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

[Blacknach]

I just put a 148 in yesterday and i am having the same issue. No post, shut down and then she goes fine. It happens when I put more than 1.525 volts to the cpu with more than 2950mhz.

What bios are you running?, i´m waiting a new bios to my tccd, can´t pass 250 stables

[Raver]

I've read all of this thread and I know that some programs dont report voltages and temps correclty but who do we trust?

BIOS Jumper Free Configuration
Over Volt
CPU Disabled
NB Disabled
SB Disabled
HT Disabled
FID/VID Manual
Proc Volt 1.4125v

Hardware Monitor reports the following

CPU Volt
varies between 1.456v to 1.472v
Temps
CPU 39Celcius/102Fahrenheit <----- higher temp here is normal, in BIOS cpu is running like under load.
Syst 32Celcius/89.5Fahrenheit


PROGRAMS

CPU-Z ver 1.31 November 2005
Core 1.400v

AiBooster ver 2.00.70
Core 1.4125v
System temp 32celcius

PCProbeII ver 1.00.43
Core 1.470v
CPU temp 35celcius Idle
MOBO temp 32celcius Idle

Everest Ultimate Edition ver 2.50.480
Core 1.470v
CPU temp 35celcius Idle
MOBO temp 32celcius Idle

SiSoftwear Sandra professional Unicode (Win32 x86) 2005.1.10.37
Core 1.46v
CPU temp 35Celcius/95Fahrenheit Idle
MOBO temp 32Celcius/89.6Fahrenheit Idle

@Marios.

I see that you have ClockGen running, I downloaded the one for nForce4 but it doesnt show like yours, can you tell me which you downloaded for this mobo?

[Deus Excalibur]

Those of you who don't have the warm boot problem while OCing, what kind of sytems are you using? Like do you have a IDE or SATA CD/DVD ROM, etc.

I cranked up all the voltages and all voltages at the max does nothing to cure the problem.

[Eluzion]

i have the same cooler on an opty 165 on the A8N32 and am getting 43c idle, 55c load at 1.4v

I have the same cooler, Zalman 9500. I removed my IHS but it made no difference to my temps. I idle around 35c idle, 44c under load. I use to hit about 47c under load but it's been about a month since I put the system together so I think the AS Ceramique has finally broken in?

Motherboard stays around 30-31c idle and load.

[Eluzion]

Anyone running mushkin eXtreme DDR500 (2GB, 1GBx2) RAM with this MB? This memory is advertised to run 250mhz, which it seems to for me but 60% of the time when I first boot the computer up, it just sits there with a blank screen (like the monitor is not getting any signal from the computer). I have to shut off the computer and restart it where I'll receive the overclock error, press F1 for setup.

If I just change the FSB/HTT by 1mhz, save and restart, it starts up fine. However, next day when I go to start it, if it hangs again, I just change the HTT back by 1mhz, save and restart, and it starts up fine... Well, I threw on a memory divider this time around and for the past 3 days it's been booting up fine. The whole reason I bought this RAM though was to run a 1:1 with the CPU. I'm running 250x10 right now so I'm not quite sure why the RAM is having problems (passes memtest86+ fine, running it at the stock 2.8 volts).

[dinges]

anyone having problems running high HTT?

i have an opty 144 so high HTT is my only option but i have a hard time hitting anything higher then 315. i think i pretty much tried everything (tried HTT multi 2x, sb to nb 2x, mem on 133 divider, etc..) but i wont be stable at anything above 315 and to reach that i had to burn in for a few days (could only reach 310 before), now i have seen ppl running 350+ HTT so i think im missing something.

i got all chipset overvolting options enabled and temps are fine too (cpu is 38 under load, mobo 33ish).

just noticed i forgot to mention the bios version, im running 903 that came with the board. dunno if there's a specific bios capable of running high HTT's ?

[Marios]

@Veedo
Thanks for the eSata externat connector info.
Didn't notice that part.
Simple SATA cables do not fit to this external sata port.

@Raver
Download ClockGen from here.

@ Eluzion
Are you memetest96+ error free at 250x9 3-4-4-8 1T 2.8v with both HTTs at 250X3?

