bit-tech News: DFI's LANParty JR P45 T2RS motherboard

[news 28]

Hi all,

 

We have just published a review of *DFI's LANParty JR P45 T2RS

motherboard* - if you could post a link on your site that would be very

much appreciated.

 

*Link:*

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/11/24/dfi-lanparty-jr-p45-t2rs/1

 

 

*Picture:*

http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2008/11/dfi-lanparty-jr-p45-t2rs/fp_img.jpg

 

 

*Quote:

*/The DFI LANParty JR P45 T2RS tries to bridge the gap between

enthusiast and the average Joe Martin user and gets stuck at what it

does best - offering the end user a chance to endless abuse the

CPU-northbridge and memory, while entirely forgetting that it needs a

variety of features to compete more competently in the P45 arena.

 

While DFI fanboys will no doubt harp on until the end of time about how

it's all to do with overclocking, for the rest of us, once we've left

the BIOS all we're left with is a feeling of mediocrity, where the JR

P45 doesn't have quite the level of thoughtfulness other DFI products

have been given. The unbalanced bundle, the rubbish northbridge screws,

the clear CMOS jumper on the rear I/O, the BIOS's craptacular CPU fan

control, poor BIOS flash options, no Firewire, no eSATA (yet there could

easily be) and hit-and-miss sound quality: all this speaks of a distinct

lack of TLC.

 

It all comes down to asking whether microATX has its own specific

customer, therefore it cannot readily be compared to full ATX boards -

like how you either buy a non-modular or modular PSU - because the

customer has a specific need. In this respect the DFI has its own market

and for those wanting an SFF case with a lot of gaming potential, the

DFI offers it. A pair of HD 4850s don't cost much and should give some

great 1080p gaming, even if this isn't the fastest board to do so.

 

Comparing to full ATX boards on performance alone, the DFI LANParty JR

P45 T2RS is pretty good, despite the odd hiccup, and it's a good board

with great stability. The ABS system is made for very simple, yet

fan-frolicking-tastic overclocks by changing preset profiles. The only

downside is that you need an E8500, although we expect E8600/8400/8200s

will work as well. Those with the super-popular Q6600 might like some

presets for Kentsfields too, though.

 

Essentially unless you're specifically after a DFI fuelled microATX

motherboard with CrossFire support, an enlightening BIOS experience and

a BEAST of an overclocker, it is being left behind by the features the

competition are pushing for the same money. As one of the only powerful

microATX boards out there, it will certainly suffice for the task: it's

good at what it does, but don't buy it over more complete full ATX

boards unless you have to./*

 

*Cheers guys!

 

Tim Smalley

www.bit-tech.net