ASUS P5E64 WS Evolution - Tips, Tricks, Mods, BIOS, OCing & More...

[Holmer]

I am also unstable at v-NB over roughly 1.53 (stock heatsink with 120 mm fan on) and think it is a matter of temperature. Can anybody confirm that better cooling on NB results in stability at higher v-NB (I should be common sence but you will never know).

[haya_gann]

Was the trouble when the voltage of HD48XXCF+N1.41 or more was
applied reconciled?
Time of HD4870CF and similar trouble went out in the state of HD4870
CFX.

Please teach if there is a method of settlement. ｡｡

[Cooperdale]

Does anybody know which high-end NB waterblock will fit the Evolution (I know I have a Rampage Extreme in my sig but I think I will revert to my Evo again and try to watercool the NB to get higher FSB). I am also unstable at v-NB over roughly 1.53 (stock heatsink with 120 mm fan on) and think it is a matter of temperature. Can anybody confirm that better cooling on NB results in stability at higher v-NB (I should be common sence but you will never know).

Holmer, I followed your posts on this forum and Corsair forum to setup my Evolution. I managed to get a stable 4Ghz at your settings (1.575 Vcore), but with untolerable temperatures. Were you using air or water?

[Holmer]

Holmer, I followed your posts on this forum and Corsair forum to setup my Evolution. I managed to get a stable 4Ghz at your settings (1.575 Vcore), but with untolerable temperatures. Were you using air or water?

Wow glad I could help you (or anybody else)!
I used the water in my signature (only on the CPU). That v-core is very high if you are using air (even with water) but I disabled LLC so at load is not that bad. I ended up beeing stable in games (and for up to 3 days Prime blend) with only af FSB of 426 (FSB aprox 430 and up was not stable in games even though it was stabe in Prime). I wanted to get a higher FSB that is why I want to watercool the NB.

BTW which BIOS seems to be the best for the Evo these days, the newest beta 0603?. I have not changed since version 0404 (or 0403 can't remember).

[racergr]

24/7 stable




Max FSB - E8500 (1.45vnb)




595FSB SPI




Max E6300 O/C

[Cooperdale]

Wow glad I could help you (or anybody else)!
I used the water in my signature (only on the CPU). That v-core is very high if you are using air (even with water) but I disabled LLC so at load is not that bad. I ended up beeing stable in games (and for up to 3 days Prime blend) with only af FSB of 426 (FSB aprox 430 and up was not stable in games even though it was stabe in Prime). I wanted to get a higher FSB that is why I want to watercool the NB.

BTW which BIOS seems to be the best for the Evo these days, the newest beta 0603?. I have not changed since version 0404 (or 0403 can't remember).

I'm using 0506 but I can't see much difference with the others as far as overclocking goes.

[racergr]

I use the 0601, it's pretty good

[xt0m]

I use the 0601, it's pretty good

Same here - and agreed completely

[shawn1998]

Wow glad I could help you (or anybody else)!
I used the water in my signature (only on the CPU). That v-core is very high if you are using air (even with water) but I disabled LLC so at load is not that bad. I ended up beeing stable in games (and for up to 3 days Prime blend) with only af FSB of 426 (FSB aprox 430 and up was not stable in games even though it was stabe in Prime). I wanted to get a higher FSB that is why I want to watercool the NB.

BTW which BIOS seems to be the best for the Evo these days, the newest beta 0603?. I have not changed since version 0404 (or 0403 can't remember).

Where did you get the 0603 beta? The latest I can find is the 0602.

[Holmer]

Where did you get the 0603 beta? The latest I can find is the 0602.

Sorry my bad. I was not sure if the newest was 0602 or 0603 you are right 0602 is the newest.

[shawn1998]

No problem. The 0602 has worked out very well for me, just to let you know. If you haven't already flashed to it, I would definitely say give it a shot!

