Asus A8N32-SLI initial impression....WOW!

[Marios]

I would like now to share my big secret with you.

Most of the time I do not stress my CPU, since I write Internet posts and documents.
So, I do not want to be overclocked all the time.
I like my CPU to be COOL n' QUIET.

This is how I did it to cool down my system been OCed at the same time.

I found my stable OC settings using the limits technique combined with my program I mentioned before.
You may find your OC settings any way you want though.
The only restriction is that you need to use the default CPU multiplier.
A stable setting in my case is at 2800MHz.
I decided to oc just a bit less. 2700 is great for me.
Though at this OC my CPU needs 1.50v and generates a lot of heat.

The default CPU multiplier for 4400+ is X11.
So to get 2706 MHz I need an FSB of 246MHz (246X11=2706 MHz).
In BIOS I used: manual overclocking, FSB=245, K8 to NB = x4 (245x4=980 which is a bit under 1000)
The other HT was set at 200X5=1000.
Finally I enabled CPU overvolting and set the proper memory timings for FSB=246 at 1T 1:1 (200MHz limit).
(Depending on your dimms you may use 2T and / or a divider like the 166MHz limit).

Next, I entered Windows, removed AiBooster and installed AMD CPU driver and the WindowsXP-KB896256-v3-x86-ENU.exe update.
I made two .reg files.

One to dissable throttle

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Session Manager\Throttle]
"PerfEnablePackageIdle"=dword:00000000

And one to enable throttle.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Session Manager\Throttle]
"PerfEnablePackageIdle"=dword:00000001

Then, I enabled throttle (copy - paste the quoted text on a .txt file, rename it to throttle.reg and double click it)
and chose the "Minimal Power Managment" power scheme (control panel - power options - Power schemes).

And the trick is ...

I ENABLED COOL n' Quiet in BIOS

Now my CPU works at 246x5=1230MHz, 1.25v, 32oC.
When I run a program that needs more power the CPU multiplier changes instantly to x6, x7, ... or x11, to give the needed power and the same is true for the vcore.
So when I play games like HL2 I get all the power I need at 246x11=2706MHz.
Check this validated CPUz at 245x5.

Try this trick and give us your feedback. Enjoy...

[Zeus...]

I would like now to share my big secret with you.

Most of the time I do not stress my CPU, since I write Internet posts and documents.
So, I do not want to be overclocked all the time.
I like my CPU to be COOL n' QUIET.

This is how I did it to cool down my system been OCed at the same time.

I found my stable OC settings using the limits technique combined with my program I mentioned before.
You may find your OC settings any way you want though.
The only restriction is that you need to use the default CPU multiplier.
A stable setting in my case is at 2800MHz.
I decided to oc just a bit less. 2700 is great for me.
Though at this OC my CPU needs 1.50v and generates a lot of heat.

The default CPU multiplier for 4400+ is X11.
So to get 2706 MHz I need an FSB of 246MHz (246X11=2706 MHz).
In BIOS I used: manual overclocking, FSB=245, K8 to NB = x4 (245x4=980 which is a bit under 1000)
The other HT was set at 200X5=1000.
Finally I enabled CPU overvolting and set the proper memory timings for FSB=246 at 1T 1:1 (200MHz limit).
(Depending on your dimms you may use 2T and / or a divider like the 166MHz limit).

Next, I entered Windows, removed AiBooster and installed AMD CPU driver and the WindowsXP-KB896256-v3-x86-ENU.exe update.
I made two .reg files.

One to dissable throttle

And one to enable throttle. Then, I enabled throttle (copy - paste the quoted text on a .txt file, rename it to throttle.reg and double click it)
and chose the "Minimal Power Managment" power scheme (control panel - power options - Power schemes).

And the trick is ...

I ENABLED COOL n' Quiet in BIOS

Now my CPU works at 246x5=1230MHz, 1.25v, 32oC.
When I run a program that needs more power the CPU multiplier changes instantly to x6, x7, ... or x11, to give the needed power and the same is true for the vcore.
So when I play games like HL2 I get all the power I need at 246x11=2706MHz.
Check this validated CPUz at 245x5.

Try this trick and give us your feedback. Enjoy...

