* ASUS A8N-SLI experiences/results/issues

[bap4201]

hey...welcome to the a8n-sli owners club user1234! Congratulations and best of luck w/ it!

 

[F4810]

OK the SLI connector card made no difference to overclocking but after lots of testing I got an OK overclock but some really strange results.

All tests were with memtest 86, changing settings in bios 1002, htt x3, DRR 2.7v, CPU 1.6373v (1.5v actual):

1) Mem DDR400, CPU x8 - 200FSB passed - 205FSB failed
(i also upped the DDR to 2.85 and relaxed timings but RAM would not overclock but runs fine at 200mhz)

2) Mem DDR333, CPU x10 - 215FSB psssed - 220FSB hangs in bios
(in windows CPU 1.5v, Load CPU 47c, Mobo load 39c, PCI 33.34, Mem 179mhz)

3) Mem DDR333, CPU x 8 - 225FSB passed - 230FSB hangs in bios

So from point 1 it is clear that my RAM wont o/c at all.

From point 2 it looks like my CPU wont clock above 2150mhz. Temps, locks, and voltages look fine, so I could have a bad CPU, or mobo, or PSU too.

From point 3 it seems that it cant be the PSU at fault as I cant raise FSB even with mem and cpu underclocked.

So it could be the ram and cpu that are not too good and maybe the mobo too.

Then I took a shot in the dark and set my Mem to Auto, FSB 235, CPU x8 as Guitardaddy said in an earlier post. And it booted and prime 95'ed fine. So I upped the FSB to 250 in AI booster, clockgen showed my Mem and 200 and this was fine too. I then lowered the FSB to 235 and upped the multi in AI booster to x10 and got it to 2350 running fine. At 240 x 10 it crashed. Now I rebooted and set it to x 10 and 240 in bios and it was fine but it showed a really low mem clock in windows. Wierd. So I rebooted again with 235 x 10 in bios and it all seemed fine but another thing I noticed was that when I first upped to 250 x8 with AI booster the mem ran at 200, now when I booted with 235 x 10 in bios the mem runs at 196. Why is it using a different divider???

So from all of this it looks like the dividers are not as they seem. I dont think DDR333 means 6:5 as if it did I wouldnt have got the result I did in point 2. It looks like the divider is linked to the FSB somehow also.

Anyway let me know what you all think of this as nothing seems logical at all.

I am happy at 235x10 with men at 196. At the end of the day I really need better RAM as my set seems like a bad overclocker. If I could get the ram over 200mhz I should get it above 2350. Would I have any grounds to RMA? it is Corsair Twinx512 - 3200LL.

Thanks to guitardaddy again.

 

[Tanclearas]

I'm not sure why you think the DDR333 divider isn't correct.

5/6 x 215 = 179 (which is what Windows reported in your point 2)

When set to Auto, the BIOS will determine which divider to use.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

F4810

I see you are using the 1002 bios. You may want to try the 1003-05 beta bios. It has many more memory settings, you may be able to get a better OC with this one.

 

[Vedder323]

This board has been a nightmare for me. I did a fresh format and installed all the drivers. Somewhere down the raod I get this...

Text

After this error, I have to clear cmos and I can usually get back into windows but on many occassions I get the voice error "VGA test failed."

I have the SLI connector set to SINGLE as im only using one card at the moment...

Any suggestions?

 

[century child]

Vedder323, do you have a floppy drive installed in your system? In the BIOS, you can set the system to "halt on no erros". I think this will solve the problem.

 

[Vedder323]

Thanks for the tip Century. HELL NO I dont have a floppy, lol. I actually think I have everything working once I flashed to the latest BETA bios.

 

[JMag]

Originally posted by: Vedder323
This board has been a nightmare for me. I did a fresh format and installed all the drivers. Somewhere down the raod I get this...

Text

After this error, I have to clear cmos and I can usually get back into windows but on many occassions I get the voice error "VGA test failed."

I have the SLI connector set to SINGLE as im only using one card at the moment...

Any suggestions?

What disk is in the CD drive? Win XP?

This error happens consistently?

Kyle over @ mentioned that there could be problems with certain CDROM devices and the nforce4 chipset due to similar issues in the past with nforce3. I also saw on another thread that some guy was having issues with his BenQ until he updated the firmware of the DVD drive itself.

I would recommend disabling everything in the BIOS that you don't use. (i KNow that won't solve the problem, but at least you know that it isn't some weird conflict with like a serial port or something... I mean JEEZ who uses a serial port?)

I honestly think that the SLI selector card has abosolutely NOTHING to do with any problems, UNLESS someone just didnt seat it properly, which brings me to another simple point. Make sure to reseat all cables, connections, and boards.

