I posted something similar to this on XS, but thought a few folks here might be interested in this as well.

I was sick of waiting around to find a DFI SLI in stock, so I picked up the DFI NF4 Ultra and did the SLI chipset mod instead. It was as easy as they say it is.

[img]http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24570&stc=1[/img]

I'm using a buddy's Giga SLI bridge until the DFI bridges I ordered from Hong Kong show up:
[img]http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24572&stc=1[/img]

Space is much tighter for water cooling on the DFI versus the Asus:
[img]http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24571&stc=1[/img]

This system is nothing compared to the serious cascade guys, but not bad for a 24/7 gamer. I like that the DFI BIOS allows for fan speed adjustments as well so that the rig is quiet as well as fast with those extra fans I added for benching.
[img]http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24574&stc=1[/img]

And here's my best 05 score so far with the new mobo:
[img]http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24573&stc=1[/img]

The modded DFI has lead to new personal bests all around over the Asus SLI I was using:

3D05: 12,070 http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=583951

3D03: 25,744 http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=3701354

I may be just gettin warmed up too. This board is allowing for my all time best CPU and mem clocks. I'm not sure about all the TCCD problems I'm hearing about. Both sets of GSkill (LE and LA) work great, as did my Corsair XMS XL.

Disclaimer: If you want guaranteed SLI support, get the DFI SLI mobo. I modded this Ultra only because I couldn't get my hands on an SLI to begin with. Nvidia/DFI will be making this mod more difficult in the future (so they say).

mdzcpa,

Very nice results. Any problems re-seating that chipset cooler. Can you post what rev# your board is?

Thanks

Any DFI nF4 Ultra board you buy right now is still moddable to SLI according to the best information I have. All DFI nF4 Ultra shipments to date have been the original "moddable" chipset, but they expect to receive their first "locked" Ultra chips in the near future. If you find an Ultrqa board for sale right now, you can easily mod it to SLI. Then you will need to find a bridge.

what did you use to "close" the bridge. I have done the same, but with a pencil (too getto)....

conductive paint

awesome results. very very impressive.

And on a modded Ultra-D. great friggin stuff man.

Thanks!

I used conductive grease. It works as well as conductive paint but is easily removable making the mod reversable (if need be). Also, I ordered up a bunch of DFI bridges from Hong Kong. I'll be using a DFI bridge shortly so I can retun the Giga bridge to my buddy.

This DFI was a tough nut to crack with all the BIOS settings to play with, but it sure is a screamer when its all ironed out.

My board will not OC at all, if I try it will POST, but it will not load windows, it will just restart, can someone help me?

Your posting this in the wrong forum. Post it in the oc forum.

nineinaday -

prolly gonna get busted by the sig police as well.

what does that mean, am I doing something wrong?

read the rules nineinaday

Sorry, I am new here

i this acceptable?

you need to read the rules

Nice results there mdzcpa

how many did you order and exactly where did you get em?

Will you be offering these for sale?

CJ

modification possible on A02 revisions ?

yep, I have my Ultra D running SLI with the simple pencil mod. I had a hard time locating the conductive grease or paint. So I went getto and used a #2 pencil.

getting 24K in 3dmarks03
over 12k in 3dmarks05

Still tweaking to get the highest scores

What exactly do you pencil? Do you just draw a line between the two?



Thanks.

yep, kinda, I just scribbled on the pcb between the two indicated contacts until I thougth I had enough of a bridge built up. It worked the first try.

Alright, mine gets here Thursday. Thanks for the help.

Hey, Im wondering do you leave the yellow stuff on there or take it off and use AS5 only?

Thanks

take off yellow pad in center and leave sqare box pad and apply as5. my temp never gets over 38

what is safe to use to get the yellow stuff off?

I picked off the thermalpad with a fingernail and then used a small amount of nail polish remover on a q-tip to get the rest of it off. I've been using ceramique instead of AS5 lately and have been really happy with it. As5 is conductive as you know and if it spreads across and connections it can short them.

I think I have enough conductive ink in the Circuit Writer pen do do a couple more thousand mods

how does creamique compare to the as5 in temps?

I think the one or two degree temp difference (for either one being lower) is prolly more the applcation of the thermal compound than it is the substance.

these were the temps on my 3500 Winchester with ceramique on the CPU.

sweet thanks buddy :cool:

No problemo brutha. It's the only thing to use on video cards!

