DFI LP DK P55-T3EH9 Overclocking Info Review

27-01-2010, 02:09 AM #1 (**permalink**)

Thanks to the generous support of various manufacturers, I'll be looking at the DFI Lanparty DK P55-T3EH9 motherboard. This is DFI's first P55 motherboard to come to market to socket socket 1156 cpus as Lynnfield 45nm based quad core Intel Core i5 750, i7 860 and Core i7 870 as well as the new Clarkdale 32nm based dual core Intel Core i3 5xx and Intel Core i5 650, 660, 661 and 670 cpus.

DFI LP DK P55-T3eH9 Photos:

i5 750 L925B626 s1156 photos:

Methodology:
Unlike convention reviews, the format below is one of on going up dates - usually updated in the order I actually test so think of it like an on going work log review. The main focus is not really on the end results, but more so the process to achieving the end result. In the journey to achieving the results I outline below, I'll be more focused on memory and how it interacts with the rest of the system. I'll be testing various 2x2GB and 4x2GB memory configurations and usually follow the format I have always used here - in that I first find out exactly how memory interacts on the system - what settings and voltages in bios do to effect memory stability, performance and overclocking. I usually use Super Pi 32M/HyperPi at this stage and then once I'm familiar with how memory interacts, I move onto 3d and other system tests. As with Core i7/X58 testing, I find that if you figure out the memory side of things, the cpu side comes alot easier

Components to be tested:

i5 750 L925B626 s1156 cpu - purchased from pcmaniacs.com.au
DFI LP DK P55-T3eH9 - provided by DFI
Corsair H50-1 CPU water cooling - provided by Corsair
4GB Corsair Dominator GT 2000C8 P55 Dual channel DDR3 memory - provided by Corsair
4GB G.Skill F3-17600C7D-PIS P55 Dual channel DDR3 memory - provided by G.Skill
4GB G.Skill F3-12800C7D-4GBRH P55 Dual channel DDR3 memory - provided by G.Skill
4GB & 8GB A-Data 2000X P55 Dual channel DDR3 memory - purchased 3 kits from stonebridgecomputing.com.au

03:20 AM

Content Index:

Will update index when new info is added...

03:35 AM

Product Specifications

DFI LANPARTY DK P55-T3eH9
CPU
LGA 1156 socket for:
- Intel® Core i5 Lynnfield processors

Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology

Chipset
Intel® P55 Express chipset

System Memory
Four 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets

Supports DDR3 1800(O.C.)/1600(O.C.)/1333/1066 MHz

Supports up to 16GB system memory

Delivers up to 21Gb/s bandwidth at 1333MHz

Supports dual channel (128-bit wide) memory interface

Supports non-ECC unbuffered DIMMs

Expansion Slots
2 PCI Express (Gen 2) x16 slots
- Single at x16 or Dual at x8/x8 transfer rate lanes

1 PCI Express (Gen 2) x16 slot at x4 transfer rate lanes

2 PCI Express x1 slots

2 PCI slots

BIOS

AMI BIOS

8Mbit SPI flash BIOS

CMOS Reloaded

Graphics
Multiple GPUs
- 3 graphics cards in 2-way SLI or CrossFireX configuration

Audio
Realtek ALC885 High Definition audio CODEC

8-channel audio output

DAC SNR/ADC SNR of 106dB/101dB

Full-rate lossless content protection technology

Optical S/PDIF-out and coaxial RCA S/PDIF-out interfaces

LAN
Intel 82578DC Gigabit Ethernet PHY

Fully compliant to IEEE 802.3 (10BASE-T), 802.3u (100BASE-TX) and 802.3ab (1000BASE-T) standards

Serial ATA
Intel chip
- Intel Matrix Storage technology
- Supports up to 6 SATA devices
- SATA speed up to 3Gb/s
- RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 and RAID 5

JMicron JMB322
- Supports up to 2 SATA devices
- SATA speed up to 3Gb/s
- RAID 0 and RAID 1

Power eSATA
JMicron JMB363 PCI Express to SATA and PATA host controller
- Supports 1 Power eSATA device

IDE
Supports up to 2 IDE devices

UltraDMA 100Mbps

Rear Panel I/O Ports
1 mini-DIN-6 PS/2 mouse port

1 mini-DIN-6 PS/2 keyboard port

1 Clear CMOS switch

1 BIOSecure mini-USB port

1 coaxial RCA S/PDIF-out port

1 optical S/PDIF-out port

1 Power eSATA port

6 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (one shared with Power eSATA)

