A few days with Asus A8N32x SLI Premium

[JNav89GT]

Have to say I like the board alot! Not a perfect board, but I've yet to come across one of those ellusive beasts :cool:

Anyway!
Setup
Chilly1 Modded Prometia Mach1 regassed and diff hose, stock head
Opty 154-non cold bugged
Variety of Mushkin/Teamgroup Memory
Saphire X800GTO2 flashed to 16 pipes watercooled with Evercool watercooling kit(very cheap cpu cooler, but capable of good gpu cooling :))
And above board
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43154&stc=1&d=1139346557
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43155&stc=1&d=1139346557
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43158&stc=1&d=1139346714


See pics for layout etc...
As you can see, box and packaging are quite nice and up to typical Asus quality levels. Board itself is very nice looking, not that asthetics will win your CSS match, but I'd rather have a nice looking board than a plain generic board, esp for the costs of these new boards. Layout is decent. The previous complaints from various people about the lack of PCI space isn't an issue for me, but I could see if you had 2x 512mb GTX's it might preclude you from adding a good soundcard or w/e PCI slot card you might need to add. For the VAST majority of people though the layout is fine and will accomodate most users needs. The heatpipe cooling goes from the SB, to the new PCI express cooler, to the mosfet coolers. An additional fan is included(listed as optional so may not come with all) in the event that user has watercooling, or in my case phasechange, where heatsink/fan air cannot be used to cool the heatpipe infused heatsink. This simply clips on and with a "squirrel cage" fan cools that heatsink. No overheating of any of these components was noted in testing.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43156&stc=1&d=1139346557
I like the traditional up and down socket mount ie north south, vs the DFI NF4(non expert) series which were side to side or east/west. Just my preference I guess!

Bios is fairly easy to navigate but there are a few confusing areas. Intead of a traditional HT multiplier we get alot of choices to which I'm still a bit unclear.

[JNav89GT]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43161&stc=1&d=1139347224
As seen, the HT multiplier functions get a bit confusing. Do we manually over-ride to 3-4x when oc'ing??? Generally 4x is fine for up to 300HTT on DFI, but with multiple adjustments it will take some trail and error.

Rest of bios allows the normal tweaking. Tref is a bit limited compared to DFI, but many other adjustments to suit the avid tweaker are present.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43160&stc=1&d=1139347224
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43164&stc=1&d=1139347224
up to 3.2v vdimm in bios allowable. CPU voltage adjustments in fine incriments of 0.0125v up to 1.5625 allowed with another option of allow cpu over-voltage which adds another 0.2v for a cpu torching 1.7625v. Please be careful here!
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43162&stc=1&d=1139347224
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43163&stc=1&d=1139347224

[JNav89GT]

So how does it perform?

Well I would have to say it's a good performer. Darn fast at any given setting. Might not clock as high or be as tweakable as DFI NF4 series, yet I've experienced none of the little niggles such as cold boot, or odd issues that can sometimes plague DFI users. I've fortunately been quite lucky with DFI so I really have no bad words to offer against them. However, this Asus has been a pleasure to work with. For users wishing to wring every last mhz or morsel of performance out of their rig, this might not be the best choice. However, if you want killer performance, great stability, excellent design and implimentation, you may want to give this board some consideration.

A few obligatory benches ;)

This is what happens when one gets too used to working with dual cores and goes back to singe core benching :slap:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43168&stc=1&d=1139348317

3d Scores not bad with UCCC
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43165&stc=1&d=1139348317

This is the higest clocks I've gotten on this kit of BE-5 at these timings. Well over what I got on DFI by 10+ Mhz.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43166&stc=1&d=1139348317

More UCCC testing here!
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43167&stc=1&d=1139348317

[JNav89GT]

A few other notes!
TCCD clocks ok on this board, not as good as DFI SLi-DR series, but better than most other boards.

CE6 still had 3d bug on this board! Clocks about same as DFI board

UCCC-Clocks about same as DFI board, maybe 5mhz less but this could just be my in-experience with bios still.

Tried my good kit of TeamGroup Micron 3-3-3-8 kit and it wouldn't go 270 where it did 280mhz on DFI. So I'm thinking I need to tweak more and maybe a bios will help here. If you own crucial or Micron mem 2gb sets. May consider this fair warning.

Haven't tried BH/CH UTT yet, wonder how BH UTT would do with 3.2v????

[althes]

Interesting results how are the benchies and games playing

[JNav89GT]

really haven't directly benched against another board
This is sample for memory testing, just wanted to share some views on this board with other users

As far as gaming, can't tell, but threw up a 3d01 score just for some info ;)

here is BE-5 mushkin at 255 3-3-2-8 2.6v a bit faster than 280 UCCC at 3-4-4-8 in 3d01, not much but something. Gives a nice comparison between mid latency and speed and higher latency and speed :)

[Cpt Twitchy]

Thanks for the Review but I'm curious why you didn't use one of the twins to cool the cpu:D or maybe one on cpu one on gpu hehe

[Major]

like you mentioned, this would make a great stable 24/7 rig. I like it myself alot and have considered playing with one too ;)

The only thing that holds me back is lack of Vcore with dual core cpu's.

[cronic]

i agree it is a wonderful 24/7 board. it also isn't too shabby for overclocking either. i love mine. i am limited to 1.64v on the vcore with my opteron, but i really don't need to go any higher at this time.

[JNav89GT]

update
flashed to 1009 bios and lost some stability up top with my be5's I'm testing
will have to go back to 0903 and see if that clears it up any!
hrmpf!
Well, will probably test some other dimms with newer bios first before going back.
Not saying 1009 is bad or anything, if anything mighta picked up a bit of speed. Too early to tell. Still like the board :)

[JNav89GT]

Thanks for the Review but I'm curious why you didn't use one of the twins to cool the cpu:D or maybe one on cpu one on gpu hehe
one of the twins?
whatcha talking about willis?

