DFI has announced its nForce 590 SLI powered LANParty UT NF590 SLI-M2R for AMD’s Socket AM2 processors. The new LANParty UT NF590 SLI-M2R features two full speed PCI Express x16 slots with compatibility with NVIDIA’s SLI technology. Four DDR2 memory slots are available with support for NVIDIA’s Enhanced Performance Profile equipped memory such as Corsair’s recently released DOMINATOR series memory.
Power is delivered by a 5-phase digital PWM that is a first for a consumer level motherboard as it was previously found on server motherboards where space is tight. DFI claims the advantages of a digital PWM are no overheating and leaking capacitors. Improved control of overclocking is also a touted feature of the 5-phase digital PWM. In addition to the overclocking capabilities a digital PWM presents DFI has also implemented EZ Clear, Genius BIOS and CMOS Reloaded on the LANParty UT NF590 SLI-M2R. DFI’s EZ Clear feature allows users to reset the BIOS with a simple push of a button instead of moving a small jumper.
Audio is provided by Realtek’s flagship ALC885 high definition audio codec. The LANParty UT NF590 SLI-M2R places the high definition audio codec on a Karajan module that keeps it further away from the motherboard and away from electrical noise. There’s no mention of Dolby Master Studio is supported for Dolby Digital Live or not.
Eight SATA II ports are availableâ€â€six from the nForce 590 SLI and two from a Silicon Image SiL3132. There are also two Vitesse VSC8601 Gigabit MACs to take advantage of the nForce 590 SLI’s Ethernet teaming features. Lastly is a VIA VT6307 Firewire controller for connectivity with DV camcorders, iPods etc…
Unfortunately the DFI LANParty UT NF590 SLI-M2R uses an active copper heatsink that produces noise. In an age where most high-end motherboards from Asus, Gigabyte and Abit have passively cooled chipsets this is somewhat disappointing.
The DFI LANParty UT NF590 SLI-M2R should available soon, though it’ll most likely be priced north of $200.
But this board has the best board layout of any board out there right now. Plenty of expnasion slots.
