Which is a better bios for SK8N? 1003 or 1004 beta?

[Manoj]

HI!

I have already updated my new Asus SK8N bios to 1003 (Final). I ran the exe file to update the bios.

I also have the 1004.001 beta bios. I am just wondering if it is really a better bios than the 1003 final. Some guys told me to use the 1004.001 beta bios.

However, the 1004.001 beta bios doesn't have the exe file to update the bios.

If the 1004.001 beta bios really is better, how can I update the bios from 1003 (final) to 1004.001 beta?

[xgman]

Just rename the 1004 bios to the same exact .rom as in the 1003 package and then flash the same way with the .exe file.

[Manoj]

Is the 1004.001 beta bios worth flashing over the 1003 final?

[charlie]

Manoj,
Doubtful. The only real downside to the SK8N with the better 1003 BIOS'es is the stability stuff. When overclocking and you get a hard lock... when you re-boot the CMOS will be clear, you will have to reset everything. A real PITA. I'm going with GB or SK8V this week.
C

[Manoj]

Originally posted by charlie
Manoj,
Doubtful. The only real downside to the SK8N with the better 1003 BIOS'es is the stability stuff. When overclocking and you get a hard lock... when you re-boot the CMOS will be clear, you will have to reset everything. A real PITA. I'm going with GB or SK8V this week.
C

So you are saying 1003 is no good either?

I would have gotten the SK8V with my CPU but it was not released in the US and I had to make my decision right away. Gigabyte was out of the question for me as it will not work with the Asus RAdeon 9800XT. All gigabyte motherboards are reported to now worth with the Asus Radeon 9800XT.

I may get the SK8V later on. I am sure it will have some bugs at first.

[charlie]

No....
I should have made myself more clear. The SK8N is fine with the 1003, except for the bugginess which I doubt a BIOS change can fix. But for "normal" overclocking as a high performance desktop board, I think it's good.

C

[Manoj]

Originally posted by charlie
No....
I should have made myself more clear. The SK8N is fine with the 1003, except for the bugginess which I doubt a BIOS change can fix. But for "normal" overclocking as a high performance desktop board, I think it's good.

C

I will use the SK8N now and wait and see how the SK8V performs for you guys.

I am not aiming to be number 1 in 3DMark or something like that. I just want to have fun overclocking and testing my new systems.

Can you help me in setting my memory timings in the bios?

My OCZ PC3200 Reg ECC is rated at (CL2,3,2,6). I believe your corsair also is rated at those timings.

Can you tell me which of the settings is a 3 in the bios?

Also is it possible to run them at CL2,2,2,5 stable? At what voltage?

[charlie]

Manoj,
I can't remember which is "3" (tras I think) but from the top it's cas 2,3,6,2. It WILL run 2,2,5,2 at low fsb, like 200-207 at 3.0V+ and gives nice performance. I even ran 3dmark at 221 cas 2, 2,5,2 @ 3.1V using WinXP. With Win2K it seems I can't run as high :(
I think it'll be a great board for you. It has great SATA RAID features and is loaded for desktop/workstation apps.

C

[Manoj]

Originally posted by charlie
Manoj,
I can't remember which is "3" (tras I think) but from the top it's cas 2,3,6,2. It WILL run 2,2,5,2 at low fsb, like 200-207 at 3.0V+ and gives nice performance. I even ran 3dmark at 221 cas 2, 2,5,2 @ 3.1V using WinXP. With Win2K it seems I can't run as high :(
I think it'll be a great board for you. It has great SATA RAID features and is loaded for desktop/workstation apps.

C

I have not modded the motherboard yet. I am thinking if I should get it modded or not.

My friend will do the mod for me. Let me see.

For sure I will not be able to run the rams at CL2,2,5,2 with the max DDR voltage of 2.7V.

I will use 2,3,6,2 instead. Currently with SPD timing, it is running at CL 2,3,6,3 at default voltage.

[charlie]

Manoj,
I checked my notes and when I ran on WinXP at 221fsb cas 2, 2,5,2 it WAS at 2.7V!!! Try it!!
What week is your FX-51??

C

[Manoj]

Originally posted by charlie
Manoj,
I checked my notes and when I ran on WinXP at 221fsb cas 2, 2,5,2 it WAS at 2.7V!!! Try it!!
What week is your FX-51??

C

So if you can do 221 fsb at cl 2,2,52 at 2.7V then surely the rams can do CL 2,2,5,2 at default fsb and voltage right?

I am not sure of the week as like an idiot I forgot to write it down even when I had planned to do so.

I guess when I got the parts, I wanted to build it up so urgently. He He!!!!

[Manoj]

Charlie:

I am using the Thermaltake Venus12 heatsink and it is doing a pretty good job so far. PC Probe shows the CPU idle temp as 27 degrees C.

Anyway, I installed the heatsink with the retention clip facing the IDE connectors. The manual shows a picture with the retention clip facing the I/O shield.

I doubt it will make a difference right. I noticed that the bottom surface of the heatsink is a plain flat surface.

Oh! My power rails are okay for +3.3V and +5V but the +12V is low.

My power rails according to PC Probe in windows are like this:

+3.3V = 3.376V
+5V = 4.999V
+12V = 11.776V

Funny thing is that the bios gives a strange reading for +12V.

