ASUS P5W DH - Problems + Fixes Thread

[pc1x1]

Anyhow I got everything installed:

Asus P5WDH Deluxe
Quad 2 Core 9550
4 Gigs of Corsair XMS2 Ram
Radeon 3870x2
PC Power & Cooling CrossfireX 750W

Bios is 2901.

Here are the problems and my solutions:

Problem:
Computer automatically restarts when shut down.

Solution:
Found to be a USB port issue having to do with Suspend, Ports 3 and 4 are unusable in the motherboard.

Problem:
USB Ports always Powered, does not shut off hubs or external hardrives.

Solution: None, except shut off the power manually from power supply, (switch off)

Problem:
External Hardrives take a little while to be recognized in Windows, seems to be USB issue again?

Solution: None, just wait, afterwards works fine.

Problem:
Catalyst Control Center is Buggy, 9.9 design is horrible, 9.8 they were in the right direction, now its back to being buggy.

Solution: None, use UltraMon for multi monitor support, only use CCC to activate CrossfireX

Problem:
Fails Boot, even not overclocked this motherboard exhibits the same problems as my P5WD2-E, sometimes on restarts it freezes on Boot up, before windows.

Solution: None, hard restart


Anyhow guys, those are my problems, feel free to chime in, I really wish theres was something that could be done to those USB ports, uber annoyance.


Thanks!

[Yolanda]

I founded an issue with IDE hard drive on JMicron, then this controller is set to AHCI, so SATA disk can use AHCI (in Basic mode both SATA and IDE work on JMicron controller in Windows Device manager): then disk have NTFS/FAT32 partition for Windows and EXT partition for Linux, in Windows after 5-20 minutes disk works in PIO mode with performance degrades to 1-2mb/sec with 100% one of processor cores usage. If manually set "Use DMA mode" after the same time it will work in PIO again.

[SS_The_Demon]

A little update from me:

I flashed the board from 1601 to 2901 and it seemed to do something, previously I was running 333x9=3GHz and memory was @ 667MHz. MCHV was at 1.65V and speedstep was enabled.
Now I'm using 356x9=3.2GHz @ 1.325V selected in BIOS, so obviously when I awhile ago posted here that I could do 3.6 @ 1.3V I was wrong. Memory is running @ 712 MHz and 5-6-6-18 timings (using SPD timings in BIOS),
which is odd because the memory should be able to do 800 5-5-5-15, why is that

Could it be that this board doesn't like 2GB memory modules? Oh and btw MCHV is @ 1.65 and VFSB is @ 1.50V so I'm running on the edge here I think, but is 1.75V safe for the chipset? Speedstep is enabled also.
When loading Orthos + Furmark my CPU maxes out at 75 degrees Centigrade btw
However I tried disabling speedstep, increased FSB to 367 and lowering the multi to 7 so I could ignore the CPU and concentrate on finding max FSB,
but once I rebooted POST showed me 2.57GHz which is correct but in Windows CPU-Z was showing me 3.3GHz and a 9 multi so I couldn't find out if 367 was stable

And I didn't want to increase Vcore either as it's running hot enough as it is, but I was thinking that I could buy an extra fan to install in my 5.25" slots, and maybe even a Thermalright HR-05 IFX + an 80mm fan for that so I could get as much out of this thing as possible
But if I can't get the board to apply a lower multi then I won't waste my money, I'm low on cash as it is

Anyway I was very happy at first but since then I started fiddling with PCSX2, a PS2 emulator. My own PS2 got fried by lightning a few years back and I haven't replaced it since and I'm not intending to it at this time either.
I played through FFX with almost no problems, but FFX-2 is a whole lot more demanding on the CPU, and at this point 3.2GHz just isn't it enough, I need a 100 or so more MHz for smoothness.
It's even more annoying considering I never got the time to play through the game when first bought it, only managed a few hours before lightning struck

And I also wanted to try Gran Turismo 4 but that's a big no-no, tried it for 5 mins and I was only running at half FPS too bad since it was a big favorite of mine back in the days
However that might change when I install Win7 so I can use DX10 since the emu supports it, but I wanted to check here first if this board runs fine in Win7 64-bit with a 65nm CPU before buying a new OS?

[kyton]

new bios availabile

ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/so...eluxe-3001.zip

Description:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[ 3001 ]
----------------------
Fix Cpu Vcore voltage may not be changed with Wolfdale CPU

-----------------------------------------------------------------------


The BIOS file will be available on the Download page October 31.