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc....-100-009&depa=0

check out the ten lot pricing. gets down to about 3 bucks a whack shipped. Makes great gift for family, friends and lovers.

CAUTION: Do not use as a lubricant

Hey could someone tell me how you got the plastic pins through the mobo on the chipset fan?

Also, I read that OPB recommends removing the foam shim material, that way the fan sits lower.

What are your thoughts on this?

You can squeeze the white pins on the bottom of the board with your fingernails and then push themupgently. Don't use pliers or a needle nose to squeeze them cause a slip may damage a trace.

After applying the Circuit Writer conductive ink wait at least 15 minutes for it to dry before you apply ceramique to the chipset. When you push the white pins back into the board they should spread easier than Jenna Jamison.

Far be it from me to question OnePageBook but I think a proper coating of thermal compound is what is important. If the authorities pull off the Chipset fan and see the conductive paint you are screwed anyway. The foam pad doesn't seem to interfere with any cards so far. I'd just be careful that you don't bend or twist the fan itself. They are all crap anyway and break very easily.

needle nose pliers squeezes the tip underneath the board. push it through. I recommend using your fingers to be save so you dont scratch the PCB. gotta give it a good push while your pulling the heatsink up. very simple. GOODLUCK!


That artic silver creamique is 4.69 and shipping is 4.99, i'll pick it up at my local shop, directron.com :cool:

LOL :nod:

thanks guys for the tips.

I'd like to use as5, do you think that is ok if i'm extremely careful with a very thin layer?

How do you find that the chipset fan reseats itself after? Do you find it tight as Jenna or as loose as Anna Nicole Smith? I'm serious.

PS: I'm not doing this to mod to sli, obviously, just to reduce chipset temps. Do you find a noticeable reduction in temps?

Ok guys, I removed the chipset fan, easy enough and applied a very thin, layer of as5, very, very carefully.

I'm very pleased now, because chipset fan idles at 35c 36c whereas before it was 40c to 42c.

man you guys are getting low ass temps, mine is still at around 43C withan idle!! WTH did I do wrong?? LOL I would love to remove the square pad from it, if I knew it would be ok, my Leadtek don't fit all the way down, no problems, yet but wouldn't hurt to lower it as much as I could..

I seriously think DFI had a big brainfart when they thought f a location like this!!
Or they all had brownies for lunch that day..ROFL...special ones!! hee hee

any pics guys ?

Hopefully it's OK to link to other forums:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2322

CJ

Freezer man, you are too funny! :nod:

What pump is that?

of course you can link to other forums.

Hi guys, wondering how we will be able to tell when a chipset isn't going to be moddable. Anyone know what the changes are? Will it now being the 27th of february have DFI shipped any boards recently with the new ultra chipset?

Angry, wondering as well, if we remove the stock pad and shim material from the chipset would that void warranty? Thanks.

Just finished mine. Gotta install windows and such on it now. I check the NB temps in BIOS and its reading at 25c. I lapped the NB heatsink before putting it back on :cool:

I just installed the DFI SLI-D drivers and have th 218 bios.

During bootup my board is recognized as a Nvidia SLI board but in windows it says Unknown. Is this normal or did I do something wrong?

May i know which version of DFI nF4 ultra D is able to do this SLi mod? REV A ??

pencil mod can be removed?

If I apply the conductive paint mod, what else should I need to do to mod to SLi?

Mine one is revA03
can it mod to SLi ?

Mine was rev A02 (got it about 2 weeks ago from Newegg) and I could mod it. I'm guessing that you should be able to tell by looking at the NF-4 chipset and comparing it to what's in the picture at anandtech. I'm assuming that there would be a physical difference in the unmodifiable chipsets.

CJ

Damn it I can't find my trace pen might be dried up now anyway but damned if I can get my board to work using several pencils and I mean I scribbled and scribbled on, in, around that stupid bridge and it still comes up as an ultra I almost 100 it's a modable board got it about month ago Still putting off actually retiring my asus nf2 cause I am gonna miss the dolby digital and then what to do with my 9700, And I am seriously considering retiring my h2o cooling as that will be like a whole other day of getting it set up.

Well after my third pencil attemp failed I pulled out the soldering iron and made quick work of it shoulda done this the first time. SUCCESS

my mobo is A3 as well and after soldering a thin wire to the pad's it was recognised as SLI.