*** Official ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe (nForce4) Thread ***

[Barshow]

Can any one help I installed nTune 200.23 and got it working with help from your forum, but I had one crash when NVMonitor was running now the visual Interface for it, comes up garbled I have uninstalled and Re-installed with no Joy but I still get a garbled Interface help. Processor

Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+
Speed : 2.01GHz
Model Number : 3200 (estimated)
Performance Rating : PR3015 (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 i2c/SMBus
MP Support : 1 CPU(s)
MP APIC : No
System BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS A8N-SLI DELUXE ACPI BIOS Revision 1004-001
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 1005MHz (2010MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 1GB DDR-SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 201MHz (402MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Plug and Play Monitor
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP/2002 Home (Win32 x86) 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 2)

 

[Streckfus]

Anyone know why (according to the Asus QVL) the A8N-SLI won't support 2 pairs of Corsair or Kingston Value RAM for a total of 2GB? According to the QVL I wouldn't be able to fill all four slots with two pairs of dual channel matched memory - it says that it would only support a single stick in one DIMM slot or two sticks in dual channel mode.

Since the mobo specs state that it'll support up to 4GB (2 pairs of matched 1GB sticks) in dual channel mode, it SHOULD support 2 pairs of matched 512MB sticks in dual channel mode, shouldn't it?

I'm planning on getting either the Corsair ValueSelect RAM or the Kingston ValueRAM.

I'm about three weeks (two paychecks) away from making my final purchases, so hopefully I can get this figured out in time!

Thanks.

 

[imported_MaDMaRTiGaN]

Originally posted by: vcooper1
Your cd rom drives should be connected to the secondary IDE channel!!
The primary IDE channel is for your standard IDE ATA Hard Drives.

Guess my CD ROM drive is not a standard IDE / PATA device?!? Both channels support up to two (master and slave) IDE / PATA devices. There is no such requirement that CD ROM drives should be on the secondary channel. Else I return my board, because it's not ATA compliant.

I just want both my DVD-ROM and my DVD-RW configured as master! I don't have any PATA hard drives in my system.

 

[imported_MaDMaRTiGaN]

Originally posted by: sirshambling
... Have you written to Plextor about this? They may be able to fix the problem with an update but need to be aware of the issue.

John.

Yes, I did fill in the contact form on the Plextor support site. I did not get a message back yet. I'll just wait a couple of days. (Cause my system is stable without the drive I can live with waiting a couple of days ).

 

[TMI]

I am running Corsair Value select 2gb ( 4x512kb) Dual channel from the QVL list. I have been (mostly) rock solid stable for more than 1 month.

 

[JimKiler]

Originally posted by: Streckfus
Anyone know why (according to the Asus QVL) the A8N-SLI won't support 2 pairs of Corsair or Kingston Value RAM for a total of 2GB? According to the QVL I wouldn't be able to fill all four slots with two pairs of dual channel matched memory - it says that it would only support a single stick in one DIMM slot or two sticks in dual channel mode.

Since the mobo specs state that it'll support up to 4GB (2 pairs of matched 1GB sticks) in dual channel mode, it SHOULD support 2 pairs of matched 512MB sticks in dual channel mode, shouldn't it?

I'm planning on getting either the Corsair ValueSelect RAM or the Kingston ValueRAM.

I'm about three weeks (two paychecks) away from making my final purchases, so hopefully I can get this figured out in time!

Thanks.

I am running Value Select Corsaid 2x512MB as well works good but I wish I could tell if I am using dual channel mode.

 

[Shaga]

People should use search more often, http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=29&threadid=1486076&enterthread=y

Anyway, Kingston 400DDR Valuekits(cl2.5) rocks at least on this board, changed to hyperx 434DDR for better oc tho.

 

[Shaga]

cpuz by the way tells if memory is running as a dual, and found this thread as well about 4gb on this board http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1507198&enterthread=y

 

[Streckfus]

Originally posted by: Shaga
People should use search more often, http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=29&threadid=1486076&enterthread=y

Anyway, Kingston 400DDR Valuekits(cl2.5) rocks at least on this board, changed to hyperx 434DDR for better oc tho.

