*** Official ASUS M2N-E Thread ***

[imported_inspire]

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82
if Kanye West were here: "Asus doesn't care about budget overclockers."

QFT. Yes, I'm finding that the expensive boards get the support first. Thus, I'm RMA'ing this one for something nicer.

 

[Smartazz]

I got this board around the same time inspire did. I can't put any multipliers on without it crashing. I can't get it past 2.3GHZ at all. Stable on stock settings though, I'd rather not RMA it, man those Core 2 Duo's are really looking nice now, too bad they came a few weeks late.

 

[imported_inspire]

I'm trying some OC's while I wait to see if they'll authorize the RMA. I'd sooner not have to go without a mobo for a week and have to reinstall everything, so if I can get something decent running, I may just stick with this. I won't count on future support from Asus, and I still don't plan on buying from them again.

EDIT: (since I'd rather not double-post)

Okay guys, we've been had. Check this out and pay particular attention to this part:

Precision Tweaker
It offers ways to raise system performance inch-by-inch and step-by-step to achieve maximum performance! This is about getting the most out of your machine and taking pride in your customized computer.
* vDIMM - Take control of how much power is going into the memory modules. ASUS gives you 15-step voltage control to the DIMM
* vCore - Find out "exactly" how much power your CPU needs. Fine-tune it with 0.0125 volts at a time!
* SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection) allows
- FSB tuning from 200MHz up to 400MHz at 1MHz increment
- PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 200MHz at 1MHz increment

That's right, this board's features supposedly include 15-step vDIMM settings (1.80v-2.50v in 0.05v increments), but, in reality, the board only has 4 (1.80v, 1.85v, 1.90v, 1.95v).

I have submitted another Technical Inquiry at Asus's member page and sent an e-mail to tsd@asus.com - I would encourage the other owners here to do likewise. This is a big no-no, and I expect Asus to make good on it. You guys should, too.

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: inspire
I'm trying some OC's while I wait to see if they'll authorize the RMA. I'd sooner not have to go without a mobo for a week and have to reinstall everything, so if I can get something decent running, I may just stick with this. I won't count on future support from Asus, and I still don't plan on buying from them again.

EDIT: (since I'd rather not double-post)

Okay guys, we've been had. Check this out and pay particular attention to this part:

Precision Tweaker
It offers ways to raise system performance inch-by-inch and step-by-step to achieve maximum performance! This is about getting the most out of your machine and taking pride in your customized computer.
* vDIMM - Take control of how much power is going into the memory modules. ASUS gives you 15-step voltage control to the DIMM
* vCore - Find out "exactly" how much power your CPU needs. Fine-tune it with 0.0125 volts at a time!
* SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection) allows
- FSB tuning from 200MHz up to 400MHz at 1MHz increment
- PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 200MHz at 1MHz increment

That's right, this board's features supposedly include 15-step vDIMM settings (1.80v-2.50v in 0.05v increments), but, in reality, the board only has 4 (1.80v, 1.85v, 1.90v, 1.95v).

I have submitted another Technical Inquiry at Asus's member page and sent an e-mail to tsd@asus.com - I would encourage the other owners here to do likewise. This is a big no-no, and I expect Asus to make good on it. You guys should, too.

Wow ... I can't believe I didn't notice that myself!

Those are close to the specs the Crosshair 590 SLI board I just bought to do a test-build with have & if the M2N-E had them it would be a killer product, of course the Crosshair is currently selling for $249!

I smell a rat!!!!! :frown:

 

[mitaiwan82]

Originally posted by: inspire
That's right, this board's features supposedly include 15-step vDIMM settings (1.80v-2.50v in 0.05v increments), but, in reality, the board only has 4 (1.80v, 1.85v, 1.90v, 1.95v).

hmm that does seem pretty shady - I will definitely submit a technical inquiry once I get the board and set it all up. The M2N-SLI Deluxe board has the same description, but I'm wondering if it actually has the 15-step voltage adjustments implemented...

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82

Originally posted by: inspire
That's right, this board's features supposedly include 15-step vDIMM settings (1.80v-2.50v in 0.05v increments), but, in reality, the board only has 4 (1.80v, 1.85v, 1.90v, 1.95v).

hmm that does seem pretty shady - I will definitely submit a technical inquiry once I get the board and set it all up. The M2N-SLI Deluxe board has the same description, but I'm wondering if it actually has the 15-step voltage adjustments implemented...

Maybe the board is capable of doing this, but can't yet. But that is pretty shady.

 

[ionoxx]

So does this 0302 bios fix anything? does it allow higher voltage settings?