 

[JMag]

Originally posted by: F4810
Cool and quiet disabled.

Neopower 11.712, 4.95, 3.248.

I am thinking that it may be the mobo. I have an older PSU but its only 360 volts. I may try that to be sure. How would you know if the mobo was faulty? I suppose I would need another mobo to check my ram and CPU which I dont have to hand.

What did you measure these voltages with? Software applications SUCK. Use a multimeter.

I like to use the windbond chips to read voltages like everyone else, but I take them with a grain of salt. For instance, speedfan detects my 12v rail as 11.90. When I hook a multimeter up to the molex it shows 12.06 and it never deviates even under load. Anyway, I highly doubt there is a problem with your PSU, unless of corse you are using a generic (whihc you aren't) or something with a low 12v amperage. Btw, I have noticed that the thermaltake PSU's 12v rail is substantially low. I have a 480w and it is only rated at 18amps. I have a 400w PSU that has 12 more amps on the same rail... Go figure...

One more point: Alot of people blame random things for overclocks not working well. I know I do. It is possible that your memory controller on your chip isn't that good. I have heard that not all winchesters are alike in theier ability to handle memory in different configs, so your best bet to obtain maximum FSB is to use dividers and then make sure you run a really lax timings like 3-4-4-11 2t . Once you see how high your ram can go, then see if it can run at 1t (which is a significant improvment on bandwidth.)
One way to test this is if you have an FX or Newcastle lying around. More than likely you are going to have to have a real nice friend let you borrow his chip.

 

[Vedder323]

Everything was fine for a while but once I tried installing my Audigy card, the system wont boot past the post screen. I tried all PCI slots... this board is driving me insane

PS... My gig lan stopped working as well and I cant get into windows with on board audio enabled either.

WTF is up with this thing?

 

[F4810]

Originally posted by: Tanclearas
I'm not sure why you think the DDR333 divider isn't correct.

5/6 x 215 = 179 (which is what Windows reported in your point 2)

When set to Auto, the BIOS will determine which divider to use.

Its just that when I used the DDR333 divider and upped the FSB in bios it would not go above 220. Now if it is always runnig at 6:5 no matter what FSB then the memory should have been running under 200mhz which my ram can handle fine. So why wasnt it allowing this? For some reason it doesnt like you to up the FSB in bios so your better off doing it in AI booster.

Also when I first clocked from bios settings of 'Ram Auto' and 'CPU 235 x8' and bumped it up to 250 x10 in AI booster my memory was showing as 200mhz. That is a 5:4 divider??? However when I set bios to 'Ram Auto' and 'CPU 235 x10' it showed the memory as 195 which is the 6:5 divider

 

[F4810]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
F4810

I see you are using the 1002 bios. You may want to try the 1003-05 beta bios. It has many more memory settings, you may be able to get a better OC with this one.

I tried that also but it gave the same results. I prefer to stick to this for now until final versions are released. Plus I saw those extra settings and havent a clue what to do with them. But I did try my memory at 2T 2.5-3-3-10 at 2.85 volts and it still would not clock over 200mhz.

 

[SkyBum]

Similar problems here, Vedder, My system wont allow me to install drivers for my Audigy 2 (sometimes the system will see the PCI device present, other times it's not even seen). Additionally, the ethernet and firewire ports are dead (according to ASUS tech) and when I tried installing av ethernet card in a PCI slot the system will not boot at all so it would seem that my PCI slots are buggered as well.

Also, every so often my system fails to boot until I remove the graphic card and clear BIOS, boot without the card and then reboot with the card back in (not sure what is up with that...but it does the trick)

ASUS was very quick to offer me an RMA since Monarch was somewhat reluctant to RMA a second time.

Considering all of the probs I've had with the A8N, I still nearly cried when I saw Far Cry at max settings. Holy Schnoley!!! I had to play the entire game through again before I could even think about pulling my mobo for the RMA.

If you have a problem with your board, rest assured that ASUS will take good care of you.....

 

[F4810]

Originally posted by: JMag

Originally posted by: F4810
Cool and quiet disabled.

Neopower 11.712, 4.95, 3.248.

I am thinking that it may be the mobo. I have an older PSU but its only 360 volts. I may try that to be sure. How would you know if the mobo was faulty? I suppose I would need another mobo to check my ram and CPU which I dont have to hand.

What did you measure these voltages with? Software applications SUCK. Use a multimeter.