1 RJ45 LAN port

Center/subwoofer, rear R/L and side R/L jacks

Line-in, line-out (front R/L) and mic-in jacks

BIOSecure Module
One BIOSecure mini-USB port at the rear panel

By connecting the provided SPI link cable to the BIOSecure mini-USB port, the board serves as an SPI writer allowing you to flash the system board’s BIOS on the board per se or remotely from another board

USB powered - no additional power required

Internal I/O
4 connectors for 8 additional external USB 2.0 ports

1 connector for an external COM port

1 front audio connector

1 CD-in connector

1 S/PDIF connector

1 IrDA connector

8 Serial ATA connectors

1 40-pin IDE connector

1 floppy connector

1 24-pin ATX power connector

1 8-pin 12V power connector

1 4-pin 5V/12V power connector (FDD type)

1 front panel connector

5 fan connectors

1 download flash BIOS connector

1 diagnostic LED

EZ touch switches (power switch and reset switch)

Power Management
ACPI and OS Directed Power Management

ACPI STR (Suspend to RAM) function

Wake-On-PS/2 KB/Mouse and Wake-On-USB KB

Wake-On-LAN

RTC timer to power-on the system

AC power failure recovery

Hardware Monitor
Monitors CPU/chipset/PWM temperature and overheat alarm

Monitors CPU/DRAM/VTT/CPU_PLL/+3.3/+5/+12/+5VSB/Vbat voltages

Monitors the speed of the cooling fans

CPU Overheat Protection function monitors CPU temperature and fan during system boot-up - automatic shutdown upon system overheat

PCB
4 layers, ATX form factor

24.5cm (9.64”) x 30.5cm (12”)

27-01-2010, 02:15 AM #4 (**permalink**)

Corsair H50-1 Installation Setup

Installation photos for i5 750 L925B626 cooled by Corsair H50-1 water cooling setup on DFI LP DK P55 T3EH9 with kit #5 of 2x2GB A-Data 2000X dual channel memory.

Corsair H50-1 cpu cooler:
Corsair H50-1 cpu water cooling kit is a pre-filled, closed-loop system consisting of a sealed integrated pump and reservoir on top of a copper cpu cooling plate which is powered by a 3pin connector and is connected a single 120mm aluminum radiator for heat dispersion. The tubing material used is of the low-permeability type for near zero evaporation.

The stock Corsair included 120x25mm fan is rated for 59cfm and runs approximately at 1600-1700rpm via a 3pin connector. The Corsair H50-1 is a new revision of the original H50 kit. The difference is that H50-1 has cpu mounting accessories for 1156 and AM2/AM3 sockets as well whereas original H50 kit didn't include them at the time of release.

Mike from Corsair posted a video how to guide for installing the Corsair H50 kit here. For specifics for DFI DK P55-T3EH9 installation of Corsair H50-1 kit read further below.

DFI DK P55-T3EH9 H50-1 Install:
As you can see the first step was to install the double sided adhesive pads to the backplate. But I didn't peel off the plastic cover for the motherboard side as I intend to try Corsair H50-1 on other motherboards as well and not permanently have it attached to just one motherboard. The back side of DFI LP DK P55-T3EH9 has some pins sticking out but no problems if you just push the backplate a bit harder to puncture the double sided adhesive pad.

As the system is not in a standard case, I opted to mount the radaitor just to sit on my desk. Instead of the included 4 plastic washers which sit between the fan and the radiator, I grabbed a spare 120mm rubber gasket from my Feser 480 radiator kit as it's much easier to align than 4 plastic washers when the radiator is in a vertical position. In other words, it's best if you installed the 120mm radiator fan and included 4 plastic washers between fan and radiator when the radiator is in a horizontal position usually prior to installing the cpu block/pump.

Note, I've decided to use the stock pre-applied Shin Etsu thermal paste first off, then will try other TIMs later on to compare.

System:

Intel i5 750 L925B626
Corsair H50-1 s1156 H20 + stock 59cfm Corsair fan (pump on cpu fan header, fan on cpu_pwm fan header)
DFI LP DK P55-T3EH9 12/08 beta bios
128MB Gainward FX5200 PCI video card to start with
2x2GB A-DATA 2000X dual channel kit #5 (modules 9+10)
640GB Samsung SATA
Pioneer DVD-R
1KW PC&C Quad SLI psu
Additional cooling: 120x25mm Spire 75cfm fan over cpu socket/pwm area and 60x25mm Sunon 23.5cfm fan over PCH chipset heatsink

27-01-2010, 02:16 AM #5 (**permalink**)

Bios Flashing via Biosecure/SPI Link / Bios Change Log

The DFI LP DK P55-T3EH9 changed from Award to AMI bios so bios flashing has changed. The board shipped with initial 10/07 (Oct 7, 2009) bios but I found 12/08 (Dec 8, 2009) to be latest bios out in beta on web site so proceeded to try out DFI's new bios flashing method using SPI Link via USB cable.

