NF4 Ultra-D Step by Step New Build

[red930]

That is a fantastic guide. Nice Job

 

As far as the "cool and quiet" goes, it simply makes the computer take less power. You should NOT use this if you are going to overclock.

 

The only question I have is about the step #7 where you say "be sure to plug in all 4 connections"

 

Do you really have to? The 24 pin and the 4 pin power conectors are essential whereas the fdd and hdd connector are specified only needed when you have a second video card, is this right?

Fail to make the additional power connections at your own peril. Many users with a single video card have found that they contribute greatly to a stable system.

[Skijackz]

As some one new to building their own computer, I was excited to see Ed's guide and RGone's setup guide for the DFI bios. But I must admit, I'm wavering between getting an "easier" MSI Neo4 board over the DFI NF4 Ultra. I've swapped out parts for years but might as well be reading Greek when it comes to bios settings I see on RGone's sticky.

 

Getting in over my head is something that I don't mind doing but it's a little nerve racking dropping $2k on a whole new system just to not have it work. From Ed's guide and from RGone's settings I'm fairly certain that I'll go with DFI but I'm wondering if MSI wouldn't be a better fit now until I get my feet wet. I know its pretty stupid to ask the question on DFI's board but what do people think from a newbie perspective?

 

B

[red930]

Skijackz,

 

If you don't feel comfortable getting a DFI board you really should reconsider what you want out of your system. The DFI product is top shelf hardware made for enthusiast that like to get the very most out of their hardware. There are settings available that most motherboard vendors would never include since you could keep the system from booting with a bad setting.

 

That's the reason for this forum. There are a lot of users that try different things so we all learn from one users mistake. At the same time these users are pushing their systems to the limit and we all reap the benefit of their knowledge.

 

I can't name another motherboard vendor that supports a forum like DFI does here. Angry_Games and RGone do a terrific job helping us along. They even take "problem boards", get them up and running then return them to the user.

 

I think you should take some time and read more of the threads to see how we work things out.

 

ExRoadie

[RGone]

Skijackz,

 

If you don't feel comfortable getting a DFI board you really should reconsider what you want out of your system. The DFI product is top shelf hardware made for enthusiast that like to get the very most out of their hardware. There are settings available that most motherboard vendors would never include since you could keep the system from booting with a bad setting.

 

That's the reason for this forum. There are a lot of users that try different things so we all learn from one users mistake. At the same time these users are pushing their systems to the limit and we all reap the benefit of their knowledge.

 

I can't name another motherboard vendor that supports a forum like DFI does here. Angry_Games and RGone do a terrific job helping us along. They even take "problem boards", get them up and running then return them to the user.

 

I think you should take some time and read more of the threads to see how we work things out.

 

ExRoadie

 

EXR, sometimes man you are too kind.

 

@Skijackz, let me make a suggestion man. IF and that is giant if, you buy the right pieces the first time you will be thru for sometime. I think we have a lot of young users buying off the credit card and getting two very important things wrong. Cheap Value Ram and marginal power supplies. BUT if you want and are needing a board that will grow with your skills and not be out of horsepower in a few weeks or so and the thrill and experience all over and done with before the ink gets good and dry you can buy a Rocket NF4 by the rocket company DFI and get the good stuff to start with and build and learn.

 

Speaking as relates the NF4 setup 'done right' it only costs about $250 more to do the job right than struggle and wonder and then you are able to tune and tinker and learn overclocking skills for months. A fun setup they are but you really need to be thinking enthusiast and not maybe just get by. This is a stellar NF4 board and deserves stellar parts for a stellar user. Think on it man and if you decide to do the deed, just email me at my addy in signature and will tell you all the pieces you need after you decide it ain't something I will answer time and again and on second thought you decide and tell how you want to run and I will give you the names of pieces here in a post, to get to put up a lit missle.

 

RGone...

[Skijackz]

Hey RGone and ExRoadie:

 

Thanks for the words. Needed a little "stop your damn whining and git on the durn horse".

 

I've been wandering this and other boards for about two months just reading and getting ready. I've put together my list and I'll post it in a new thread. I'll pull the trigger about end of April when I'm town enough to sit down for a couple of days and build.

 

thanks again!

 

B

[RGone]

Step-by-step procedure for DFI Lanparty NF4 Ultra-D

 

1. Familiarize yourself with how to assemble a PC generally, including:

http://www.mysuperpc.com/build/pc_parts_list.shtml

http://www.buildyourowncomputer.net/learntobuild.html

http://www.motherboards.org/articlesd/how-...ides/924_1.html

http://www.build-your-own-computer-tips.com/

2. Place motherboard on insulated surface (on wood table and pad shipped with motherboard)

3. Inspect and prepare motherboard, adjust jumpers as necessary.

4. Install CPU and heatsink.

5. Install 1 stick RAM in slot 2 (orange, closest to edge) (optional but not advisable: install dual channel memory in slots 2 and 4) (I installed 2 sticks and didn't have any problems)

6. Install video card in top (closest to CPU) PCI-E slot.

7. Connect power supply to motherboard – be sure to make all four connections. (A minimal install outside the case is optional. You may wish to jump to Step 10).

