*** Official ASUS P5W DH Thread ***

[NL mkII]

This is maybe a question I should have asked about 2 hours ago... but here goes nothing!

I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to all this modding for overclocking etc, and Ive just taken it upon myself to try replacing the thermal compound on this motherboard with AS5. I followed the instructions in this thread

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106563

I havent had the chance to put everything back in to the case yet to see if it works, but is it easy to cock up this installation? i.e. a small amount of thermal compound (and by small I really do mean small... I'm not a complete moron!) going slightly over the edges of where it is supposed to be and touching the "platform" below?

I think it all looks ok, but it would be good to have a bit of confirmation

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: NL mkII
This is maybe a question I should have asked about 2 hours ago... but here goes nothing!

I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to all this modding for overclocking etc, and Ive just taken it upon myself to try replacing the thermal compound on this motherboard with AS5. I followed the instructions in this thread

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106563

I havent had the chance to put everything back in to the case yet to see if it works, but is it easy to cock up this installation? i.e. a small amount of thermal compound (and by small I really do mean small... I'm not a complete moron!) going slightly over the edges of where it is supposed to be and touching the "platform" below?

I think it all looks ok, but it would be good to have a bit of confirmation

As long as you didn't get any AS5 on any of the mobo's circuitry (AS5 is conductive), everything should be just fine. Just make sure you have properly re-secured the heatsinks and boot that sucker.

-phil

 

[NL mkII]

Well that just depends on what you count as circuitry (maybe I should have used the ceramique!)

Basically a very very small amount slipped off the sides of both the Northbridge and Southbridge. It doesnt look like it has touched anything important (and certainly hasn't slipped so far that it is on the actual motherboard) though and I assume it is fine.

Sadly I can't boot it yet as my HD is at work being devirused (a mate of mine decided to download from various "untoward" sites without my knowledge... and without an installed Virus checker!!!), that should be back tomorrow though and I'll have a cool as a cucumber fast as a flash new rig! (or an awesome set of components and a motherboard on its way back to Asus?)

 

[phile]

By the sounds of it, you should be fine. Since this is a new rig, you're going to have to reinstall Windows, so I'm not sure why you bothered to have someone else run a virus-scan on your HD.

-phil

 

[ramsub]

Hi,
I am newbie trying to build a system. The hardware I have:

Asus P5WDH motherboard, E6600, Corsair 2GB memory (VS2GBKIT667D2), Gigabyte 7600GS graphics card, Seagate 300GB SATA300 drive, NEC DVD RW, Raidmax X1 Case with 450W PS

When I power up the system, all I get is a beep. No video. I read in a few places that this mother board may have issue with core-duo cpus. Is that still true?

I looked at the BIOS chip and I could not figure out the version. The markings I have on it are

49LF008a
33-4C-NHE
0629350-B

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ram

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: ramsub
Hi,
I am newbie trying to build a system. The hardware I have:

Asus P5WDH motherboard, E6600, Corsair 2GB memory (VS2GBKIT667D2), Gigabyte 7600GS graphics card, Seagate 300GB SATA300 drive, NEC DVD RW, Raidmax X1 Case with 450W PS

When I power up the system, all I get is a beep. No video. I read in a few places that this mother board may have issue with core-duo cpus. Is that still true?

I looked at the BIOS chip and I could not figure out the version. The markings I have on it are

49LF008a
33-4C-NHE
0629350-B

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ram

None of the info you posted corresponds to the BIOS version. There should be a 4 digit code, like 1101 or 1305.

In any case, if you just bought the P5WDH, it almost certainly came with a BIOS version that supports Core 2 Duo CPUs - 0604 or higher. Have you connected both power supply connectors? You must connect the 20+4-pin ATX and 4-pin 12v (just above the CPU socket) connectors. If that's not the issue, reseat the memory and videocard, and disconnect anything else not needed to boot. If that doesn't help, try booting with a single stick of mem. You might also try resetting the CMOS (see manual for instructions). If, after all this, the machine does not POST, your motherboard may be shorted in the case. You could try booting with the mobo/mem/cpu/vid setup outside of the case.