I searched, but apparently not long enough. At any rate, thanks for the quick reply. At this point the Kingston is cheaper than Corsair so I'll get that, so I'm glad to hear it's working with your setup. The Kingston IS on the QVL list, but the "C" column isn't selected, which lead me to believe that 2 pairs of dual channel sticks of that model wouldn't work. Maybe the list just isn't updated.

Anyway, thanks. I'll go ahead with whichever RAM is cheaper and hopefully everything will work alright.

 

[Shaga]

np, kingston cl3 1gig kit is, not cl2.5.. but asus has left their qvl totally outdated. this hyperx ain't in the QVL either..

 

[imported_Neuro]

For those having issues with BIOS upgrades, I am having perfect success after flashing to rev. 1004. Must be specific to certain boards.

 

[Barshow]

Does any know what is going here , ClockGen says I have a CPU of 2009.96, A HTT 200.93, MEM 200.93, PCI-E 100.00, PCI 33.49. Bios says its HTT is 200.00, I updated Bios with Asus update V6.03.01. to ver 104 Final with clear cmos checksum to load default Bios setting CHECKED. I thought that flashing the Bios would clear everything back to default with no over clocking thats if you can call .93 on the HTT overclocking But no I still show unchanged figures. Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+
Speed : 2.01GHz

Mainboard
System BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS A8N-SLI DELUXE ACPI BIOS Revision 1004 Final System : System manufacturer System name

Total Memory : 1GB Viking DDR-SDRAM 3.3.3.8

Chipset 1
Model : Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Athlon 64 / Opteron HyperTransport Technology Configuration
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 1005MHz (2010MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 1GB DDR-SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 201MHz (402MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Plug and Play Monitor
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP/2002 Home (Win32 x86) 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 2)

 

[Streckfus]

Originally posted by: Shaga
np, kingston cl3 1gig kit is, not cl2.5.. but asus has left their qvl totally outdated. this hyperx ain't in the QVL either..

Okay...I'm having some problems differentiating between the different types of RAM. These are the two I'm looking at buying right now:

Kingston ValueRAM Link

Corsair ValueSelect Link

I'd be buying two of these pairs for a total of 2GB Dual Channel memory.

I SHOULD be able to use this memory with the A8N-SLI, filling all four DIMM slots, for two pairs of dual-channel mode, right? Or not?

 

[imported_starfury6]

I think you'll find that this board will only do dual channel with 2 sticks, i.e. 2x512 or 2x1GB.

I'm running corsair TWINX2048-3200C2 at 1T and it runs fine in dual channel, but others I know running 2 lots of TWINX1024-3200C2 can only run in single channel mode.

 

[imported_sirshambling]

Originally posted by: MaDMaRTiGaN

Originally posted by: sirshambling
... Have you written to Plextor about this? They may be able to fix the problem with an update but need to be aware of the issue.

John.

Yes, I did fill in the contact form on the Plextor support site. I did not get a message back yet. I'll just wait a couple of days. (Cause my system is stable without the drive I can live with waiting a couple of days ).

I cann too - but I'll write as well to let them know that there are others in the same position. If I get a reply I'll let you know here.

John

 

[Streckfus]

Originally posted by: starfury6
I think you'll find that this board will only do dual channel with 2 sticks, i.e. 2x512 or 2x1GB.

I'm running corsair TWINX2048-3200C2 at 1T and it runs fine in dual channel, but others I know running 2 lots of TWINX1024-3200C2 can only run in single channel mode.

But according to the QVL, there are several types of RAM that WILL run with all 4 DIMMs filled, both pairs in dual channel mode. Maybe that's only in theory, but apparently certain types of memory will work in this manner. I'm just wondering if the value RAM I'm getting will do it.

 

[imported_starfury6]

From what I've read over all of the huge threads about this board, no one I've seen (unless I'm just bilnd) has gotten dual channel with 4 sticks.

Hands up if you have please people!

