*** Official ASUS P5W DH Thread ***

[phile]

Originally posted by: bostonkarl
I wanted to thank everyone who has posted here. Before I bought my components and built my system, I read this entire thread -- each and every entry. By doing so, I learned the tricks and pitfalls associated with this board. Because of you helpful folks, this was hands-down the easiest and most trouble free build I've done to date. Again, thank you.

The ONLY issue I had was with with Windows not recognizing my USB floppy drive during installation. (The MB would boot from it fine when Bios flashing, so this was a Windows issue, sigh.) Once I convinced a cantankorous old internal floppy drive to load the intel Raid drivers, I was set.

One tip that I can give is that it might be a good idea to connect the primary IDE cable (for those that use it) before instaling the MB in a case. Depending on the case layout, the sideways mounting of that connector can make for fat finger fumbling.

My system is:
ASUS P5W DH Delux (fashed to Bios 1707)
C2D E6600 stock cooling (for now)
Corsair XMS2: 2 x 1GB DDR2 800
Antec TruePower Trio 650
2 x WD Raptor 150 GB (16MB cache) as Raid 1
Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard with LCD Display
+ other misc stuff

I'm a very happy camper. Kudos to this thread.

You are definitely a rare breed, to have read the entire thread. Very happy to hear that it was helpful.

-phil

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: smitcopleyhill
My processor is idling around 24 degress and my motherboard at 40. Are those temperatures alright?

You must have your rig in a fairly cool room, those temps are excellent. However, you should be monitoring your CPU's core temps, rather than just the single package temp as read by the BIOS or ASUS Probe 2.

Download CoreTemp here:
http://www.thecoolest.zerobrains.com/CoreTemp/

-phil

 

[rcallery]

Thanks a lot Phil. The two drives i tried were both from different machines. So i formatted one and installed Windows and everything's running fine now. Thanks again

 

[smitcopleyhill]

Originally posted by: phile

Originally posted by: smitcopleyhill
My processor is idling around 24 degress and my motherboard at 40. Are those temperatures alright?

You must have your rig in a fairly cool room, those temps are excellent. However, you should be monitoring your CPU's core temps, rather than just the single package temp as read by the BIOS or ASUS Probe 2.

Download CoreTemp here:
http://www.thecoolest.zerobrains.com/CoreTemp/

-phil

I'm not using the stock cooler so that might be why the temperature of the processor was low. I ran CoreTemp and the temperatures of the cores are 42 and 40 degrees. Any comments?

 

[phile]

Your core temps are quite fine.

-phil

 

[smitcopleyhill]

Thanks for the quick reply. Before i start overclocking are there any tests i can run to make sure everything is stable?

 

[phile]

Absolutely. Orthos Stress Prime is a great tool for testing stability.

http://sp2004.fre3.com/beta/beta2.htm

Run the Blend test for a few hours. Run CoreTemp alongside to monitor your temps. While there's much debate about the maximum safe operating temps for the Core 2 Duo, I don't feel comfortable with anything over 60C for long duration loading.

-phil

 

[Butterbean]

Any tips about having MP3-In work? I have the green MP3-In input connected to the right connector (red) on the mobo but don't get any sound no matter if computer is off or on. I just have the Realtec for sound at the mo and have played with settings to no avail. I can get an MP3 player to input sound through some other inputs but not the MP3-In. I looked in Bios but didn't see anything obvious to set. Have I missed something?

 

[ryansebiz]

Date Posted: 09/01/2006 10:37 AM Posted By: phile(Senior Member)

A divider is used based on the ratio between your memory clock and CPU clock (FSB). It's done automatically by the board. To get this ratio, you compare the FSB to the real memory clock. The real memory clock is 1/2 your effective memory speed. So, if you're running your mem at DDR2-800, the real memory clock is 400MHz. The effective clock is 800MHz because DDR is dual data-rate.