-phil

 

[ramsub]

Duh..I did not plug in the additional power cable. It boots OK now. Thanks.

Ram

 

[NL mkII]

Originally posted by: phile
By the sounds of it, you should be fine. Since this is a new rig, you're going to have to reinstall Windows, so I'm not sure why you bothered to have someone else run a virus-scan on your HD.

-phil

I have installed this HD on this motherboard before so I won't need to reinstall Windows! I've basically just decided to start oc'ing and my motherboard is running pretty close to the brink at 3ghz (e6600) so I thought that some basic enhancements wouldn't go amiss, so Ive done the thermal paste and cap removal thing, neatened up all the cables inside, and gonna look for some silent 40x40 fans later for the Northbridge and Southbridge.

ooh what fun it is to build a pc

 

[mikepaul]

Originally posted by: NL mkIIso Ive done the thermal paste and cap removal thing, neatened up all the cables inside, and gonna look for some silent 40x40 fans later for the Northbridge and Southbridge.

Has that been more than preventive medicine for anyone? While not cool, my machine isn't all that hot, and ripping it apart just to add AS5 and such seems like an invitation to an accident...

 

[Skott]

If you are happy with its performance and temps then dont worry about it. Only the hardcore OCers are pulling the heatsinks off and putting AS5 on them. The average user and mild OCer wont need to.

 

[NL mkII]

I wouldnt describe myself as a hardcore OC'er quiet yet... but I am someone who is interested in gettin there in the long run... what better time to start than now!

(and what better board to first try things out on than a brand new expensive P5W DH Deluxe that is kinda running ok'ish already... oh hang on... ok maybe that was a mistake)

 

[ramsub]

Hi,
I have another newbie question. What should be the "safe" temperatures for CPU and MB. I left the system running for a little while with no much happening (may just browsing or installing some software) and my MOBO temp went to about 50. Also, the Raidmax X1 case front panel is always showing around 80 deg. Is this normal? I just set the BIOS to to 5% OC.

Thanks,

Ram

 

[NL mkII]

Someone mentioned that this mb shouldnt go above 60c (slightly higher than some due to a strange placement of the temperature reader).

The cpu depends on which you have installed, if it is core 2 duo I believe that 60c is also the limit.

What software are you using to measure your temps? You should get Core Temp for the most accurate readings (assuming you are running a dual core processor)

 

[nrs251]

965 vs. 975.

I currently have the P5W Dh and am very happy with it. I am running an E6400 OC'd to 3.28GHz with watercooling. Rock stable with memory OC to 820Mhz.

My question concerns the new Quad-Core systems.

I guess I have been disappointed that the P5B seems to clock so much better. When I get a quad core I am considering a mobo switch to a 965 chipset with a VAPOCHILL LS unit. This is because I am concerned that the 975x chipset seems to be not the overclocker's board of choice. What makes the 965 chipset better at overclocking and is there any hope for the 975 BIOS revisions allowing better OC. As you can imagine, with the quad cores power consumption is higher, heat is likley higher and overclocking will turn the CPU into a heat radiator. If I got the VAPOCHILL LS I would do so to engage in some very aggressive OC with memory and CPU FSB.

 

[mkln]

am i right in thinking that the Conroes are the Core2 Duos with 4MB of L2 cache, i.e. the E6600 to E6800, and the Allendales are the Core2s with 2MB L2 cache, i.e. the E6300 and the E6400?



edit: took out the quote as it was an old post

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: mkln
am i right in thinking that the Conroes are the Core2 Duos with 4MB of L2 cache, i.e. the E6600 to E6800, and the Allendales are the Core2s with 2MB L2 cache, i.e. the E6300 and the E6400?



edit: took out the quote as it was an old post

No. The E6300 and E6400 are conroe cores with half the 4MB L2 cache disabled. CPUZ is simply wrong when it tags these chips as Allendale. Allendale cores have a native 2MB L2 cache, and lack support for VT, among other things.

