The Unofficial ASUS P5N-E SLI 650i Board Thread

[Nevets Drassel]

New Board. I knew that theses were going to be OC'ers so I decided to get another one. It was $20.00 more than my first one but I think that I will get a return for it someday. I have another processor inbound also. This one is suppose to be special....

We'll see.

Just got notified by my OL retailer that they got my board RMA, now they just need to send it back to me.

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: Nevets Drassel
New Board. I knew that theses were going to be OC'ers so I decided to get another one. It was $20.00 more than my first one but I think that I will get a return for it someday. I have another processor inbound also. This one is suppose to be special....

We'll see.

Just got notified by my OL retailer that they got my board RMA, now they just need to send it back to me.

Yes, Very nice board The bios upgrade really smoothed out the memory holes that we had before. Nice, for the money a lot of fun even if you to buy a couple still cheaper that a Striker @ 399.00

 

[Nevets Drassel]

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: Nevets Drassel
New Board. I knew that theses were going to be OC'ers so I decided to get another one. It was $20.00 more than my first one but I think that I will get a return for it someday. I have another processor inbound also. This one is suppose to be special....

We'll see.

Just got notified by my OL retailer that they got my board RMA, now they just need to send it back to me.

Yes, Very nice board The bios upgrade really smoothed out the memory holes that we had before. Nice, for the money a lot of fun even if you to buy a couple still cheaper that a Striker @ 399.00

You bet. Well im at 45 min ORTHOS stable so it seems that I may have found a sweet spot here. Will let it run longer to see what happens.

 

[Nevets Drassel]

 

[aintitthelife98]

Well got 0401 up and running without problem. seems to be running ok. Work is really busy right now and I will be working all day tomorrow so I won't have much time to play with it.

 

[adder1971]

Originally posted by: Septimus
I just ask about the 3.5 thing because when I did get all 4 gigs to boot up in the previous p5n-e, Vista (business edition) only reocgnized 3.5, though BIOS had all 4. didn't have time to investigate it before I had to RMA the board though.

thats a barrier of windows 32 bit OS. 64bit verion of XP and Vista will be able to utilize the full amount.

 

[adder1971]

Originally posted by: Core2
Here's is OC 3666.73

Temps and yes with coretemp
Temps at 3667

Edit: NB 110F SB 87.5F
vcore 1.3625
NB 1.56
vdimm 2.08

Unlinked
1840/800

that is absolutely the coolest cpu temps i have ever seen. the core is just about ambient temps!!!!! order me one up there are guys on xtremesystems with temps higher than that using very exotic cooling systems.

 

[adder1971]

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: Nevets Drassel
I just kicked up the VCore to 1.43875 in BIOS to get a 1.39 reading in the software. That is a .05V difference. Work need to be done here....

I also noted the voltage drop in Windows. It is around .05V for me. 1.392 at rest, 1.344 at load. I have heard of others talking about a voltage 'droop' and I wonder if this is it..

Thats it vdroop all boards do it Asus is famous for it

yep, horrible vdroop, doesnt really seem to effect stability though.

 

[Rytr]

Got all the goods in today and just finished the preliminary build...solid as a rock! Thanks to you guys posting the hurtles to clear everything went together like a dream. Testing with moderate overclocks and temps are holding very good. I do need a fan on the NB and a sink on the SB before I get serious.

 

[dlxmax]

There's a thread about a vdroop mod here:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=127528
There's even a suggested mod, though it doesn't seem anyone's tried it?

 

[idiotekniQues]

so core2, you seem to have an amzingly cool oc;in chip.

so what is your speed where you can run orthos BLEND for an hour or a few straight no errors?

 

[hugekebab]

I've just finished nmy build guys, seems rock solid.

one issue though is im not sure what to set up as the first boot device on the bios, i had it set up as cd rom, but if i take the boot device out or set the hdd as the first boot device, i get a system disk error insert disk to continue..

how are your boot configs set up?


btw cant bloody beleive how fast this core 2 is, i stepped up from a 2700xp christ its like moving up from azx spectrum lol.

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: idiotekniQues
so core2, you seem to have an amzingly cool oc;in chip.

so what is your speed where you can run orthos BLEND for an hour or a few straight no errors?

