ASUS P5W DH - Problems + Fixes Thread

[lawrywild]

try different sticks in different slots?

Are both sticks detected as 1gb single channel or just one stick which would indicate a dead stick or channel/slot

[sesdave]

I must be really unlucky because my XMS2 6400c4 memory has microns as the sticker on my modules says it's rev 1.1 and I can't get it to boot with FSB at 400 and manual memory timings of 4-4-4-12. Even at stock FSB speed, it doesn't work with manual memory timings of 4-4-4-12, maybe because the board has problems with the 2:3 ratio (is that correct ?)

And yes I'm setting the memory voltage to be 2.1v

Try 2.2v -These sticks should do 1000MHz plus no problem with about 2.3v-2.4v Check this review out - http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mem...dr2-800_2.html
What BIOS are you running and whats the rest of your BIOS settings and system setup.
Check the forum for previous threads on 2:3 and 4:5 on the P5W. This one was an Analysis of P5W DH memory 4:5 and 2:3 dividers with an earlier BIOS version by eva2000
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...php?p=1683353l.

Another thought - have you removed NB/SB heatsinks and replaced paste with AS5. It all helps the overclock stability and keeps board cool. Your problem may not be the memory but the overall setting/volts you are using in the BIOS - please post them.

[nickfd]

I must be really unlucky because my XMS2 6400c4 memory has microns as the sticker on my modules says it's rev 1.1 and I can't get it to boot with FSB at 400 and manual memory timings of 4-4-4-12. Even at stock FSB speed, it doesn't work with manual memory timings of 4-4-4-12, maybe because the board has problems with the 2:3 ratio (is that correct ?)

And yes I'm setting the memory voltage to be 2.1v

If I'm not mistaken, 2:3 is very problematic on this board when you start getting up in fsb speeds. I know you shouldn't have any issues doing 4:5 though (I've personally done it up to ~950ish fsb stable with my corsair pc2-8500s).

2.1v *should* be enough, however you may want to try 2.2 or even 2.3, however I'd highly recommend running a fan nearby to displace some of the heat that it will cause.

There was a great article I read the other day on cas latencies vs higher fsb with c2d cpus (but focusing on nforce680 chipset since you could asynchronously split cpu ram fsbs). One of the sidenotes was operating temperatures of ram and voltages required to hit the higher fsbs. I think at 2.2-2.4v, some of the sticks got up to the 50s or even 60s C!

[Seb R]

Hi folks...

(Firstly apologies for the lengthy post )
I've been scouring the net for an answer to this, and it's already been mentioned in this forum. Transfer modes. Basically I think there is some problem with my setup... Essentially I'm finding it difficult to deduce if my devices are working at the correct speed!
I've used SiSoftware Sandra XI to provide me with the following transfer mode details:

Intel Raid 0 Volume (SATA) on ICH7
Maximum PIO Mode : PIO-9
Maximum DMA SW Mode : SWDMA-6
Maximum DMA MW Mode : MWDMA-6
Current Active Mode : PIO-9

External Disk 0 (This is a Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9) (SATA) on ICH7 (Orange port)
Maximum PIO Mode : PIO-4
Maximum DMA MW Mode : MWDMA-2
Maximum UDMA Mode : UDMA-6
Current Active Mode : UDMA-5

Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 (SATA) on ICH7
Maximum PIO Mode : PIO-4
Maximum DMA MW Mode : MWDMA-2
Maximum UDMA Mode : UDMA-6
Current Active Mode : UDMA-5

WD Caviar (PATA) on JMicron
Maximum PIO Mode : PIO-4
Maximum DMA MW Mode : MWDMA-2
Maximum UDMA Mode : UDMA-5
Current Active Mode : UDMA-5

Samsung Spinpoint (PATA) on JMicron
Maximum PIO Mode : PIO-4
Maximum DMA MW Mode : MWDMA-2
Maximum UDMA Mode : UDMA-5
Current Active Mode : UDMA-5

Plextor 760SA (SATA) on JMicron
Transfer modes not listed (shown as SCSI)

LG DVD-ROM (PATA) on ICH7
Maximum PIO Mode : PIO-4
Maximum DMA SW Mode : SWDMA-2
Maximum DMA MW Mode : MWDMA-2
Maximum UDMA Mode : UDMA-2
Current Active Mode : UDMA-2

Plextor Premium (PATA) on ICH7
Maximum PIO Mode : PIO-4
Maximum DMA SW Mode : SWDMA-2
Maximum DMA MW Mode : MWDMA-2
Maximum UDMA Mode : UDMA-2
Current Active Mode : UDMA-2

Device Manager could only offer the following:
- Lists two devices on PRIMARY IDE CHANNEL as operating in UDMA-2 (Obviously the LG and Plex Premium)
- On SECONDARY IDE CHANNEL transfer mode "Not applicable"

I'm running WinXP SP2 on the RAID0, and as far as I can tell the two PATA opticals on the ICH7 are fine at UDMA-2 (??), and the two PATA HDDs on the JMicron should be at UDMA-6 not 5 (as it's spec'd as a ATA133 port). I can't find out what PIO-9 is, but it doesn't sound right! Also the Plextor DVD-RW drive on the JMicron seems to be sluggish sometimes, but I can't seem to find it's transfer mode and am worried as burning certified discs at 16x produces dodgy discs... Can anybody shed some light on why it all appears to be a little odd? (Also for some reason the PATA drives on the JMicron never power down like all of the others on the ICH7, why is this?)

