My overall impressions/hints/tips on the Asus A8N32-SLI

[HKPolice]

Pros:
-8 Phase power supply, even though it 'isn't done properly' like craig588 pointed out, it's still A LOT cooler than the DFI NF4 especially when running high vcore + amps (IE Dual core). Basically, one set gives the baseline vcore, and the other set gives the +0.2v overvolt option.

-Passive chipset cooling. It works. Those tiny dinky fans on normal boards eventually get LOUD and have to be replace. I especially hated the stock DFI NF4 fan because it ran at over 7000rpm @ 12v which basically forces you to throttle it down via BIOS and then it's barely pushing any air.

-Able to attain extremely high HTT speeds even with modest +0.1v options in bios. I was running 290HTT with 4x multiplier = 1160Mhz actual HTT speed. Didn't bother trying higher, but I'm pretty sure 300HTT x4 = 1.2Ghz and beyond would be a breeze.

-I don't know if it's just me, but I saw almost a 1K increase in 3DMark05 going from the DFI NF4. 13.4K default with dual 7800GTX @ 486/1.35 to 14.2K with the SAME settings in everything. Turned the CPU up to 2.8Ghz from 2.75, and it went to 14.4K.

-Higher CPU overclock. On the DFI I was only able to push my X2 to 2.75Ghz stable, Running 2.8Ghz stable on the A8N32 /w TT BT

-Higher ram overclock. With 2GB CE-6 sticks, I was only able to get 265Mhz on the DFI and it wasn't completely stable. 268Mhz on the A8N32 would run memtest non stop at the same timings.

Cons:
-Warm boot hell. The SLIGHTLEST instability, such as CPU vcore being too low, memory timings too tight or not enough voltage, etc etc will cause warm boot problems when you're pushing the CPU/Ram to it's limits. It won't post, and you'll have to press the reset button. Sometimes, it'll post again, but if you go into BIOS and turn down the settings, it probably STILL won't post, as if the lowered settings didn't save. If that happens, just reset to defaults again, save exit, then start over from scratch.

-By default, the L1 and L2 cache ECC settings are disabled, for more information, read this: http://www.lostcircuits.com/advice/bios2/4.shtml I've read that one or 2 users have experienced crashes when the computer is left idling. This would be the cause. I've tried the fastest 40ns setting and I think it affected my 3DMark05 score by 200points. I've left it at the lowest 84ms setting right now and it doesn't affect 3DMark performance, so I'll leave it at that until I experience instability after idling. If I do, then I'll change it to a faster setting.

-The heatsinks on the mosfets Do not have any thermal grease under them, just some grey rubber pad. I urge all owners to PLEASE remove the heatpipe assembly and slap on some thermal grease onto the mosfets. The grey pads are stuck on really well, so I didn't bother trying to remove them. I have a feeling that the 2 CPU deaths on this board might of been caused by overheating mosfets. Asus has hot glued some plastic caps onto the back of the clips holding down the whole heatpipe assembly, they are easily removed with some twisting from pliers. There might be some glue stuck between the wedges of the clips, remove them with a toothpick or something similar. I would suggest that you Do NOT simply replace the clips because the springs in them are strong than regular springs of this type. This provides sufficient pressure to ensure that the whole assembly does not twist when torque is applied, which could could damage to either chip.

-BIOS bugs: as Ben805 mentioned, make sure the APM menu is NOT empty. If it is, reset to defaults and the page should be full again. Sometimes, if the memory is unstable, certain settings such as the HTT may freeze when you're trying to adjust them with the + or - keys. Bios version 703 is the most stable right now, do not bother with the others.

-DDR skew setting depends on the type of ram you're using. With CE-6 chips, normal was better. With Ballistix running @ 280Mhz, Delay450ps was a MUST for me. I also had to disable dynamic Idle cycle.

-The normal Vcore adjustment menu DOES NOT WORK Above 1.3625v (at least for Dual core CPUs). You HAVE to enable the +0.2v overvolt option to go any higher. This also enables the 2nd set of mosfets, so if you don't enable it, you'll basically be running on a 4phase board. Oddly enough, if I set the vcore to 1.375 + overvolt, the actual reading was 0.01v LOWER than 1.3625v + overvolt. This trend continues all the way upwards

-The vcore readings in the hardware monitor are a JOKE, if you're serious about overclocking, whip out a multimeter and get actual readings. The 2 empty cap sockets below the copper fins are a good spot to measure. Usually, the BIOS readings are lower by 0.05v. Basically the same offset as the DFI NF4 board, it's like a marketing gimmick to trick you into believing that you're running at a lower vcore.

Volt mods
-Dual core CPUs are limited to 1.61v. If you want higher, you'll need to solder a 50K VR to pin8 on the ADP3168 chip (thanks to Craig588), left of the dimm sockets. Relatively simple mod and has been rock stable for me.