[kyton]

I have a revison 1.02g board, want to put a e8400 in if possible. i just replace my x1900xt with a hd4850.
runnning a e6600 with 2x 1gb ddr-2 800 kinngmax modules @ 5-5-5-15
will the new 3001 bios allow for the e8400 to run. what fsb will it get also or should i get a new board.

[MikeR397]

new bios availabile

ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/so...eluxe-3001.zip

Description:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[ 3001 ]
----------------------
Fix Cpu Vcore voltage may not be changed with Wolfdale CPU

-----------------------------------------------------------------------


The BIOS file will be available on the Download page October 31.

Awesome!!! Thanks for this heads up. Maybe it was my incessant complaining to them that made them do it! I'll post back when I get a chance to test it out.

[MikeR397]

I have a revison 1.02g board, want to put a e8400 in if possible. i just replace my x1900xt with a hd4850.
runnning a e6600 with 2x 1gb ddr-2 800 kinngmax modules @ 5-5-5-15
will the new 3001 bios allow for the e8400 to run. what fsb will it get also or should i get a new board.

I'll let you know about my progress with the 3001 revision and my e8600. See my prior few postings in the previous page for more details. The 2901 will work, but you'll need to fuss with a faulty Vcore, and not be able to reach OC max.

Do a google search for your E8400 FSB results. I am pretty sure you'll need to up the MCH and ICH and whatever the third one is in order to get above 415FSB, as leaving those setting on stock did not work for me with FSB speeds above that. I haven't been able to fine tune everything b/c my max Vcore was limited to 1.26v, limiting the max stable OC to 4.2ghz (420 FSB on the 10x multipler E8600).

[MikeR397]

new bios availabile

ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/so...eluxe-3001.zip

Description:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[ 3001 ]
----------------------
Fix Cpu Vcore voltage may not be changed with Wolfdale CPU

-----------------------------------------------------------------------


The BIOS file will be available on the Download page October 31.

Crap, no change, the 3001 bios didn't fix the problem. 1.70v still = 1.26v actual; 1.40v setting will not post. I verified this voltage both in bios under power management and in CPUZ; CPUZ also reads the bios as 3001.

Any other suggestions?

[kyton]

I'll let you know about my progress with the 3001 revision and my e8600. See my prior few postings in the previous page for more details. The 2901 will work, but you'll need to fuss with a faulty Vcore, and not be able to reach OC max.

Do a google search for your E8400 FSB results. I am pretty sure you'll need to up the MCH and ICH and whatever the third one is in order to get above 415FSB, as leaving those setting on stock did not work for me with FSB speeds above that. I haven't been able to fine tune everything b/c my max Vcore was limited to 1.26v, limiting the max stable OC to 4.2ghz (420 FSB on the 10x multipler E8600).

I just want the e8400 to run at stock speeds. I am not concerned with o/c the components.

[Yolanda]

In this case you can not to buy E8400, your E6600 at 400FSB will be at 3.6GHz, E8400 overclocks also only to ~3.6GHz on our board.
If you don't like overclocking much, you can use your E6600 at 3-3.2GHz (FSB 400, with lower multiplier) and it will be a bit faster than E8400 at nominal.

[kyton]

Let me try and undertstand, i cannot run a E8400 at it's normal speed of 3ghz fsb 1333 ( 333.25 mhz) or can i. i don not want to overclock anything as i don't think my memory likes it.

[mikepaul]

Crap, no change, the 3001 bios didn't fix the problem. 1.70v still = 1.26v actual; 1.40v setting will not post. I verified this voltage both in bios under power management and in CPUZ; CPUZ also reads the bios as 3001.

So, just to clarify since I'm lazy, you set the vCore in the BIOS to 1.70V and you get an effective 1.26V while running? Does this manage to be stable?

I'd *still* like to try running my Q9450 at stock speed but every "legitimate" setting I've tried reboots after a few moments if the FSB isn't underclocked to 290...

[Yolanda]

Let me try and undertstand, i cannot run a E8400 at it's normal speed of 3ghz fsb 1333 ( 333.25 mhz) or can i. i don not want to overclock anything as i don't think my memory likes it.