 

[Dream Operator]

From Barshow

"Does any know what is going here , ClockGen says I have a CPU of 2009.96, A HTT 200.93, MEM 200.93, PCI-E 100.00, PCI 33.49. Bios says its HTT is 200.00, I updated Bios with Asus update V6.03.01. to ver 104 Final with clear cmos checksum to load default Bios setting CHECKED. I thought that flashing the Bios would clear everything back to default with no over clocking thats if you can call .93 on the HTT overclocking But no I still show unchanged figures. Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+
Speed : 2.01GHz"




I was having the same issue. Noticed it a couple weeks after going to 1004-001. Even if my PCI was set to 33.33 in the bios, if i left the cpu freq at 200, it would set to approx 201 and make the PCI 33.49, thus not locking. Current solution is to keep system underclocked by the smallest amount. Then PCI lock works for me. Just went to 1004 final. Jacked up windows and had to reinstall. Haven't oc'd yet.

It's no answer, just mentioning that it happened to me too.

 

[Streckfus]

Originally posted by: starfury6
From what I've read over all of the huge threads about this board, no one I've seen (unless I'm just bilnd) has gotten dual channel with 4 sticks.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but in the A8N Manual & on the QVL it states the following:

DIMM Support: A Supports one module inserted into either the blue slots, in a Single-channel memory configuration. B Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the blue slots or the black slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration. C Support for 4 modules inserted into blue and black slots as two pairs of Dual-channel memory configuration.

From what I can gather, C means that this board will support 4 sticks (128, 256, 512 or 1024) inserted into all 4 DIMM slots, combining for a total of 2 pairs of memory, each pair running into dual channel mode.

A lot of people on here are only using 1GB of RAM, so if they get a matched pair of 512MB sticks, then they only need 2 DIMM slots. And those who are going with 2GB of RAM might be using a matched pair of 1024MB sticks. But I can't be the only person on here who plans to use (or is already using) all 4 DIMM slots.

Again, I'm not trying to be a jerk and maybe I'm just not understanding this stuff at all, but from what it says in the manual and on the QVL, the A8N-SLI DOES support the configuration in which all 4 DIMMs are occupied, running as two pairs of dual-channel memory.

My simple question is whether or not the specific memory products I've listed are going to be compatible with this board. One would think - given the aforementioned documentation - that the 4 modules will work in dual-channel mode, and if not, then I guess they'll run as four separate DIMMs in single-channel mode. (?) But bottom line, I just want to know if the value RAM is going to work, period.

 

[Dream Operator]

Alright, I posted here on this before with no answer. Took a couple weeks trying various remedies with no success. Just hoping for some direction.

After I installed the Zalman northbridge heatsink, I lost my sec. IDE.

Changed cables, reloaded bios, updated to 1004final, reinstalled windows (not for this reason, but worth a mention), cleared CMOS.

Nothing will bring it back. When installing the heatsink, I kept the PSU plugged in, but turned of the switch. I left he mobo plugged to the PSU. The mobo sat on the my case while doing the install, with a anti-static bag between them.

Any ideas what could cause this? RMA time? Would the board get inspected to the point of being able to tell that the fan had been removed and replaced?

 

[SkyBum]

Originally posted by: Dream Operator
RMA time? Would the board get inspected to the point of being able to tell that the fan had been removed and replaced?

No worries. I had to RMA 3 times to get a completely working board. I had removed the chip fan on all for watercooling and it never came up. First board was replaced. 2nd board was repaired (NOT!) and then it was replaced in the 3rd RMA. Just make sure to put some thermal ad. back on there when you replace the fan in case they do a repair instead of a replacement (otherwise you might get a heat stressed board back if they only repair something).

 

[imported_starfury6]

Originally posted by: Streckfus

Originally posted by: starfury6
From what I've read over all of the huge threads about this board, no one I've seen (unless I'm just bilnd) has gotten dual channel with 4 sticks.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but in the A8N Manual & on the QVL it states the following:

DIMM Support: A Supports one module inserted into either the blue slots, in a Single-channel memory configuration. B Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the blue slots or the black slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration. C Support for 4 modules inserted into blue and black slots as two pairs of Dual-channel memory configuration.