[KanGaXx]

hello!!
my friend bought this motherboard with 4x1gb ocz 12800 cas 7.
someone can give me an example template for run his sistem @ default with 1600mhz ram ??
he have: q9550 ( 333x8,5) , 4x1gb ocz 1600, gtx 280 , 850w psu corsair.
we tryed vNB : 1,45v vram 1,92v, bus 400x7 but blue screen always...
pls help us

[bobov]

hello!!
my friend bought this motherboard with 4x1gb ocz 12800 cas 7.
someone can give me an example template for run his sistem @ default with 1600mhz ram ??
he have: q9550 ( 333x8,5) , 4x1gb ocz 1600, gtx 280 , 850w psu corsair.
we tryed vNB : 1,45v vram 1,92v, bus 400x7 but blue screen always...
pls help us

My QX9650 runs at 400x9 with 4X1GB Gskill HZ @ 1600 7-7-7-18-1T PL6, perfectly stable. Here are my settings:

Vcore: 1.2500v
VPLL: 1.50v
VFSB: 1.16v
VNB: 1.29v
VDIMM: 1.76v
CPU GTL: x 0.67
NB GTL: x 0.67

Hope it helps.

Bob

[Holmer]

I just wanted to share my settings after I got my watercooling considerably upgraded. I know this does not really qualify to Xtremesystems but is is the best I have achieved and settings may be interesting for others.

The below settings are Prime 95 blend stable for at least 24 h and memtest stable for at least 6 h and I have played Oblivion for around 1.5 h.
A FSB of 444 was slightly under my goal (450). I may be able to reach this with my 2x2 GB memory but then I will have to use 2N and PL 8 and as you can see my temperatures are an issue as well so this will be it (for the time being
So watercooling the NB increased the maximum stable V-NB from 1.53 to 1.61 and was the key to at considerable better FSB OC with relatively OK(considering 2x2 GB) timings.

BIOS build: 602
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
CPU Ratio setting: 9.5
FSB strap to North Bridge: 400
FSB Frequency: 444
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: 1776
DRAM Command rate: 1N

DRAM Timing Control: Manual
1st Information:
CAS Latency 8
RAS to CAS Delay 8
RAS to PRE Time 8
RAS ACT Time 24
RAS to RAS Delay A
REF Cycle Time 72
Write Recovery Time A
READ to PRE Time A
2nd Information:
Read to Write Delay (S/D) A
Write to Read Delay (S) A
Write to Read Delay (D) A
Read to Read Delay (S) A
Read to Read Delay (D) A
Write to Write Delay (S) A
Write to Write Delay (D) A
3rd Information:
Write to PRE Delay A
Read to PRE Delay A
PRE to PRE Delay A
All PRE to ACT Delay A
All PRE to REF Delay A
DRAM Static Read Control Disable
DRAM Static Write Control Disable

DRAM Skew Control: A

Ai Clock Twister: A

Ai Transaction Booster: Manual, PL 7

CPU Voltage: 1.45
CPU GTL Voltage Reference 0.65
CPU PPL Voltage 1.56
FSB Termination Voltage 1.32
DRAM Voltage 1.86
NB Voltage 1.61
NB GTL Voltage Reference 0.61
SB Voltage 1.05
Clock Over-Charging Voltage A

Load-Line Calibration Perform
CPU Spread Spectrum Disable
PCIE Spread Spectrum Disable
CPU Clock Skew Delay 100ps
NB Clock Skew Delay 100ps

Of course this can be done better (I'm still playing around) so if you have any suggestions please feel free to comment.

[richard_crl032]

Hi There,

I had not been able to run an e8600 at 4.0GHz stably with this mobo with Cosair DDR3-1600 C9 DHX at 10X400MHz and would appreciate some recommended BIOS settings.

Had already noted the following:
- running the RAM in black slots
- Setting LLC to normal
- FSB strap to Northbridge at 333MHz

System is able to run Vantage to completion, Orthos prime for 2-3 hours but still hang after going into Windows during start-up but rarely. Worst of all, all default setting at auto of 3.3GHz also have same hang-up. BSOD occurs sometimes when LLC is at Performance.

Should I also update to 0602 BIOS?

Thanks.

