* ASUS A8N-SLI experiences/results/issues

[Dijital]

Originally posted by: Deptacon

Installed yesterday, no issues, everything is great.

3 questions:

1. should I use the nivida port for LAN or the yukon one?

2. Is there an Bios update I should do? relativly new board, might be bugs that got worked out since i got it to my door.

3. Is there any software off the CD (mobo asus cd) that I should make sure I DO install besides the LAN software?

thanks guys

i had problems with the ide drivers and so did a lot of other people, so if you're not using anything IDE, dont install them.

 

[bob661]

Originally posted by: milo29k
the retention base is pre installed, I have noticed in the list of package contents in accessories a 'retention

The retention bracket lock is indeed attached to the heatsink. I would rma the processor if I were you. No telling if it's damaged or not.

 

[milo29k]

owww bloody hell

 

[mojord]

This motherboard is causing me to go crazy. It wont post at all. No beeps, no video, no anything. I have the OZC Powerstream 600 power supply. I reset the CMOS, tired one ram stick in B1, disconnected my CD & DVD drives and more. What else should I try?

 

[el burninator dapeoples]

well after a long hard battle with this board, i had to rma the old mighty asus today. i really wanted to work through this thing, but it just didnt look like it was going to happen. ive tried about everything i could try and still the same problems. it was very frustrating not being able to pinpoint and fix the problem after dedicating so much time and energy into seeking a solution. oh well...

zipzoomfly was awesome about it, replacing both the proc and mb... so i guess the sit and wait begins.

granted the problems werent welcome, but even still, the challenge makes for a great learning experience, and had i put the system together and everything worked perfectly, i probably wouldnt have bothered learning half what i did. the only thing that aggravates me about this was how vauge the user manual is about bios settings. anandtech has been more than helpful in the last couple of weeks to get aquainted with them, but still i feel there is alot of information that is only partially known.

if anyone knows of a good website that faq's or how to's ocing this particular board or even a generalized site that explains what adjusting memory/cpu voltage does and how it should be calculated, etc... id be really interested in reading it. the problem with trying to pull that sort of input off threads like this is - sure everyone is talking about their specs, but not really going into depth explaining what changing the settings actually does. so you end up getting lots of stats and specs, but no real info behind it. i never really had much intention of ocing before, but now that im starting to pick up bits and pieces of information, i think id like to delve a bit further.

it has been a long road of frustration, but i still have the faith with asus.

 

[spearsd]

Bummer, I'm starting to have problems with my PowerStream 600W PS...

Thread over at OCZ

Hello,
I purchased a 600ADJ on January 4th to replace my Antec 430W which occasional seemed to choke under extreme SLI load after running for a while. The PowerStream 600W worked a charm until Friday evening when my system unexpectedly powered off while surfing the web in WinXP. I was able to power on again using the soft power button, but it powered off again about ten minutes later. I reconnected all power cabling and motherboard cabling including front panel control leads but the system continues to power off in seemingly random situations (while in bios, in winxp surfing, in winxp office, during gaming, during non-use idle time).

My first thought was that the over/under vollt protection might be kicking in as I have lots of things plugged into this house circuit, so I moved the computer to a circuit dedicated to the washer/dryer that is only 10ft from the breaker box. Same thing was happening!

Only after I unplugged the PowerStream 600W and plug my Antec 430W back in did the strange power-offs stop occurring. I'm really disappointed as everything I've read about the PowerStream has been stellar. So, a couple questions for you...

What's the maximum current draw allowed from a SINGLE 12v connector on the PowerStream 600W? I don't want to hear the power supply's total maximum current draw, just a SINGLE 12v connector.

Has anyone else experienced similar power-offs using the PowerStream 600W?

What are the exact thresholds for the protection circuit on the AC inputs and DC outputs (current and voltage)?

The power supply was working perfectly for the first 2+ weeks I had it in my system, and suddenly these drop-dead power-offs are happening. I'm looking forward to your (OCZ) reply.