-Vdimm works off 3.3v rail, so you can just solder a line from the 3.3v rail directly to vdimm. VTT tracks automatically. Measuring point is the empty cap socket to the right of the dimms.

Conclusion:
Took me about a week of tweaking and modding to get this board up and running properly. Has it been worth it? To me: yes. Ben805 also mentioned that according to his UPS, the A8N32 was running 38-40watts lower than the same setup on the DFI NF4.

The board also looked very baron with so few caps, and so many empty cap sockets, so I soldered a bunch of them around the mosfets and dimms. Don't really know if they help much, but it hasn't hindered anything so far.

Basically, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, this is the board for you. If you're a relative novice to the overclocking scene, I wouldn't recommend this board.

I will try to update this thread with more tweaks/hints/tips as I encounter them.

Edit: Here's a working version of clockgen http://www.cpuid.com/download/ClockGen.zip In my experience, it only works maybe half the time.... The other half it hangs the system

Updates:

-Cmos reset jumper is blocked by 2nd PCIe release tag, it's easier to just pop the battery. Thanks jimi, almost forgot about that.

-AMD CPU driver should be installed ASAP. I couldn't get HL2/CSS to work without it. Worked fine on the DFI though.

[stone_cold_Jimi]

Excellent roundup.

Although I love my board and would like to add to the 'pro' column, one thing that is really awful and has to be a 'con' is the location of the CMOS jumper. I've only had to use it once but both 7800s had to come out before I could - it's right under one of the PCI-E release tags at the end of the slot.

[qdemn7]

Great HKPolice! I'm sure glad you started you own thread instead of buying it in the other thread. Kudos to all your hard work, and help for the reat of us. Two thumbs UP!

[cronic]

good post. i would add that i love this board even with its very few shortcomings.

[PuNiShEr]

Excellent post m8 , let's gather and share the most information about this board that we can, so that we can help each others.

I'm loving this board, but it's still very "green" in terms of Bios and some other stuff, which is normal, it's a new chip, and bios support is lacking at the moment (i'm sure asus is working on it).
I have been experiencing some problems with my 2x7800GTX 256mg setup till yesterday, with 81.95 you must check "VSYNC OFF" on the drivers tab so that D3D games work with SLi... But still, COD 2 and FEAR run well, but sometimes it freezes when loading the game or when "Saving Checkpoint" within the game, but i've read this in XS:

"1. DO NOT change this, if I run anything lower than 1000 for SB to NB, 3d becomes totally unstable (I think this is a SLI thing). 3dmark05 will run, but FEAR will crash.

2. Link mode at Auto or 16/16"

I'll try this and see if the problem go away.

"-AMD CPU driver should be installed ASAP. I couldn't get HL2/CSS to work without it. Worked fine on the DFI though."

I'm not using any kind of driver for the CPU (I have and 3800+ X2 @ 2800Mhz), and all games work, including CSS/HL2

[kimandsally]

[QUOTE=

"-AMD CPU driver should be installed ASAP. I couldn't get HL2/CSS to work without it. Worked fine on the DFI though."

I'm not using any kind of driver for the CPU (I have and 3800+ X2 @ 2800Mhz), and all games work, including CSS/HL2

[/QUOTE]

I don't understand

[Major]

So what is the max Vcore you can get with this mb and a X2 ?

[Marios]

Great post HKPolice

-Warm boot hell. The SLIGHTLEST instability, such as CPU vcore being too low, memory timings too tight or not enough voltage, etc etc will cause warm boot problems when you're pushing the CPU/Ram to it's limits. It won't post, and you'll have to press the reset button. Sometimes, it'll post again, but if you go into BIOS and turn down the settings, it probably STILL won't post, as if the lowered settings didn't save. If that happens, just reset to defaults again, save exit, then start over from scratch..

Whenever there is a CPU "out of the limits problem" we just have to press the Close button for a few seconds and turn of the PSU power. Then we may restart, enter the BIOS and correct the problem. This is the ASUS advertised CPU protection utility that resets the CPU in case of a faulty overclocking.
In case of HTT or memory errors we have to reset the BIOS.
In those cases we may have to install windows again...

-By default, the L1 and L2 cache ECC settings are disabled, for more information, read this: http://www.lostcircuits.com/advice/bios2/4.shtml I've read that one or 2 users have experienced crashes when the computer is left idling. This would be the cause. I've tried the fastest 40ns setting and I think it affected my 3DMark05 score by 200points. I've left it at the lowest 84ms setting right now and it doesn't affect 3DMark performance, so I'll leave it at that until I experience instability after idling. If I do, then I'll change it to a faster setting.