Richard

Edited With System Info:
-P5e64 ws evolution BIOS 0501
-e8600 with xigamatek 964 hsf
-Corsair TW3X4G1600C9DHX 1600MHz 4GB Kit DDR3
-PowerColor 4870X2 CrossFire
-Aerocool Horsepower 1020W

Usual BIOS settings that are failing:
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
CPU Ratio setting: 10.0
FSB strap to North Bridge: 333
FSB Frequency: 400
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: 1600
DRAM Command rate: 1N or 2N

DRAM Timing Control: Manual
1st Information:
CAS Latency 7 or 9
RAS to CAS Delay 7 or9
RAS to PRE Time 7 or 9
RAS ACT Time 21 or 24
RAS to RAS Delay A
REF Cycle Time A
Write Recovery Time A
READ to PRE Time A
2nd Information:
Read to Write Delay (S/D) A
Write to Read Delay (S) A
Write to Read Delay (D) A
Read to Read Delay (S) A
Read to Read Delay (D) A
Write to Write Delay (S) A
Write to Write Delay (D) A
3rd Information:
Write to PRE Delay A
Read to PRE Delay A
PRE to PRE Delay A
All PRE to ACT Delay A
All PRE to REF Delay A
DRAM Static Read Control Disable
DRAM Static Write Control Disable

DRAM Skew Control: A

Ai Clock Twister: A

Ai Transaction Booster: A

CPU Voltage: 1.30-1.34
CPU GTL Voltage Reference A
CPU PPL Voltage 1.52 or A
FSB Termination Voltage 1.26 or A
DRAM Voltage 1.76 (for targeted 1.82 as per RAM review as reported here with 0.6v overvoltage)
NB Voltage Auto or 1.4-1.45
NB GTL Voltage Reference A
SB Voltage A
Clock Over-Charging Voltage A

Load-Line Calibration Perform
CPU Spread Spectrum Disable
PCIE Spread Spectrum Disable
CPU Clock Skew Delay A
NB Clock Skew Delay A

[Holmer]

richard, first of all I would suggest to update the BIOS to 0602.
Besides there are a number of settings you can try to improve stability.
- Try FSB strap to northbridge to 400 (333 should be fine at FSB 400 but strap 400 less tight).
- Slightly Increase CPU Voltage (watch the temps)
- CPU GTL Voltage Reference 0.67 or 0.65
- Increase FSB Termination Voltage to around 1.3
- Increase NB Voltage to around 1.5-1.53 (eventually put a fan on the NB heatsink).
- Set NB GTL Voltage Reference to 0.67
- Set SB Voltage to 1.05 (or 1.2 if you use RAID or CF)
-I have also experienced problems (random BSOD's) when using LLC: Performance with BIOS before 0504 but so far not with 0602.
- Keep 1st memory timings at default (9-9-9-24, 2N) at first, only tighten timings when you have a stable system).

Mind you I have not experiences with Wolfdales on this MB but play around with these settings.
Good luck.

[richard_crl032]

Hi Holmer,

Thanks for the advice and will get 0602 BIOs update tonite when I get home. Will also play around with the recommended settings and hope to report back with some positive results. Still think this "hi-end" mobo is crazy if one cannot even run stably at default and auto settings ....

Richard

[Holmer]

It turned out that my 9.5x444 settings were not stable in games (Crysis) in the long run so I went back tweaking. The below settings are tested error free for 24 h in Prime95 blend and in the CoD4 intro "The Coup" (which I found to be a fast and sensitive game test). I have not had time to test extensively in games. To my great disappointment it seems that I'm back to a FSB of 420 (since at least CoD4 fails periodically at FSB's around 440 and above). However, I managed it with PL 6 (which I was definately not able to without water on the NB) and slightly tighter timings.
I don't know why I can't get it stable at "high" FSB in games (let's see if is stable in games now ;-). In the mentioned CoD4 into it often fails by loosing connection to the monitor + a constant "whining/beeeep" sound (both Catalyst 8.9 and 8.10 but far more often in Cat 8.10)?