So, if you're running FSB 266 and DDR2-800, the FSB:MEM ratio is 266/400 or 2:3. To run your mem at this FSB without a divider, you would have to downclock your mem to DDR2-533 - 266/266 or 1:1, thus no divider.

New P5W DH Deluxe owner here. I also have Corsair 6400C4 RAM.

So if I've understood Phil's post correctly in order to OC I should start with the FSB at 266 and underclock the RAM at 533 and only adjust the FSB from that point forward (since the RAM will auto OC)?

And I should have my voltages at:

1. vDIMM: 2.1V or 2.2V
2. MCH Voltage: 1.55V
3. vFSB: 1.40V
4. vICH: increase by +0.1V from default-lowest value
5. vCore (E6400): 1.375V

Just to be sure, there's no way to change the CPU multiplier with this board, just the FSB, right? For example my E6400 will always be locked in at the x8 multiplier, correct?

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: ryansebiz

Date Posted: 09/01/2006 10:37 AM Posted By: phile(Senior Member)

A divider is used based on the ratio between your memory clock and CPU clock (FSB). It's done automatically by the board. To get this ratio, you compare the FSB to the real memory clock. The real memory clock is 1/2 your effective memory speed. So, if you're running your mem at DDR2-800, the real memory clock is 400MHz. The effective clock is 800MHz because DDR is dual data-rate.

So, if you're running FSB 266 and DDR2-800, the FSB:MEM ratio is 266/400 or 2:3. To run your mem at this FSB without a divider, you would have to downclock your mem to DDR2-533 - 266/266 or 1:1, thus no divider.

New P5W DH Deluxe owner here. I also have Corsair 6400C4 RAM.

So if I've understood Phil's post correctly in order to OC I should start with the FSB at 266 and underclock the RAM at 533 and only adjust the FSB from that point forward (since the RAM will auto OC)?

And I should have my voltages at:

1. vDIMM: 2.1V or 2.2V
2. MCH Voltage: 1.55V
3. vFSB: 1.40V
4. vICH: increase by +0.1V from default-lowest value
5. vCore (E6400): 1.375V

Just to be sure, there's no way to change the CPU multiplier with this board, just the FSB, right? For example my E6400 will always be locked in at the x8 multiplier, correct?

To overclock, select your desired FSB and then choose from the available memory speeds - there will be an option for each memory divider supported at that particular FSB. If you're keen on running without a memory divider, the approach you inquired about would be a good way to go about achieving that. However, using that approach will result in the underclocking of your memory, up until 400 FSB. Are you planning a modest, moderate, or extreme overclock?

As far as voltages go, you can leave vMCH, vICH and vFSB at AUTO, unless you're planning an extreme o/c. Say, above FSB 400. For vDIMM use whatever the rated voltage is for the rated speed. It's not usually necessary to boost the vDIMM if you're running the memory at or below the rated speed, which is DDR2-800, in your case. For a mild overclock of the mem, +0.1v should be sufficient, if even required. As for vCORE, it's all trial and error, since every CPU has its own characteristics. For example, my Week 24 E6600 needs a BIOS setting of 1.35v to be stable at FSB 333 (3GHz), while someone with a week 27 or 28 E6600 can likely achieve the same o/c with vCORE left at AUTO.

Note about the P5WDH: when you disable the SPD timings and set the memory timings manually, make sure you ente them correctly. Memory manufacturers almost always list the timings in the following order:

CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS

...but in the P5WDH BIOS they are ordered slightly differently:

CAS-TRP-TRCD-TRAS

This is easy to miss and can cause headaches for DIMMS whose TRP and TRCD latencies are not the same.

-phil

 

[ryansebiz]

Originally posted by: phileHowever, using that approach will result in the underclocking of your memory, up until 400 FSB. Are you planning a modest, moderate, or extreme overclock?

Thanks for the quick replay Phil. If I could get to 400 FSB (no higher) I would be very happy.