@dinges
Try with K8 to NB HTT multiplier at 350x2 and NB to SB auto or 200X4(BIOS chipset settings) without CPU overvolting.
Raise the FSB gradually, in steps.
At 355 I get errors with Super Pi 32Mb.
At 350 I didn't check for stability with Prime or HL2.
At 340 I am rock stable.
Though I saw a CPUz verified post at 400MHz.
All mobos are not the same.
Some can do better than others ...

[Blacknach]

bug of don&#180;t run after reset, or change bios continue

[dinges]

@Veedo
@dinges
Try with K8 to NB HTT multiplier at 350x2 and NB to SB auto or 200X4(BIOS chipset settings) without CPU overvolting.
Raise the FSB gradually, in steps.
At 355 I get errors with Super Pi 32Mb.
At 350 I didn't check for stability with Prime or HL2.
At 340 I am rock stable.
Though I saw a CPUz verified post at 400MHz.
All mobos are not the same.
Some can do better than others ...

[IMG]

well first off thnx for ure advice,i tried both approaces (auto and manual NB to SB settings) but it did not help. so i went ahead and flashed to 1009, but still the same problems occur.. so i desperation i tried everything i remember reading (enableing parallel port, disableing usb 2.0), but still no go.
315 is rock stable 320 results in either no post or a freeze at the first windows loading screen, weird stuff in my book..

i know oc is a gamble, but 330/340 HTT should not be that hard for these mobo's id think, ah well guess i better get myself a 10 or 11 multi cpu.

[Deus Excalibur]

I'm afraid to say that I'm throwing in the towel, I ordered the MSI K8N Diamond Plus. The better layout, overclocking potential, and no warm boot problem just won me over.

[djneils98]

I'm also disappointed with the 9500. My temps on an X2-4400 are not bad (38/49 at 1.4V) but they are worse than the stock x2-4400 AMD hs was...to top it off the Zalman also hurts the MB temps slightly - about 3 degrees hotter than before the Zalman...I wonder if I have the "convex" edition?

I reseated my 9500 and used AS5 and temps have dropped by about 10c - now 41c idle and 51c load - and thats in a P180 with the side on with the 165 @ 2.6ghz (290x9) and 1.44v reported in AIbooster

[Mr_Gl@ss]

Anyone running mushkin eXtreme DDR500 (2GB, 1GBx2) RAM with this MB? This memory is advertised to run 250mhz, which it seems to for me but 60% of the time when I first boot the computer up, it just sits there with a blank screen (like the monitor is not getting any signal from the computer). I have to shut off the computer and restart it where I'll receive the overclock error, press F1 for setup.

If I just change the FSB/HTT by 1mhz, save and restart, it starts up fine. However, next day when I go to start it, if it hangs again, I just change the HTT back by 1mhz, save and restart, and it starts up fine... Well, I threw on a memory divider this time around and for the past 3 days it's been booting up fine. The whole reason I bought this RAM though was to run a 1:1 with the CPU. I'm running 250x10 right now so I'm not quite sure why the RAM is having problems (passes memtest86+ fine, running it at the stock 2.8 volts).

Is it this RAM?
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=73013

http://forums.mushkin.com/phpbb2/vie...ee78c2ea026677

I'm using the same stuff (991483's) if so and it's running at DDR 500 stable. The BIOS settings for this board are confusing to me (and my other 2 boards are DFI's!). I pieced together some of Marios post and others from the net, I'll post how it's setup when I get home. The only issue's I've had with this board were the ACPI non-compliant Blue screen message (which was fixed by turning the parallel port back on in the BIOS) and a reboot loop issue (which was fixed by plugging the PCI-Express power cable in for my vid card, DOH!). So far so good.

[Eluzion]

That would be the memory. Would be awesome if you could post up all the BIOS settings for the memory! I just set the speed back to 200mhz (1:1) and entered all the values I could based off that post so I'll see how it runs. There are quite a few settings that just have me lost though, so any help would be appreciated.

[Mr_Gl@ss]

I'll do that when I get home, however I'm pretty sure I left the memory settings at auto. Check this thread for some starters:

http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17410

I know it's OCZ memory but it should give you some general idea.