Anyway, the cost in memory performance can be seen in Everest (sorry no screen shot so rough numbers):

9.5x442, PL7
Mem read: 11050
Mem write: 9275
Mem copy: 9630
Mem latency: 46.9

10x420, PL 6
Mem read: 11200
Mem write: 8835
Mem copy: 9265
Mem latency: 46.1

BIOS build: 602
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
CPU Ratio setting: 10
FSB strap to North Bridge: 333
FSB Frequency: 420
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: 1681
DRAM Command rate: 1N

DRAM Timing Control: Manual
1st Information:
CAS Latency 8
RAS to CAS Delay 7
RAS to PRE Time 7
RAS ACT Time 20
RAS to RAS Delay A
REF Cycle Time 60
Write Recovery Time A
READ to PRE Time A
2nd Information:
Read to Write Delay (S/D) A
Write to Read Delay (S) A
Write to Read Delay (D) A
Read to Read Delay (S) A
Read to Read Delay (D) A
Write to Write Delay (S) A
Write to Write Delay (D) A
3rd Information:
Write to PRE Delay A
Read to PRE Delay A
PRE to PRE Delay A
All PRE to ACT Delay A
All PRE to REF Delay A
DRAM Static Read Control Disable
DRAM Static Write Control Disable

DRAM Skew Control: A

Ai Clock Twister: A

Ai Transaction Booster: Manual, PL 6

CPU Voltage: 1.45
CPU GTL Voltage Reference 0.65
CPU PPL Voltage 1.56
FSB Termination Voltage 1.32
DRAM Voltage 1.86
NB Voltage 1.61
NB GTL Voltage Reference 0.67
SB Voltage 1.05
Clock Over-Charging Voltage A

Load-Line Calibration Perform
CPU Spread Spectrum Disable
PCIE Spread Spectrum Disable
CPU Clock Skew Delay 100ps
NB Clock Skew Delay 100ps

# richard_crl032 maybe you can get some more inspiration from these settings. The newer BIOS will do you wonders. Unfortunately it is common with "high-end" motherboards that they launch with immature BIOS resulting in no stability at default and auto settings. I shortly tried the Asus Rampage Extreme but gave it up because I could see it would take too much time to get tweaked to stability (even without OC) considering I already had this Evolution I knew quite well. I also spent two unhappy months with two Striker II Extreme boards. Now I just want something that works and responds consistently (I do have a work and family to take care of as well ;-)

[M4st3rKilL]

Hey guys. Help needed please!
I have a Q9450, 2x2Gb DDR3 Gskill HZ 1600mhz (which i already sent to RMA) and a 9800GX2.
I have a problem since i have this computer. Every time i *try* to play a "heavy" game, like Crysis or more recently Far Cry 2, i get sometimes a nvlddmkm.sys error, a BSOD, or the computer just freezes playing the same sound over and over real fast.
When i mess around with voltages this changes, but i don't know correct voltages for my system, so i would like to ask you to give me some settings for me to put in my BIOS.
I'm using 0602.

Thanks in advance!

[richard_crl032]

Hi Holmer,

Thanks and appreciates your direct post for my request for assistance.

I updated to bios 0602 and while there seems to be some improvement, the system is still unstable especially when LLC is at Performance.

Noted that you went back to SB@1.02 for my similar setup with 4870X2 Xfire and I will do so as well in my continued attemp. I did thought of going to Rampage Extreme as it seems popular and presumably stable but I will tap on your experience to avoid it. X58 no longer seems interesting as I am quite fed-up with such so-called highend mobo which do not seems stable for OC despite the enthusiasm in the OC community. Watercooling stuff is out of the question as my system is meant as HTPC in my bedroom with the occasional gaming but primarily just to do the usual stuffs of surfing, work etc. The only "stable" option now is to disable EIST and run stock at 3.33GHz for my e8600 with stable prime for >12 hrs and also IBT stable for 6 loops but OCCT fails within 30 minutes. Good thing is that casual gaming, 3Dmark vantage/06 etc. and usual usage is "stable" without the usual freeze at startup and occasional BSOD .......