Some suggest that I just clock the FSB to 400 and set the memory at its standard DDR2-800 and timings at 4-4-4-11 (w/ voltages mentioned above) and boot. Do you think that is a good idea?

Also suggested is this quick and dirty Core2Duo Overclocking Guide. It suggests starting at FSB 333 w/ DDR2-667 and working your way up.

Finally there's the tried and true method of slowly overclocking the CPU separately, then the RAM separately, to find how far you can push each component.

However, since I don't want to go past FSB 400 (for heat and stability reasons) if I don't intend to overclock the RAM then should I just set it 1:1 and overclock the FSB?

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: ryansebiz

Originally posted by: phileHowever, using that approach will result in the underclocking of your memory, up until 400 FSB. Are you planning a modest, moderate, or extreme overclock?

Thanks for the quick replay Phil. If I could get to 400 FSB (no higher) I would be very happy.

Some suggest that I just clock the FSB to 400 and set the memory at its standard DDR2-800 and timings at 4-4-4-11 (w/ voltages mentioned above) and boot. Do you think that is a good idea?

Finally there's the tried and true method of slowly overclocking the CPU separately, then the RAM separately, to find how far you can push each component.

However, since I don't want to go past FSB 400 (for heat and stability reasons) if I don't intend to overclock the RAM then should I just set it 1:1 and overclock the FSB?

I can say with absolute certainty that 400 will not boot with vCORE set to AUTO. Assuming your particular components can handle 400 (my CPU cannot) you're probably looking at a required vCORE of somewhere above 1.5v (watch your temps!). A good resource for tips and suggested configs would be this thread, at xtremesystems:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=110193

Also suggested is this quick and dirty Core2Duo Overclocking Guide. It suggests starting at FSB 333 w/ DDR2-667 and working your way up.

333 is doable with voltage left at AUTO, so it's as good a place as any to begin. Actually, I'm currently running my E6600/P5WDH at FSB 333 w/ mem at DDR2-833 (4:5 divider). For that o/c my cpu needs a vCORE setting of 1.35v. Later E6600s can do the same at AUTO volts.

Remember to test stability at each o/c. Best to use Orthos Stress Prime.
http://sp2004.fre3.com/beta/beta2.htm

Run the Blend test for a few hours.

And monitor core temps with CoreTemp:
http://www.thecoolest.zerobrains.com/CoreTemp/

-phil

 

[ryansebiz]

Phil - I hit 2.668 on my first try, basically turning my E6400 into an E6700!

FSB 333
DDR2 666
vDimm 2.0v
vCore 1.375v
vFSB, vMCH & vICH Auto
2668mhz
51c/48c

Now to up the FSB 5mhz at a time.

Couple more questions:

1. In SpeedFan, what do the System and AUX temps refer to? Northbridge and southbridge?
2. My northbridge is pretty hot to the touch. How can you fit another heatsink (ie HR-05) since the current heatsink is a pipe connecting to the NB and top left of the mobo? Any other ways to cool off the heatsink?

 

[QuietRiot]

Ryansebiz, I also have a P180, P5W Dlx, and the Tuniq; but I'm running my with the fan. Just curious, why did you decide against the fan in the Tuniq? And which fans do you have running in the back of the case?


Back to topic, my overclocking experience has been that the cpu needs little extra juice - at least, of course, in my case. What I needed to up a bit were the vFSB and vMCH voltages to the next possible step. My vCore is at 1.350 and I'm running at FSB 400.

Also, have you lifted the bridges' heatsinks and replaced the thermal paste? I can't find the link to that post, but I'm sure Phil can find it

A great utility if you want to keep your overclocked system idling for long periods of time is RMClock. It uses the energy saving features of the cpu and lowers the multiplier and vCore when the computer is idling.