[cronic]

ok, i have been running this board since november and i absolutly love it. The only issue i have had is a warm boot issue. i am still running the 703 bios and was wondering if the 1009 bios eliminated the warm boot issue? I really haven't wanted to switch becuase the warm boot isn't that big of a deal to me, but just wondering if it was fixed? i also just measured a cpu voltage of 1.63v measured on the board with dmm with the bios set to 1.400 with overvolt enabled. i thought it wouldn't go past 1.61 with a dual core.

[arctic-k20]

no the warm boot is still there in 1009 bios

[gmod]

I'm afraid to say that I'm throwing in the towel, I ordered the MSI K8N Diamond Plus. The better layout, overclocking potential, and no warm boot problem just won me over.

About time someone in this thread came to their senses..

[HKPolice]

I made a thread for this, but no one reads it: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=83206

This board is NOT for newbies. If you want to squeeze every ounce out of your CPU, then you'll HAVE to whip out a multimeter, and take off the heatpipe assembly to apply AS5 on everything.

Just because you can Prime95 for 24hrs does NOT mean it's warm boot stable. Turn the FSB down 1Mhz at a time until you can get it warm boot stable.

My setup has been ROCK SOLID for the last 2 months now. Not a single cold boot or warm boot issue, not a single BSOD.

[Ic3man]

Managed to prime(small fft) for 20 hrs (both cores) with 1.3(+.2)vcore @289x9. HTTx3, everything overvolted. Replaced the Aluminium HS 'tape' with AS5 which made no noticible difference to stability.

Core 0 craps out with any more fsb even if i increase the vcore. Tried most settings on the board to get it stable but core 0 is just not playing. Lowered the memory timings to 3-4-4-8 with a 133 divider - still no luck. Memtest dosn't show any problems.

Anyone know what settings to set in the 'other' memory timings...drive strength/data strength, async etc or is there anything else I can try?

[Marios]

Managed to prime(small fft) for 20 hrs (both cores) with 1.3(+.2)vcore @289x9. HTTx3, everything overvolted. Replaced the Aluminium HS 'tape' with AS5 which made no noticible difference to stability.

Core 0 craps out with any more fsb even if i increase the vcore. Tried most settings on the board to get it stable but core 0 is just not playing. Lowered the memory timings to 3-4-4-8 with a 133 divider - still no luck. Memtest dosn't show any problems.

Anyone know what settings to set in the 'other' memory timings...drive strength/data strength, async etc or is there anything else I can try?

What I am going to write here is only good in case of extreme overclocking.
I suggest an AINos 10% overclocking for those who want to have a cool, stable and very fast PC easily and without problems.
I cannot write everything here, so I am just going to remind you a few OCing rules and give a few more hints (based on Ic3man's settings) about overclocking the A8N32-SLI deluxe. Of course these general hints are not good for all the different CPUs and Dimms ...
There are many other great posts on this forum that will help (like the one mentioned from HKPolice).

I hope this one helps too.

You need to find your limits for each component.
So I suggest a 133 limit (divider) and a X2 chipset setting for both hypertransports with a X7 multiplier 300x7=2100MHz to find your mobo limits.
Enable both L2 Cache BG Scrub and Data Cache BG Scrub at 1.31ms
(any better suggestions here?)
Give your mobo a good cold airflow.
You need to install the fan that came with your mobo.
It works fine, no noise and cools your chipset heatpipes (NB - SB)
I did get better results by replacing the thermal pad with Ceramigue on the mosfets.

I think it is better to set both hypertranspot's frequencies at the same value.
So set them at 300x2=600 16up 16 down.
Are you stable there?
Then you mobo is OK at 300.

Then try to find your memory limits.
Set DDR clock skew to auto.
It should change to a value other than Normal when your DDR is OCed.
If not then do it yourself (you need to set a delay and check).
Set your timing at (in BIOS order):
166 limit -3-4-10-4-4-14-20-4-5.5-7
Use 2T
See if this is stable at FSB300 with you CPU at 2X300.
If not then you need to get better DIMMs or set a 133 limit.
Then try to change at 3-3-8-3-3-12-16-4-5.5-7.
Finally try to set the Trwt at 3 or even 2 (TcL and Trwt are very important)
Then do the same with 1T (the most importand speed factor).

