Review: DFI NB76-EC

Onboard graphics aside, the NB76 is a super solid board based around a solid performance foundation. Support for the lastest CPU's, USB2.0 and DDR memory make it a good overall proposition.

Like previous DFI products it lets itself down by not being exciting enough. For example overclockers don't get much of a look in here with very limited Vcore adjust, limited memory tweaking and simply not enough options to appease that section of the crowd.

The bundle is functional and has no extras like more USB ports. The manual is excellent however, possibly the best I've seen but how often do you refer to it?

Lack of features also stops if from reaching the top of our P4 board list at the moment. You'll have to look to the EA version of the board for the card reader and Ethernet. The EC version of the board doesn't excite.

DFI are a maker of solid, quick boards for the discerning user who doesn't wish to overclock and wishes to add his own features. 6 PCI gives the board a leg up here. Slotting in a fast P4, some good memory and packing this board out with your own choice of Ethernet, mass storage controller and audio is what makes this board attractive to some and not others.

The no frills approach has its fans and DFI caters for them.

So overall, a thumbs up all round but there are certainly areas which DFI could improve on. A range of overclockers BIOS's would shoot their products right up there for example. Lots of Vcore and mem voltage adjust and DFI have a winner in the eyes of the enthusiast. Maybe they'll consider it in the future and we'll certainly put it to them when we talk about future products.

Solid, quick, no frills. If that suits you, seek it out, especially the EA version.

Pro's

Solid
Fast, up there with chipsets that are quicker on paper
Excellent manual

Con's

Bland bundle
Unexciting to some