Thanks for that Marios - Works a treat - looked strange when it was booting and the CPU was only 2200Mhz but Widows sorted it out fine

The default Vcore on my CPU +Overvoltage CPU gives 1.55Volts and it was running fine at 1.5Volts with my overclock - any thoughts how to get it down 0.05Volts

[Marios]

Thanks for that Marios - Works a treat - looked strange when it was booting and the CPU was only 2200Mhz but Widows sorted it out fine

The default Vcore on my CPU +Overvoltage CPU gives 1.55Volts and it was running fine at 1.5Volts with my overclock - any thoughts how to get it down 0.05Volts

You mean that you had set the vcore at 1.30v+0.2 (the CPU overvoltage) before enabling Cool n' Quiet?
Because in my case I did set 1.3v vcore plus overvoltage, rebooted, entered BIOS, enabled Cool n Quiet, saved the BIOS and exit. Then I did not save BIOS again. Never. This way I did get a lower vcore. I had 1.55 and now with this trick I get 1.5v.
And you know something?
You gave me the idea.
Anyway, in case your CPU need more power than 1.50 on load (with or without Cool n Quiet) you are not going to get 1.50v.
You must reduce your FSB a bit to get lower vcore on load.

[Zeus...]

You mean that you had set the vcore at 1.30v+0.2 (the CPU overvoltage) before enabling Cool n' Quiet?
Because in my case I did set 1.3v vcore plus overvoltage, rebooted, entered BIOS, enabled Cool n Quiet, saved the BIOS and exit. Then I did not save BIOS again. Never. This way I did get a lower vcore. I had 1.55 and now with this trick I get 1.5v.
And you know something?
You gave me the idea.
Anyway, in case your CPU need more power than 1.50 on load (with or without Cool n Quiet) you are not going to get 1.50v.
You must reduce your FSB a bit to get lower vcore on load.

was running 1.3v vcore plus overvoltage b4 so nothing to change b4 changing to CnQ enable and getting 1.3 to 1.55V depending on load ATM with your CnQ trick

but nice to see the temps drop when not under load

[Marios]

What voltage do you get without CnQ?
I think this worked for me but I am not sure.
Anyway try it. You have nothing to lose.
Dissable CnQ, reboot
Set the vcore maually at 1.3, plus Overvoltage
Reboot.
Check you vcore in BIOS
Enable CnQ
Reboot
(Do not enter BIOS, or if you do, don't save and exit.)
Enter Windows.
Now check again your vcore with PCProbeII

[Brave]

Marios....THX !!! :P

Finally...with your little "guide" , i could overclock my cpu, mem and mobo.

I was doing some things bad. heheh

Im testing right now this rig...im here now at 350 FSB x 2 HTL and x7 Multi, with my X2 3800+, that would give a 2450mhz just for testing. I Still have my timings most relaxed.

Im going to test the rest

THX !!!

[Brave]

Ok...now im impressed with this board...FINALLY!!!

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc?id=66005

370 FSB ....and runs SuperPI , SisoftSandra with no probs at all.... going to try 3dmark...

UPDATE:

3Dmark 2005 runs smoothly...i beat my record of my A8N SLI Deluxe....and im just testing :P

[Marios]

370 stable is awsome.
Well done Brave.

[Brave]

I didnt test more than 370 .....but probably goes more :P


But...im having problems finding the mem limits.... cant find it.

Marios...what is the memlimit that you have ? and at what fsb ?

[Marios]

The BIOS DDR limit is the dividers you can use.
I said that just in case.

Don't even bother to find your memory limits.
Unless you need to get top Benchmark scores.
You can use a divider without any noticable performance loss.
Anyway this is what I got.
2x1GB Crucial Ballistix Z503 - Micron -5B D | 3-3-3-8 1T @ 280 MHz | 2.8v | CPUz verified! - SPi 1M Stable: Yes

Click the picture to open a bigger one.



Though I do not need to go so high.

[Brave]

Hmmm....i cant do 1T even at 280fsb with MemLimit at 166.

Cant really find the mem limits :P

Im testing more now

Update:

Ok...now im at 240fsb , MemLimit at 200, with 1T , Cas 3-4-4-10, and still give me error at SuperPI.

Damn

Update2:

At 240fsb, Memlimit at 200, With 2T, Cas 3-4-4-10 , SuperPI went fine.

