Core i7 (LGA 1366) is the most powerful solution in Intel platform, there is only one choice in chipset ~ X58 + ICH10R.
Each MB brands unveiled many X58 solutions in recent few months.
Price of most X58 MB are around USD $300, the design & materials are luxury.
However, in order to make X58 more affordable, some brands produced X58 solutions that priced under USD $250 recently.
To face the bad financial environment, it’s necessary to low down the hi-end platform price; it’s impossible to sell in USD $350 like X48.
DFI launches new product faster than before since 2009; it unveils several X58 products listed below:
Extreme-Hi ~ UT X58-T3eH8
Middle-Hi ~ DK X58-T3eH6
Performance microATX ~ JR X58-T3H6
Our leading role today “DK X58-T3eH6”
DK X58-T3eH6 looks like UT X58-T3eH8, all have great layout and materials; it sells at USD $250, $50 cheaper than UT X58.
The package
Accessories; bridges for CrossFireX & SLI
DFI LANParty DK X58-T3eH6
Bottom left of DK X58:
3 * PCIe x16 (3-Way SLI ready with x16, x8, x8; CrossFireX with x16, x16, x4)
1 * PCIe x4
2 * PCI
Marvell 88E8053 gigabit LAN; Realtek ALC889HD for 8 channels HD audio
Bottom right of DK X58
6 * SATAII (by ICH10R, Raid 0/1/5/10)
2 * SATAII (by JMicron JMB 363, RAID 0/1/JBOD)
On board Power/ Reset buttons
Upper right of DK X58
6 * DDR3 memory DIMM, supports 800/ 1066/ 1333/ 1600 (OC)
(Actually, DFI shows the specification conservatively, it can OC up to 2000MHz)
1 * IDE (by JMicron, JMB 363)
24-pipn Power input
Upper left of DK X58
6-phase digital PWM (40W for each phase, total in 240W)
According to Intel spec sheet, TDP of Core i7 965 Extreme is 130W; the PWM of DK X58 is much more than suggested spec.
I/O
6 * USB 2.0
1 * Optical S/PDIF-out port
1 * Coaxial RCA S/PDIF-out port
1 * IEEE 1394 port
1 * RJ45 LAN port
Red Jumper for Clear CMOS
DK X58 thermal module, more ordinary than UT X58, but the quality & performance are quite good.
Tri-channel memory architecture
Core i7 embedded with memory control, the memory performance is better than before.
Boot screen
BIOS page
Performance setting page, includes Frequency & Voltage settings.
Frequency of DRAM & Uncore inter work each other; if you set DRAM at 1600MHz, the Uncore will be 3200MHz.
Usually, the system is stable when DRAM:Uncore=1:2.
CPU Feature
DRAM Timing: the first three options are related with performance.
Of course, if you want higher performance, you need better memory module.
Voltage setting
CPU VID Control 1.0000~2.0000V
Power Saving,For preventing voltage drop.
DRAM Bus Voltage 1.455~2.400V
CPU VTT Special Add +0.0125~0.1875V
CPU VTT Voltage 1.21~1.61V
PC Health Status
Testing platform
CPU: Intel Core i7 965 Extreme
MB: DFI LANParty DK X58-T3eH6
DRAM: CORSAIR Dominator 2GBX3 DDR3 1866C9D
VGA: MSI N9600GT Diamond SLI
HD: Intel X25-M 80GB SSD
POWER: Corsair HX1000W Modular Power Supply
Cooler: DFI LANParty Cooler/Lubic
DRAM
CORSAIR Dominator 2GBX3 DDR3 1866C9D
Official specification DDR3 1866 CL9 9-9-24 1.65V
DDR3 1860 CL9 9-9-24 1T,1.63V
SP2004 3 X Blend,5.88GB(Stable at full loading)
DDR3 1863 CL9 9-9-24 1T
Sandra Memory Bandwidth-31701MB/s
EVEREST Memory Read-19603MB/s
DDR3 2000 CL9 9-9-24 1T,164V
SP2004 3 X Blend,5.77GB(Stable at full loading)
DDR3 2000 CL9 9-9-24 1T
Sandra Memory Bandwidth-33935MB/s
EVEREST Memory Read-20911MB/s
DDR3 2101 CL9 9-9-20 1T,188V
Hyper PI 4 X 32M
DDR3 2101 CL9 9-9-24 1T
Sandra Memory Bandwidth-35752MB/s
EVEREST Memory Read-21717MB/s
DK X58 has as good OC potential as UT X58, the DDR3 OC result is better than other competitors.
When OC to DDR3 2100MHz, it’s stable in 4 “PI 32M”. There is no other X58 motherboards can get the same result.
CPU
Intel Core i7 Extreme 965
OC 20X20=>3997Mhz
DDR3 2000 CL9 9-9-24 1T
CrystalMark 2004R3
CINEBENCH R10
200/2000
Hyper PI 4 X 32M
DK X58 gets the best performance in retail market.
It works stable in 200/2000 and passes several benchmarks.
Also, it gets high score in CPU & DDR3 sections.
3D performance
MSI N9600GT Diamond SLI
3DMARK VANTAGE
Crysis Benchmark
Need for Speed Undercover
1920X1200
Anti-Aliasing 4X
9600GT performs well in SLI mode, it’s compatible with most PC games surrently.
DFI LANParty DK X58-T3eH6 Conclusion:
Positive
1.As high performance as UT X58; similar design & materials.
2.6-phase full digital PWM; all “made in Japan” solid capacitor; on board Power/ Reset buttons; Debug LED.
3.Many intervals for voltage tuning; ABS technology ready.
4.It’s very stable when OC DDR3 to extreme hi-frequency. When overclocking, it needs lower voltage in DRAM/ VTT than competitors.
5.Realtek ALC889, the best audio CODEC of Realtek.
Negative
1.Selling for USD $250, it’s a little bit higher. It would be better if the price can be $230.
2.No eSATA port
Performance ★★★★★★★★★★
Materials ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Appearance★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Cost/ Performance★★★★★★★★☆☆
X58 is the highest level chipset of Intel platform; There are three price segments of X58 products:
Hi-end: over USD $300
Middle-hi: USD $240~$270
Entry: USD $200~230
According to the overclocking ability & performance, DK X58-T3eH6 is a “Hi-end” product.
If it can be sold at USD $230, it would be the “most wanted” X58 motherboard.
The performance of DK X58 is very impressive.
To compare with the previous DFI product, DK X58 is cheaper, but it would be good to be cheaper.
In my opinion, DK X58 is the best choice for people who want to overclock and chase performance but with budget limitation.