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82

Originally posted by: inspire
That's right, this board's features supposedly include 15-step vDIMM settings (1.80v-2.50v in 0.05v increments), but, in reality, the board only has 4 (1.80v, 1.85v, 1.90v, 1.95v).

hmm that does seem pretty shady - I will definitely submit a technical inquiry once I get the board and set it all up. The M2N-SLI Deluxe board has the same description, but I'm wondering if it actually has the 15-step voltage adjustments implemented...

Maybe the board is capable of doing this, but can't yet. But that is pretty shady.

I think the bastards just want to try & force us to buy more expensive motherboards by castrating this model with limited BIOS options, in other words that its fully intentional.

 

[opmike]

I sent ASUStek an email regarding the false and misleading vDIMM support. However, I don't think I will get much of a response; because they have apparently put me on their ignore list as emails I have sent in the past have still gone unanswered. Replies I did get where in the form of some stupid RMA process letter that in no way answered my questions.

I see no reason why this board only has a max of 1.95, when the M2N-SLI supports up to 2.5 I believe. It's not like it's a big difference in the two boards, and a BIOS update should fix it. Buncha BS...

 

[imported_inspire]

You guys aren't going to believe this. I am so pissed. I submitted the following technical inquiry today:

http://usa.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=101&l3=0&model=1181&modelmenu=1

says:

Precision Tweaker
It offers ways to raise system performance inch-by-inch and step-by-step to achieve maximum
performance! This is about getting the most out of your machine and taking pride in your customized
computer.
* vDIMM - Take control of how much power is going into the memory modules. ASUS gives you
15-step voltage control to the DIMM
* vCore - Find out "exactly" how much power your CPU needs. Fine-tune it with 0.0125 volts at a
time!
* SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection) allows
- FSB tuning from 200MHz up to 400MHz at 1MHz increment
- PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 200MHz at 1MHz increment


I only have 4 vDIMM options on my motherboard - 1.80v / 1.85v / 1.90v / 1.95v and Auto. Am I
missing something? Will this be fixed?

and this is their reply:

You may contact RMA department at the number below for a replacement of the chip set fan.

Thank you for your support of our products!

If your ASUS product needs to be repaired or exchanged, first try to exchange the item with your vendor. If this is not possible, you will need to contact our RMA department for assistance. There are three ways to contact them:

1) If you have Internet access, you can visit this website:

http://helpdesk.asus.com

Click on the ASUS RMA Online link, and request an RMA

2) Send an e-mail to:

RMA@asus.com

Please include your name, mailing address, telephone number, and the serial number of your product.

3) If you are in the USA or Canada, call our RMA department at 510-739-3777 option 3. Please have the serial number of your ASUS product handy when you call.

Please do not respond to this email. If you need further assistance in this matter please contact our RMA department.

Free Fan replacements

For free fan replacements email to: rma@asus.com or jimmy_kuo@asus.com

My next reply will explain my thoughts:

Robert,

I never said anything about either the chipset or the fan. You may be interested to know that the M2N-E doesn't even use a fan on the chipset. If you think that you can blow me off, you're mistaken. Now, I expect answers or I will start making phone calls and I will make it a point to bring up our correspondence, particularly your name, when I speak to management.

Your company has advertised falsely and is open to a class action lawsuit. You'd better come up with something better than a pre-typed reply about your RMA policy or some non-existant chipset fan as neither of them come anywhere close to remotely addressing the issue at hand.

I don't play the red herring game. Now quit wasting my time and get me answers.

Pointedly,
[inspire]

 

[sicknasty]

I hope you guys don't mind if an Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe user posts here, because I'm having EXACTLY the same problems. I have tried every setting I can think of and I am using the latest BIOS (0304 I believe). I will be emailing Asus soon, first I need to find the model number on my motherboard as I can't find it anywhere else.

 

[imported_inspire]

sicknasty - you can post here no problem, man - bring your fellow board owners, too - it's time we got some answers. Asus's reputational credit has just run out with me....

EDIT: Again, cuz double-posting is not cool. I have called Asus tech support (502) 995-0883 and guess what? I got after 13 minutes on hold (yes, I took notes ) I got a person. And not just any person, but an American (no offense intended, just means that it's someone I can understand). The guy was great to work with.

Here's the rub: When I presented the issue and asked if Asus had acknowledged the problem, Brent (that's the guys name) told me that he was not aware of this problem (with the vDIMM settings) - and it didn't sound like Asus was either.

I also brought up the question of whether a mobo revision would be needed to resolve it, or whether a BIOS revision could handle it and I implied that I'd like some sort of timeframe.