Finaly try to find you CPU limit. You know how.

Since your CPU is stable at 289x9=2601MHz, 1.3v + 0.2v I would suggest you try 1.5v instead without CPU overvoltage.
Stay at this frequency for a few days, run benchmarks and play games.
Then try to increase your speed by fine tuning your memory.
After a while you may try to increase your FSB at 290 and see what is your CPU speed at BIOS. Is it 2610 or 2609 this time? Then enter Windows.
Do it this way.
Do not start from 289. Start from 250X9=2250MHz with 1.55v.
Increase the FSB in steps of 10 up to 280 and restart to enter the BIOS.
Then select 285, 288, 290. Enter Windows now.
Then you may try to go at 292, 294 ...
In case that you have problems you might need to do the whole same thing again but with CPU overvoltage enabled.

At a previous post I have posted a program where you set your limits and it gives you all the possible combinations with the best three suggestions.

Ic3man
It looks like you did check your CPU limits by setting CPU overvoltage at 1.375 (or even 1.4v) +0.2 with a 133 divider and a X2 HTT setting.
So just get yourself a better CPU or stay at 2600MHz.
(This is my hint for you. Do not set 1.3 plus overvoltage. It is wrong. Start from 1.35v at least. Your basic voltage is 1.35 in this case. Though your CPU may have a 1.4v nominal vcore (there is a program that gives you this number). Then you should start from 1.4 + overvoltage.)

[Ic3man]

I'll give them a go...thx m8.

What is 'nominal core' and what program do I use to find it. Also if I dont use 1.35 + overvolt I cannot get higher than 1.42 (bios reading). Starting from 1.4 (+0.2 overvolt) will be giving me 1.6, 1.6 is really as high as I would like to go as heard quite alot of chips fry with anything higher.

I can't install the fan that came with the motherboard as I am back on aircooling (big typhoon) and it simply wont fit. I had the fan on with my basic watercooling kit and hit the same wall of 2.6 so hopefully the settings you have suggested will help. I'll report back.

[Marios]

I'll give them a go...thx m8.

What is 'nominal core' and what program do I use to find it. Also if I dont use 1.35 + overvolt I cannot get higher than 1.42 (bios reading). Starting from 1.4 (+0.2 overvolt) will be giving me 1.6, 1.6 is really as high as I would like to go as heard quite alot of chips fry with anything higher.

I can't install the fan that came with the motherboard as I am back on aircooling (big typhoon) and it simply wont fit. I had the fan on with my basic watercooling kit and hit the same wall of 2.6 so hopefully the settings you have suggested will help. I'll report back.

Get this program to find your CPU vcore.
Do not depend on your vcore BIOS readings. Chech your CPU temp instead.
And remember that your BIOS CPU temp reading is on idle. On load this temp is going really high. So this might prevent you from OCing more.
You don't have to worry about the overvoltage setting of 1.4+0.2 as long as your CPU temp is OK. Do not go over that though. You do not need it and I cannot verify that you won't get any problems. (I didn't try to give more volts than 1.4+0.2).
This mobo protects your CPU from overvoltage.

[Raffen]

Is there any known bug which prevents me from going past 239htt. I'm a little bit confused with all this different Vcore readings, but I'm pretty sure I've tested about everything to get around this problem.

Tested 133 divider, different Vcore, NB-CPU and SB-NB at 3, cpu multi at 8 and 9, and no difference. I have btw tested 240*10 in windows with clockgen, and it was stable as a rock.

asus a8n32
X2 3800+
hiper 580
Thermalright XP-120
Corsair TWINX2048-3200C2 2.5-3-2-6-1T

[quantum]

Thermalright XP-120

Are you OK with this cooler? Your dimms are in slots 1-3 or in 2-4?

[Raffen]

They are in dimm 1-3, and the cooler is mounted the other way with the heatpipes at the back of the case. Btw I have the nonpro memory modules.