So...i suppose this Patriot XBLK kit doesnt like 1T with this board....

Update3:

At 250fsb, Memlimit at 200mhz, 2T, Cas 3-4-4-10, Memtest went fine, but cant boot into winxp

At 245fsb...everthing ok.

So....whats the problem here ? ....weird

[Ic3man]

Thanks for the help marios.

Managed to get upto 2.7 p95 stable (well 4hrs stable before I tried something else!) so things are looking up. I may have well hit 'the wall' with this chip but I still have other things to try. Cpu temp loadx2 is 51c. Couple of questions...

The memory settings you posted were not in the right order for the 1009 bios, which bios are you using?

What are the drive strength/data strength settings. 32bit granularity and how do they affect the system/overclockability?

[Brave]

Yeah...Iceman...the timings settings ...thats was one of the things i notice.

At the screen of the memory settings it shows like this with this order:

CAS
TRCD
TRAS
TRP
TRRD
TRC
TRFC
FRWT

But when we enter at the timings to change it, the timings are in this order:

CAS
TRAS
TRP
TRCD
TRRD
TRC
TRFC
TRWT

[Marios]

Thanks for the help marios.

Managed to get upto 2.7 p95 stable (well 4hrs stable before I tried something else!) so things are looking up. I may have well hit 'the wall' with this chip but I still have other things to try. Cpu temp loadx2 is 51c. Couple of questions...

The memory settings you posted were not in the right order for the 1009 bios, which bios are you using?

What are the drive strength/data strength settings. 32bit granularity and how do they affect the system/overclockability?

I use 1009 BIOS.
I took the order from the latest user manual.

The best setting is to dissable 32 bit gran. You can only enable this when you set 1T and 2 beats for 32bit transfers instead of 64. The best setting is 4 beats though. This is more stable and fast.
DDR driving strength: I use normal. When OCing weak might be a good choice in a few cases to overclock more. It doesn't work for me.
DDR clock skew is also important for stability. Set it to auto or delay 450 when memory is overclocked and you get errors with normal.
I think the most relaxed settings for stability are tcl=3 tTrcd=4 Trp=4 tRAS=Trcd+Trp at least and usually add 2 more, tRC=tRAS+6, tRFC=tRAS+10 and Trwt=4.
You may also use 2T or a divider if nothing else helps.
FSB OCing gives much more speed than memory OC.
So do not bother if your memory is not so good as long as you get no errors.
You need to have a totally stable memory though.
No memory errors are acceptable.

Hmmm....i cant do 1T even at 280fsb with MemLimit at 166.

Update3:

At 250fsb, Memlimit at 200mhz, 2T, Cas 3-4-4-10, Memtest went fine, but cant boot into winxp

At 245fsb...everthing ok.

So....whats the problem here ? ....weird

The problem might be your CPU controller.
Relax your CPU multiplier to check this.
You might also try 2.85v, DDR Skew 450 or weak DDR drive strenght but don't.

245 is fine.
You need to use a divider though.
Try 166 limit at 1T.
You can OC using a CPU multi of 10 and FSB=270.
This will give you 2700MHz CPU and your memory will be at 207,69MHz.
Use 166 limit 10x265=2650, DDR at 203.85MHz (this is the best in your case)

With the above two setting you may also use more tight memory timings like 1T, 2,3,3,7,10,14,2 (see above for the order).

Another option is the 183 limit (DDR366) 10x265=2650 DDR at 240.91MHz.

[stone_cold_Jimi]

Anyone using this mobo with phase? I keep killing CPUs with it.

[Marios]

Keep Walking

[stone_cold_Jimi]

Dunno. I think I might have killed the mem controller, which is what I think happened to the last Venice. The last one worked for quite a while; this one died first hit. I've read that the mem controllers can be a bit touchy about phase which is why the drive strength has to be set to weak. I'll rebuild on stock HSF to confirm, but it doesn't look good.

Last night I thought it might be a mobo thing, but on reflection I reckon it's innocent - after the last Venice died and I rebuilt for air, it ran perfectly with a new chip with no sign of damage. Well, you know how it is. "If you can't afford to trash it....".

[musk]

I am not having any trouble overclocking my cpu but my 3d will not work at all when overclocked.

