[18th Anniversary] Asus Black Pearl - P5k-Premium Testing Report

[sesdave]

I have got two 160GBs and two 500GBs HDs, all of which are sata2. Any suggestions on how to set them up most effectively? Currenly they are in two pairs of Raid 0. but having a 1000gb Raid 0 volume kind of kills the point of it rite?

Help me out guys.

Depending on what you want to use the system for and exactly what your drives I could make numerous suggestions like setup MATRIX 0/1 on the 500's with RAID 0=100GB as these drives are going to be way faster than old 160s. That will give you max system performance and mirror your favourite data files. I would just use the 160s for further data storage backups for the critical files on the RAID1 , and data you dont care if you lose or not. For other options join enter the matrix thread http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=467848 and asking the question of Fritzman. These guys have been pushing the boundaries on the use of Matrix RAID and there isnt a lot they dont know.

[sesdave]

ya, i know, 400g is too big for raid0.....
but...100G raid0 and 550g ish raid1 wont be enough for my docs,video, and music etc.... thats why i put 400g into raid0....

Your missing the max performance benefits of RAID0/1 on 2 HDs with that setup and exposing yourself to data loss. Small RAID0 for max performance .e.g operating system but no resilience - uses stripping so total loss in the event of failure so you dont want data files in there. RAID 1 or better for mirroring but slower performance - e.g data file,music etc. FULL auto data recovery in the event of a disk fail. Whatever you setup you still neeed a further backup of your critical files to cover you from multiple disk fails - low risk but it happens and you cant retake digital photos. A nice large USB, SATA_E drive ,NAS server etc. This can also be used for an image backup of your RAID0 so you can recover operating system from BOOTCD with backup software - saves the reinstall from scratch.

[dingmel]

Hey, My p5k-p has been having this weird problem, don't know if its common, lately, the onboard temp sensors seem to be malfunctioning, ie. after a coldboot, the on board temp sensors for the Processor's IHS temp and the motherboard temp work fine, they show the correct temps, then a few minutes later, they show weird readings. Asus PCProbe shows temps in the 200 ish for both, which we know is not possible, then if i do a reboot, the bios sensors show temp readings or -10 to -20C for both. really really strange, anyhow the only way i'm getting accurate temps is through Coretemp at the moment.

This problem common? any ideas? Thanks.

By the way, the problem was apparent since i went from Bios 0504 down to 0404, then reflashed to 0602 recently to accomodate my new chip.

[jonny_ftm]

Hey, My p5k-p has been having this weird problem, don't know if its common, lately, the onboard temp sensors seem to be malfunctioning, ie. after a coldboot, the on board temp sensors for the Processor's IHS temp and the motherboard temp work fine, they show the correct temps, then a few minutes later, they show weird readings. Asus PCProbe shows temps in the 200 ish for both, which we know is not possible, then if i do a reboot, the bios sensors show temp readings or -10 to -20C for both. really really strange, anyhow the only way i'm getting accurate temps is through Coretemp at the moment.

This problem common? any ideas? Thanks.

By the way, the problem was apparent since i went from Bios 0504 down to 0404, then reflashed to 0602 recently to accomodate my new chip.

Strange, as you mention it... I just noticed it today. Speedfan giving some subzero chilling temps, while, in the same time, PC Probe is telling me I'm approaching the sun. I didn't notice these since a while now. But, if I remeber well, I had those issues even on 0504, after some hours of benching ususallyat high temps on the sensors. After a reboot, everything back fine.

Sorry for image quality, but yes, PC Probe is reading 231°C

[jonny_ftm]

By the way, CPU sensor on bios 0612 is reproting bad reads too, alway reported temp above core temps, which is impossible

I'm used to these annoyances since my P5B Deluxe, nothing new with ASUS

[dingmel]

By the way, CPU sensor on bios 0612 is reproting bad reads too, alway reported temp above core temps, which is impossible

I'm used to these annoyances since my P5B Deluxe, nothing new with ASUS

Hmm, its really irritating really, anyone know the cause? i can't tell if my system is overheating or not. really stinks. problem wasn't there.

[Mykou]

does anybody know which version afudos allows to downgrade bios ( I want to test 404 , actually running 504 but weird issues with stability )

thanks

[jonny_ftm]

Hmm, its really irritating really, anyone know the cause? i can't tell if my system is overheating or not. really stinks. problem wasn't there.

