Digital-Daily : Motherboard Reviews : dfi-pro875b_lanparty

DFI LanParty Pro875B (Intel 875P Canterwood) Motherboard Review

Author: Aleksandr Mitrofanov
Date: 08.04.2004

Performance

As contenders to our board in question, I took Asus P4P8X built on the dual-channel Intel 865P chipset (and flashed with the BIOS from P4P800 Deluxe), and Abit IC7-G based on the i875P chipset, and Abit AI7 (i865PE).

In our test configuration, we used the following hardware:

Test configuration
Processor	Intel Pentium4 2.4C (Northwood - D1)
Cooler	Zalman 7000Cu
Video card	Ati Radeon 9500 128Mb (8x1; 400/300) Ati Catalyst v3.8
Sound card	Creative Live 5.1
HDD	IBM DTLA 307030 30Gb
Memory	2x 256 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM HyperX, manufactured by Kingston
Case	Inwin506 with PowerMan 300W power supply unit
OS	Windows XP SP1

The memory was running synchronously with the processor bus (i.e., the speed = 200 MHz, which is equivalent to DDR400). Besides, the following latency timings were set:

CAS Latency = 2T
Trp = 3T
Tras = 6T
Trcd = 3T

Let's first take a look at the results of synthetic benchmarks.

Now on to the gaming benchmarks.

Quake 3

Serious Sam

Comanche

3dmark

Conclusion: DFI LanParty Pro875B demonstrated a bit less performance level than other high-end boards. But this fact does not affect the attraction of this product, because performance is not the key criterion in choosing a motherboard. More important is the stability, compatibility to various expansion cards, memory compatibility, and a selection of extra features. Performance may change (towards increase or decrease) once a new BIOS version is released.

Final Words

On the whole, the board left a good impression: if offers balanced expansion options and good performance level, as well as good operational stability.

Of the merits of the board, note the rich package bundle which includes a bag for carrying the CPU around (PCTransport), smart 5" FrontX panel with audio outputs, USB ports and a diagnostic system. Also note the unique coloring of the board which glitters when exposed to ultraviolet. The same coloring is made for the nice rounded cables. Like in 95% of the other cases, these extra components are given to the user not for free, but with money (and without a wholesale discount :).

Of the functional peculiarities of the board, note the POST codes diagnostic system, built-in Power and Reset buttons, as well as the CMOS Reloaded feature which allows storing 4 BIOS setting profiles.

As regards the overclocking tools, they are quite powerful. However, the board is unable to make the most of the processor and memory.

It's worth noting that the price of DFI LanParty Pro875B was originally set to $200. But currently some shops offer it at a much lower amount - about $155. However, in my view this amount looks somehow overstated. Anyway, everybody buys up to the purse :)