NFORCE 650I SLI VS 680I LT SLI VS 680 SLI REVIEW BENCHMARK AND OVERCLOCKING
Posted:2007-03-26 By motherboard review Number of View:128688
NFORCE 650I SLI VS 680I LT SLI VS 680 SLI REVIEW BENCHMARK AND OVERCLOCKING By :motherboard review Posted:2007-03-26 xtreview is your : Video card - cpu - memory - Hard drive - power supply unit source NVIDIA is historically known for its graphics card, this company also developed for several years chipsets. Since  the first chipset nForce dedicated to Athlon processors, division chipsets of NVIDIA made big jump,. In the beginning, the chipsets nForce were exclusively dedicated for AMD processors . Nvidia succeeded in taking INTEL license in 2005  , which allowed them to propose chipsets compatible with intel processors . The chipsets nForce for INTEL processors do not have for the moment big success as those intended for AMD platform . It should be noted that the first nForce 4 for INTEL was a full disaster, ( is was not fully compatible with intel processors ), whereas nForce 590i SLI corrected the situation , but as u already know this chipset was coupled with the arrival of Core 2 Duo and this chipset showed poor overclocking potential for such processor . In order to correct this situation, NVIDIA released the nForce 680i, chipset launched at the end of 2006. This chipset as u already know has various problems with Serial-ATA, but this was corrected later  , the price of motherboards was very high ( about 300 euros ). The chipset proposed today by NVIDIA do not bring any update , it still with good old  C55 /MCP55 witch was used in the first version nForce 680i SLI. Adopting a traditional chipset architecture , with northbridge and south bridge, the nForce 680i LT SLI includes many functionality as those proposed in  nForce 680i SLI. The north-bridge is compatible with processors INTEL Pentium 4, INTEL Pentium D, INTEL Celeron D, INTEL Core 2 Duo, INTEL Core 2 Extreme and INTEL Core 2 Quad (the hole Socket LGA775). NVIDIA officially announced the support to system bus 1066 MHz, that is used by INTEL processors , but this last do not stop there and added the support to FSB1333 mhz on nForce 680i LT SLI. The FSB1333 mhz will be used in intel future processor . nForce 680i LT SLI north-bridge The north bridge of nForce 680i LT SLI integrates the memory controller DDR2 , dual channel is provided with technology DASP. This one, is used in last version 4.0, witch  optimize the memory performances . Officially compatible with DDR2 800, the nForce 680i LT SLI is not certified to work with DDR2 1200 as in 680i SLI .  Contrary to competitor chipsets (intel chipset) , NVIDIA allows to increase the bus frequency of processor without touching the memory frequency . It is possible to preserve the memory bus at 400 MHz when the  system bus reaches for example 1333 MHz; ( this is for example impossible to do with INTEL chipset ). This specificity is particularly interesting for overclockers who do not wish to invest in expensive memory whose characteristics exceed the DDR2-800. nForce 680i LT SLI inter-connections Always concerning the memory, the nForce 680i LT SLI support EPP . Introduced with nForce 590 SLI for AMD processors , technology EPP allow the memories producer  to store all their memory characteristics on an additional chip. This information is better than the delivered traditionally by SPD. This future is intended to simplify the overclocking process : the BIOS select the overclocking percentage and the memory setting are then regulated automatically. The nForce 680i LT SLI of NVIDIA seen by the manager of Windows peripherals and CPU-Z The SPP of nForce 680i LT SLI integrates a controller PCI-Express. This one has a total of 19 lines ( 1 PCI-Express 16x and two PCI-Express 1x). Small difference with nForce 680i SLI, LinkBoost technology allowing overclock-er to automatically set the PCI-Express bus using certain graphics card ( GeForce ) is absent . nForce 680i LT SLI: An already known southbridge The south-bridge in nForce 680i LT SLI is identical to the one used in nForce 590 or nForce 680i SLI. Connected