I attached the USB end to another desktop Windows XP based system and ran SPI Link install program and loaded the SPI Link driver from DFI CD-ROM. You can attach it to a netbook or laptop to do the same thing.

1. Load P55DKC08.bin file into SPI Link program

2. You'll be prompted with data preview window. Click okay.

3. Hit program to device icon to flash bios

4. SPI Link will first erase the existing bios

5. Then program the new bios

6. Successful flash from 10/07 to 12/08 bios

Bios change log read as follows:
==================================
Date Code 2009-10-07
File P55DKA12_ABS.zip
Size 953 KB
Description Major Reasons of Change:
1. Enhance the DFI ABS II OC performance for i5 750 CPU.

==================================
Date Code 2009-11-06
File P55DKB06.zip
Size 954 KB
Description Major Reasons of Change:
1. Improved the system can't Fix CPU Ratio when disabled the EIST and C1E function.
2. Added the Power Saving item.

==================================
Date Code 2009-12-08
File P55DKC08_DOS.zip
Size 1,096 KB
Description Major Reasons of Change:
Initial release.
1. Fixed DRAM ration does not follow BCLK changed.
2. Added a PCIE clock option in BIOS.
3. Fixed French version some words are typo.

==================================

27-01-2010, 02:17 AM #6 (**permalink**)

DFI DK P55-T3EH9 Bios Template

12/08 beta

Genie Bios Option

Voltage Control:
O.C. Shut Down Free: Enable O.C.S.D.F
CPU Voltage: AUTO
Power Saving: Standard or Advanced
Super VID: Off
CPU VTT Voltage: CPU Default
DRAM Voltage: 1.60v
DDR3 Terminal Voltage: +0.000v
DDR3 CHANNEL A ADDRESS VREF: +0.000v
DDR3 CHANNEL A DATA VREF: +0.000v
CPU CHANNEL A VREF: +0.000v
DDR3 CHANNEL B ADDRESS VREF: +0.000v
DDR3 CHANNEL B DATA VREF: +0.000v
CPU CHANNEL B VREF: +0.000v
PLL Voltage: 1.80v
PCH Core Voltage: 1.05v
CPUCOMP0: Disabled
CPUCOMP1: Disabled
CPUCOMP2: Disabled
CPUCOMP3: Disabled
DRAMCOMP0: Disabled
DRAMCOMP1: Disabled
DRAMCOMP2: Disabled

O.C. Fail CMOS Reload: Disabled
CPU FSB Frequency: 133
Ratio CMOS Setting: 20
Intel(R) SpeedStep(tm) tech: Disabled

Boot Up Base Clock: 133
QPI Frequency: AUTO, 4.27GT/s and 4.8GT/s
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: 1333
Configure DRAM Timing by SPD: Manual
> DRAM Timing

DRAM tCL: 9
DRAM tRAS: 24
DRAM tRP: 9
DRAM tRCD: 9
DRAM tWR: AUTO
DRAM tRFC: AUTO
DRAM tWTR: AUTO
DRAM tRRD: AUTO
DRAM tRTP: AUTO
DRAM tFAW: AUTO

DRAM Command Rate: AUTO
Round Trip Latency (CH0): +0
Round Trip Latency (CH1): +0
Back to Back CAS Delay

Chipset
- North Bridge Chipset Configuration
Memory Remap Feature: Enabled
Fast MRC: Disabled
Memory Hole: Disabled
DRAM Margin Ranks: Disabled

Initiate Graphic Adaptor: PCIE/PCI

- South Bridge Chipset Configuration
GbE Controller: Enabled
HDA Controller: Enabled
Post Code: Onboard

Advanced
- USB Configuration
Legacy USB Support: Disabled

Notes:

Power Saving: Standard / Advance

Standard mode will disabled the CPU VCore droop and disabled the Power Saving function.
Advance mode will enabled the CPU VCore droop and enabled the Power Saving function.

Super VID: OFF / ON

OFF mode will fix Vcore in EIST or CxE mode,
ON mode will run dynamic VID for EIST or CxE mode

DFI DK P55-T3EH9 Bios Screenshots

TBD

27-01-2010, 02:18 AM #7 (**permalink**)

ClockGenerator - Ez Tuner

Overclockers have used clockgenerator tools such as setFSB and clockgen to bump FSB/Bclk within windows. I tried setFSB latest version and it doesn't support DFI DK P55-T3EH9. But never fear, DFI have included their own windows app called Ez Tuner to do such.

I installed Ez Tuner v1.0 and it didn't seem to work hanging windows when setting an adjusted bclk value. But DFI sent me Ez Tuner v2.1 of the app and well it's a huge difference in functionality as you will see below.