-phil

 

[CRChickadee]

I'm pretty sure INtel marked thie E6600 at a max of 80 C. Mine at 3.34 runs in the mid-hi 50's under 100% stress test. On a warm day here, hi 70's-low 80's F, the CPU, unfer 100% sterss test will reach 60-61 C. Normal PC use/runing it is between 39-42 C

 

[CRChickadee]

Really, unless you are going to OC the living daylights out of your system, which gains very little true benefit in the end, over that and compared to a moderate OC, as well as putting extreme stress on your system, my suggestion is OC your system a bit lower than the extreme possible, and leave your Northbridge/et al. stock. The 1-2 C you may gain, in my opinion, is not worth the hassel, the stress and perhaps bit shorter system life of your PC sweetie, nor the few extra bucks for the very small gains.

 

[CRChickadee]

New bios, 1602 at <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5W%20DH%20Deluxe/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5W%20DH%20Deluxe/">ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5W%20DH%20Deluxe/</a></a>

Phil - Are you aware if this site has a bios readme for these relases, detailing the changes (for the Beta bios's)?

This is from the primary ASUS site since this is a full release:

P5W DH Deluxe BIOS 1602
Fix CPU frequency incorrectly display problem on AiBooster
Enhance HDD compatibility

 

[NL mkII]

Originally posted by: CRChickadee
Really, unless you are going to OC the living daylights out of your system, which gains very little true benefit in the end, over that and compared to a moderate OC, as well as putting extreme stress on your system, my suggestion is OC your system a bit lower than the extreme possible, and leave your Northbridge/et al. stock. The 1-2 C you may gain, in my opinion, is not worth the hassel, the stress and perhaps bit shorter system life of your PC sweetie, nor the few extra bucks for the very small gains.

You are probably right about that, but for me half the fun of building my own pc is to do these little mods and get a little extra performance. I'm still definately a noob but I am enjoying the learning process!

putting the AS5 on the chipsets was quite a fiddly little procedure and to be honest the eventual gains might not even be worth the £10 I spent on kit, but I still wont regret doing it (I also cut my hand quite badly on a razor that I dismantled to use for the installation process!)


Where do you get the temperature info from chickadee... I spent ages searching and eventually found a couple of people saying things on forums like this but I still havent found anything concrete

 

[imported_browsing]

What is the absolute best memory for this board? I had some OCZ plat. rev2 in it but that burned out, now I want something that has no compatability issues and will be stable as all get out for an OC.

 

[CRChickadee]

"Where do you get the temperature info from chickadee... I spent ages searching and eventually found a couple of people saying things on forums like this but I still havent found anything concrete "


I've been using Everest Ultimate 2006. Many years ago (8-10?) I used Motheroboard Monitor during the first few years it was written.... They (monitor apps) are great for initial setup. For me, once the system is dialed in and stable, I don't find a continued need to have things like Everest, CPUTemp, or whatever, running.

 

[Skott]

The design temp for the E6400 is 61.5C. From what I have heard the other Conroes are pretty much the same. Hence why you hear people saying dont go over 60C on the core temps. PC6400 RAM is about the best IMO. You can run some other but it'll also depend on wether you are OCing or not and how much you do want to push the OC if you are OCing. Alot of companies make PC6400 RAM so there are lots of choices now. I went with Corsair in sig because at the time most OCers were using it with the best results in stability and performance. It was also reasonably priced then too. Its still very good IMO although there are some cheaper choices and some better performing now. That TeamGroup RAM is very popular with this mobo now.

 

[imported_browsing]

I'd like something from a more well known brand. I just know that the OCZ was always a bit buggy running at different speeds. Is it unwise to go with a 1gig rated ddr2 to ensure that it will OC over the PC6400?

 

[Whirlwind]

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: whirlwind
First off let me say a BIG THANK YOU to you guys.
I am getting ready to do my 1st build and i have printed alot of helpful info from this thread.

I should be getting my video card this week, then my son and I will start our build.
We are very much noobs to building a pc, so I hope our questions are not too stupid, lol.

Our question is, once we get everything hooked up and we get the pc to post, do we install windows next, or do we put in the driver cd from the motherboard, and install that stuff first. We are alittle confused about this?