I have a optie 148, 2gb mushkin redline and a 7800gtx.

I am able to prime all day long at 270x10 1:1 but when i go to run 3dmark or a game it stutters and artifacts. If i don't oc the processor the 3d works fine.

Any suggestions?

[Marios]

Did you try anything to narrow this problem?
For example do you also get this problem when you use a divider?
How did you set peg link?

[Cisco]

I am not having any trouble overclocking my cpu but my 3d will not work at all when overclocked.

I have a optie 148, 2gb mushkin redline and a 7800gtx.

I am able to prime all day long at 270x10 1:1 but when i go to run 3dmark or a game it stutters and artifacts. If i don't oc the processor the 3d works fine.

Any suggestions?

How do you have PEG Link & SB>NB OC set? As far as I have been able to determine (by looking at the GPU clock settings in 3D Mark) PEG-link does nothing more than OC the GPU core and mem by up to 10% @ "fastest," but I have no clue if maybe it tries to do something else...disabled is the best option.

With SB>NB OC set to manual you can set the frequency for that independent of FSB and then use its own multiplier also separate from the LDT multi... try setting it to 200 X 5 (the normal setting) and see what happens... if not, the other logical setting would be to set it to match the K8>NB frequency and multi. The other thing you may want to play with is the SB>NB linkwidth 16/16 or 8/8 are your choices with 16/16 being normal.

The SB>NB option are the things in this MB that makes it different. Three months into the life of this chipset, I don't think anyone has figured out with 100% certainty what works best with the SB>NB settings in a heavily OC'd system.

Or...are your MB temps OK? The reason I say that is that with a standard HS/fan, the 7800 GTs and GTX's are blowing hot air right at the SB. In 3D apps it's hotter air blowing that way. GTX 512s (or 256MB cards with an nV Silencer) blow the hot air out the back of the case so they shouldn't hurt the MB temps.

Or...the other thing that is very different in Prime95 and 3D apps is the amount of power being drawn on the 12V rail (video)...could possibly be your PSU as well.

[darksparkz]

Hm, this is a long long thread, I'll look through it when I have time later on.

BIOS 0903
A8N32-SLi Deluxe
Opteron 175

245x11=2695mhz Dual Prime95 Stable
Boots into Windows fine at 255x11=2805mhz and passes SuperPi1m
BIOS has me running at 1.450v.

Ram running at 166.

K8 to NB Frequency is 600, or 3x

Rumors says this board AUTOMATICALLY overvolts by 0.0625v? Is that still true now?

[MrDisco]

some questions i have:

1. my stock setup (ie. non-oc, stock HSF) has the x2-3800 running at ~45 deg. celcius (according to AI Booster). is this too hot? just right?
2. can i do better if i get a 3rd party HSF?
3. the chip is running at 2GHz. is that the right speed?
4. will the xp-120 fit this board?
5. how hard is it to remove the rentention frame from the mobo?

thank so much to anyone who can help.

[Escobar999]

some questions i have:

1. my stock setup (ie. non-oc, stock HSF) has the x2-3800 running at ~45 deg. celcius (according to AI Booster). is this too hot? just right?
2. can i do better if i get a 3rd party HSF?
3. the chip is running at 2GHz. is that the right speed?
4. will the xp-120 fit this board?
5. how hard is it to remove the rentention frame from the mobo?

thank so much to anyone who can help.

1: sounds ok, room temp is a factor here.
2: yes.
3: yes it is.
4: idk
5: idk

no problem happy to help,
sure enough someone will know the answers the 2 other questions!

[Marios]

some questions i have:

4. will the xp-120 fit this board?
5. how hard is it to remove the rentention frame from the mobo?

thank so much to anyone who can help.

4. Yes, but you can only use 2 dimms at A2 B2 slots.
Someone put it with the heatpipes looking left. This way he was able to use all 4 dimms. I did not try this.

5. You can easily remove the plastic front frame. The back plate is very hard to remove. I had no success even though I used a hair-dryer.

[musk]

Did you try anything to narrow this problem?
For example do you also get this problem when you use a divider?
How did you set peg link?

Thanks for the tips. I disabled peg link and ran a divider. Worked! I am able to run sweet at 280 x10 with the 183 mem ratio. Not bad at all.

Thanks again