DPX Motherboards: Matching Needs to the Right Hardware

The key to a totally immersive gaming experience is hardware. But all that power without a strong outer casing is like putting a Ferrari engine on a bike; it’s just not going to work. Of course, you may be able to find a way to connect the engine to the wheels, but the end result is likely to be unstable and unreliable.

This danger is something of which computer enthusiasts will be all too aware. Splashing out on the latest processors and graphics cards, but skimping on a motherboard is a recipe for disaster. Of course, that does not mean you need to spend your life savings on a world-class motherboard if the demands you are going to place on it are not sufficient. However, what it does mean is that you should be willing to spend enough money to ensure your peripherals are covered.

One of the leading motherboard manufacturers you can use to cover your gaming needs is Advantech and its DPX series. Through a combination of products with both forwards and backwards compatibility, DPX motherboards have been able to offer something for everyone in the gaming market.

DPX Series Motherboards

To give you a better insight into the best examples from the range, here is a breakdown of the data you need to know:

DPX-E120: Nestled in the economy family, this board is an entry-level product containing an AMD G-Series APU processor. A Radeon HD6130 GPU is fully integrated into this product, offering dual independent screen functionality which is perfect for those that are just starting to increase their gaming capacity. Rounding out the main features of this board is an 8GB RAM capacity and a range of software standards, including DPCI Advanced Gaming API & Runtime, Embedded OS Support and BIOS Customization.

DPX-S410: Unlike the E120, the DPX-S410 is a standalone product that users can opt to combine with the options S-Series enclosure. Described as a “performance” thanks to an Intel GME965/Core 2 Duo Celeron M and the X3100 GPU, this board is certainly aimed at mid-level gamers who require triple independent screen capabilities (this can be pushed to quad screen support with optional extras). As with all DPX boards, DPCI Advanced Gaming API & Runtime, Embedded OS Support and BIOS Customization are all standard, and all of this is crammed into a case measuring 170x200mm.

DPX-S435: One of the top products in the DPX range, the S435 is available in all regions and will function as a standalone gaming board. Described as both scalable and performances, this option has a great base for advanced gamers but also offers the type of high-level customisation that professional players require. Driving the board is an Intel Q87 4th Gen Core i7 processor and an Intel HD4600 GOU offering dual, triple and quad independent screen support. Helping to speed up processing is a 16GB RAM capacity and gamers will be able to enjoy all the expected software features, including DPCI Advanced Gaming API & Runtime, Embedded OS Support and BIOS Customisation and DPX-Connector Peripherals Libraries.

Using What You Choose

As we have already stated, choosing the right set-up is a function of your overall aim. Something too weak will ruin your gaming experience, while something too powerful will bring unwarranted costs. Although it is ultimately up to you which product you choose and how you use it, we have outlined some guidelines as to which board will suit which type of gaming activity.

DPX-E120 – Online Poker

Thanks to migration of seasoned gamers to the poker world over the last ten years, the virtual version of the world’s favorite card game has been taken to new levels. While it used to be the case that players would play one or maybe two tables as a maximum, it is now common for the average grinder to fire-up six games or more at one time. After watching the likes of StarCraft players Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier and Randy ‘nanonoko’ Lew steam into the online poker world, play dozens of tables at once and make millions of dollars, thousands of players have aspired to do the same. This increased desire to play more tables and have the ability to multi-task has made it necessary for serious players to have a serious gaming machine. Although the DPX-E120 motherboard is not quite up to the task when it comes to professional gamers, it is certainly capable of serving the professional online poker player’s needs.

The average online poker site will allow you to load up a maximum of 24 tables at once and while this will not consume a huge amount of data, with a lot of things happening at once, it is important to have a system that does not lag. Fortunately, the EP120 is more than capable of covering the minimum requirements for the average online poker site.

Average online poker spec requirements:

• Operating System (i.e. Windows XP, Vista, Mac OSX, etc.)
• Computer Processor (i.e. Pentium 4, 2.4 GHz, etc.)
• System RAM (i.e. 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, etc.)
• Connection Type (i.e. Dial-Up, Cable, DSL, Satellite, etc.)
• ISP (Internet Service Provider)(company name that provides your internet service)
• Router/Modem (i.e. Dlink DI-624, Linksys WRTG54GS, etc.)

As a complement to the E120, a solid gaming mouse is necessary. Quick clicks and smooth transitions between tables are necessary because each hand you play has a time limit. In isolation, there is plenty of time to make a decision, but when you have ten tables active at once, the time can slip away quickly. Having a mouse that does not move well enough can cause you to miss bets and lose money, and that is the reason the Razer Taipan is a great option.

DPX-S410: League of Legends

The S410 is fantastic option for games such as League of Legends because of its low power consumption, high-quality graphics and slick processing. Although some gamers baulk at games such as League of Legends because it is not as “complex” as the likes of Dota 2, this is still one of the most popular products in the industry.

Short, snappy games with endless episodes of action make this a game that aspiring professionals enjoy. Because this game is more accessible than some, the hardware requirements are not quite as stringent. However, because the action ticks over at a rapid pace, the technology you will need has to be up to a certain level.

The S410 is a great option because it allows for triple independent screens as well as a duo Celeron processor to keep the action flowing. One of the best ways to augment this board and create a completely immersive experience is to purchase the Kingston HyperX Cloud II gaming headset. Featuring an in-built DSP sound card and advanced USB audio control box, this headset will block out the world around you and put you right in the heart of the virtual battleground.

DPX-S435: Dota 2

The best game in the world needs the finest hardware, and that is why we recommend a board such as the S435. Thanks to the combination of the Intel Q87 4th Gen Core i7 processor and Intel HD4600 GOU, this board makes it possible to add up to four independent screens without losing any of the quality or speed necessary to run complex Dota 2 missions. Although using this product might not make you as accomplished as one of the world’s highest earning Dota 2 players, Danil ‘Dendi’ Ishutin, it will certainly put you on the right path.

Of course, it’s possible to play Dota 2 on a board with less power than the S435. However, if you really want to experience the full power of the game then you need as much power as you can get. Indeed, by combining the S435 with a high-powered keyboard, such as the Cougar 600K, you will find your overall experience of games such as Dota 2 (or StarCraft II if you prefer something a little more traditional), are greatly improved.

As we said at the top of our review, choosing the right set-up is a product of your circumstances. As long as you know what your aims are, then you should be able to find a suitable option among the range of motherboards offered in the DPX range.