I like to use the windbond chips to read voltages like everyone else, but I take them with a grain of salt. For instance, speedfan detects my 12v rail as 11.90. When I hook a multimeter up to the molex it shows 12.06 and it never deviates even under load. Anyway, I highly doubt there is a problem with your PSU, unless of corse you are using a generic (whihc you aren't) or something with a low 12v amperage. Btw, I have noticed that the thermaltake PSU's 12v rail is substantially low. I have a 480w and it is only rated at 18amps. I have a 400w PSU that has 12 more amps on the same rail... Go figure...

One more point: Alot of people blame random things for overclocks not working well. I know I do. It is possible that your memory controller on your chip isn't that good. I have heard that not all winchesters are alike in theier ability to handle memory in different configs, so your best bet to obtain maximum FSB is to use dividers and then make sure you run a really lax timings like 3-4-4-11 2t . Once you see how high your ram can go, then see if it can run at 1t (which is a significant improvment on bandwidth.)
One way to test this is if you have an FX or Newcastle lying around. More than likely you are going to have to have a real nice friend let you borrow his chip.

Well I used this PSU with my XP 2100+ and that was running at about 2250mhz. I had the A7N8X old revision board so my mem would only do 188mhz. So I think you are probably right about the CPU being at fault in combination with my crap ram. I did try 2T 2.5-3-3-10 as mentioned before but I may try those settings. The thing is my memory bandwith is now 5839/5778 in sandra so I think it will be best to use these tight timimngs with a lower divider so I keep my mem below 200mhz. Its just figuring a way of getting one to work.

 

[Vedder323]

Thanks for the encouragment!

How did you go about contacting Asus?

 

[SkyBum]

Originally posted by: Vedder323
Thanks for the encouragment!

How did you go about contacting Asus?

Page 1 of the manual lists technical support #'s.

Be prepared to wait a looong time on the first call, but after that you will be issued a case# which will speed things up a lot for any subsequent calls.

Good luck.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I,m getting my second VGA card today, and I have a few questions for you guys that already have SLI working. Or anyones opinion for that matter.

1. I enabled coolbits and overclocked my single card to 553/1160, do I need to set this card back to stock settings before I install the second card then reclock? or will the overclock automatically apply to the second card.

2. I,m currently running my best O/C settings. Should I set CPU and RAM back to stock before I install the second VGA? Will running SLI reduce my max O/C?

3. SLI mode is set to AUTO in bios, should I leave it this way? And is there any tricks to enabling SLI?


Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated. This thing is running sweet right now, and I would really hate to F$*@ it up at this point.

 

[JMag]

Originally posted by: F4810

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
F4810

I see you are using the 1002 bios. You may want to try the 1003-05 beta bios. It has many more memory settings, you may be able to get a better OC with this one.

I tried that also but it gave the same results. I prefer to stick to this for now until final versions are released. Plus I saw those extra settings and havent a clue what to do with them. But I did try my memory at 2T 2.5-3-3-10 at 2.85 volts and it still would not clock over 200mhz.

I have been unable to get my board to work at 2.5 CAS no matter what. My memory is rated at 2.5-3-3-8 at 263mhz. Although I can run 2-2-2-10 or 2-3-2-10 at 200-225mhz no prob.
I highly recommend trying with either 3-3-3-10 or 3-4-4-10. Honestly you will not even notice the difference between CAS 2.5 and 3

I am unsure as to the core problem with cas 2.5. It could be the board or cpu mem controller or the combination of both, because this memory runs fine at 2.5-3-3-7 @ 250mhz on my p4 865pe system.

 

[JMag]

Originally posted by: F4810

Originally posted by: JMag

Originally posted by: F4810
Cool and quiet disabled.

Neopower 11.712, 4.95, 3.248.

I am thinking that it may be the mobo. I have an older PSU but its only 360 volts. I may try that to be sure. How would you know if the mobo was faulty? I suppose I would need another mobo to check my ram and CPU which I dont have to hand.

What did you measure these voltages with? Software applications SUCK. Use a multimeter.

I like to use the windbond chips to read voltages like everyone else, but I take them with a grain of salt. For instance, speedfan detects my 12v rail as 11.90. When I hook a multimeter up to the molex it shows 12.06 and it never deviates even under load. Anyway, I highly doubt there is a problem with your PSU, unless of corse you are using a generic (whihc you aren't) or something with a low 12v amperage. Btw, I have noticed that the thermaltake PSU's 12v rail is substantially low. I have a 480w and it is only rated at 18amps. I have a 400w PSU that has 12 more amps on the same rail... Go figure...