In the bios, my +12V reading is 11.17V. Strange!!!

My +12V readings have always been 12.2V or 12.3V with the other Athlon 64 3200+ systems that I tried.

Asus PC Probe in windows shows 11.776V or 11.8V (at times).

Is there something wrong?

My power supply is Enermax 651W

[charlie]

THE BIOS gives me the same incorect 12V readings, but in Probe it's correct for me...

C

[xgman]

The strange 12v bios reading is normal for this board in bios. It is higher for real. The cas 3 is the tcrd. Charlie his ram is not the "RE", so it may not hit as high. "RE" would spd at 2-3-2-6. In any case I don't think you will see a huge difference between 2 and 3 as long as your cas =2.

[Manoj]

Originally posted by charlie
THE BIOS gives me the same incorect 12V readings, but in Probe it's correct for me...

C

What are your readings for +12V in the bios and also with PC Probe?

[Manoj]

My OCZ PC3200 Reg ECC rams do (CL2,3,5,2) at default voltage (2.5V).

However, I can't get them to run at CL2,2,5,2 at default voltage nor even when increasing the voltage.

Anyway, I am not going to be too picky about it.

I chose to get the OCZ PC3200 Reg ECC because I got the Dual Channel pack for $180 (2x 256megs).

I didn't want to spend double the amount for the Corsair rams mainly because I will not need 2x 512megs and also no point spend that much more.

[charlie]

I see 11.74 in BIOS and 12.18 in PC Probe.
And yeah, don't worry about the timing. It makes SOOO much memory bandwidth you won't miss it :D. The goal for you on air is to run at about 11 x 221 = 2431mHz or 11 x 222 = 2442mHz. This gives great performance. When you get it in VapoChill try about 12 x 222 = 2664mHz 24/7.

C

[Manoj]

Originally posted by charlie
I see 11.74 in BIOS and 12.18 in PC Probe.
And yeah, don't worry about the timing. It makes SOOO much memory bandwidth you won't miss it :D. The goal for you on air is to run at about 11 x 221 = 2431mHz or 11 x 222 = 2442mHz. This gives great performance. When you get it in VapoChill try about 12 x 222 = 2664mHz 24/7.

C

You think I should worry about my +12V readings?

+11.17V in the bios and +11.776V with PC Probe.

Strange. I was shocked to see the +12V reading in the bios. Felt much better after seeing the PC Probe's reading.

I am getting a brand new power supply from Enermax soon (600W) ver 1.3 in a couple of weeks.
Hope it will help.

[charlie]

I think the Asus Probe measurement is accurate, and your PSU is a bit weak on the 12v line. Why don't you save some money and just pick up one of the TTGI520/550 PSU's?? They're dead on reliable and have strong lines after you turn up the pot.

C

[Manoj]

Originally posted by charlie
I think the Asus Probe measurement is accurate, and your PSU is a bit weak on the 12v line. Why don't you save some money and just pick up one of the TTGI520/550 PSU's?? They're dead on reliable and have strong lines after you turn up the pot.

C

Surprising that just a few days ago when I was using the Athon 64 3200+ with the Gigabyte K8NNXP, my +12V rail reading was +12.15 and now it has gone down.

My Enermax 560W powersupply has 36A for the +12V rail. That is more than enough.

Anyway, like I said I am going to be getting the new enermax power supply soon. I have ordered it already. Just waiting for Enermax to release it.

I am using the Enermax EG651P-VE FMA now.

I am getting the Enermax EG701P-VE-SFMA soon.

http://www.enermax.com.tw/product-01.htm

[charlie]

Yes, quite surprising.
Well the SK8N certainly isn't the most reliable/stable board....
Have you checked your 12V off the molex???

C

[Manoj]

Originally posted by charlie
Yes, quite surprising.
Well the SK8N certainly isn't the most reliable/stable board....
Have you checked your 12V off the molex???

C

No.

Actually I have no stability issues. "Touch Wood".

[charlie]

On my SK8N, after a power failure or if you simply turn the power off or if it hard locks.... it will automatically re-start and POST when the power is returned, NOT when the switch is turned on...Just today infact it did this and I came in to see it idling on the POST screen at 55C....I guess during POST these things run hot????????? Luckily nothing was damaged!
C

[Manoj]

Originally posted by charlie
On my SK8N, after a power failure or if you simply turn the power off or if it hard locks.... it will automatically re-start and POST when the power is returned, NOT when the switch is turned on...Just today infact it did this and I came in to see it idling on the POST screen at 55C....I guess during POST these things run hot????????? Luckily nothing was damaged!
C

So far now the motherboard is working very well. No problems so far.

Very stable and fast.

Of course I have not started overclocking yet.

[xgman]

Originally posted by Manoj
What are your readings for +12V in the bios and also with PC Probe?

I can't rfemember exactlly, but in the bios it was 11. something and in PC probe and Sandra etc. it was 12.something.

[xgman]

Originally posted by charlie
On my SK8N, after a power failure or if you simply turn the power off or if it hard locks.... it will automatically re-start and POST when the power is returned, NOT when the switch is turned on...Just today infact it did this and I came in to see it idling on the POST screen at 55C....I guess during POST these things run hot????????? Luckily nothing was damaged!
C

The giagbyte K8nnxp did this also until you removed the extra 6 phase power card.