to the north-bridge via HyperTransport , the south-bridge proposes functions already well-known with controller PCI-Express16x and four connectors PCI-Express 1x. Combined with controller PCI-Express of the north-bridge, the nForce 680i LT SLI support SLI technology , with 16x graphics card. On the other hand and contrary to nForce 680i SLI, model LT does not support a third connector PCI-Express 16x. the motherboards nForce 680i SLI are characterized then with their third port PCI-Express 16x, witch is intended for Physics. The nForce 680i SLI has 46 lines PCI-Express but the nForce 680i LT SLI has only 38 NForce 680i LT SLI south-bridge As remainder, the nForce 680i LT SLI has the integrated controller Serial-ATA 3 GB/S compatible with technology NCQ and it support six units. The Media Shield functions, relating to RAID is also supported with : RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5 and JBOD. Note that the MCP55 do not support RAID 10 or AHCI. Side IDE, NVIDIA proposes only one controller ATA 133 witch allow to connect then a maximum of two units. In the network Level , the nForce 680i LT SLI offers only one native Gigabit controller, when the nForce 680i SLI has  them. The teaming function , which consists in grouping two connections, is thus not supported in this chipset. On the other hand, First-Packet technology is present and allow to optimize the network traffic by reorganizing and scheduling packet . Unfortunately, this functionality is not compatible with software :-) . . To close the chapter of the South-bridge nForce 680i LT SLI functionality , it is necessary to note the  HDA, or High Definition Audio, and the number of supported ports USB 2.0 passes from 10( in 680i SLI ) to 8. eVGA nForce 680i LT SLI Without much surprise, the design of this motherboard has format ATX ( reference NVIDIA design ) , identical to motherboards nForce 680i SLI proposed by eVGA. There are some notable differences and in addition to the green PCB, the chipset has active cooling system  . NVIDIA proposes on motherboards nForce 680i a passive cooling with heat-pipe, the nForce 680i LT SLI is equipped two fan! With four memory slots DDR2 and Socket LGA775, this motherboard has six phases power and its MOSFET are covered with radiators for better cooling. eVGA nForce 680i LT SLI Provided with two ports PCI-Express 16x, eVGA nForce 680i LT SLI motherboard has two connectors PCI-Express 1x and two slots PCI. We note that if your graphics card has dual slot cooling then this motherboard is not for u if u use SLI . This motherboard has a total of six connectors Serial-ATA , two of them are positioned on the edge, whereas one is placed near the IDE connector . The pins used to connect the motherboard  indicators and buttons are also badly placed:-(. eVGA has the audio controller Fire-Wire 400 signed Texas Instruments and codec Realtek ALC885. With four fan connectors , eVGA forget about the LCD state indicator (It is clear that evga try to save with this motherboard to reduce its price ). this motherboard on the rear panel has four USB 2.0, a FireWire connector, two ports PS/2, a connector RJ45, an optical audio in/out , connectors mini-jack. Details motherboard eVGA nForce 680i LT SLI Side BIOS, eVGA use the reference BIOS from NVIDIA, we finds about the same options used in motherboards nForce 680i SLI. the LinkBoost function is absent , but here we still able to select another cpu muliplier . the evga motherboard allow to select  up to 2500 MHz (625 MHz)  FSB. The memory latency remain adjustable .Side voltage it is possible to set a maximum of 1,6 Volts for the processor and 2,5 Volts for the memory . Evga nForce 680i LT SLI rear panel NVIDIA nForce 680i LT SLI? Less functional than the 680i, the nForce 650i SLI has been available for a few months already in NVIDIA catalog  .  