My detailed system information is listed below...

Thanks,

-spearsd

System Specs:
A64 3500+ 90nm (2478Mhz) / Zalman CNPS-7000A alcu - Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe v1.02 (1003 final) - 2x GSkill 512MB "LD" PC-4400 (275MHz, 2.5-4-4-8-2T) - 2x BFG 6800GT OC (400MHz Core, 1000Mhz Mem) - Audigy2 ZS - MIT MDP-100 Tuner - Seagate ST380021A (80GB), 2x Seagate ST3200822A (200GB) - BenQ DW1620-0C3 DVD DL-RW (B7P9-RPC1) - Antec Sonata / OCZ PowerStream 600W ADJ


OCZ part number:-620ADJ
Module size and kit size:-GSkill 2x 512MB PC4400
CPU model and rated speed:-Athlon 64 3500+ (90nm)
Overclocked CPU speed:-not overclocked
Divider and FSB used:-5x200
Motherboard and revision:-Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe 1.02
Motherboard Bios rev:-1003
Video card:-2x BFG 6800GT OC
Power supplyowerStream 600W Adj
Operating System:-WinXP
CPU and System Cooling:-Zalman 7000, Vantec 120mm
CPU and System temps:-cpu: 31, mb: 34
Purchased at/on:-Excalibur
Country:-USA

Originally posted by: spearsd
UPDATE:
I've replaced my PC3200 with GSkill PC4400 "D" RAM and started OC'ing my system. Well, it appears I was VERY close to my True430W 12v rail capacity. I currently have the following hardware connected:


1x A64 3500+ 90nm
1x Zalman CNPS7000A alcu
2x GSkill PC-4400 512MB DIMMs
2x BFG 6800GT OC PCI-E (at 400MHz)
2x PCI cards (Audigy2 ZS, MyHD)
3x 7200RPM HD
1x optical drive
1x 120mm case fan

- "Massive Overdraw" test in Aquamark freezes system.
- System won't boot unless I remove power from one 6800GT or remove 2 HD's
- If I remove 2 HD's and EZ-Plug, Aquamark "Massive Overdraw" does not freeze ;-) LOL

I've tried various combinations of loading, but it all has boiled down to 12v rail not putting out enough :-(
Oh well, Ka-ching, ka-ching$$$ Time for a better power supply. Maybe, I'll just get that X850XT PE and sell off my BFG's... anyone interested at $350 each?

-spearsd

Originally posted by: spearsd
Jack,
Can you be a little more specific than "getting its ass kicked"? I've got an Antec True430W supply and plan on running 1x optical, 3x 7200rpm hd, 2x 6800GT, A64 3500+... no? We'll see, I suppose ;-)

-spearsd

 

[spearsd]

GD,
Your "My Rigs" link is pointing to "http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=29408" which takes my to my own page. I think you need to change it so it works for other people.

I'm trying to find your 1T memory timings and bus speed. I'm finding strange behavior trying to get my system to a stable 1T setting past 220. Seems to fail SuperPi at 230MHz 1T(3-3-6) though it passes memtest and sandra memory bandwith test with the same timings at 240MHz.

Thanks,

spearsd

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Yeah! When I'm logged in to the forum it shows up, when a member is offline you have to type in their member name, to look at their sig. Drove me krazy till I figured that one out. Anyway I don't show my mem settings in the sig.

They are
OCZ EL PC3200 platinum rev. 2
DDR333 233mhz (288htt)
1T
Volts 2.80
All others at AUTO
Auto gives me timmings of 2-3-3-5

 

[jschultz]

I tried to read and understand as much as I can from this 26 page thread... but somewhere around page 14 my brain shut down.

As like many people, I tried to manually set my RAM to DDR500 which resulted in everything else being set to 'Auto'. Currently my system is running DDR333 @ 2.5ghz.

It seems that some very kind and hardworking members have found a solution to this problem. I would really like to get a decent overclock out of my new system. Can someone please inform me of the proper steps to take to achieve a stable 1:1 OC?

