DFI has finally launched its LanParty JR-series of motherboards which is something of a new venture for DFI, as both models use the mATX form factor. The two boards are quite different, though, as one relies on the Intel P45 chipset while the other uses AMDs 790GX chipset.
Let's start with the Intel board, which goes under the name of LanParty JR P45-T2RS. It features two x16 PCIe slots, although these are hard locked at dual x8 in terms of bandwidth, a single PCIe x1 slot and a PCI slot. Around the back you'll find two PS/2 ports, six USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 7.1-channel audio with optical and coaxial S/PDIF out and a BIOS reset jumper.
The board also has six SATA ports, one IDE connector and headers for an additional six USB 2.0 ports. The chipset is cooled by a heatpipe cooling solution and DFI has fitted an enlarged heatsink on the PWM area which is meant to improve the heat dissipation.
The LanParty JR 790GX-M2RS doesn't seem to be quite ready though, as the picture is still of the board shown at Computex, and we were told that it would get a typical LanParty design make-over with a dark PCB and some kind of neon coloured slots.
This is DFI's first 790GX based motherboard and it will feature the SB750 Southbridge for improved overlocking of Phenom processors. It also supports Hybrid CrossFire and CrossFireX, thanks to a pair of x16 PCIe slots, although as with the previous model, it's limited to x8 bandwidth per slot.
It also has a x1 PCIe slot and a PCI slot and around the back you'll find two PS/2 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a DVI port and 7.1-channel audio with optical and coaxial S/PDIF. The board also has six SATA ports, an IDE connector and headers for a further eight USB 2.0 ports. One interesting thing is that the LanParty JR 790GX-M2RS has onboard power and reset buttons, as well as a Post 80 debug LED display, something the LanParty JR P45-T2RS lacks.
Common features include DFI's new ABS (Auto Boost System) automatic overclocking feature, which can be accessed by pressing F1 at boot ,and it also comes with a Windows utility as well as the ability to save and share your BIOS settings with people from all over the world.
We don't have any specific release date for either model, but we'll keep you updated on the matter.