Technically, the nForce 650i SLI uses a traditional combination of north-bridge and south-bridge with side C55, same north-bridge as the nForce 680i, and other old component MCP51, known under name nForce 430. Side north-bridge, the nForce 650i SLI support officially a maximum of 1066 MHz  processor bus and not 1333 MHz as is the case of nForce 680i. the nForce 650i SLI has as in 680i the dual channel memory . This last is also Compatible with EPP profiles ( described above ), the memory controller of nForce 650i also offers 1T command rate. the nForce 650i SLI  support a total of 18 lines PCI-Express (16 for graphics card and 2 for additional ports PCI-Express ). the nForce 650i SLI Side south-bridge, we have here the MCP51, Witch has its advantages… and disadvantages!!!! lets start with good side, the integrated controller IDE ATA133 is double it support  a total of four units. Disadvantage, controller Serial-ATA 3 GB/S is limited to 4 ports against 6 on nForce 590 and others nForce 680i. We finds also the support of modes RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 and RAID 5. Let us note also that the south-bridge does not support any line PCI-Express train. In this case , SLI operates with the old style ( 2 x 8x ) and not 2 x 16x as as in nForce680i. Diagram of the interconnections of the nForce 650i SLI MSI P6N SLI Platinum P6N SLI Platinum is an ATX motherboard with black PCB . Equipped with chipset nForce 650i SLI from NVIDIA, it is distinguished from the start by its cooling system .MSI proposes a heat-pipe going from the south-bridge, to the north-bridge then to MOSFET . So, MSI proposes to us a quiet motherboard. Side power element, this motherboard has a connector ATX 24 pins and uses four phases system with solid electrolytic capacitors. Equipped with socket LGA 775 and four memory slots DDR2, P6N SLI Platinum  is equipped with four ports Serial-ATA 3Gb, two connectors IDE (thanks to nForce 430!) . P6N SLI Platinum of MSI We have here three ports PCI, two connectors PCI-Express 16x and a connector PCI-Express 1x. Those are relatively well positioned we are able to install dual slots graphics card in regime SLI without problem. . With four fan connectors, including one reserved for the processor, P6N SLI Platinum has some additional components. we notes the presence of chip VIA VT6308P for Fire-Wire and network controller Realtek RTL8211BL. The audio system  is presented  here with codec ALC888 also from Realtek. We have here four ports USB 2.0, a connector RJ45, parallel port, two ports PS2, connector eSATA, five audio connectors mini-jack, an optical audio in and a coaxial numerical audio out. P6N SLI Platinum Details Level bundle, MSI is rather generous. WE finds in the box the connector IDE, disk drive connector, four connector Serial-ATA,  SLI dongle, two additional ports USB 2.0 as well as an optional fan to fix on the north-bridge ( while overclocking ). Side BIOS, MSI offers a complete functionality ( Thanks to Core Cell ). system bus  frequency  can be adjusted by 1 MHz step , until the maximum of 2500 MHz ( 625 MHz FSB),  user can adjust the frequency of PCI- Express bus, the memory voltage  (2,8 volts max) , adjust the processor  multiplier , the memory frequency by 1 MHz step up to 1400 MHz. Side processor voltage (Vcore), MSI allow to rise this value by (maximum +0,3875v). finally the memory latency can be adjusted just like north-bridge and south-bridge voltage. P6N SLI Platinum details Asus P5N-E SLI Last motherboard on today review is Asus P5N-E SLI  which use the chipset NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI . Proposed with format ATX, this motherboard adopts the nForce 650i SLI  and has a passive cooling system with simple metal radiator covering the north-bridge, the south-bridge being naked !!!!!!. The motherboard has the power connector ATX 12 volts and a connector ATX 24 pins, Asus P5N-E SLI has a three-phase stage power with  the solid electrolytic capacitors (Note- no name capacitor). Asus P5N-E SLI has a Socket LGA-775 and it is provided with four memory slots DDR2, it offers two ports PCI, a slot PCI-Express 1x and two connectors PCI-Express 16x (on 8x) when SLI is activated . Asus P5N-E SLI In order to supplement the functionality of nForce 650i SLI, Asus equips its P5N-E SLI with VIA 6308P chip ( FireWire ) whereas as audio controller asus use