Asus P5B (vanilla) Overview

[ryandinan]

I have a newbie question though. I have Intel C2D E6300 and some Corsair RAM, TwinX 2x512 5400 C4 (675 MHz). I'd like to know how to overclock it slightly so that my memory will run in sync with the processor (now it runs in 4:5 ratio, I think, processor at 266 and memory at 333). I'd like to run both in 333. The problem is that when I change the settings in BIOS and save, I just get a blank screen and nothing happens. I have changed the CPU Frequency to 333 and DRAM Frequency to DDR2-667. I've also tried "locking" the PCI-E Frequency to 100 MHz and PCI Clock to 33.33 MHz, but that doesn't change a thing. I'm only looking for a very small overclock, for now and I can't even get that to work.

You are correct - at stock speeds (266/333) your memory is running the 4:5 divider. If you bump up your cpu to 333, you'll have to switch to the 1:1 divider. Just be aware that as you bump up your cpu frequency, your memory frequency will increase in proportion to the current divider you have set. With a 333 cpu frequency, you'll want to pick the option in the DDR frequency list that shows "667 MHz".

Since you are overclocking your FSB as well as your CPU in this scenario, you may have to increase your FSB termination voltage, as well as your CPU core voltage - possibly even your DDR voltage.
FSB termination voltage was a biggie when I was overclocking - I have mine set at the max.
With Corsair memory, you can safely go to the max of 2.1v. I have found this necessary (even when keeping your memory in-spec) when you overclock the FSB, as it places extra strain on your memory.
I'd increase your cpu vcore value to 1.35 - 1.4 for starters; you can always back it off until you start noticing stability problems.

Disable frequency spread spectrum in the jumperfree config area, and disable static read control under the "chipset" section where your DDR settings are. You may also want to configure those timings manually, as the defaults for Corsair memory are incorrect (there were for me at least). You may want to visit Corsairs website for the timings for your memory. They'll give you the first set (5-5-5-15 for example) - but you'll also need the last set. For my XM2S DDR800, my timings were 5-5-5-12-6-42-3-11-5-14 (the last 6 values were all default to 10 in the BIOS, whiched caused stability problems until I changed them). There is a utility out there called "memset" that runs under Windows, that reads your memory timings correctly - you run it on a stock setup, then get write the timings down. When you go to overclock, manually set up those values for your memory.

Hope this helps!

-Ryan

[CrAsHeR]

Hi people,
Someone can help me?..
Today i've bought an Asus P5B + E6300..i've just ordered from the USA a 2x1GB DualChannel KIt from MICRON (OEM) Pc2-4200 533Mhz with Fat Body D9DQW (128Mx64)..Does anyone know if they are compatible with the mainboard? I really need help..thanks

[ryandinan]

Hi people,
Someone can help me?..
Today i've bought an Asus P5B + E6300..i've just ordered from the USA a 2x1GB DualChannel KIt from MICRON (OEM) Pc2-4200 533Mhz with Fat Body D9DQW (128Mx64)..Does anyone know if they are compatible with the mainboard? I really need help..thanks

That should work, but it's on the slowest end of the spectrum. You won't have any headroom to overclock, since you will be extremely limited in the dividers you can work with. But, if you're not planning to overclock, they should work!


-Ryan

[CrAsHeR]

That should work, but it's on the slowest end of the spectrum. You won't have any headroom to overclock, since you will be extremely limited in the dividers you can work with. But, if you're not planning to overclock, they should work!


-Ryan

Anyone with a more sure conclusion? I'm feared from the fact that i read "128Mx64"..They shuould be High Density Memory..and i don't know if the board support them..
As for the overclock..they are "Fat body"..Nothing else to say

[ryandinan]

Anyone with a more sure conclusion? I'm feared from the fact that i read "128Mx64"..They shuould be High Density Memory..and i don't know if the board support them..
As for the overclock..they are "Fat body"..Nothing else to say

What website did you buy this memory from? If you could post a link so I could check it out, it would be easier to see exactly what it is...
The Asus P5B DOES support 533MHz DDR2 memory - but some makes/models have problems. Most people here would recommend Corsair DDR2 memory...