Ez Tuner v1.0

Ez Tuner v2.1

EzTuner v2.1 has extended usability alot! There's 3 icon buttons to the right of the app labelled, Dynamic PWM, Clock Generator, and Smart Guardian as well as a Profile Settings button at bottom right as well as some profile quick link icons to the left.

Dyanmic PWM menu shows alot of interesting info such as PWM amperage load, input and output Voltage, Current and Power as well as PWM temperature. There's also an Expert Mode to allow adjusting vcore voltage as well as the Power Saving mode along with adjustment for OCP which by default is set to 180A max.

The Profile Settings menu lists 4 profiles - Profile 1 to 3 and Default profiles side by side.

27-01-2010, 02:20 AM #8 (**permalink**)

Stock i5 750 speed Temperature tests (Corsair H50-1 H20)

To start of let's see how well the Corsair H50-1 water cooling kit does at i5 750 stock speeds 2673mhz (20x133.7) at AUTO vcore of 1.136v. If you decide to connect Corsair H50-1's pump and fan 3pin power connectors to the motherboards' onboard fan headers, be sure that bios or windows software isn't adjusting the power/fan rpm automatically as you may find the temps aren't optimal

The Corsair H50-1 pump is connected to cpu fan header and in DFI Smartguardian app it reports a ~1400rpm, the stock Corsair 59cfm 120x25mm fan on radiator is connected to the cpu_pwm fan header and initially after Smartguardian install it automatically lowered the fan rpm from normal ~1663rpm to only 663rpm which led to much higher stock idle and load temps as you can see below.

Note: Didn't load Smartguardian app at first so didn't realise the app automatically lowered radiator fan speed to 663rpm.

@1663rpm full radiator fan speed

System:

Intel i5 750 L925B626
Corsair H50-1 s1156 H20 + stock 59cfm Corsair fan (pump on cpu fan header, fan on cpu_pwm fan header)
DFI LP DK P55-T3EH9 12/08 beta bios
128MB Gainward FX5200 PCI video card to start with
2x2GB A-DATA 2000X dual channel kit #5 (modules 9+10)
640GB Samsung SATA
Pioneer DVD-R
1KW PC&C Quad SLI psu
Additional cooling: 120x25mm Spire 75cfm fan over cpu socket/pwm area and 60x25mm Sunon 23.5cfm fan over PCH chipset heatsink

DFI DK P55-T3EH9 Bios Settings

Code:

Genie Bios Option

Voltage Control:
O.C. Shut Down Free: Enable O.C.S.D.F
CPU Voltage: AUTO
Power Saving: Advanced
Super VID: Off
CPU VTT Voltage: +0.0027
DRAM Voltage: 1.50v
DDR3 Terminal Voltage: +0.000v
DDR3 CHANNEL A ADDRESS VREF: +0.000v
DDR3 CHANNEL A DATA VREF: +0.000v
CPU CHANNEL A VREF: +0.000v
DDR3 CHANNEL B ADDRESS VREF: +0.000v
DDR3 CHANNEL B DATA VREF: +0.000v
CPU CHANNEL B VREF: +0.000v
PLL Voltage: 1.80v
PCH Core Voltage: 1.05v
CPUCOMP0: Disabled
CPUCOMP1: Disabled
CPUCOMP2: Disabled
CPUCOMP3: Disabled
DRAMCOMP0: Disabled
DRAMCOMP1: Disabled
DRAMCOMP2: Disabled

O.C. Fail CMOS Reload: Disabled
CPU FSB Frequency: 133
Ratio CMOS Setting: 20
Intel(R) SpeedStep(tm) tech: Disabled

Boot Up Base Clock: 133
QPI Frequency: AUTO
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: 1333
Configure DRAM Timing by SPD: Manual
> DRAM Timing

DRAM tCL: 9
DRAM tRAS: 24
DRAM tRP: 9
DRAM tRCD: 9
DRAM tWR: AUTO
DRAM tRFC: 88
DRAM tWTR: AUTO
DRAM tRRD: AUTO
DRAM tRTP: AUTO
DRAM tFAW: AUTO

DRAM Command Rate: 1N
Round Trip Latency (CH0): +0
Round Trip Latency (CH1): +0
Back to Back CAS Delay: AUTO

Chipset
- North Bridge Chipset Configuration
Memory Remap Feature: Enabled
Fast MRC: Disabled
Memory Hole: Disabled
DRAM Margin Ranks: Disabled

Initiate Graphic Adaptor: PCIE/PCI

- South Bridge Chipset Configuration
GbE Controller: Enabled
HDA Controller: Enabled
Post Code: Onboard

Advanced 
- USB Configuration
Legacy USB Support: Disabled