here Realtek ALC883. Asus proposes a component JMicron JMB360 to add a connector eSATA to P5N-E SLI. With two connectors IDE (Again thanks to nForce 430!), a disk drive connector (Note-badly placed), four connectors Serial-ATA and three fan connectors (one is dedicated to the CPU ), P5N-E SLI offers four ports USB 2.0, a parallel port, two ports PS/2, a connector RJ45, a Fire-Wire, a port eSATA, three connectors audio mini-jack and audio in . Side BIOS, Asus propose a light one with P5N-E SLI, the adjustments being largely simplified. Attention, this does not mean that adjustments are incomplete. We note that the function PEG Link is absent, but Asus always proposes to us a module of integrated BIOS update with support to USB , user can  adjust the memory latency . the processor multiplier , the system bus frequency and frequency memory are adjustable just like the PCI-Express frequency. The processor supply voltages ( Vcore )  and memory ( Vmem ) can be modified: up to 1,6 volt for processor and 2,5 volts as maximum for DDR2 memory. Asus P5N-E SLI Details  Let us finish with bundle which, in addition to driver CD and the handbook, includes an I/O Shield, a cable IDE and  disk drive cable, additional two ports USB 2.0, two cables SATA and the corresponding Molex adapter and a flexible dongle SLI. To test the performances of nForce 680i LT SLI and nForce 650i SLI we used the following configuration: INTEL Core 2 Extreme X6800 (2,93 GHz), 2x1 GB Corsair Twin2X 6400C3, Graphics card NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX, 2x hard disk Western DIGITAL Raptor 150 GB Serial-ATA 150 Side motherboards we used the following models: Asus P5B Deluxe - (P965), Asus P5W-DH Deluxe - BIOS 1901 (i975X), Asus P5N-E SLI - BIOS 0505 (nForce 650i SLI), eVGA nForce 680i LT SLI - BIOS P01 (nForce 680i LT SLI), eVGA nForce 680i SLI - BIOS P25 (nForce 680i SLI), MSI P6N SLI Platinum (nForce 650i SLI) We will compare the performances of the nForce 680i LT SLI with the nForce 680i SLI and also with nForce 650i SLI. Naturally we do not forget INTEL platforms since we will oppose those NVIDIA chipsets to P965 and i975X . In all cases, we used Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 with last driver available to the date of our test. 3DMark 06 - v1.1.0 - Processor Test We start with the traditional processor test from 3DMark 06. The graph shows that the differences between our various chipsets is negligible and here we note that nForce 680i is placed in first place but with only 1% advantage over INTEL i975X . we note also the identical performances of our motherboards nForce 650i SLI and INTEL P965 . PCMark 05 - v1.2.0 - Processor Test Like 3DMark 06, the differences between our platforms are very tiny and it is not possible to designate a winner. We Just note that Intel i975X is at the head followed by nForce 680i SLI and LT whereas the nForce 650i SLI is slightly in withdrawal vs INTEL P965  . PCMark 05 - v1.2.0 - Memory Test PCMark 05 memory test give a better picture. We finds the chipset intel i975X at the head . we note here that the nForce 680i SLI is faster here than the LT model . Asus P5N-E SLI is faster here than P965 motherboard whereas MSI finnish last. It would seem here that MSI had to work in its bios ... the performances of intel i975X are practically 3% higher than Asus nForce 650i SLI motherboard . Sandra 2007 SP1 - Processor Test The processor test from Sandra 2007 do not show any differences between our various platforms just as future mark test . We note again that nForce 680i SLI is slightly faster than   nForce 650i SLI .   