One more point: Alot of people blame random things for overclocks not working well. I know I do. It is possible that your memory controller on your chip isn't that good. I have heard that not all winchesters are alike in theier ability to handle memory in different configs, so your best bet to obtain maximum FSB is to use dividers and then make sure you run a really lax timings like 3-4-4-11 2t . Once you see how high your ram can go, then see if it can run at 1t (which is a significant improvment on bandwidth.)
One way to test this is if you have an FX or Newcastle lying around. More than likely you are going to have to have a real nice friend let you borrow his chip.

Well I used this PSU with my XP 2100+ and that was running at about 2250mhz. I had the A7N8X old revision board so my mem would only do 188mhz. So I think you are probably right about the CPU being at fault in combination with my crap ram. I did try 2T 2.5-3-3-10 as mentioned before but I may try those settings. The thing is my memory bandwith is now 5839/5778 in sandra so I think it will be best to use these tight timimngs with a lower divider so I keep my mem below 200mhz. Its just figuring a way of getting one to work.

Again try 3-3-3-10 or 3-4-4-10 it is actually better to run at thoose loose timings with 1t than with tight timings and 2t.

I can get ~7000mb/sec in sandra @ ~230mhz 3-3-3-10 1t

 

[jlambvo]

I'm having boot issues with my Audigy 2 as well. I never had any problems until I tried connecting my new DVD-RW drive, immediately after which my system wouldn't even post. I eventually removed all Creative drivers and software, and moved the Audigy to the slot farthest from the video card, and reinstalled the drivers. It now seems to operate fine but often won't reboot properly. Seems fine once I get going but its a pain. I can't imagine how its related to my DVD drive (I simply replaced an old one with the same connectors) so its probably coincidental, but who knows.

Interesting to know its causing problems for other people as well.

 

[user1234]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
I,m getting my second VGA card today, and I have a few questions for you guys that already have SLI working. Or anyones opinion for that matter.

1. I enabled coolbits and overclocked my single card to 553/1160, do I need to set this card back to stock settings before I install the second card then reclock? or will the overclock automatically apply to the second card.

2. I,m currently running my best O/C settings. Should I set CPU and RAM back to stock before I install the second VGA? Will running SLI reduce my max O/C?

3. SLI mode is set to AUTO in bios, should I leave it this way? And is there any tricks to enabling SLI?


Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated. This thing is running sweet right now, and I would really hate to F$*@ it up at this point.

oh man... talk about nitpickin' questions - it's no, no and... no

 

[Vedder323]

ok, she is stable now... god only knows how!

IF anyone gets an Audigy to work on this baord, please lemme know the details here. Still no dice with mine.

 

[JMag]

Originally posted by: Vedder323
ok, she is stable now... god only knows how!

IF anyone gets an Audigy to work on this baord, please lemme know the details here. Still no dice with mine.

If it is stable now... What settings are you runnning at?

 

[glorfy]

Originally posted by: JMag

Originally posted by: F4810

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
F4810

I see you are using the 1002 bios. You may want to try the 1003-05 beta bios. It has many more memory settings, you may be able to get a better OC with this one.

I tried that also but it gave the same results. I prefer to stick to this for now until final versions are released. Plus I saw those extra settings and havent a clue what to do with them. But I did try my memory at 2T 2.5-3-3-10 at 2.85 volts and it still would not clock over 200mhz.

I have been unable to get my board to work at 2.5 CAS no matter what. My memory is rated at 2.5-3-3-8 at 263mhz. Although I can run 2-2-2-10 or 2-3-2-10 at 200-225mhz no prob.
I highly recommend trying with either 3-3-3-10 or 3-4-4-10. Honestly you will not even notice the difference between CAS 2.5 and 3

I am unsure as to the core problem with cas 2.5. It could be the board or cpu mem controller or the combination of both, because this memory runs fine at 2.5-3-3-7 @ 250mhz on my p4 865pe system.

My ocz 3700 gold rev 3, will do 260 at 2.5,3,3,8 - 2t on this board. 1t is another matter - 233 tops, with any timings 1T!

 

[spearsd]

Ok, guys,
Got my GSKILL PC4400 today and plugged it in. At first I was worried because I couldn't get a POST, but after clearing CMOS, all was well So, my CPU will not do 2750 at default voltage with air, but I'm currently running the following happily:

A64 3500+, default voltage, Zalman CNPS7000A alcu
G-Skill PC4400 1GB (512MB x2) Model F1-3200DSU2-1GBLD (default voltage)

Current stable settings...
Memory: 278MHz (3.0-6-6-11)
CPU Multi: x9 (2502MHz)
HTT: x4 (1112MHz)

So, Here's my question... What's the highest stable HTT we've seen on the A8N (stock cooling) so far? I'm thinking about pushing up my FSB toward 300MHz without dropping my HTT. Eagerly awaiting!!!

-spearsd