Cheers,
Seb

[jimmsch]

I just purchased some new RAM. I got the Buffalo Firestix 2 X 1GB PC2 8000 CL5 - FSX1000D2C-K2G, DDR2 1000. My question is will tyhis work on the P5W DH Dlx? I suppose I should have asked this b4 buying!!

Thx -Jim

[sesdave]

They have Micron GKX chips so they should be very good overclockers. Read this review from this forum. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=135019

[Iannis]

Hi there

can i go back from 1909 to 1705 bios??

what about new 2004??

[jimmsch]

quote from page 56 (I think)

I'm not sure that lower CPU multipliers really stress the 6800 more.
I think what happens is the CPU tries to complete its "power up" routines at the default multiplier (11), before the BIOS even initializes. That's why the X6800 won't post at lower multipliers and very high FSB unless you increase the vcore. The Nemesis already found this out. The vcore increase you need is equal to the vcore needed for posting at the exact same speed you would have if you were using an 11x multi (example: 400 FSBx9=3600 mhz, but would require the CPU to be able to low level POST at 400x11).

That's what I've found out; maybe I'm wrong.

You should be able to test this by using CrystalCPUID to change the multiplier in windows, from your normal stable overclock (let's say you are using 360x10=3600 or 328x11, and then a clockgen or setfsb or whatever to increase the FSB. (goal=400x9?) CPU should still work at the exact same voltage if the mhz remains the same. But it simply won't POST at 400x9 as it tries to post at 400x11.

Multiplier unlocking is done by the BIOS giving a command to the CPU to lower the multiplier, if I recall correctly, not by "writing" a new multiplier into the CPU flash memory or something like that. Otherwise the CPU would keep the lower multplier as default if you switched motherboards, which it does not. (correct me if I'm wrong).

How did I come to this conclusion?

Rather simple, actually.
my X6800 cpu posts and runs fine (dual prime stable) at 360x10=3600, 1.5125v. But put CPU at 370x10=3700, and the CPU won't even POST (which is unheard of for anyone doing a 100 mhz clock higher). If I increase vcore to 1.55v, it posts all the time. 1.575v for stability in windows/games.

That only makes sense if the CPU were actually trying to POST at 4070 mhz (370x11) at 1.5125v, before BIOS takes over and lowers the multiplier.

If this is true than my nice stable OC of 350 x 10 and 1.4000vcore would at least POST if I change the multi to 11 in BIOS, but it doesn't. In fact I have to raise the vcore to 1.4875 in BIOS to POST at 350 x 11.

Like I said 350 x 10 is perfectly stable dual Orthos 12+ hours. RAM settings stay the same as in my sig, but change multi to 11 and no POST, so maybe there is something else going on. I can POST and boot into Windows at 335 x 11 - 1.4000vcore but it is not stable in Orthos.

[rpr]

So what is the most recent version and highest fsb stable version of this board? 1.05G???

[J33pG33k]

Recently set up the Asus P5W and used WINTEC AMPX 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Latest bios, still the motherboard posts with the memory as single channel.

Suggestions?

Thx, Bob

I had this same problem when I first got my board. After trying everything I could think of, it turned out to be a bad motherboard...one bank was completely dead. I took it back to my retailer and they gave me a new one.

Make sure that you have the sticks in the same color slots, and that you have the manufacturer specified voltages and timings set in the bios.

[mat8861]

I did, and in XP x86 stayed 3GB max

A friend just told me that has 4gb of kingston 800mhz on p5n32sli and vista reads them, it reads 4gb .....

[Phoenix_TT]

Try 2.2v -These sticks should do 1000MHz plus no problem with about 2.3v-2.4v Check this review out - http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mem...dr2-800_2.html
What BIOS are you running and whats the rest of your BIOS settings and system setup.
Check the forum for previous threads on 2:3 and 4:5 on the P5W. This one was an Analysis of P5W DH memory 4:5 and 2:3 dividers with an earlier BIOS version by eva2000
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...php?p=1683353l.

Another thought - have you removed NB/SB heatsinks and replaced paste with AS5. It all helps the overclock stability and keeps board cool. Your problem may not be the memory but the overall setting/volts you are using in the BIOS - please post them.

If I'm not mistaken, 2:3 is very problematic on this board when you start getting up in fsb speeds. I know you shouldn't have any issues doing 4:5 though (I've personally done it up to ~950ish fsb stable with my corsair pc2-8500s).