-Ryan

[CrAsHeR]

What website did you buy this memory from? If you could post a link so I could check it out, it would be easier to see exactly what it is...
The Asus P5B DOES support 533MHz DDR2 memory - but some makes/models have problems. Most people here would recommend Corsair DDR2 memory...

-Ryan

It's from ebay.. That's all it's wrote:
Brand NEW - OEM (MICRON)
2x1GB KIT DDR2 PC2-4200 533MHZ
Cas Latency: CL4
Voltage: 1.8vv
240-pin DDR2 DIMM, Non-ECC, Non-Registered
Organized as: 128Mx64
Chip:5CA32 - D9DQW

That's all... anyone can help or had any experience with those modules?

[daimaah]

Hope this helps!

-Ryan

Thanks, it sure did. I have a few questions though if that's ok.


Would these settings be ok?

AI Tuning: Manual
CPU Frequency: 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-666 MHz (My Corsair RAM is rated at 675...)
PCI Express Frequency: 100
PCI Clock Sync Mode: 33.33 MHz
Spread Spectrum: Disabled
Memory Voltage: 1.9 (I read on Newegg comments that at 666 it requires 1.9)
CPU VCore Voltage: 1.35 (That's the highest voltage I've seen it get in Auto mode)
FSB Termination Voltage: Auto (I suppose this should be set to max, what's this for? And is it dangerous to set it high?)
NB VCore: Auto (NB tends to get very hot but system is stable)
SB: Auto
ICH: Auto (I cant recall having this on my P5B Vanilla).

Also, I was not able to find those timings at Corsairs website, only 4-4-4-12.
And, people talk about divider and I've seen such thing on some other mobo's bioses, but P5B only gives the options shown on that pic.

And thanks in advance, I'm on a high learning curve to overclocking

[ryandinan]

daimaah,

I noticed in your pic that you have your CPU set to 533, and your DRAM frequency set to 1066 -- Both of these are far too high for your hardware.

So, starting from a default setup, go in and pick the lowest DDR frequency available in the list (this should be 533MHz). Then proceed to raise your CPU frequency up from 266MHz towards 333MHz. As you raise your CPU frequency, you'll also see the DDR frequency raise proportionally. STOP raising the CPU freq. when the DDR freq hits "667MHz". If you go over this, you'll be running your memory at a higher speed that what it is rated, and will probably cause stability issues.

Good luck,

Ryan

[daimaah]

Hi, I took the picture from another thread here at xtreme systems, that's why I wrote the text and entered my numbers there.

[Counter CS]

http://support.asus.com/download/dow...n-us&model=P5B

Beta Version 0904

2006/12/01 update

Description P5B Beta BIOS version 0904
1. Support SLP2.0 string
2. Fix HCT unreported I/O and memory issuse
3. Enable USB disable support
4. Fix conroe L XD function cannnit be disabled issue

[Toki]

I wonder if this bios solve the reboot with cold boot problem: now I've 0806 bios and the problem appear to be random cuz if I save a setting in BIOS I've always cold boot while if I reboot from windows sometimes it goes straight, sometimes cold boot...

The problem is present only if the systems is overclocked (so always in my case ).

After all it's a great mobo for the money, stable and overclockable, only two things isn't really good: the reboot proble as stated above and the low vdimm from bios, but with a mod this problem is solved

I'll try this new beta bios...

[Toki]

No way to find the new bios for ASUS P5B on ASUS site.

[Toki]

Found: ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/so...5B/P5B0904.zip

[Deprem]

Anyone tried the new beta yet? Any changes in cold boot or temp readings?

[gOJDO]

I am thinking to buy this mainboard for overclocking an E6300/E6400 CPU. Are there any better overclocking mainboards for the same money?
I'll use A-DATA DDR2-800 CL5. Any advices will be highly appritiated.

Thanks

[daimaah]

ryandinan: I was not able to find the 6 last timing settings for my memory, any idea where I could find them? (Others can help me with this situation as well, I'm feeling desperate at the moment)

Edit: I did run Memset though, and here's the results:

So, starting from a default setup, go in and pick the lowest DDR frequency available in the list (this should be 533MHz). Then proceed to raise your CPU frequency up from 266MHz towards 333MHz. As you raise your CPU frequency, you'll also see the DDR frequency raise proportionally. STOP raising the CPU freq. when the DDR freq hits "667MHz".