From what I can gather, C means that this board will support 4 sticks (128, 256, 512 or 1024) inserted into all 4 DIMM slots, combining for a total of 2 pairs of memory, each pair running into dual channel mode.

A lot of people on here are only using 1GB of RAM, so if they get a matched pair of 512MB sticks, then they only need 2 DIMM slots. And those who are going with 2GB of RAM might be using a matched pair of 1024MB sticks. But I can't be the only person on here who plans to use (or is already using) all 4 DIMM slots.

Again, I'm not trying to be a jerk and maybe I'm just not understanding this stuff at all, but from what it says in the manual and on the QVL, the A8N-SLI DOES support the configuration in which all 4 DIMMs are occupied, running as two pairs of dual-channel memory.

My simple question is whether or not the specific memory products I've listed are going to be compatible with this board. One would think - given the aforementioned documentation - that the 4 modules will work in dual-channel mode, and if not, then I guess they'll run as four separate DIMMs in single-channel mode. (?) But bottom line, I just want to know if the value RAM is going to work, period.

No i understand, I wasn't trying to argue myself. The Asus recomendations just don't seem to fit. It's one of the reasons I made sure I could get my 2GB in just 2 sticks, after reading about so many people in the 4 sticks no dual channel situation. Cost me the earth though, 1GB sticks are not cheap.

I hope your memory proves the exception to the rule.

Even the power requirements are not right. I have an OCZ Powerstream 520W which my retailer wont refund because it's past their refund time limit of 14 days. But it's brand new and according to Asus little power requirements chart, 485W is fine for a top end SLi system. Pfff. Another area they are wrong as Sander will tell you. I have ordered a PC P&C 510 but now have a practically new OCZ 520W to sell...

 

[imported_CMBurns]

Good news, BIOS 1004 final doesn't drop the Maxtor Diamond10 SATA HDs.

Any ideas about the problems I posted earlier? (cool'n'quiet produces HD corruption - XP hangs when a SATA HD that is sleeping has to power on agan)

 

[imported_CW]

>CoolWind wrote:
>the Post Reporter keeps saying: "System failed VGA test".
>Besides returning the Graphics board anything else I could try?

Yesterday I tried a new PCI Express card, a MSI 6600 GT, and it worked at the first try, so it is true that there are many graphic cards defective out there...

Updated to 1004, no more problems by now. If I have time I'll install the software this afternoon... (Windows, Ubuntu (Live-CD worked fine yesterday!) etc.)

Thank you for the replies.

 

[evilmrroboto]

Originally posted by: Streckfus
Anyone know why (according to the Asus QVL) the A8N-SLI won't support 2 pairs of Corsair or Kingston Value RAM for a total of 2GB? According to the QVL I wouldn't be able to fill all four slots with two pairs of dual channel matched memory - it says that it would only support a single stick in one DIMM slot or two sticks in dual channel mode.

Since the mobo specs state that it'll support up to 4GB (2 pairs of matched 1GB sticks) in dual channel mode, it SHOULD support 2 pairs of matched 512MB sticks in dual channel mode, shouldn't it?

I'm planning on getting either the Corsair ValueSelect RAM or the Kingston ValueRAM.

I'm about three weeks (two paychecks) away from making my final purchases, so hopefully I can get this figured out in time!

Thanks.

I can't prove that this works, but in the latest issue of Maximum PC they show off a computer built by some company (I'm not at home so I can't see what it is exactally) that used the A8N-SLI with 4 sticks of 512MB Corsair memory for a total of 2GB. So I guess it can work, but with this board anything is possible. So it has about the same chance of not working also. I am assuming a 6,000$ computer isn't going to be running in single channle mode either. They weren't using the Corsair value ram either, they used the faster stuff that according to the QVL only supports 1 pair (2 sticks).

!!EDIT: I found the website for this system on their website, there even is a picture.