Our other question is how do we install windows if our hard drives are not partioned yet? Will it ask us to partion the hard drives, and is it hard?

If someone could explain when and how we partion our hard drives it would be of great help.
Do we need anything special to partion our hard drives?

We have one 320 GB seagate sata and one IDE 80 GB Western Digital.
We were going to install windows on the 80GB, but Phile said he would install it on the 320 GB sata drive, so we would like to do that.

Thanks again....you guys are great.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Once the machine is built and ready to go, power it up and hit DELETE at POST, to enter the BIOS. Head over to the BOOT area and set the boot order to make sure your CD/DVD ROM drive has priority in the sequence. Note: the only HD in this list will be the drive connected to SATA1, so make sure that the SATA drive intended for your OS is connected to this port. A few more things you should do in the BIOS, before installing Windows:

- set the proper speed, voltage and timings for your memory

On the Advanced / Jumperfree page, set AI Overclock to manual. This will unlock several settings, including memory speed and voltage. If you have PC2-6400 mem, set the DRAM Frequency to DDR2-800. For the voltage, check the specs for your mem. It will likely be 2.0v or 2.1v.

On the Advanced / Chipset page, set SPD Timings to disabled. This will unlock the memory timings area. The first four values are the timings you will manually set. Again, see the specs for your mem.

With this done, pop in your Windows CD and reboot. You will be asked to press any key to boot from CD.

Now, there will be a point in the installation process where you will be able to select the partition where Windows will should be installed. Assuming you have an unformatted HD, there will be no available partitions, so you will need to create them. At this point, you can create all the partitions you like, not just the primary partition for Windows. I don't have a photographic memory, but you will have to hit a key to create a partition, choose the type (primary for Windows, Logical for all the others), and then allocate a block of space. If you plan to install Windows and all applications to C: (the primary partition) make sure to allocate at least 20GB to this partition. Since you probably don't have any application for modifying partitions, like Partition Magic, you should probably make thisd partition even larger, say 50GB. Go ahead and create all your desired partitions using this interface. When done creating your partitions, make sure you choose C: (primary partition) when asked where to install Windows. You will then be asked how to prepare this partition. Choose the long format NTFS option. Third option, if memory serves. This will only format your C: partition, so you'll have to format all the other partitions from within Windows.

Once you have windows installed, you should install the following items from the P5WDH CD:

Drivers tab:
1) Intel chipset drivers (Intel Chipset Inf Update Program)
2) Ethernet drivers (Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet Driver)

Utilities tab:
1) ASUS PC Probe II (monitoring application)
2) ASUS DH Remote (only if you plan to use the remote, which causes many people trememdous headaches - install only if you really, really want to try the remote)

The Audio drivers d onot appear on my CD menu, so browse the CD and look for \Drivers\Audio. (If you have a dedicated soundcard, do not install these drivers, and disable the onboard audio in the BIOS.)

Don't install the USB 2.0 drivers if you're installing XP with SP2.

You won't need anything else from the mobo CD.

Once you have all your devices working, head over the Windows update and install pretty-much everything. You will need to revisit a few times, to get everything.

Note: If you bought an ATI Radeon videocard, the Catalyst Control Center requires the .NET software package in order to work. .NET 1 and .NET 2 will be available via Windows Update. So, do not install your videocard drivers until you have completed the Windows Update.

I think that just about covers it.

-phil



I just wanted to let you know Phil how much my son and I appeciated your help.
We have now completed our 1st ever build with your help. Thanks a million.

The build went without a hitch because of this thread.

Our build is the one in my sig, and let me tell you this thing kicks butt in all of our games!

The only question I have as of now is about our temps.
The CPU is 29 Degrees idle and just a few more under load, which i assume is ok.

I am really wondering about the Mobo....it is 46 degrees at idle and around 51 under some gaming load....is this ok, or do I need to do something else for some better cooling?

Right now we have a 120mm intake in front of case and a 120mm exhaust at the rear with the power supply also having a 120mm fan on it. CPU has a Zalmon 9500.

Thanks again for all of your help....This thread is the bomb!