 

[mikepaul]

Originally posted by: Butterbean
Any tips about having MP3-In work? I have the green MP3-In input connected to the right connector (red) on the mobo but don't get any sound no matter if computer is off or on. I just have the Realtec for sound at the mo and have played with settings to no avail. I can get an MP3 player to input sound through some other inputs but not the MP3-In. I looked in Bios but didn't see anything obvious to set. Have I missed something?

If you missed something, I missed it too. I haven't played with it since it didn't work on Day 1.

Perhaps somewhere in the audio controls there's a switch for that input that isn't active. I see how the other inputs are constantly monitored and if you plug something in you're asked what it is, but with the MP3-in in an inconvenient place under my desk I'd have to play with it more than I want to. Plus my NEED for that input is very limited since streaming MP3s FROM my computer TO my Xbox 360 is far far more common now...

 

[ryansebiz]

Originally posted by: QuietRiot
Ryansebiz, I also have a P180, P5W Dlx, and the Tuniq; but I'm running my with the fan. Just curious, why did you decide against the fan in the Tuniq? And which fans do you have running in the back of the case?

Nice setup

I do have the fan installed in the Tuniq, I just have it turned off in SpeedFan. After my first OC of 333 FSB I'm around 57c/54c with no fan noise at all. I like to keep my PC as quiet as possible.

I realize if I OC anymore I will have to turn the fan up some more. Problem is, I can only go from off to 1600RPM with SpeedFan. I've tried all the CPU Q Fan options in the BIOS> Any suggestions on getting it running at around 400-800RPM?

As for case fans, for the blowhole I have the Antec Tri Cool 120 on low and the rear fan is a Yate Loon 120 undervolted to 5v. I can't hear them; it's great.

Back to topic, my overclocking experience has been that the cpu needs little extra juice - at least, of course, in my case. What I needed to up a bit were the vFSB and vMCH voltages to the next possible step. My vCore is at 1.350 and I'm running at FSB 400.

OK, thanks. Finding proper vFSB, vMCH and vICH voltages, in addition to vCore, is what I'm trying to find out now as I work my way to my eventual goal of 400 FSB.

Also, have you lifted the bridges' heatsinks and replaced the thermal paste? I can't find the link to that post, but I'm sure Phil can find it

While I didn't see that post, I did remove the heatsinks, replaced the paste with AS5 and also took off the heatsink covers. I didn't get to benchmark it before hand (because I didn't want to take the mobo back out of the case) but I think it helped.

Thing is, I can't tell what my northbridge and southbridge temps are. The only two temps I can't determine in SpeedFan are System (47c) and AUX (23c). I'm guessing those are the NB and SB temps, respectively, but I could be wrong. Does anyone know if this mobo supports sensors for both the NB and SB? If so, what are your temps?

A great utility if you want to keep your overclocked system idling for long periods of time is RMClock. It uses the energy saving features of the cpu and lowers the multiplier and vCore when the computer is idling.

Thanks, I'll take a look at that right away. I leave my computer on 24/7 so I'm sure that will help cut down the power bill

 

[Butterbean]

Originally posted by: mikepaul

Originally posted by: Butterbean
Any tips about having MP3-In work? I have the green MP3-In input connected to the right connector (red) on the mobo but don't get any sound no matter if computer is off or on. I just have the Realtec for sound at the mo and have played with settings to no avail. I can get an MP3 player to input sound through some other inputs but not the MP3-In. I looked in Bios but didn't see anything obvious to set. Have I missed something?

If you missed something, I missed it too. I haven't played with it since it didn't work on Day 1.

Perhaps somewhere in the audio controls there's a switch for that input that isn't active. I see how the other inputs are constantly monitored and if you plug something in you're asked what it is, but with the MP3-in in an inconvenient place under my desk I'd have to play with it more than I want to. Plus my NEED for that input is very limited since streaming MP3s FROM my computer TO my Xbox 360 is far far more common now...

