ASUS P5Q3 Deluxe discussion

[bingo13]

ASUS is working on a BIOS update to get us to 1600 stable (2x2GB), along with 1N/2N command options. However, we have a fundamental chipset limitation with the current A2 P45 when it comes to loading the memory controller.

The P45 was only qualified by Intel to 1333 DDR3, anything over is truly overclocking in this regard (really serious about this, no wink winks about it really doing 1600+ but Intel just wants to sell more X48s). I firmly believe after conversations this week with several engineers that there is not that much headroom in this chipset when it comes to high clocks and memory loads (4GB/8GB DDR3 configs, 2GB is working up to 2000 for me).

That said, this chipset is very fast when setup properly at DDR3-1333 with 4/8GB. It appears from all indications that we can get to 1600 2N (probably CAS7 or higher though) in a stable manner with the 2GB modules. If you want to do high memory clocks (1600+) with 4GB or 8GB at tight timings, buy the X48 at this point. Otherwise, the P45 is a very good solution as it was originally designed, a mid-range chipset upgrade to the P35 that will be around a long time until the Nehalem family (processor/chipsets) is available in the mid to low market sectors.

I will have an answer on the WD problems tomorrow. It seems to be affecting the press review samples at this point, have a retail kit arriving today to test.