ASUS and EPU: is there the problem?

[jonny_ftm]

Extract from this inflicting article:

In the EPU "Walk Mode," which is its most efficient mode, Gigabyte claims that Asus’ EPU does its trick by down clocking 10-percent and dropping Vcore voltage — possibly affecting CPU stability.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/asu...oard,5348.html

In that article, Gigabyte was showing with proofs that ASUS is fooling us (I know, many already know it).
What Gigabyte is showing was already evoqued here but some of the advanced XS members, especially when the Maximus Formula came out with crappy stability on high FSB for quadcores. Well, Gigabyte is confirming these facts:
1- EPU economy numbers are misleading
2- EPU in ASUS boards is pure software, hardware chip being fake
3- EPU is actually cheating by altering different frequencies and voltages, including CPU by up to... 10% explaining some instabilities on high overclocks
4- EPU can't work well in 4 phase PWM switching scheme

Points 2,3 and 4were already suspected and evoqued by advanced members here. Here's a graph showing performance drop in EPU mode vs Gigabyte mode. At all saving modes, especially max, ASUS clearly plays with clock speeds



Those are severe and serious charges. Really, in computers dark market, manufactures can still produce crap and never be suied

[situman]

Is there any way to disable EPU?

[Warboy]

Don't install the "drivers"? lol I guess......maybe thats what holding my M.E. back.

[jonny_ftm]

Don't install the "drivers"? lol I guess......maybe thats what holding my M.E. back.

Exactly, since it is software based, but needs to be proved!!

[cadaveca]

I said way back when that EPU was sooftware-based, when MF first came out. When cpu power consumption reaches a certain level, it throttles the cpu. this points is near 4.2ghz on many cpus, anda few boards now that have this "epu" feature. CPU performance is greatly hampered in this situation.

So, this really isn't news...at least not new news.

[situman]

So as long as I don't install the drivers I'm kosher? Good thing I never touch the cds from the mobo packages.

[cadaveca]

No, unfortuantely it seems that the "software" is bios-based...hence the issues with C1E and TM2 that some people are having(well, those that use such features). Instead of proper "cpu feature" support, we have EPU.

[jonny_ftm]

I said way back when that EPU was sooftware-based, when MF first came out. When cpu power consumption reaches a certain level, it throttles the cpu. this points is near 4.2ghz on many cpus, anda few boards now that have this "epu" feature. CPU performance is greatly hampered in this situation.

So, this really isn't news...at least not new news.

Yes, I recall this discussion on the Maximus Formula thread, but it is the first time it is offcially claimed and published or even proved. All I saw before was some allegations.

In your expierience, disabling C1E and TM2 would also disable EPU? Is there any workaround to it? And do you completely ban EPU boards for that (so all ASUS boards sadely)

It's crazy though that ASUS plays with frequencies/voltages without informing users or even giving them a choice

[003]

How can I disable the EPU on the Rampage Formula??? Disable C1E and what else? I have none of the asus cd software or drivers installed.

[cadaveca]

There is no "disabling" of EPU. It's part of bios that certain bios feature headings would have normally adjusted, however, due to how the bios is written, using such features are not possible, or are not of full functionality.

The same applies to many settings in asus bios...one boot ot the next will give different memory adjustments, and options offered do not follow anything other than ASUS's own idea of what such a setting should be.

Classic example is TRFC...standard adjustments would see changes in values of "7". So, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70. Of course, even these are not completely accurate for what is required, however they would be more accurate than what ASUS offers.

DFI offers a proper bios. There are still some "tricks", but it is far more comprehensive than what others offer. Unfortunately their choice in layout and functionality supporting a chipset is not ideal IMHO. TOo muc hmarketing crap now from them, rather than clawing for user-base, and HAVING to offer a good product.

[jonny_ftm]

Think I'll keep my P35 EPU free board for a while until they change their EPU policy or other manufactures come with better offers

[OBR]

Don't install the "drivers"? lol I guess......maybe thats what holding my M.E. back.

Definitely NOT, this EPU function you must to acitvate and by my own measuring is functional better then Gigabyte DES ... this slide in first post is totall marketing bull

[jonny_ftm]

Definitely NOT, this EPU function you must to acitvate and by my own measuring is functional better then Gigabyte DES ... this slide in first post is totall marketing bull

Whould you post some of your measurements?

[elmor]

http://www.nordichardware.com/news,7749.html

Also:

[jonny_ftm]

http://www.nordichardware.com/news,7749.html

Also:

Gigabyte accuses and proves what was already noted by many, that EPU is cheating, and ASUS answers talking about EPU v2 now "hardware based". This is proof of their total mess with EPU first generation, and maybe a proof that now, new P5Q series is free of crappy software based stuff. I'm sure they'll never go in any official suite against Gigabyte. One is talking EPU the other claims about EPU 2 without any explanation on Gigabyte allegations...

[jonny_ftm]

Also:

Vantage?

Confirmation that I was right reading through the lines of ASUS answer

It's getting hot, ASUS are really in a bad situation, and they'll feel bad. I'm sure Tom's and anandtech will fall on this one and soon we get some more proofs. As I stated, their answers are full bull

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/asu...oard,5403.html