Firewire

DFI used VIA's VT6307 Firewire controller. The VT6307 is a single chip IEEE 1394 Firewire controller that supports two ports at a maximum speed of 400Mb/s.

Here are some of the VT6307's features :

• Embedded 1394 Link core
  - Dual Buffer mode enhancements
  - Skip Processing enhancements
  - Block Read Request handling
  - 32 bit CRC generator and checker for receive and transmit data
• Integrated 400Mbps 2-port PHY
  - Supports two 1394a fully compliant cable ports at 100/200/400Mbps
  - Supports IEEE 1394-1995 Standard for High Performance Serial Bus 1.0 and 1394a P2000
  - Full 1394a P2000 support
  - Logic performs bus initialization and arbitration functions
  - 2KV ESD protection
• 32-Bit Power-Managed PCI Bus-Interface
  - Compliant with PCI specification v2.2
  - Supports CardBus interface
• Supports I2C EEPROM and 4-Wire Serial ROM with GUID PROM Shadow to EEPROM
• OHCI Compliant Programming Interface
• Pin Compatible with VIA VT6306 1394a PCI Host Controller
• 3.3V Power Supply with 5V Tolerant Inputs
• 0.30 micron low power CMOS process

I/O Chip

The DFI LANParty UT NF4 SLI-DR used ITE IT8712F for I/O functions and environment monitoring. The IT8712F not only controls all the I/O devices on the motherboard, it also provides enviroment monitoring functions (i.e. voltages, temperatures, etc.)

Here are some features of the IT8712F I/O chip :

• Low Pin Count Interface
• PC98/99/2001, ACPI & LANDesk Compliant
• Enhanced Hardware Monitor
• Fan Speed Controller
• SmartGuardian Controller
• Single +5V Power Supply
• Smart Card Reader
• Consumer Remote Control (TV remote) IR with power-up feature
• Two 16C550 UARTs
• l Game Port
• l IEEE 1284 Parallel Port
• l Floppy Disk Controller
• l Keyboard Controller
• l 38 General Purpose I/O Pins
• l Watchdog Timer
• l ITE innovative automatic power-failure resume & power button debounce
• l Serial IRQ Support
• l Vbat & Vcch Support
• l Single +5V Power Supply
• l 128-pin PQFP

Onboard Audio

The LANParty UT NF4 SLI-DR comes with an onboard audio solution, in the form of the Karajan audio daughter card. If you want to use the onboard audio solution, just slot the card in. I like this method, you can always leave it off the motherboard if you don't need it.

Karajan daughter card	Audio codec chip

To power the daughter card, DFI used the Realtek ALC850, which is a rather common audio codec. It features four 16-bit two-channel DACs and a stereo 16-bit ADC. The ALC850 is an AC'97 Rev 2.3 compatible multi-channel audio codec.

Here's some pictures of how the I/O looks like with and without the Karajan Audio Module.

With Karajan daughter card	Without Karajan daughter card

There is actually a plastic clip that helps hold the Karajan module in place (note the hole at the picture without the Karajan). I didn't put it on because the Karajan is staying off in my system!

DRAM Voltage Switch

Although this motherboard is designed for the enthusiast, DFI has also taken steps to protect newbies. Instead of allowing the full range of voltage options in the BIOS, DFI restricts the range by default and inserted a DRAM voltage switch.

This row of jumpers allows you to unlock higher voltage options for the DRAM in the BIOS. At the stock setting (rows 1 and 2 closed), the BIOS allows a DRAM voltage of up to 3.2V. This is quite a high voltage. In fact, most motherboard manufacturers do not even allow such a high voltage in the BIOS!

If you flip the jumpers to shorten rows 2 and 3, then you will unlock voltage options of up to 4.0V! That's more than high enough for even a crazy overclocker!

Of course, it is also somewhat of a necessity with certain memory modules that are designed to support high voltages. For example, VX-grade modules from OCZ Technology or Mushkin's Redline series which support up to 3.5V!