This time we have tested DFIs last generation “network party” motherboard with greatest novelty being Intel X48 chipset. We have tested model DFI LanParty LT X48-T2R, but we must say that it is also available UT version with advanced cooling solution. DFI LanParty LT X48-T2R doesn’t have complete Thermalright cooling system (as most powerful model UT does). Active cooling solution is preset only on northbridge while along power unit and southbridge are used standard aluminum (passive) coolers colored in black.

Northbridge cooler comes in a box and is needed to be installed on motherboard. NB cooler is attached with two plastic clip-on feet placed diagonally from each other. Our opinion is that instead of these clip-on feet maybe DFI should provide screws that would hold better whole construction. Cooler has massive aluminum base with copper insert that overlaps NB of X48 chipset. One heat pipe with aluminum ribs is inserted through cooler’s body. The bottom line is that cooling solution for DFI LanParty LT X48-T2R is great which only implies that for UT model DFI provided top cooling solution.

Digital voltage 8-phase unit is supplying this motherboard with very stabile and “ironed out” voltage. 8-pin EPS 12V connector is positioned, as usual, near the voltage unit in upper left corner. There is enough space around CPU socket and all credits for that is taking mentioned voltage unit which occupies less space than usual. Memory voltage unit is located on right edge of motherboard and it is high quality made as 2-phase, what in advance guarantees high memory overclock. Power and reset keys are placed, very usefully, on bottom of DFI LanParty LT X48-T2R. Motherboard has three PEG slots (PCIe 2.0 x16) and one that works in x4 regime while other two are full-blooded (x16). Besides these three PCIe slots there is also present one PCIe x1 slot. It’s very nice touch to equip motherboard with three regular PCI slots and two of those will always be free to take some additional PCI card. One thing is for sure: this motherboard has very neat and good layout. Sound card is provided as separate circuit board (add-on card) which can be attached to motherboard with cable. Sound card has integrated Realtek AL885 chip with improved filters responsible for better audio enjoyment. On back panel of motherboard are two PS/2 ports (mouse and keyboard), one firewire, two gigabit LANs and six USB 2.0 ports. Our only objection is non existence of eSATA port, which becomes almost a standard for connecting external HDDs.

As addition to DFI LanParty LT X48-T2R motherboard is provided with ITE SmartGuardian software that can read vital temperatures and voltages from Windows. This software actually serves to its purpose and it works almost identically to BIOS. The reason for that is built-in ITE sensor for measuring all these parameters.