My 2 kids' system with Asus p5w-dh and e6600 had clocked stably for >1 year at 3.2GHz i.e. 33% which led to my current disappointment with the p5e64 after the good experience and I now appreciates some hardcore Ocer who sold out their latest gig and commented that current mfgrs are just pushing their products with promises on performance, including OC, without actual performance. No sure if the graphic aspect of just having single 8800gtx has anything to do with my current system with the 4870X2 Xfire.

BTW, can you elaborate on GTL CPU and NB to have some educated adjustment or do I have to try by luck which is excruciating and I will certainly avoid future mobos without at least temp/voltage monitoring on NB, SB etc. since using multi-meter etc. does not appeal to me.

Last but not least, I wish to thank you again as you are the only respondent to my queries despite also PMs to those who posted here and using the Wolfdales ........

Regards,

Richard@Singapore

[StimulatedBoy]

I updated to bios 0602 and while there seems to be some improvement, the system is still unstable especially when LLC is at Performance.

Same here with all BIOS', including 0602. BSOD as soon I see desktop (with 0602) as opposed to previous versions which BSOD at Windows scrollbar stage... Solved by setting LLC to normal

Still love this MOBO.

[StimulatedBoy]

BTW, can you elaborate on GTL CPU and NB to have some educated adjustment or do I have to try by luck which is excruciating and I will certainly avoid future mobos without at least temp/voltage monitoring on NB, SB etc. since using multi-meter etc. does not appeal to me.

Have a look at the following link: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=202292


ps. sorry for double posting.

[Holmer]

Hey guys. Help needed please!
I have a Q9450, 2x2Gb DDR3 Gskill HZ 1600mhz (which i already sent to RMA) and a 9800GX2.
I have a problem since i have this computer. Every time i *try* to play a "heavy" game, like Crysis or more recently Far Cry 2, i get sometimes a nvlddmkm.sys error, a BSOD, or the computer just freezes playing the same sound over and over real fast.
When i mess around with voltages this changes, but i don't know correct voltages for my system, so i would like to ask you to give me some settings for me to put in my BIOS.
I'm using 0602.

Thanks in advance!

Wellcome M4st3rKilL, well there are many full BIOS settings in this thread (even on this page) you can get inspired from. To help you in the best possible manner (without too much wasted posts) you need to elaborate more on what hardware you are using, especially your cooling and ambitions with overclocking.
Anyway, I assume you are using all default settings (not trying to overclock) and in that case the instability is caused by the motherboard attempting automatically to run your memory at the rated speed (1600 MHz) which requires a FSB of 400 (the MB automatically adjusts the CPU ratio down so that the CPU runs at stock speed). However, a FSB of 400 is not stable without tweaking the voltage options (especially the NB-voltage when you have 4GB RAM).
The solution is to set:
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
CPU Ratio setting: 8
FSB strap to North Bridge: 333
FSB Frequency: 333
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: 1333
DRAM Command rate: 2N
Eventually also type in the default primary memory timings.

Then you will be stable for sure
I could not even install Windows with my 1800 MHz memory untill I realized this (but no wonder a FSB of 450 is not stable on auto voltage settings with a quad and 4 GB RAM )

If you do want to overclock you CPU and/or run your memory at 1600 MHz you will have to do some more homework reading in this thread and please tell us more about your cooling and exactly which settings you have tried.

Hi Holmer,

Thanks and appreciates your direct post for my request for assistance.

I updated to bios 0602 and while there seems to be some improvement, the system is still unstable especially when LLC is at Performance.

Noted that you went back to SB@1.02 for my similar setup with 4870X2 Xfire and I will do so as well in my continued attemp. I did thought of going to Rampage Extreme as it seems popular and presumably stable but I will tap on your experience to avoid it. X58 no longer seems interesting as I am quite fed-up with such so-called highend mobo which do not seems stable for OC despite the enthusiasm in the OC community. Watercooling stuff is out of the question as my system is meant as HTPC in my bedroom with the occasional gaming but primarily just to do the usual stuffs of surfing, work etc. The only "stable" option now is to disable EIST and run stock at 3.33GHz for my e8600 with stable prime for >12 hrs and also IBT stable for 6 loops but OCCT fails within 30 minutes. Good thing is that casual gaming, 3Dmark vantage/06 etc. and usual usage is "stable" without the usual freeze at startup and occasional BSOD .......

