Closer Look: Features

As I have already mentioned above, this mainboard boasts certain unique features. First of all, it has two Ethernet 10/100 controllers. Physically, one of the ports is implemented via a PHY-chip from ICS, and the second one – via a Realtek controller. So, the manufacturer didn’t use the ability of the MCP-T South Bridge to support two Ethernet controllers; the Realtek controller is connected via the PCI bus. This must be less expensive to implement.

Another peculiar feature of the mainboard is the IDE RAID controller, HPT372N from HighPoint. It provides the user with two extra Parallel ATA channels. Besides ordinary RAID 0, 1 and 0+1, this controller supports RAID arrays of level 1.5. RAID 1.5 is in fact a slightly modified RAID 1. With RAID 1, we have data “mirrored”, that is, it is all stored on one drive, while the other is a copy. With RAID 1.5, half of the data is stored on one drive of the array, and another half – on another drive. The remaining space on each drive is used for mirroring the data stored on the other drive accordingly. Here is an illustration to what has just been said:

Of course, the use of two disks allows reaching higher read speed by alternating the read requests between the two drives (reads alternation is also used in regular RAID 1 arrays). According to Tom’s Hardware, RAID 1.5 works faster than RAID 1, but this performance gain is very small and you don’t always see it. Anyway, since these two array types are formed by the same number of HDDs, it makes sense to decide on RAID 1.5, because it is sometimes faster. However, RAID 1.5 is now supported by the HighPoint PHT372N controller only. You should take this into consideration, since further mainboard upgrade may be a problem if you want to keep your RAID 1.5.

Of course, we have to draw your attention to the fact that all connectors of the mainboard shimmer in ultraviolet light, although this doesn’t have any influence on its performance. Anyway, exotic looks make DFI LAN PARTY NFII ULTRA a unique product. As for us, we like everything beautiful unless it conflicts with the technical characteristics.

As for performance, we will discuss it a bit later. And now, we still have a few more exciting features to mention. They are definitely targeted at enthusiastic users, if not overclockers. Thus, the PCB carries two buttons: power-on and reset. To tell the truth, you really start appreciating these buttons when you use the mainboard without the PC case, that is when you undertake numerous overclocking experiments or play with the memory timings and have to close up the respective contacts with the screwdriver tip. Here, you just push the button: very handy!

DFI LAN PARTY NFII Ultra also features six LEDs onboard. Four of them help you to keep track of the POST procedure. Unfortunately, the light code definitions are explained somewhere in the middle of the user’s manual. It could be better to have this table in a separate leaflet, or in the Quick Installation Guide, which is only four pages long.

The remaining two LEDs indicate if the PCI and DIMM slots are powered, which should prevent the corresponding devices from damage during installation. The first thing is more necessary as the PCI slots are usually powered even when the system is shut down, but not disconnected from the power supply. By the way, all the LEDs emit bright red light – they can illuminate your room no worse than a Christmas tree.