Asus A8N-VM CSM

[Erssa]

"Well, I'll answer this one myself - don't go using beta bios's unless you enjoy re-installing windows.

After flashing the Bios 0403 to 0502 and booting the OS, XP went into a complete plug & play dance and redetected all the hardware except for my Nova-T digital tuner card, nothing I tried would coax it back to life. However all Cool'n'Quiet stuff is working lovely now so were on the right path.

Even after a complete re-install of XP i can't get the Nova-T to be detected allthough everything else works fine.

I'll keep trying and will keep you posted."

This quote is from Asus forums. Looks like 502 screws up the pci-slots.

Edit: I hope that's not you on the Asus forums JJcool ^^

 

[bostonhack]

Yes, today they're saying they are in stock and $84.95 http://www.xpcgear.com/asusa8nvmcsm.html . Problem is, I ordered mine on November 15th (for 89.95) and still have no confirmation that it has shipped or simply any response from them. When I ordered mine, it appeared to be IN STOCK, but when I got the (order confirmation) email, it said Pre-order!!

I've been on vacation for 8 days, and just before I left I posted a question on their website asking for order status. Haven't received a response. I tried calling them today - but got an voice message saying I reached them after hours. This was at 12:30 EST on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

I ordered all the parts 10+ days ago for a new computer hoping to assemble it this weekend after coming back from vacation. The only part I'm missing is the motherboard. (Can't get too far without that!)

xpcgear doesn't have the ability to log in and get status on (or cancel) your order. Since I can't reach anybody via phone today, I'm going to have to wait until monday to cancel my order. Zipzoomfly has the part in stock and are charging $25 more, but they're getting my business! http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247026

 

[sprockkets]

I would buy it from www.directron.com

 

[JJCool]

^^

Edit: I hope that's not you on the Asus forums JJcool ^^

No, it's not me

 

[jhansman]

Where, exactly, are you guys getting this 0502 BIOS? Can you provide a link or directions? I can't find it on the ASUS site. TIA.

 

[hamidjunior]

Does Asus A8N-VM CSM overclock any good? I've read up about BIOSTAR TForce6100-939 and it seems to overclock better. I don't plan to overclock too much though the new system I plan to build. I don't want the system run too hot but still want some light OC of board and vid.

Heat wise I'll have enough sources Aspire X-Qpack/X2 3800+/Kingston HyperX 1GB (2 x 512MB)/2xSeagate 7200.8 250gb sata 150 (raid 0)/2xND-3550A/connect3D 3038 X800GTO

I plan on gettin X2 3800+ to at least 2.2 maybe 2.4gz with zalman 7000 cu and unlock X800GTO to full XT (with stock cooling plus little bit arctic silver) what seems to be pretty easy. U guys think I should go for Asus or go with Biostar, with all this issues Asus having? Seems like Asus has better specs on paper. I currently have msi rs480m2, got when it just came out, feel like upgrading, runs ok but video already seems to go out

 

[8steve8]

the a8n-vm csm overclocks horribly for me. even 220mhz makes it finicky on booting.

 

[Erssa]

Originally posted by: hamidjunior
Does Asus A8N-VM CSM overclock any good? I've read up about BIOSTAR TForce6100-939 and it seems to overclock better. I don't plan to overclock too much though the new system I plan to build. I don't want the system run too hot but still want some light OC of board and vid.

I did some slight overclock testing with it couple of days ago. Only program I used to test stability was 3dmark2001. I used IGP while testing. I got 6219 marks when I ran my x2 3800+ at 240x10 and memory multiplier was 166 (effective ddr 400), I ran my crucial ballistix at 2-2-2-7. When I tried to 1:1 with 240x10 comp freezed. I was using easy 3-3-3-7 timings (in anandtech review ballistix could do 2.5-2-2-7@2.7v ddr480). I guess the mobo couldn't give enough voltage. Next I tested 236x10 1:1 with memory running at ddr472 3-3-3-7, again loose timings. I got 6475 marks. It seems the IGP likes the extra bandwith. I like keeping my computer ultra silent so I run my comp at stock speeds anyway. That's why I bought this mobo, no extra add on cards required.

About overclocking...
After putting the settings the computer didn't always boot to windows straight from bios. I had to turn the main power off after applying the settings. After that I had now problems in booting to windows.
Good overclocker? Nope. Overall crappy bios. There are no voltage settings. You cannot change the multiplier of cpu. Only 240fsb (doesn't matter with my processor, since I think 2400mhz is pushing the limit it can do with stock voltage). No upper multipliers for memory (no use anyway, since you would lack voltage, if you wanted to run your memory at ddr500) Did I mention crappy bios? Bios is bugged and asus support is non existant. Judging from the information that anandtech released from BIOSTAR TForce I'd say it's much, much, much better at overclocking.

 

[Stefpet]

Is there someone with the A8N-VM CSM that does NOT have the coil noise?

 

[8steve8]

what is coil noise?

 

[RobDMB]

Would people that have this motherboard recommend it assuming the bios issues get worked out. I'm thinking of using it for my parents due to the onboard video. Also does anyone know if these work with the S939 Opterons?

 

[gpgofast]

BIOS ver0506 is out. I have had NO problems so far(it's only a short time period) with mine but it will NOT be overclocked, just used by my grandfather to play solitaire!!!

 

[robphelan]

can anyone tell me where to find the device drivers such as LAN for the a8n-vm csm?

just installed this thing last night & have several devices not installed due to missing drivers...

all i find on Asus' website is BIOS updates, Nvidia updates, & audio updates.

thanks,
robert.

 

[WinkyBlinky]

Look on the CD that came with the MB. I have the same one I just got a few days ago.

 

[robphelan]

edit... wrong CD

 

[gpgofast]

Chipset

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket939/A8N-VMCSM/32nforce822.zip


Video

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket939/A8N-VMCSM/chipset.zip

 

[Zheko]

Goto nvidia's website www.nvidia.com, and get this file (it will fix all devices):
http://download1.nvidia.com/Windows/nFo...Force_430_410_8.22_winxp2k_english.exe

...or you can choose a mirror from here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_430_410_winxp32_8.22.html

P.S. this section is for WinXP Drivers!

 

[gaidin123]

For anyone that's curious, it turns out that my issues with the A8N-VM CSM were CPU related. Using the onboard video would cause graphical corruption on screen and a hard crash at random moments while using a PCI video card would work great. After RMAing the motherboard once, buying a new PSU, swapping some RAM, etc. Asus suggesting replacing the CPU since by that time it was the only part that I hadn't swapped out and the memory controller is on chip.

So, I bought a new CPU since I figure AMD's RMA will take another few weeks (I started this build in early November!). So far, everything's stable. memtest ran for a couple hours without issue while using the onboard DVI and Kubuntu has been running for a couple days on it (only at command prompt so far) chugging away on a sata raid array. Doing anything like that before would cause the thing to hang.

I've never had a bad CPU before but it looks like it can happen. I was using the standard retail HS/fan and the thing barely ever got warm and did no overclocking of any kind.

Gaidin