FSB or Memory at one time.

Oskar and Jarry (DFI's lead BIOS engineers) have outdone themselves with this BIOS - the quality and quantity of options available is simply phenomenal. The included selection of tweak options aren't there for the sake of being there; they're adjustments that are genuinely important in getting the absolute maximum performance out of the board. It's definitely not for the feint-hearted, or for those that don't want to spend time getting to really know it. However, for those who want to learn a little (or a lot!) and really get into overclocking and tweaking computers this is a fantastic board to learn your trade on.

Having said that, it can be a frustrating experience: with a single option within dozens that will unlock that extra performance, you can be there until the next blue moon appears trying to find the right combination. It took some two weeks of searching, reading and talking to DFI for me to "unlock" stability with the 1T function.

Below, we've included a selection of screenshots showing the intensity of the BIOS. That's not all though, as we've gone to the extent of pulling the BIOS apart on the next page. We've done this to give you some tips and considerations you should make when you're attempting to overclock this board to oblivion and back.


Editor's note:
While I was out in Taiwan in October, I got the chance to meet with Jarry Chang - one of DFI's chief BIOS engineers and the man behind Abit's legendary IC7-series motherboards - to chat about the company's direction in the motherboard market. He mentioned to me that the company is continuing to design and engineer its LANParty boards with maximum performance and tweakability in mind.

To explain the true meaning of the way the boards are designed, he made an analogy comparing the company's LANParty boards to Ferrari's line of cars. He chuckled, and highlighted that [i]"A Ferrari is not a cheap car and it's definitely not easy to drive when you first get behind the wheel; however, once you get your head around it, it feels like you're a part of it." I must say that, over the years, my experiences with DFI's LANParty boards have been like that - you simply grow to love it once you've finally got it up and running.

- Tim[/i]