Well, I did set the DDR frequency to DDR2-533 and CPU Frequency to 333 (DDR Frequency to 533 as it should keep the ratio automatically at 1:1 as it's the lowest it can do, right?) and gave vDim a boost to 1.9 plus disabled Spread Spectrum. But all I got was a blank screen and I had to reset the settings. We're not talking about a big overclock here, right? Just 7x266 to 7x333, and I think with my hardware it should be somewhat easily achievable. The temperatures are fine, I'm cooling the processor with Scythe Ninja.

[Asky]

ne one tried the new BETA BIOS?
ne improvements?

[[GBU]Bobber]

Sorry haven't messed around with it yet




My highest 24/7 stable FSB is 445
I feel that it is unnecessary at this point.


Which is faster DDR2 900 @ 5-5-5-15 or DDR2 800 @ 4-4-4-12?

[Deprem]

ne one tried the new BETA BIOS?
ne improvements?

well the changes list isnt very impressive so

[Highland3r]

ryandinan: I was not able to find the 6 last timing settings for my memory, any idea where I could find them? (Others can help me with this situation as well, I'm feeling desperate at the moment)

If you mean in bios, the settings are pretty limited on the P5B vanilla. Have to tweak ram in windows really.

Well, I did set the DDR frequency to DDR2-533 and CPU Frequency to 333 (DDR Frequency to 533 as it should keep the ratio automatically at 1:1 as it's the lowest it can do, right?) and gave vDim a boost to 1.9 plus disabled Spread Spectrum. But all I got was a blank screen and I had to reset the settings. We're not talking about a big overclock here, right? Just 7x266 to 7x333, and I think with my hardware it should be somewhat easily achievable. The temperatures are fine, I'm cooling the processor with Scythe Ninja.

Set vcore to 1.4 and see how that fares. Can't speak for other people (though someone may be able to confirm) but real vcore differs quite a bit from whats set in bios. (ie 1.7 in bios gave ~1.55 real).
Otherwise try booting at say 340 and see if that helps. Pretty sure there's a NB strap change at 333 FSB which could be causing u problems.

E6300 should be good for an easy 400FSB with only a small (if any) voltage boost required, so you *could* give 402 FSB a go (to utilise strap change) and see if you have any luck there. You'll probably need a voltage boost on the ram however.

[gOJDO]

Which is faster DDR2 900 @ 5-5-5-15 or DDR2 800 @ 4-4-4-12?

For Core2, DDR2 900 5-5-5-15 is faster than DDR2 800 4-4-4-12.

[ryandinan]

I've tried the new beta 904 bios -
After the flash, it came back and said the BIOS checksum was bad - but it let me into the BIOS anway. Found out that it wipes out your Asus Profies (if you saved any), whereas in previous BIOS updates, it kept them. Make sure you write them down before upgrading to this latest release.
So far, after I got everything reset, the machine posted and ran as usual - no bad checksums. Can't saythe temps are any lower - don't notice any other improvements on my setup. Of course, I can't even get AHCI mode to work with my SATA drive and Vista....
Anyone know what AHCI mode offers that IDE doesn't? Any performance increase?

Thanks!

-Ryan

[Toki]

Any news with cold boot issues?

[echo5]

Can anyone help?

I am stuck at 445FSB

Asus P5B non DLX with no mods
Intel E6300
Corsair XMS2 2x512mb CL5 (at least 1000MHz is very stable with HCI memtest)

So, is this board that slow without mods? I have seen at least 500FSB with no mods..
All voltages are top, thanks for my watercooling. Bios version is 0806, newest?

Thanks for replies already

[ryandinan]

Can anyone help?

I am stuck at 445FSB

Asus P5B non DLX with no mods
Intel E6300
Corsair XMS2 2x512mb CL5 (at least 1000MHz is very stable with HCI memtest)

So, is this board that slow without mods? I have seen at least 500FSB with no mods..
All voltages are top, thanks for my watercooling. Bios version is 0806, newest?

Thanks for replies already

445 is "slow"???
I know some have reached 500fsb, but geez... that's a pretty tall reach.
I imagine your cpu or memory is holding you back from hitting that mark...

I think people are just getting really used to 100% overclocks out of these little core2's -- but expecting more than that is just plain greedy imho

-Ryan