You can use E8400 at 3GHz (9*333) without any issues.
(However: EIST willn't work on 45nm CPU, so processor will be every time at 3GHz, without energy savings,
and you can't choose 800MHz for memory, only 834 and 667MHz).

I wanted get an advice for you, that if you spend 2 minutes, enter BIOS, you can overclock your E6600 to the same 3GHz, because E6600 and E8400 have the same "9" multiplier. Set bus to 333MHz, as if you buy E8400, and all. It's not an extreme overclocking, it's very very safe.

And what you print about memory? At 333MHz FSB you have to choose your memory speed between two choises: 834 and 667MHz. So this small issue will be not only with E6600 at overclock, but and with E8400 at nominal.

However for performance it's nicer to set processor to 3.2GHz (400*8) (or 3.6GHz, but it can be done with huge voltage increase and you, I think, not wanted to do it), at 400(1600)FSB processor bus will be as fast as dual channel DDR2-800 memory. At 400FSB you can set memory to 800 or 600MHz.

[MikeR397]

So, just to clarify since I'm lazy, you set the vCore in the BIOS to 1.70V and you get an effective 1.26V while running? Does this manage to be stable?

I'd *still* like to try running my Q9450 at stock speed but every "legitimate" setting I've tried reboots after a few moments if the FSB isn't underclocked to 290...

Yes, I set to 1.7 and I get 1.26. Its stable at 4.15ghz (I did have 4.2ghz prime stable, but somehow system crashed twice so I bumped it down more). I want to get 1.40v actual.

[kyton]

You can use E8400 at 3GHz (9*333) without any issues.
(However: EIST willn't work on 45nm CPU, so processor will be every time at 3GHz, without energy savings,
and you can't choose 800MHz for memory, only 834 and 667MHz).

I wanted get an advice for you, that if you spend 2 minutes, enter BIOS, you can overclock your E6600 to the same 3GHz, because E6600 and E8400 have the same "9" multiplier. Set bus to 333MHz, as if you buy E8400, and all. It's not an extreme overclocking, it's very very safe.

And what you print about memory? At 333MHz FSB you have to choose your memory speed between two choises: 834 and 667MHz. So this small issue will be not only with E6600 at overclock, but and with E8400 at nominal.

However for performance it's nicer to set processor to 3.2GHz (400*8) (or 3.6GHz, but it can be done with huge voltage increase and you, I think, not wanted to do it), at 400(1600)FSB processor bus will be as fast as dual channel DDR2-800 memory. At 400FSB you can set memory to 800 or 600MHz.

Wha vcore voltage should i use to get 333 - 400fsb with e6600

[SS_The_Demon]

I'll just repeat my questions:

Why can't I use a lower multiplier? I increased FSB to 367 and lowered the multi to 7 so I could ignore the CPU and concentrate on finding max FSB,
but once I rebooted POST showed me 2.57GHz which is correct but in Windows CPU-Z was showing me 3.3GHz and a 9 multi.

Question 2:

My memory is rated as 800MHz, 5-5-5-18 at 1.8V and according to CPU-Z, when running at a lower frequency it should be 540MHz, 4-4-4-13 at 1.8V.
BUT, my memory is currently running at 712MHz, 5-6-6-18 at 1.8V

SPD timings is enabled in BIOS btw. But if I lower FSB to 266 and set the memory to 800MHz, it chooses 5-5-5-18 timings

[Yolanda]

Wha vcore voltage should i use to get 333 - 400fsb with e6600

With 333FSB (3GHz CPU clock) I think it will work with nominal voltage or add +0.25-0.5 for stability, at 400FSB with lowered ratio (3.2GHZ CPU clock) a lot of processors need 1.4-1.45V, but some steel work at ~1.35V. 400FSB with 3.6GHz CPU clock usually requires a lot of power, about ~1.5-1.55V or maybe 1.6V. So try 3-3.2GHz at first, if you not wanted maximum overclocking from all system parts.

[cmthomson]

Encouraged by the posts above, I installed BIOS 3001 on my ancient original 1.02 board, hoping to make my E8500 run faster.

I can confirm after lots of tests that the CPU voltage reported in the BIOS is off by 0.45V; when the BIOS says 1.60, CPU-Z says 1.152-1.176. BTW, this is exactly the same as the AUTO setting in BIOS.

My old board has always, and continues to be, limited by the MCH clock rate; it hits a wall just below 390 MHz FSB.