I noticed that L1 cash speed is abaout 22000Mb/s, L2 5500Mb, while DIMMs speed is around 2600Mb/s. I think this rank in speed should play a role in calculating the optimal L1, L2 ECC settings. Any way I found no more info than this.

-DDR skew setting depends on the type of ram you're using. With CE-6 chips, normal was better. With Ballistix running @ 280Mhz, Delay450ps was a MUST for me. I also had to disable dynamic Idle cycle..

Thanks a lot for the tip.

Edit: Here's a working version of clockgen http://www.cpuid.com/download/ClockGen.zip In my experience, it only works maybe half the time.... The other half it hangs the system .

Clockgen works ok all the time, but we have to press the right arrow once and apply the Selection right away (going up step by step). BIOS is not updated though. We have to restart and apply the new settings manually.

-AMD CPU driver should be installed ASAP. I couldn't get HL2/CSS to work without it. Worked fine on the DFI though.

I noticed my CPU frequency going crazy (going up to 3500MHz and then down at 2200) without this update plus the MS$ dual core update under certain BIOS settings. Though I had no problems with any games. I think this might be the reason of a few lost CPUs on DFI expert mobos.

[Marios]

Excellent post m8 , let's gather and share the most information about this board that we can, so that we can help each others.

I'm loving this board, but it's still very "green" in terms of Bios and some other stuff, which is normal, it's a new chip, and bios support is lacking at the moment (i'm sure asus is working on it).
I have been experiencing some problems with my 2x7800GTX 256mg setup till yesterday, with 81.95 you must check "VSYNC OFF" on the drivers tab so that D3D games work with SLi... But still, COD 2 and FEAR run well, but sometimes it freezes when loading the game or when "Saving Checkpoint" within the game, but i've read this in XS:

"1. DO NOT change this, if I run anything lower than 1000 for SB to NB, 3d becomes totally unstable (I think this is a SLI thing). 3dmark05 will run, but FEAR will crash.

2. Link mode at Auto or 16/16"

I'll try this and see if the problem go away.

"-AMD CPU driver should be installed ASAP. I couldn't get HL2/CSS to work without it. Worked fine on the DFI though."

I'm not using any kind of driver for the CPU (I have and 3800+ X2 @ 2800Mhz), and all games work, including CSS/HL2

SB to NB is the second hypertransport bus and has nothing to do with the K8 (CPU) to NB bus.
So you may leave it at 1000 (this is X5) and use an SB overclock value of 200 or auto.
Though it is also ok to reduce it to 800 (x4) so you are going to get 200X4=800 x2 =1600 Megatransfers per second.

The problem you have is usually a 1T problem. Check your memory with memtest or try a 2T timing.

[stone_cold_Jimi]

Voltages - good point. Thx for the test point info, rather shocking and explains why my temps got so high when I was pushing it - I'd have never gone so far on stock HSF if I'd known.

Here are some vcore samples:

bios 1.4375 (1.2375 + 0.2)
aibooster meter 1.46
dmm 1.47

bios 1.4375
aib 1.49
dmm 1.50

bios 1.45
aib 1.50
dmm 1.515

So adding 0.01 to the software reading is about right - and miles away from the bios.

I've only done one check on vdimm:

bios 2.80
aib 2.85
dmm 2.81

which is closer to the setting than the reading.

[Titus]

the default vCore on my board is set at 1.425...is this normal?...I just set up the board and am not planning on overclocking for the next few weeks...should I lower the vCore and to what setting?...why is the default vCore 1.425?

I have an X2 3800+ CPU

[mackanz]

I noticed a thing with the warm boot issue on 2 different cpu's. A X2 3800+ and a Opteron 150. As soon as i have the vcore above 1.4, i'll get warmboot issues. At or below 1.4, it's perfectly fine. All kinds of speed and multis where tested to verify this. The problem for me though, is that all my cpu's need just above 1.4 to overclock the max :/. This is with the overvolting option enabled off course. X2's are pretty limited on vcore if i don't use the overvolting option.

[brschmid]

-By default, the L1 and L2 cache ECC settings are disabled, for more information, read this: http://www.lostcircuits.com/advice/bios2/4.shtml I've read that one or 2 users have experienced crashes when the computer is left idling. This would be the cause. I've tried the fastest 40ns setting and I think it affected my 3DMark05 score by 200points. I've left it at the lowest 84ms setting right now and it doesn't affect 3DMark performance, so I'll leave it at that until I experience instability after idling. If I do, then I'll change it to a faster setting.

just L2 cache, not "Data Cache"?
i don't see a 84ms option, i see 40ms, 80ms...... about 15 total options.

[cronic]

i think i am going to work on my warm boot issue today. thanks foir the great post hk

[thinkingbear]

i think i am going to work on my warm boot issue today.