I was very explicit with the details, and he was very understanding and tells me he will be looking into it and getting back with me via phone (hopefully this week) after he has the chance to talk to some other people (he works a late shift).

If you guys want answers - call that number and deal with a real person. I will keep you guys posted as to how this pans out (although I can't shake the eerie feeling that Asus might just say it was a marketing error and blow it off - cross your fingers )

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: inspire
sicknasty - you can post here no problem, man - bring your fellow board owners, too - it's time we got some answers. Asus's reputational credit has just run out with me....

EDIT: Again, cuz double-posting is not cool. I have called Asus tech support (502) 995-0883 and guess what? I got after 13 minutes on hold (yes, I took notes ) I got a person. And not just any person, but an American (no offense intended, just means that it's someone I can understand). The guy was great to work with.

Here's the rub: When I presented the issue and asked if Asus had acknowledged the problem, Brent (that's the guys name) told me that he was not aware of this problem (with the vDIMM settings) - and it didn't sound like Asus was either.

I also brought up the question of whether a mobo revision would be needed to resolve it, or whether a BIOS revision could handle it and I implied that I'd like some sort of timeframe.

I was very explicit with the details, and he was very understanding and tells me he will be looking into it and getting back with me via phone (hopefully this week) after he has the chance to talk to some other people (he works a late shift).

If you guys want answers - call that number and deal with a real person. I will keep you guys posted as to how this pans out (although I can't shake the eerie feeling that Asus might just say it was a marketing error and blow it off - cross your fingers )

Thanks for keeping us updated.

 

[opmike]

How the hell is a major company like ASUS not aware of something as trivial as vDIMM settings? Atleast one person at the development department had to have gone into the BIOS at least one time before putting this oversized slice of toast on the market.

Tomorrow I will give them a call as well; hopefully they won't be so quick to blow us off (which the "we didn't know" response seems to be) if they start getting multiple calls.

 

[StevenNevets]

So in a nut shell this motherboard is fine if you have no intention of overclocking?

 

[sicknasty]

I've heard of others having problems without overclocking because of the board being picky, but yes I suppose at this point if you don't plan on OC'ing it's a good buy (assuming you buy the right RAM to go with it).

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: StevenNevets
So in a nut shell this motherboard is fine if you have no intention of overclocking?

It has been for me.

 

[imported_inspire]

Originally posted by: StevenNevets
So in a nut shell this motherboard is fine if you have no intention of overclocking?

If you have 1.9v memory DIMMs (which both smartazz and I have) - the majority of DDR2 800, though (afaik), is 2.1v - in which case you'll be stuck going through the hassle of getting new memory or underclocking your 2.1v DIMM.

Plus, if you're not going SLi or OC'ing, this board is at the top of the price list - there are many other more affordable boards in that category. That, and if you can get past the issue of supporting a company that misrepresents its product because said misrepresentation doesn't apply to you, then yes, you'll be fine. I don't mean you're a horrible person if you buy this board because it fits your needs and you don't care about the extras being broken - I just mean that it's something to consider since we're dealing with capitalism and companies' only motivation to reform in such an economy is $$$.

I don't really think the guy will blow me off - I told him how many people are having the same problem, and i told him that I'd be posting the details of our conversation on web forums. He knows I'm holding him accountable for getting us answers. All the same, I still encourage you guys to call. The end-users need to be heard.

 

[lein]

Here is a link to a thread I created that describes a nasty problem I am having with my new setup. Has anyone had this experience. I've found a few people on the net that have had this problem, however, no solutions have been found.

 

[imported_inspire]

Originally posted by: lein
Here is a link to a thread I created that describes a nasty problem I am having with my new setup. Has anyone had this experience. I've found a few people on the net that have had this problem, however, no solutions have been found.

Don't suppose you've tried plugging into a differend SATA port, eh?

 

[lein]

Originally posted by: inspire

Originally posted by: lein
Here is a link to a thread I created that describes a nasty problem I am having with my new setup. Has anyone had this experience. I've found a few people on the net that have had this problem, however, no solutions have been found.

Don't suppose you've tried plugging into a differend SATA port, eh?

Tried that =(.

 

[imported_inspire]

What BIOS revision are you running?

 

[lein]

2.03

Could I have just gotten a bad hard drive? The XP installation goes just fine, it just crashes when I boot into XP for the first time.

 

[imported_inspire]

Yeah, it would help if you could rule out a HD problem. You might find someone with similar problems at the Asus M2N-E forums...

 

[Gautama2]

So NO ONE has had success overclocking on this? Or is everyone only posting their problems here, and this only represents a small percentage of ASUS m2n-e owners?