a8n-sli "premium" edition

[Micha]

does any one know if I put in 4 512 sticks of Mushkin redline if it will be run at 333 or can I make it run at 400? Also with 4 DIMMs how is the OCing of this board?

Actually it depends on Your CPU, not MOBO, as memory controles is integrated on CPU. If You have Venice/San Diego or X2, You will be able to run 400MHz/2T by default. If it's Winchester or older core, it will slow down to 333/2T, but as milleron said - usually its possible to set it manually to 400/2T (no warranties on this one )

Micha

 

[kman79]

Question, could you run 2X1GB sticks and still OC as well as running 1 GB worth of 2X512MB sticks?

Although I'm new to OCing, and still have not tried yet cause I still haven't made up my mind on memory, I always had the impression that if you want to overclock the best setup would be 2X512MB sticks. This is party the reason why I'm running value ram for now till I figure out what memory I really want. Am I correct or do I have it all wrong?

Reason why I'm even thinkin about 2GB is cause I've read that BF2 runs noticeably better with 2GB instead of 1GB.

I was just wondering

 

[kd2777]

OK thanks for the infomation. One last question... I already have 1GB of the Mushkin, but a friend would like to buy them for about what I have in them, would I be better of to sell them to him and get two 1GB sticks with losser timings....say two of THESE. I don't know a lot about how the memory timings work. I just know in general 2-2-2 is beter than 2-3-2, but maybe since I will only have 2 DIMMs populated than I can run it at 1T making up for the difference.

CPU x2 4600

kd

 

[Micha]

Question, could you run 2X1GB sticks and still OC as well as running 1 GB worth of 2X512MB sticks?

I'm not an expert here, I've never had any 1GB sticks, but I know, that usually they don't O/C as well as high quality 512 MB sticks. You probably would reach higher fsb/tighter timings on 2*512 stiks. If You need 2GB RAM, I suggest 2*1GB over 4*512 anyway, as You will avoid 2T timing...

kd2777 -This PDP memory is very good choice. Unless You are heavy overclocker and run a lot of benchmarks, You will not see any difference between 2-2-2-5 and 2-3-2-5 in very most cases. I think 1T is worth it. For my new rig based on X2-4400 and A8N-Sli-platinum I'm going to buy this in 2*1GB configuration

 

[anotherbrianm]

Hi again!

I have a follow-up question on the Panaflo topic for the xp-90. When you get the models with the tach and a 3 pin connector for the mobo do you have the option of controlling the RPMs in the bios? The thing that I notice about the ThermalRight recommended fan for the xp-90 (other that that specific model # does not exist) is cfm and dBA are 48 and 30 respectively. The fan I reference above is 56.8 and 35 with higher RPMs, I am thinking this is medium velocity vs. high velocity (hence the M and H in the model#). While 30 dBA sounds nicer (pun intended) than 35 dBA does the RPM sensor allow throttling of the RPMs via the bios either fixed or temp controlled?

FYI this site seems to be the Mother Lode of Panaflo Fans

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/paaxfa1.html

RPM sensing available on 80, 92 and 120mm high speed models. Prices are a bit cheaper than the frozencpu site too and the tails are included at no extra charge.

Thanks,

-B

 

[anotherbrianm]

Ok after reading a bit about q-fan in the asus manuals I have decided to get the H panaflow model with the tach. I hope to be able to throttle it down a bit - we shall see. Probably won't notice it over the 7800GTX anyway... Maybe I can use the antec smartcool for intake.

I still can't find the latest manual for this board online but it should arrive tomorrow (I hope with the current one).

Cheers and thanks again!

-B

 

[milleron]

Originally posted by: anotherbrianm
Hi again!

I have a follow-up question on the Panaflo topic for the xp-90. When you get the models with the tach and a 3 pin connector for the mobo do you have the option of controlling the RPMs in the bios? The thing that I notice about the ThermalRight recommended fan for the xp-90 (other that that specific model # does not exist) is cfm and dBA are 48 and 30 respectively. The fan I reference above is 56.8 and 35 with higher RPMs, I am thinking this is medium velocity vs. high velocity (hence the M and H in the model#). While 30 dBA sounds nicer (pun intended) than 35 dBA does the RPM sensor allow throttling of the RPMs via the bios either fixed or temp controlled?