Let us know how that works out. For me it really seems to be tied to my memory stability, though I do really understand how so I am not sure. Just FYI, I used a POST code decoder card on in my PCI slot since I was not getting any beeps out of the BIOS. The card showed the POST hanging consistently on D0 - "NMI is disabled. CPU ID saved. Init code Checksum verification starting." D0-D9 are all part of the AMI WinBIOS uncompress BIOS checklist. Something is stopping the Checksum from completing which in turn stops the BIOS from uncompressing? Hope that might help you.

[djneils98]

i think i am going to work on my warm boot issue today. thanks foir the great post hk

did you get anywhere?
thanks, Neil

[cronic]

i installed the udated from the 703 bios to the 1009 and my computer has not had a warm boot issue since. it definitly helped me.

[OldOne]

Thankyou,I have been looking for something like this.I ordered one and it will be here tomarrow with a eVGA 7800GTX KO and G.Skill F1-4000 USU2-2GBHZ

[neo2001]

I know it sounds weird, but I could solve the ACPI BIOS Bluescreen Error while installing Windows XP by simply enabling the serial port 1 in the BIOS (v1009).

[physics_geek]

I don't overclock, and I haven't apply any thermalpaste on MOSFETS, will it kill my CPU?

[shogan191]

No, you will be fine.

[shmadz]

Whenever there is a CPU "out of the limits problem" we just have to press the Close button for a few seconds and turn of the PSU power. Then we may restart, enter the BIOS and correct the problem. This is the ASUS advertised CPU protection utility that resets the CPU in case of a faulty overclocking.
In case of HTT or memory errors we have to reset the BIOS.
In those cases we may have to install windows again...

Agreed. this is normal operation (and quite handy when it works), however, this is NOT the behavior I have experienced with the infamous "warm boot".

What should happen: settings are too high/tight, hang on reboot, power down and then when you power back up it should give you the "hit f1 to enter setup, hit f2 to load setup defaults" message (assuming you haven't disabled this in bios.)

What actually happens in the case of the warm boot bug is a different story. I can't speak for everyone but what happens for me is I will set up the bios close to the limit, (8*330= 2640 MHz in my case), and then I hit f10 and reboot. The system hangs at this point and I have to power off and then back on, expecting to see the "f1" message, but that's where the similarity ends. What happens is the system boots normally and is perfectly stable. In my case my cpu is stable up to 2760 at least, and has run 8 hours+ dual prime at this speed. I am still looking for a solution to this but for the time being I just live with it.

Here is what I do- Just setup the bios, hit f10, let it freeze up, then press power for 4 secs to power down. Wait a minute till the hard drives and fans all stop completely and then power on and boot straight into windows. Then I do whatever benchmarks for what I'm trying to test and when I'm satisfied that it's stable, I just click "shut-down" instead of "restart". Then I power back up and press del and then increase the bios settings and do it all over again.

*note* My psu has a function which keeps the power fans going after it is turned off via the atx power button. If your psu does not have this feature I recommend that you wait at least 5 minutes as the temps in your psu can build up when the fan stops and the initial load on power up is very heavy and can you can pop a capacitor if you're not careful. (yes this is from experience - R.I.P. Antec TruePower 430)

[Mastactor]

Ok, I just got this board A8N32-Sli Deluxe. I need some clarification on the vcore stuff.

I'm running a dual core opteron in this board, it sets up vcore auto to 1.40 ~ 1.42.

I can change the vcore in bios, but in windows it still reads 1.42, with any program, even if I try the max vcore 1.56. haven't had a chance to check it with a volt meter yet.

Also with the "cpu overvolt" option enables, it jumps to 1.58 in windows.

What do I need to do here?

[Zeus...]

use link in sig and get CrystalCPUID its a 'CnQ' utility that allows u too overclock and have it overvolted and also have a slower setting with low vilts works a treat - u will also need the AMD driver for the duel core opty but u should have it to prvent slowdowns and other issues - see the sticky

dont enable 'CnQ' in the bios b4 u use CrystalCPUID its well worth the effort I have mine at a min setting of CPU x4 at 1.0 Volts so when u r not fragging the system cools - after all it is summer and these duel core are hot but not as hot as the Intels

hope it helps

[Mastactor]

use link in sig and get CrystalCPUID its a 'CnQ' utility that allows u too overclock and have it overvolted and also have a slower setting with low vilts works a treat - u will also need the AMD driver for the duel core opty but u should have it to prvent slowdowns and other issues - see the sticky

dont enable 'CnQ' in the bios b4 u use CrystalCPUID its well worth the effort I have mine at a min setting of CPU x4 at 1.0 Volts so when u r not fragging the system cools - after all it is summer and these duel core are hot but not as hot as the Intels

hope it helps

Thanks Zeus! I will give it a try!