You shouldn't use CPU diode temps to monitor. Use speedfan and configure offsets if needed with coretemp. Core temperatures are the ones to look for. Usually, only bios updates solve those issues or worsen them, depending on ASUS techs alcohol abuse

[jonny_ftm]

does anybody know which version afudos allows to downgrade bios ( I want to test 404 , actually running 504 but weird issues with stability )

thanks

Why don't you try 0612? it rocks

[Mykou]

Why don't you try 0612? it rocks

I was heard it requires less vcore ?

is it true ? if so I will jump on it

my E8400 has very strange behaviour with 504 ! once stable a day and the other not !

[holwill]

Why not try out Koda's tool here http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=186538 it worked quite well for me trying out the newer bios's. But I personally am happy with 0402.

[dingmel]

haha i'm guessing that its a common issue then... o well, it was my mobo temps i was really worried about, as the Tracers used to push them to the 50s during activity, with the thing haywire, i have no idea how much i'm dealing with. thats why.

[jonny_ftm]

50°C for the MB is quiet high if out of benching. Even while venching extremely (Blend, large FFT, OCCT RAM) I try to keep it below 45°C, but it needs active cooling of RAM and NB. I never noticed any misfunction in MB sensor in ASUS board I had and between bios upgrades, unlike with CPU

[Mykou]

Why not try out Koda's tool here http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=186538 it worked quite well for me trying out the newer bios's. But I personally am happy with 0402.

thanks for link , gonna give a look

[dingmel]

yeah, i'm gonna try a format soon, could be a faulty driver somewhere.

anyhow, on a side note, i have 2 320G seagates set up in RAID 0, with 128kb stripe and no partition, giving it a total of about 600G, but i was reading on your previous discussion regarding burst speed rates and i was wondering, since i'm going to format, might as well redo the whole RAID volume.

what size would be ideal in this case of 2 x 320G? i was thinking of setting the smaller one up for the OS and the remaining space also as RAID 0 for etc data. that would be possible right? to have 2 seperate RAID 0 volumes?

[haoster]

Your missing the max performance benefits of RAID0/1 on 2 HDs with that setup and exposing yourself to data loss. Small RAID0 for max performance .e.g operating system but no resilience - uses stripping so total loss in the event of failure so you dont want data files in there. RAID 1 or better for mirroring but slower performance - e.g data file,music etc. FULL auto data recovery in the event of a disk fail. Whatever you setup you still neeed a further backup of your critical files to cover you from multiple disk fails - low risk but it happens and you cant retake digital photos. A nice large USB, SATA_E drive ,NAS server etc. This can also be used for an image backup of your RAID0 so you can recover operating system from BOOTCD with backup software - saves the reinstall from scratch.

thanks for the help.
i just set up a 100g raid0 for windows/games, and the rest for raid1. all my user profile and documents are moved to the raid1 volume.
i am still confusing if i want 2 raid 0 volume(1 for system, and another one for games, should i make them in ctrl+i page, as 2 different raid0 volume before install system, or just make 1 raid0 volume in ctrl+i, then partition it into 2 during windows install?
also, i had some strange problem with my raptor and ide drive. if i set the 6400aaks in raid mode in bios, the motherboard will hang on post after detecting usb devices. the only way i now know to get the raptor work is have the 2 6400aaks run in ide mode...and ide(pata)drive are not usable too. they couldnt be detected, and even in a external enclosure, they system couldnt find it..very wierd....do you guys think it might be a power supply issue?

[bito]

does anybody know which version afudos allows to downgrade bios ( I want to test 404 , actually running 504 but weird issues with stability )

thanks

You can use Asus update 61002 to fallback to an earlier bios

[w2richwood]

thats good to know thanks
Rich

[Mykou]

You can use Asus update 61002 to fallback to an earlier bios

thx Bito , already used Koda's tool worked like a charm

[roger_h99.nor]

There is also a sticky on Asus forum with a link to the 'ES' version of Afudos.
This version allow downgrading.

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20080411095605234&board_id=1&model=P5 K+Premium%2fWiFi-AP&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

regards.

[Mykou]

hmmm that mobo is surprising and this chip interresting

FSB 550 mhz AIR

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=364079

[holwill]

thx Bito , already used Koda's tool worked like a charm

Glad to hear it worked just as well for you to!

[Mykou]

Glad to hear it worked just as well for you to!

thanks ! now playing with asus X48 ( just for "asus xpress gate" loving this board ! )

560 x 6 with my Q804A249

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=364413

but guess I might need this tool next to me

[R@ptor =]]]

hey guys, what is the best bios to do a overclock in a E6750?
thx!

[haoster]

hey guys, what is the best bios to do a overclock in a E6750?
thx!

with 0404, i managed to get 3.7ghz(460x8 i think)
but i have never tired e6750 with the newer bios, i think the 0612 will be better