8. Connect monitor.

9. Connect keyboard and mouse.

10. First boot – use EZ Touch Power Switch on motherboard to turn power on. To enter BIOS, press DEL before the fourth diagnostic LED turns off and the DFI LanParty splashscreen appears. Load Optimized Defaults/save and exit.

11. Install mobo and I/O shield in case.

12. Connect case and CPU fans to motherboard.

13. Install power supply (can be done before Step 11 if you prefer).

14. Connect power supply to motherboard – be sure to make all four connections.

15. Connect front panel connectors and case fans to motherboard.

16. Connect monitor.

17. Connect keyboard and mouse.

18. Second boot. Enter BIOS. Set Update ESCD/will update DMI pool.

19. Install hard and optical drives.

20. Third boot. Can turn off Update ESCD.

21. Press DEL to enter BIOS

22. Input BIOS settings from Rgone (Post 1) {for TCCD Mem.} and Angry_Games screenshots (Post 18) from

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5844

23. Fourth boot.

24. Run Memtest86 v3.2 (bootable CD downloaded from http://www.memtest86.com/)

25. Install second stick RAM in Slot 4.

26. Reboot and run Memtest86 v3.2, or you may want to test each stick separately first.

27. Install OS (Windows XP). During install of Win XP, drives will be partitioned and then formatted to be able to use them and then Install of OS continues. Use Win XP SP2 or SP2 slipstreamed is highly recommended, as it has updated drivers and DirectX9.0C. Directions on creating a bootable slipstreamed Win XP http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/w...sp2-bootcd.html and http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/article...am-Guide_1.html

28. Install MB drivers from DFI supplied CD (Note: some drivers cause problems for some users; do not install Nvidia IDE drivers or Nvidia Firewall / Nforce Network Access Manager programs; do not install Ntune from the DFI disc).

29. Install video drivers from DFI supplied CD and/or CD supplied with video card.

30. Install monitor drivers from CD supplied with monitor.

31. Before connecting to internet, read http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1743653,00.asp

32. Connect to internet through LAN. (WinXP didn’t recognize my Vitesse LAN 1. The network wizard only recognized the Marvell LAN 2, so I connected through that. Follow instructions provided with modem or router.)

33. Install virus protection. I installed AVG freeware http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

34. Install Win XP updates http://www.windowsupdates.com

35. Test speed and stability.

36. Enable Cool‘n’Quiet – download software from http://www.dfi.com.tw/Upload/Driver/cpucooler.EXE enable Cool‘n’Quiet at Power Management in BIOS; set power option as “minimal power management” in control panel.

37. Hook up peripherals.

38. Load other software.

 

Ed that is astoundingly good work. I have seen not such work on any forum anywhere period. Most users will not take that much time and effort to help others out. Sir I salute you. Job well done and is a benefit to even the knowledgeable as it could become an 'install check chart' to keep one from forgetting anything in doing almost any sort of computer buildup.

 

Again fine work and thank you sir.

 

RGone...

[Vista]

This thread made me pull the trigger on over $2k USD. Thanks guys. I hope it works out for me!

[red930]

Vista

DFI Failure Candidate

 

That was worth loging in tonight!

[Jadawin]

Personally, I would swap No. 35 and 36. There's no point in testing stability without CNQ, when you are going to enable it afterwards. Stability tests should be made when the system is set up the way you want with no major changes afterwards. CNQ is a major change IMHO.

[Muzikfreakah]

This link doesnt seem to work :-( http://www.dfi.com.tw/Upload/Driver/cpucooler.EXE;

[Joe Bob]

I have recently built a system with:

nF4 Ultra D

AMD 64 3200+

1Gb (2X512) 3200 Kbyte PC400

Seagate 160 GB

ATI Radeon X700 PRO

 

I am having problem with it decviding to reboot. It just up and starts rebooting randomely.

Any suggestions

 

Built in an ANTEC True Power 380 watt case.

[RGone]

joe bob this is not really how you get an answer. You start your own thread that you can monitor and users can see more easily. This is a long running thread that many have already looked in and will not return to even take a look at your post.

 

Delete this and start your own post.

 

RGone... :confused: as usual.

 

I have recently built a system with:

nF4 Ultra D

AMD 64 3200+

1Gb (2X512) 3200 Kbyte PC400

Seagate 160 GB

ATI Radeon X700 PRO

 

I am having problem with it decviding to reboot. It just up and starts rebooting randomely.

Any suggestions

 

Built in an ANTEC True Power 380 watt case.