Thanks so much!


--------------------------------------------
Here is my setup:

A64 3500+ Newcastle
Asus A8N SLI-Delux (currently using the 1003 BIOS)
Swiftech MCX6400-V
Antec 92mm Tornado
2 XFX 6800GT
1GB OCZ 3200 Plat. R2
Antec tru550W
WD 74gb Raptor

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: jschultz
I tried to read and understand as much as I can from this 26 page thread... but somewhere around page 14 my brain shut down.

As like many people, I tried to manually set my RAM to DDR500 which resulted in everything else being set to 'Auto'. Currently my system is running DDR333 @ 2.5ghz.

It seems that some very kind and hardworking members have found a solution to this problem. I would really like to get a decent overclock out of my new system. Can someone please inform me of the proper steps to take to achieve a stable 1:1 OC?

Thanks so much!


--------------------------------------------
Here is my setup:

A64 3500+ Newcastle
Asus A8N SLI-Delux (currently using the 1003 BIOS)
Swiftech MCX6400-V
Antec 92mm Tornado
2 XFX 6800GT
1GB OCZ 3200 Plat. R2
Antec tru550W
WD 74gb Raptor

You can run ram 1:1 by using the DDR400 setting.

However it has been found by most people that this board won't run stable with ram over 240-245. I have run mine stable over 250 but I seem to be one of the only ones, and I had to give it 2.95-3.00 volts and use a 200mhz lower CPU overclock.

My current settings w/ 3200+

(Everyday setting) DDR333 HTT @282mhz RAM @231mhz 9x282=2536mhz
(max stable O/C) DDR333 HTT@289mhz RAM@241mhz 9x289=2601mhz

With the 3500+ you should be able the run the same type settings or

start with DDR400 with HTT @230mhz RAM @230mhz 11x230=2530mhz

 

[F4810]

Hi,

Need some help. Just got my new ram OCZ PC4400 Gold. Tested each stick at 240mhz 1T and both are fine. When I try dual channel I get errors at lower speeds. Am I right in thinking that its not a ram issue as the both test fine on their own. If so any ideas? Or is it the Mobo or CPU (wonky mem controller) that need replacing?

Also am I right in thinking that 240 1T provides the best benches for overclocks and its not worth going up to 275mhz+ at 2t?

 

[jschultz]

Thanks a lot for the help, here were the final results for my overclock:

100% stable @ DDR490 with the 3500+ running at 2.7ghz (245 * 11).

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Wow! thats a monster overclock! Best I've seen for a Newcastle 3500, Way to Go!
Can we say FX57?

 

[jschultz]

Well... I found a slight problem. I find that after a few hours of Prime95 the power to my CPU Fan will shut off (which is really really bad) and wont turn back on until I let the power supply cool down for a while. I was able to repeat this problem a few times.

I'm guessing the Antec tru550 is having problems suppying enough power to this machine so I ordered a PCP&C 510 SLI hoping to fix this problem.

Also, has anyone tried to overclock 2 6800GT's in SLI mode? I have seen some crazy OC's with single cards but the max I can push mine is about 350/1.1 in SLI mode using the latest drivers from Nvidia site. Someone suggested that the PCP&C 510 will help because of the built in SLI support, so I guess I'll have to try that.

 

[Beyond Sadistic]

So is there anyone out there that actually has the A8N-SLI that hasn't had any problems yet? It seems like everyone on here is having one problem or another. From what I've read on most of the A8N-SLI threads, multiple people have had to RMA their MoBo/PSU/CPU/RAM.. Reading these threads has been extremely daunting. I really want the MoBo, but every other post is someone else saying

"Hi, I just got this board, and it's now on fire burning my house down. Someone help."

Someone has to have boughten this board and not had any problems with it. (Aside from little driver issues)

 

[jschultz]

I didn't have a problem running this board at stock speeds.