The sweet spot for my board is 375 MHz, with the MCH at 1.60V, the CPU at 1.15V actual, and the memory at 1.80V, 4-4-4-12-4.

Bottom line: after another year, my P5WDH is still an amazing workhorse, and newer BIOS versions have not made any improvements.

[pc1x1]

Requoting, because seems like I got lost in the shuffle

Anyhow I got everything installed:

Asus P5WDH Deluxe
Quad 2 Core 9550
4 Gigs of Corsair XMS2 Ram
Radeon 3870x2
PC Power & Cooling CrossfireX 750W

Bios is 2901.

Here are the problems and my solutions:

Problem:
Computer automatically restarts when shut down.

Solution:
Found to be a USB port issue having to do with Suspend, Ports 3 and 4 are unusable in the motherboard.

Problem:
USB Ports always Powered, does not shut off hubs or external hardrives.

Solution: None, except shut off the power manually from power supply, (switch off)

Problem:
External Hardrives take a little while to be recognized in Windows, seems to be USB issue again?

Solution: None, just wait, afterwards works fine.

Problem:
Catalyst Control Center is Buggy, 9.9 design is horrible, 9.8 they were in the right direction, now its back to being buggy.

Solution: None, use UltraMon for multi monitor support, only use CCC to activate CrossfireX

Problem:
Fails Boot, even not overclocked this motherboard exhibits the same problems as my P5WD2-E, sometimes on restarts it freezes on Boot up, before windows.

Solution: None, hard restart


Anyhow guys, those are my problems, feel free to chime in, I really wish theres was something that could be done to those USB ports, uber annoyance.


Thanks!

[Stealth187]

So the new bios allows 1.02g and 1.03g revisions to properly control vcore for 45nm cpus? ie they are the same as 1.04g now

[MikeR397]

So the new bios allows 1.02g and 1.03g revisions to properly control vcore for 45nm cpus? ie they are the same as 1.04g now

No, didn't fix it for me.

[Stealth187]

No, didn't fix it for me.

You seem to have a massive vdroop issue though, I don't have that on my 1.02g. I suggest you try the p5b pencil mod.

[Anaya]

Anyhow I got everything installed:

Asus P5WDH Deluxe
Quad 2 Core 9550
4 Gigs of Corsair XMS2 Ram
Radeon 3870x2
PC Power & Cooling CrossfireX 750W

Bios is 2901.

Here are the problems and my solutions:

Problem:
Computer automatically restarts when shut down.

Solution:
Found to be a USB port issue having to do with Suspend, Ports 3 and 4 are unusable in the motherboard.

Problem:
USB Ports always Powered, does not shut off hubs or external hardrives.

Solution: None, except shut off the power manually from power supply, (switch off)

Problem:
External Hardrives take a little while to be recognized in Windows, seems to be USB issue again?

Solution: None, just wait, afterwards works fine.

Problem:
Catalyst Control Center is Buggy, 9.9 design is horrible, 9.8 they were in the right direction, now its back to being buggy.

Solution: None, use UltraMon for multi monitor support, only use CCC to activate CrossfireX

Problem:
Fails Boot, even not overclocked this motherboard exhibits the same problems as my P5WD2-E, sometimes on restarts it freezes on Boot up, before windows.

Solution: None, hard restart


Anyhow guys, those are my problems, feel free to chime in, I really wish theres was something that could be done to those USB ports, uber annoyance.


Thanks!

My P5W-DH with Q9550 only run 100% stable (24h day) at 320 FSB, (2,72 Ghz)

At stock speed the motherboard has randoms resets. (only with this CPU, with my older 6600 I could get 375 FSB easy)

[kyton]

i am new to overclocking. i have the 1.02g revision. bios 3001. ran prime95 on default settings. system fine. changed fsb to 333, e6600 @3ghz vcore 1.325v and left mem volt on auto. get 1 erroe after 10 min on the 1024k test.

what must i do. core temps went upto 67 deg cel according to cputemp. are these temps fine.

[MikeR397]

You seem to have a massive vdroop issue though, I don't have that on my 1.02g. I suggest you try the p5b pencil mod.

It is not vdroop. Its a systemic problem with most 1.02g boards (there are at least 4 other posters in this thread with the same problem). The vcore is off (lower) by ~.45v in comparison to the actual setting in bios. That is a HUGE difference, and is not vdroop.