The Intel “performance savior” ~ DFI Infinity P965

As usual, two biggest CPU brand keep pushing their “generation transaction”
In 2006, Intel released their Core2Duo processor. Then, it almost replaces
the position of super mix of AMD K8 + nF4 with its C2D + 965.

Meanwhile, Asus and Gigabyte launches their powerful 965 motherboard.
Up to now, the boards are still the most users’ choice in the market.

DFI is not the first one to launch the Conroe platform…nevertheless,
recently, the Intel platform’s LP UT ICFX3200 (with RD600 chipset) has a
great performance in both FSB and DDRII overclocking. Furthermore, they
release their Infinity series P965 motherboard. Their Infinity is position as a
value price with high-performance OC ability product.

first of all, take a look at P965’s appearance.






The lower left of the board
2 PCIe X16, is for ATI Crossfire technology
then, 2 PCIe X1 and 3 traditional PCI slots…




The lower right of the board
DFI use their exclusive ceramic heat sink.
6 SATA2 ports
The EZ on and reset on board button. A easy way for user to reset their
system.




The upper left
24Pin power input, a IDE interface device
For DDR2, 4 dimm slots




the upper left of the board:
6 phrase Digital PWM is powerful and Rock solid component.




The back IO area

BIOS related…
CPU related options




Main setting page




CPU FSB range is from 266 to 700MHz




DRAM Frequency: 533/ 667/ 800




DDR2 details settings




Voltage page




The highest voltage is 0.7875V




DDR2 has a wide range for voltage, the highest can reach 3.375V




The Infinity series BIOS, always simplify than LANParty a bit.
The good thing of its BIOS is: it is easier than LP series for tweaking.
And the OC ability is not bad too. Infinity is suitable for mainstream gamers
And users.

Test bed details
CPU:INTEL Core 2 Duo E6300
MB: DFI INFINITY P965
DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF
VGA:ELSA GLADIAC 790GS PH2 256DT
HD:Seagate 7200.7 160GB
DVDlextor PX-716A
POWER:Corsair HX620W Modular Power Supply
Cooler:TT Big Typhoon VX




CPU
511X7=>3579Mhz
DRAM
DDRII 1023 CL4 4-3-9

Super PI 32M




DRAM(Memory’s bus clock test)
CPU
361X10=>3611Mhz
DRAM
DDRII 1083 CL4 4-3-9




3D performance
CPU
501X7=>3507Mhz
DRAM
DDRII 1002 CL4 4-3-9
VGA
676/1730Mhz

3DMARK2003




3DMARK2005




3DMARK2006




Although this board is almost later than other manufacturer half year,
But the whole performance is really impressive. Its FSB can reach more than
500MHz steady. In addition, the performance of the DDR2 is excellent too.
The result of DDR2 in Super PI test is outperformed; I think it was due to DFI
works really hard to the arrangement of DDR2’s parameter.


For my personal point of view, I think this board has two things can be
improved:
About the DRAM, DDR2 under 1020, it needs 2.2 to 2.35V normally.
If you want to reach DDRII 1060 or above. It might need 2.6V voltage at the
end.

Frankly, it’s not easy to break the bottleneck of DDRII1100.
So, these are something important to an excellent performance.
Maybe it’s too damn for DFI hard to choose whether a average Joe
performance with a sky-high DDRII bus clock or a real high performance
with a average DDRII record(around 1060 to 1080). I believe it’s a difficult
decision before Infinity P965 official launch.


No matter how, DFI P965 has a friendly and powerful BIOS setting. It is easy
to reach a high FSB and outcome a splendid performance. I heard that the
street price is possible around USD$140. If this is true, Infinity P965 is a
super high C/P ratio motherboard for both overclocking and high-end
gaming.

this looks like a great mobo, thanks for the review

Looks like my 975x infinity. They moved the power plug on mine it's in the worst spot ever.How much is it?Is it out?

Looks like a great board especially for that kind of price

I am glad they dropped the green on the Infinity line as well.

Big thank you for the information/review. I was about to pick up another DS3 for a new build but I think i might wait for this. Any ideas on when its gonna hit retail?

Spin off: CPUZ confused with ICH8 and ICH8R.
We only can do it under BIOS option

DFI Infinity P965 is adopts ICH8R as its southbridge.
ICH8R's "R" is stand for RAID function