Sandra 2007 SP1 - Memory Test Sandra memory test gives quite different results. The lead group is always made by i975X and others nForce 680i whereas here Asus nForce 650i SLI show pretty good result. On the other hand, MSI nForce 650i SLI  show here a  largely lower performances  than the other systems, which places it behind INTEL P965 . Windows Media Encoder 9.0 Our Windows Media Encoder test consists in measuring the time put by each systems to compress with format WMV9 a AVI file. The results  is expressed in seconds (The lower value is better ).. The motherboards i975X and P965 seem to be the fastest here .curiously Asus nForce 650i SLI is the slowest here. CineBench 9.5 CineBench evaluates here our platforms according to their speed to render the 3D scene . The i975X still the leader but with advantage (does not exceed 1%) vs the nForce 680i LT SLI. Side nForce 650i SLI, the performances are correct and MSI motherboard does even better than Asus . WinRar 3.62 Under WinRar we measure the time necessary to compress a little more than 650 MB of data. The results are expressed in seconds . According to WinRar, the fastest system is the good old i975X . We note again that P6N MSI SLI Platinum is faster here than Asus . ScienceMark 2.0 - Primordia The i975X remains the first platform. We finds in the second position Asus nForce 650i SLI which is slightly better than P965. MSI ( nForce 650i ) is again the slowest platform  . We note that between i975X and MSI nForce 650i SLI , the difference in performances does not exceed 1,4%. Far Cry v1.4 - 1024x768 FarCry slightly gives its preference to nForce 680i SLI which finishes first, in front of i975X. The system eVGA containing nForce 680i LT SLI finishes third whereas the nForce 650i is the slowest here . MSI P6N SLI Platinum is a bit better than Asus P5N-E SLI. Vs MSI nForce 650i SLI , the nForce 680i LT SLI is 1,5% faster here. Doom 3 v1.3 - 1024x768 Under Doom 3 the variation is tiny  between our various platforms. The P965 finishes last here. Contrary to Far Cry, Doom 3 places the nForce 650i SLI third, in slight withdrawal vs the nForce 680i SLI. Overclocking : 680i LT SLI and 650i SLI With Core 2 Duo E4300 working at 1,8 GHz we reach without problem and with traditional cooling 3,37 GHz ( the frequency of bus system was at 375 MHz ). By lowering the multiplier of processor to 6x (minimum permitted by this processor) we can reach 400 MHz but beyond, Windows does not start . On its side, the nForce 680i LT SLI show a slightly different behavior. With default multiplier we can not exceed the 3,15 GHz, ( FSB 350 MHz ). However by lowering the multiplier to 6x we was able to boot the system with 400 MHz FSB : 400 MHz FSB for our Core 2 Duo E4300 on nForce 680i LT SLI: but with 6x multiplier !!! Side platforms nForce 650i SLI, we could reach the 375 MHz FSB without problem on Asus P5N-E SLI of  ( frequency 3,37 GHz for our  Core 2 Duo processor ). But the  400 MHz FSB remains inaccessible even by lowering the multiplier of CPU and by increasing voltage .  finally, MSI P6N SLI Platinum accept the 375 MHz FSB whereas the 400 MHz alas remained out of reach. Overclocking on MSI P6N SLI Platinum Conclusion The Simple version of nForce 680i SLI, the nForce 680i LT SLI which NVIDIA proposes to us today is far from being a revolution. The nForce 680i LT SLI especially aims at returning the motherboards nForce 680 in a more accessible price range, motherboard producer promises to us a public tariff slightly lower than 200 euros for motherboards nForce 680i LT SLI. Although by losing its second Gigabit Ethernet controller as well as the LinkBoost function and the third slot PCI-Express 16x, the nForce 680i LT SLI remains a good chipset with the completely acceptable performances.  Remain a small detail, the NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI  has in our eyes more interest than the nForce 680i LT SLI!  the price of motherboards using this chipset is a lot lower :  120 euros for Asus P5N-E SLI  and 130 euros for MSI P6N-Platinum . But in this case can forget about SLI or just work with 8x speed ???? .. xtreview is your : Video card - cpu - memory - Hard drive - power supply unit source we would be happy to answer for your question . if you have suggestion or comment regarding this review our support would be glad to help just join our forum and ask u will get the best answer to discuss check our forum section :-) RATE THIS REVIEW 1 2 3 4 5    / 5   View Stat

computer news computer parts review Old Forum Downloads New Forum Login Join Articles terms Hardware blog Sitemap Get Freebies