[TheX-Man]

Wow, looks great. Mine should be here in a few days. I can't wait!

[Cpt Twitchy]

one of the twins?
whatcha talking about willis?
ygpm

EDIT don't wanna make myself look stupid if I am confused :p:

[JNav89GT]

ygpm

EDIT don't wanna make myself look stupid if I am confused :p:
He's right! Was referring to my twin PCIce single stagers. They're boxed right now though!

[OldOne]

I have had this board for a little over a week now.I love it.I am still learning all the ins and outs of overclocking though.All I have for now is 10x255 on a FX-53 that is stable for gamming.10x260 is prime stable and no memtest86 errors,but kicks me out of BF2 after a few minutes.I have F1-4000 USU2-2GBHZ DDR 550.
Now I have read that some runs of the 2GBHZ are not as good as it should be.

[s7e9h3n]

really haven't directly benched against another board

Wanna bench against mine? :fact:

http://www.cryo-laboratory.com/upload/userfiles/s7e9h3n/cpu-4005.jpg

Seriously though...nice work with that board. I may get "stuck" with one since I need to get a replacement board for my DFI and they don't carry the boards anymore. Give that cpu a little push! ;)

[shogan191]

Had mine for a couple of months now. Good overclocker and great 24/7 board. Just hit the first problem yesterday. PS2 mouse port quit working. Unable to enter bios. Trying the DFI SLI DR Expert till I get the Asus back from RMA. Other than this one problem I love the Asus. Pretty good overclocking with the 165 Opty on air and phase.

[stone_cold_Jimi]

Heh, it's the Tonka Truck of mobos. Even though I'm using a DFI at the moment, I'm still keeping my A8N32. It's a very nice mobo and as I'd rather enjoy FPS gaming than overclocking for the sake of it, it may be the one I finally use. Or I'll just build another box for it and have both.

[Cpt Twitchy]

He's right! Was referring to my twin PCIce single stagers. They're boxed right now though!
AHH why are they boxed up:confused: I'll be more then happy to break one in for you:p:

Tim

[Ic3man]

Had this board for 3 months (though mine is the A8n32-sli deluxe not a premium???) and must say its a fantastic board. Currently @2650 with my opty 165 nice and stable.

I would like to point out though that there is already a very well informed and discussed thread on this board here : http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=80491

[JNav89GT]

Wanna bench against mine? :fact:

http://www.cryo-laboratory.com/upload/userfiles/s7e9h3n/cpu-4005.jpg

Seriously though...nice work with that board. I may get "stuck" with one since I need to get a replacement board for my DFI and they don't carry the boards anymore. Give that cpu a little push! ;)
lol
we'll bench later
I'm sure you'll whip me though!

I'll have to pull the twins out though
this cpu will bench at 3.5ghz+ on single stage ;) but your 4ghz will pwn me!

[s7e9h3n]

lol
we'll bench later
I'm sure you'll whip me though!

I'll have to pull the twins out though
this cpu will bench at 3.5ghz+ on single stage ;) but your 4ghz will pwn me!
Maybe I can even up the playing field a bit since I picked up this Asus board yesterday :p: But you'll have to wait till my Baker Gpu Phase unit comes in and then it'll be fair :D :toast:

[JNav89GT]

Maybe I can even up the playing field a bit since I picked up this Asus board yesterday :p: But you'll have to wait till my Baker Gpu Phase unit comes in and then it'll be fair :D :toast:
Fair????
lol
Ok, I'll give it a go, what the hell. I don't mind being stomped in the name of fun hehe!

[s7e9h3n]

Fair????
lol
Ok, I'll give it a go, what the hell. I don't mind being stomped in the name of fun hehe!
Maybe you're right....I should give you a bit of a handicap :p:

http://www.cryo-laboratory.com/upload/userfiles/s7e9h3n/x850/x850.jpg

[JNav89GT]

lol
I'll need your help a bit tweaking a 2k install and it will be a fun little go of it ;)

[s7e9h3n]

lol
I'll need your help a bit tweaking a 2k install and it will be a fun little go of it ;)
I'll help you as much as I can, but TBH, I'm a total noob to all these current 3dMark tweaks - my last serious 3dMark benching video card was an Radeon 8500 :p: There's all these thing you can do to boost your score - for example, I was told that my 01 score should have been 1000 points higher if I used the CCC AI :rolleyes: If you really do need some help/tips, drop me a PM and I'll see if I know any better than you :toast:

[JNav89GT]

i reverted back to 0903 bios and stability is improved with higher HTT/ram clocks. May just be my combo, but if your having issues with higher htt/ram clocking may need to try 0903 bios

also, since this is older bios you need to do it via dos/afudos application
command is a bit tricky
so here is exact command

afudos /ia832903.rom

there may be a "N" after the 8 I forget, but the rest is correct ;)

[s7e9h3n]

What's the MAX vcore on this thing? I'm considering popping a cpu into mine, but only if I get enough Vcore options :D

[Blacknach]

you can upgrade bios, only push alt+f2, when you turn on, and in a disk you have to put bios whith name a8n32sli.rom and mobo make automatic update.

[JNav89GT]

max I think is 1.5625+.2v so about 1.765 or so theoretic
I've only gone to like 1.65 or so
so can't confirm 1.7v+

[s7e9h3n]

max I think is 1.5625+.2v so about 1.765 or so theoretic
I've only gone to like 1.65 or so
so can't confirm 1.7v+
Hmmm.....not too bad :D I just may boot it up if I can't revive my Expert.....Thanks :toast:

[cronic]

dual core max vcore is 1.64v measured on the board via dmm.