2.1v *should* be enough, however you may want to try 2.2 or even 2.3, however I'd highly recommend running a fan nearby to displace some of the heat that it will cause.

There was a great article I read the other day on cas latencies vs higher fsb with c2d cpus (but focusing on nforce680 chipset since you could asynchronously split cpu ram fsbs). One of the sidenotes was operating temperatures of ram and voltages required to hit the higher fsbs. I think at 2.2-2.4v, some of the sticks got up to the 50s or even 60s C!

Thanks sesdave and nickfd

I'm using the 2004 bios. I have removed the NB/SB and replaced paste with AS5, however I'm going to redo this and probably replace with Thermalright HR05 on the SB and Thermalright HR05 SLI on the NB. I need to check if the HR05 SLI will fit, as I have a Ultra 120. I will do some more tests (hopefully if I get time this week) and post the BIOS voltage settings.

[Lord^]

Hi.

I just bought a Samsung SpinPoint T166 500GB S-ATA, problem is it doesnt work.

From before i have a 250GB samsung as boot disk connected on the sata1 port (in the cluster of three ports) and 2x500GB western digital re2's on 3 and 4 (wheres number 2 btw?)

Now this fourth disk i tried installing on the EZ raid ports, but this didnt work. On neither of the two, i fiddled around in the bios but to no avail.

Other info, it shows up as external disk 0 in bios, and during post i get a 4th master hdd error.

I'm clueless

Regards Lord^

[LivingL@rGe81]

I just brought a multimeter & tested the mem voltages & was suprised by the results!!!!

When set at 2.10V in the bios I get a reading of 1.90V on my multimeter!!!!
When set at 2.20V in the bios I get a reading of 2.00V on my multimeter!!!!

I check my 12V rails & the read fine at 12.20V which I thinks shows the multimeters not that out!!!!

Do you reckon the boards knaffed?

As I could run 500Mhz 4-4-4-5 2.25V with my G.Skill & now I can't get it past 980Mhz 2.4V!!!!!

[BenchZowner]

I just brought a multimeter & tested the mem voltages & was suprised by the results!!!!

When set at 2.10V in the bios I get a reading of 1.90V on my multimeter!!!!
When set at 2.20V in the bios I get a reading of 2.00V on my multimeter!!!!

I check my 12V rails & the read fine at 12.20V which I thinks shows the multimeters not that out!!!!

Do you reckon the boards knaffed?

As I could run 500Mhz 4-4-4-5 2.25V with my G.Skill & now I can't get it past 980Mhz 2.4V!!!!!

Where are you measuring your memory voltages with the multimeter ?
Are you sure you're probing on the right spot ?

[LivingL@rGe81]

Where are you measuring your memory voltages with the multimeter ?
Are you sure you're probing on the right spot ?

From here & the choke!!!!



I just ran through 2.1V - 2.4V idle in bios & these are the readings!!!

2.10V = 1.90 - 1.93
2.15V = 1.97 - 1.99
2.20V = 2.03 - 2.05
2.25V = 2.06 - 2.08
2.30V = 2.10 - 2.12
2.35V = 2.15 - 2.17
2.40V = 2.18 - 2.20

[megabit]

I think we're facing a real problem here: what is the REAL voltage, when you enter 2.15 in BIOS and the stupid AiBooster reports 2.30V?!! How far can I go without fear of destroying my sticks?

On the other hand, when I leave AUTO in BIOS, aiBooster says happily 1.80...

[2BIG4U]

"latest driver" link is empty, anyone know the link where i can find latest driver posted like it was there? And there was a link to a guide about clean xp install with the drivers.

thanks very much

[roger_h99.nor]

My 68M0AG measures 1.97V steady (bios=2.1V) idle.
Measured with a DMM (wich I trust over any SW-readings..)

[Fr3ak]

I will measure what my Vdimm is like in real. I was already wondering that once I set more than 2.2V in bios, the aibooster stops displaying the vdimm and with 2.15V it says 2.3V or something...

[GLENBOY]

do any of the newer bioses allow the multiplier to be adjusted up on the qx6700 not sure if the 2004 bios does , i think the 1506 bios was the last one that allowed it, its crazy that why have they taken away the ability to up the multiplier on the later bioses

thanks

[BenchZowner]

do any of the newer bioses allow the multiplier to be adjusted up on the qx6700 not sure if the 2004 bios does , i think the 1506 bios was the last one that allowed it, its crazy that why have they taken away the ability to up the multiplier on the later bioses

thanks

BIOS v1601 is the last one with working upwards multipliers support

[caater]

please don't use that measuring spot if you don't have True RMS DMM.
You'll get 0.1-0.3v lower values..
vddr from bios = real vddr. there's no droop whatsoever.

So, if unsure about your DMM, use this spot:

[M3kk]

Yeah, or measure direct from the slot.

[lawrywild]

DutchBBQ, if you read this please PM me about what's going on with your drivers thread.