FYI this site seems to be the Mother Lode of Panaflo Fans

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/paaxfa1.html

RPM sensing available on 80, 92 and 120mm high speed models. Prices are a bit cheaper than the frozencpu site too and the tails are included at no extra charge.

Thanks,

-B

You don't actually control it in the BIOS, but you can use Asus Q-Fan (electable in the BIOS) to control it dynamically.
Thanks for the great lead on where to find the 120mm Panaflos with rpm monitoring. Even at the Panasonic site, I couldn't find reference to such a thing. I've ordered one, and will now turn over the control of that fan's speed to the motherboard.

Ron

 

[AndyD2k]

Anyone here have the board and using a zalman for cpu cooling? Wondering if there are any issues with clearnce

 

[Lockout]

Okay... This might be a stupid question, but will the heatpipe cooler on the chipset work just as well upside-down as it does normally? I'm not really familiar with how exactly heatpipes work.

The reason I'm asking is because I've got a Lian-Li PC-v1000 case, and its design calls for the motherboard to be rotated 180 degrees from it's normal orientation. Should this be fine? Or might I run into problems?

 

[Micha]

Okay... This might be a stupid question, but will the heatpipe cooler on the chipset work just as well upside-down as it does normally? I'm not really familiar with how exactly heatpipes work

It strongly depends on heatpipe construction (and I don't know anything about one used by Asus), but anyway each type works better if gravity helps, not upside-down...
Try reading this site

Micha

 

[deltavee]

Yup - got mine on there nice and easy. Should also blow cold air over the heatpipe radiator.

HTH.

 

[jeremySanDiego]

I can't get 5.1 sound out the MB. Only 2.0.. but reciever works fine on 5.1 source.

Any ideas?

 

[geogecko]

You have to make sure it's setup to output 5.1 in the software that you are using, such as the nvDVD decoders, or whatever else. Default is 2 channel sound.

 

[flibidyflob]

Originally posted by: geogecko
You have to make sure it's setup to output 5.1 in the software that you are using, such as the nvDVD decoders, or whatever else. Default is 2 channel sound.

Provided the software has the capability. Such as, I believe that the WinDVD software provided with this board (and all I know of actually) is only the 2 channel version, Intervideo wants you to buy the upgrade which allows 5.1, etc. The examples of included PowerDVD I've seen have the same issue.

 

[Capt Caveman]

In order to change the sound from the default 2.0, you need to make sure you have installed either the Realtek or Nvidia Audio drivers. After installing the drivers, you can either go thru the Realtek/Nvidia Interface to change the sound or go into Control Panel Sound.

 

[kman79]

Alright guys, new to building computers and definately new to Overclocking. I'm trying to do a modest OC with this board and following the guide found in this forum.

Two questions.

When it says "set mem to SPD and 100", I don't know what SPD is and by 100 I would think he means Memclock, and 200 is the lowest I can set it, which I think equates to 100, right?

Second question, where can I get to the Dividers on this board? What is it and where is it in the Bios? Does it say divider(s) or something else?

Any help on this guys is greatly appreciated

 

[jeremySanDiego]

Sorry, should have mentioned:

1. realtek is installed.
2. sound mgr untility set to 6CH, didn"t help
3. control panel shows 5.1 sound on the realtek, driver reports working properly

Kman, I am no where near an expert, but i cn try and answer your SPD question.

Short answer: SPD = defaults
Long Answer: SPD (serial presense detect) Is a way of the cpu to determine the memory configuration. It reads an SPD data structure out of the serial EEPROM on the DIMM, to determine the characteristics of the DIMM. Or, at least that is what it was 3 yrs ago when I wrote boot code

 

[GuitarDaddy]

SPD is the default ram timings set by the ram manufactur.

And yes 100 = DDR200 on this board which is a 2:1 divider

The max mem clock settings are the memory dividers


If you have any problems PM me, I have almost the same setup

 

[flibidyflob]

Jeremy,

Did you use the speaker setup utility (test sounds) in the Realtek soft so that you know you have the speakers plugged correctly? Is what you're listening to actually 5.1? If you used the speaker setup utility and each speaker made a sound as it should in the setup then you have 5.1 sound ability and then it's up to whether the player you're using and whether it supports it (my previous message) and whether the source is 5.1. The speaker setup util will tell you for sure.

kman79,

I'm trying to make some bios screen shots and etc to help with the way this bios is set up but I'm kinda pressed for time and I don't know this bios by heart yet to guide very well without the images to reference. I'm not sure but maybe a guide aimed at the Deluxe would help you more than Zebo's basic A64 guide but I'm unsure how close the bios are with the two boards since I'm not familiar with the Deluxe. I've got 4 different 939 mb and 3 of which I've gotten very familiar with, A8V Deluxe, DFI Ultra-D, MSI SLI Plat and now this new Premium and playing in the bios is so different in each one. I'd Google a setup guide specifically for the Deluxe and see what you find and if it relates and if that helps you. I thought there used to be a stickied thread on here aimed at the A8N SLI Deluxe like the DFI one and that may be helpful.