Thanks for input. I haven't seen too many people use this feature. It's not a killer app for me but when something doesn't work I get curious if I just screwed something up or if feature just doesn't work. I have been debating pulling this board out for an Intel before I get Vista and I am assessing all the functions. ASUS doesn't have much on site about this except for a small feature description and 2 unanswered qestions in forum.

 

[iceflatline]

 

[iceflatline]

Okay, Im new to the thread so if my question has been covered before just point me to thae answers.

My desired configuration is this: I want to place the boot drive a 36GB WD Raptor in this case - on the ICH7R. I also want to place two 74GB WD Raptors in RAID 0 for the data drive - again on the ICH7R. I DO NOT want to use the SI chip (EZ Backup)

Currently the 36GB drive is on SATA 4 and the two 74GB drives are on SATA 3 & 4. RAID has been configured in the BIOS and the RAID volume has been build using the matrix utility.

My problem is this: The BIOS will not recognize the any of the drives, and I have tried various combinations. If I remove the 74GB drives and disable RAID in BIOS then the 36GB drive shows up fine and will boot to the OS.

Is the problem here that the ICH7R cannot be configured to a allocate a non-RAID drive as the boot drive?

 

[jim1976]

Originally posted by: kpamir
I tried that as well, actually it was one of the first things i did.

Infact i didnt even install the Jmicron controller the first go around and id still get the same crappy performence.

And when i did install it i turned it off in the bios just to make sure and...... we know how the story goes lol.

I am thinkin about going the Nvidia route, always have had good experiences with them.

Just gotta wait it out for the 590 series to come out.

Again Phil, appreciate the help.

I'm sorry for bringing this old issue back but I'm having the exact same issue with you. Did you find a solution to your problem?

Phile have you learned anything about this issue?

 

[jazzpicker]

I have a few extra bucks this month and want to upgrade my video card in the P5W DH deluxe (see singature) I currently have an evga 7800GT and would appreciate any suggestions for a good upgrade card. The 7800 seems to be running ok but would like to have something more powerful without breaking the bank.

 

[imported_mlt]

Hello guys, I'm new here and I'll shoot away immediatelly with my question:

I finally updated my bios when installed 64bit Vista business, and I have a problem.

With the new 1707 bios my CPU fan (zalman 9500) is now in full RPM all the time, with the older bios version it operated silent with the same overclocking. I tried all kinds of QFAN settings Optimal / silent / performance but they dont seem to work at all.

With default bios settings the cpu fan was silent, but when you overclock it's noisy

And there is no Fan Speed Controller included in the 9500 AT zalman package

Any suggestions to get the RPM down?

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: jim1976

I'm sorry for bringing this old issue back but I'm having the exact same issue with you. Did you find a solution to your problem?

Phile have you learned anything about this issue?

You're going to have to refresh my memory. What problem are you having?

-phil

 

[phile]

Originally posted by: mlt
Hello guys, I'm new here and I'll shoot away immediatelly with my question:

I finally updated my bios when installed 64bit Vista business, and I have a problem.

With the new 1707 bios my CPU fan (zalman 9500) is now in full RPM all the time, with the older bios version it operated silent with the same overclocking. I tried all kinds of QFAN settings Optimal / silent / performance but they dont seem to work at all.

With default bios settings the cpu fan was silent, but when you overclock it's noisy

And there is no Fan Speed Controller included in the 9500 AT zalman package

Any suggestions to get the RPM down?

If QFAN isn't working properly for you, just disable it and order a Zalman Fanmate controller.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118217

-phil

 

[jim1976]

Originally posted by: phile

Originally posted by: jim1976

I'm sorry for bringing this old issue back but I'm having the exact same issue with you. Did you find a solution to your problem?

Phile have you learned anything about this issue?

You're going to have to refresh my memory. What problem are you having?

-phil

Phil it was the problem with the optical drives reverting in PIO mode with this mobo.. Everything that I have remotely read in the entire net does not work in my case.. Problem remains at Vista as well so it is surely related somehow to hardware?