My 2 kids' system with Asus p5w-dh and e6600 had clocked stably for >1 year at 3.2GHz i.e. 33% which led to my current disappointment with the p5e64 after the good experience and I now appreciates some hardcore Ocer who sold out their latest gig and commented that current mfgrs are just pushing their products with promises on performance, including OC, without actual performance. No sure if the graphic aspect of just having single 8800gtx has anything to do with my current system with the 4870X2 Xfire.

BTW, can you elaborate on GTL CPU and NB to have some educated adjustment or do I have to try by luck which is excruciating and I will certainly avoid future mobos without at least temp/voltage monitoring on NB, SB etc. since using multi-meter etc. does not appeal to me.

Last but not least, I wish to thank you again as you are the only respondent to my queries despite also PMs to those who posted here and using the Wolfdales ........

Regards,

Richard@Singapore

Hi Richard, you are very welcome, only glad to help.
I assume you are aware of the issue i mentioned above in my reply to M4st3rKilL - otherwise it is obviously very important!
With BIOS 0504 I also had to use LLC Normal to be stable and if this is the case for you with 0602 as well then for sure do as Rob Halford suggests stick with the Normal setting (especially when you do not OC much). A sidenote at least in BIOS 0504 setting LLC on Auto was the same as Performance meaning random BSOD's, just another example of auto settings that are not stable.
Concerning the SB voltage my experience when I used ICHR9R RAID was that 1.20 is more stable (and I assume the same goes when using crossfire meaning two physical graphics cards). Otherwise 1.05 is just fine with only one 4870X2.
The NB GTL settings are slightly different with dual cores that with quads (as you can read in the fine thread Rob Halford linked to. However, my experience (only with quads) is that the perfect setting is quite dependent on the individual CPU and MB combination so you will have to test it (come on there are only 1 NB GTL and 1 CPU GTL on the SIIE and RE there are 4 CPU GTL's and (I think) 2 NB GTL's )
For the CPU GTL I would start trying 0,67 and then 0,65.
For the NB GTL I would go for 0,67 for FSB around 400 and try 0,61 for FSB closer to 450 (you have to test i systematically).
Oh yes I have all the CPU options (EIST and what not found under Advanced I think) disabled thats quite important too.

Hope this is usefull for both of you (even though the answer is late).

Still love this MOBO.

Hi Rob, which speed did you end up with for your CPU, FSB and RAM for 24/7 use and with which settings? I'm curious whether you managed to run your memory at (around) 1800 MHz and found it worthwhile with respect to performance and stability?

[Fitseries3]

I am new to the EVO as i just got mine last week. i managed to get my q6600 to 4ghz easily but my qx9650 is proving to be extremely difficult on this board. can anyone help me with some settings to get 4ghz - 4.5ghz to run stable?

also... is the C0 QX9650 the crap one?

thanks in advance.

ps... my setup...

qx9650 C0 L740A336
asus p5e64 ws evo
2x1gb gskill HZs (d9gts)
2x 4870x2s
1 gtx260
pc power and cooling 860watt psu
320watt TEC

also...

anyone know how to pencil mod the Vdroop on this board? im seeing .05-.07v of droop.

[M4st3rKilL]

Hi Holmer, thanks for your reply.
I'm overclocking to 400fsb, 'cause i want to run my mem's at their full potential, but can't seem to get the system fully stable.
I'm using a TRUE + Noctua P-12 on CPU, 6x Noctua S-12 on case, and stock cooling on my 9800GX2.
The memories are a pair of 2Gb stick 7-7-7-18 from Gskill, 1600Mhz.

Thanks for your time!

Regards