 

[kman79]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
SPD is the default ram timings set by the ram manufactur.

And yes 100 = DDR200 on this board which is a 2:1 divider

The max mem clock settings are the memory dividers


If you have any problems PM me, I have almost the same setup

So I pretty much leave SPD alone.

See, this is where I'm confused. So the mem clock speed is the divider correct? The CPU Frequency of the board was in the 295+ with the multiplier down to 7, and Mem Clock at 200. Reading other posts I thought I could hit the same CPU frequency by using dividers. How is that? Maybe I still am missing a lot in terms of over clocking. I?ll read more on it, if you could explain more into it though I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for the help btw. I'll be sure to PM you with anymore questoins later, I gotta head out the door, thanks for the offer to help though, I appreciate it.

Originally posted by: flibidyflob

kman79,

I'm trying to make some bios screen shots and etc to help with the way this bios is set up but I'm kinda pressed for time and I don't know this bios by heart yet to guide very well without the images to reference. I'm not sure but maybe a guide aimed at the Deluxe would help you more than Zebo's basic A64 guide but I'm unsure how close the bios are with the two boards since I'm not familiar with the Deluxe. I've got 4 different 939 mb and 3 of which I've gotten very familiar with, A8V Deluxe, DFI Ultra-D, MSI SLI Plat and now this new Premium and playing in the bios is so different in each one. I'd Google a setup guide specifically for the Deluxe and see what you find and if it relates and if that helps you. I thought there used to be a stickied thread on here aimed at the A8N SLI Deluxe like the DFI one and that may be helpful.

I'll look for that thread. I do appreciate you doing the screenshots also, I'll be anxiously waiting for it. I'll do more research on it tonight, but for now I gotta head out.

BTW, I also don't recommend this case. But I do love how the Thermalright XP-90 works, 38c (with Prime95 Load), noticed you have the XP-120

 

[jeremySanDiego]

flibidyflob,

"Did you use the speaker setup utility (test sounds) in the Realtek soft so that you know you have the speakers plugged correctly?"

plugged in? I am using spdif to my receiver.

"Is what you're listening to actually 5.1?"

I am using the ASUS speaker utility. You can select how many channels (it defaulted to 2, but is now on 6). There is a test button where it plays a sound on all 6 speakers. I only hear audio on front L/R. Plus, there is a 3d demo, that you can tell is only using the 2 front speakers. Control panel is setup for the realtek driver and 5.1.

thanks,
jeremy

 

[xl80325]

This maximum vcore voltage in bios is 1.55V right? And When I set it to 1.5V, the real volatage is 1.47V, Kind of undervolt. I wish it has 1.6V option.

 

[jeremySanDiego]

So, everyone else can get 5.1 digital out ok?? using the ASUS util, you can hear all 6 channels?

 

[abysmal]

WOW.
What a great thread!

I am in the process of building up 3 identicle gaming boxes and want to base them on the new A8N-SLI Premium board.

Question.
Which is the best memory to get for this board to acheive a stable +20% OC with 2GB RAM using the AMD FX-57??

I was thinking of using this, but am not sure if this is the route to go or not...

G.SKILL 1GB (2 x 512MB)
Model #: F1-3200DSU2-1GBLA
184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Samsung TCCD Dual Channel Kit System Memory
with a timing of 2.5-4-4-8 2T

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231008

What is the BEST possible solution??
This is for 3 pure gaming machines running dual GeForce 7800GTXs in SLI mode.

 

[jcniest5]

Question: When OCing the Premium (or any OCable Asus with the AI), is it a better option to go with Manual and adjust everything manually or to go with AI (5%, 10%...etc) and let the BIOS determine stability/OCing issue? So, I haven't tried AI yet, just Manual and adjust everything accordingly.