 

[Beyond Sadistic]

That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm not big on OCing, so I'm not concerned with people's problems they've had with that. I just want to make sure there was someone out there who didn't have a problem. Thanks jschults

 

[cownipples]

Ok after installing final bios 1003 I have a great stable overclock here is the info:

I'm running at ht x4 at 270 fsb x10 multiplyer 2700 mhz at 1.4 volts (stock voltage)

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Host Name : GAMERSDREAM
User : Cownipples
Domain : WORKGROUP

Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+
Speed : 2.70GHz
Model Number : 3500 (estimated)
Performance Rating : PR4052 (estimated)
Type : Standard
L2 On-board Cache : 512kB ECC Synchronous, Write-Back, 16-way set, 64 byte line size

Mainboard
Bus(es) : PCI PCIe USB FireWire/1394
MP Support : 1 CPU(s)
MP APIC : No
System BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS A8N-SLI DELUXE ACPI BIOS Revision 1003
System : System manufacturer System name
Mainboard : ASUSTeK Computer INC. A8N-SLI DELUXE
Total Memory : 1GB DDR-SDRAM

Chipset 1
Model : Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Athlon 64 / Opteron HyperTransport Technology Configuration
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 1080MHz (2160MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 1GB DDR-SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 270MHz (540MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : ViewSonic A90f+
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Series GPU
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Series GPU

My 3dmark2005 was 9,815 (wanted 10,000)

hope this helps someone out

 

[jschultz]

cownipples - What drivers are you running for your 6800s? Are they overclocked? My 3d05 score was ~8500.

 

[cownipples]

I'm running the nvidia beta drivers on their website 67.66 they run nice and yes my 6800gt's are overclocked to 400-1100 at 43 deg cel idle and 46 deg cel full load

 

[jmas]

Originally posted by: cownipples
Ok after installing final bios 1003 I have a great stable overclock here is the info:

I'm running at ht x4 at 270 fsb x10 multiplyer 2700 mhz at 1.4 volts (stock voltage)

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Host Name : GAMERSDREAM
User : Cownipples
Domain : WORKGROUP

Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+
Speed : 2.70GHz
Model Number : 3500 (estimated)
Performance Rating : PR4052 (estimated)
Type : Standard
L2 On-board Cache : 512kB ECC Synchronous, Write-Back, 16-way set, 64 byte line size

Mainboard
Bus(es) : PCI PCIe USB FireWire/1394
MP Support : 1 CPU(s)
MP APIC : No
System BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS A8N-SLI DELUXE ACPI BIOS Revision 1003
System : System manufacturer System name
Mainboard : ASUSTeK Computer INC. A8N-SLI DELUXE
Total Memory : 1GB DDR-SDRAM

Chipset 1
Model : Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Athlon 64 / Opteron HyperTransport Technology Configuration
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 1080MHz (2160MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 1GB DDR-SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 270MHz (540MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : ViewSonic A90f+
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Series GPU
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Series GPU

My 3dmark2005 was 9,815 (wanted 10,000)

hope this helps someone out

For me the key is: is this overclock with 1T or 2T command rate? I see you are runnig 1:1 but I think that what limits the overclock most on this board above 240 is the 1T issue....

thanks

 

[cownipples]

I have that setting on auto haven't tried 1T command interesting, but I'm squeezing alot of performance out of the mb how much diffence would 1T make?

 

[jschultz]

What kind of power supply are you using? Did you have to do any special tweakings when overclocking the 6800s?

Thanks

 

[cownipples]

I'm runng a thermaltake silent power 560watt ps it cost 100.00 at newegg its pretty awsome ps and no no special settiings or tweaks for the video card!

 

[jmas]

Originally posted by: cownipples
I have that setting on auto haven't tried 1T command interesting, but I'm squeezing alot of performance out of the mb how much diffence would 1T make?

the 1T makes a huge impact on memory performance you could try and set it manually to 1T and see if the system is stable....i think you'll be the fisrt Everybody is getting stuck to 240 with the 1T setting...