Before I flashed to 0401 8x431 ram 1:1. was solid

Guys the cooler cpu temps are mainly the results of using MX-1 although this chip has lower core temps than my others, the others have cooler cpu temps. The first time I tried this stuff it made such a difference that I re-did all the computers in the household, Five of them and temperature drops were 5-10c avg my wife's P4 went from 60c to 34c but also changed the HSF to a Freezer 4. So give it a try. When you apply it put a pea size (AS 5 BB size) dab dead center of the chip (don't try to spread it. You can't ) set you HSF on and rotate it a little while applying a little downward pressure. Lock it down and give it about 3-5 days for lower results 2-4 weeks for maximum results.

Edit: I also have gotten good at putting these new socket 775 push pins in. At first I was pushing two at a time diagonally I found pushing one pin in at a time diagonally works to seat the pins in better and making a better bond with the Thermal interface.

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: Rytr
Got all the goods in today and just finished the preliminary build...solid as a rock! Thanks to you guys posting the hurtles to clear everything went together like a dream. Testing with moderate overclocks and temps are holding very good. I do need a fan on the NB and a sink on the SB before I get serious.

Welcome Aboard Rytr

 

[hugekebab]

also whats the best program to load the cpu to test its load heat.

on prime 95 which only uses 100 percent of one core it gets up to 39 C (showing on probe II)

any suggestions?

 

[SP8]

I finished my build also. All I can say is wow. To be honest I don't need to overclock this system yet. My last build was a 2.4ghz P4 on a Asus P4T533 mobo with only 512 rambus ram. The GPU was a Leadtek Ti486 Geforce card. It was a smokin system even with the low amount of ram when I built it. This setup blows it's doors off stock. I have no software that can stress my current performance. I'm gonna hold off OCing until I build my custom water cooling system. As a benchmark I ran 3DMark03 on both systems. Currently my last build scored only 1915. It faired way better in it's day. My new system scored 31966 stock. I have yet to run 3DMark 06. I had no problems porting over 90 gigs of files between two IDE HDD. So I have no problems so far. This is my current setup:

E6600
P5N-E SLI
2 Gig OCZ SLI PC2 8500
EVGA 8800 GTX
SyncMaster 225BW

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: SP8
I finished my build also. All I can say is wow. To be honest I don't need to overclock this system yet. My last build was a 2.4ghz P4 on a Asus P4T533 mobo with only 512 rambus ram. The GPU was a Leadtek Ti486 Geforce card. It was a smokin system even with the low amount of ram when I built it. This setup blows it's doors off stock. I have no software that can stress my current performance. I'm gonna hold off OCing until I build my custom water cooling system. As a benchmark I ran 3DMark03 on both systems. Currently my last build scored only 1915. It faired way better in it's day. My new system scored 31966 stock. I have yet to run 3DMark 06. I had no problems porting over 90 gigs of files between two IDE HDD. So I have no problems so far. This is my current setup:

E6600
P5N-E SLI
2 Gig OCZ SLI PC2 8500
EVGA 8800 GTX
SyncMaster 225BW

Welcome Aboard SP8

Nice setup. Let me know how well that ram clocks. Give us a 3Dmark06 with that E6600 and that 8800 you should come up with a nice stock score.

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: hugekebab

how are your boot configs set up?



Removable drive, HD, Cdrom

also whats the best program to load the cpu to test its load heat.

on prime 95 which only uses 100 percent of one core it gets up to 39 C (showing on probe II)
any suggestions?

Just run Futuremarks 3dmark06. Don't cook your board with Orthos or Prime yet. Let it break in. Have some fun first

 

[Core2]

Let's here some talk about this 0401 bios. People that had 0202 and flashed to 0401 what are your opinions.

 

[KalieMa]

I haven't posted on AT for a long, long time but I've been following this thread while doing my P5N-E SLI build. It's the first build I've done in two years and the first overclocking I've done since I set up my Abit BP6 dual celeron board with 2x366@550.

I'm still trying to learn about the effect that unlinked memory has on performance and stability though, but I haven't found much yet.

With the 0401 BIOS, it adds a section for "SLI-Ready Memory" setup which has "Disabled", "CPUOC +%" from 0% to 5%, "CPUOC MAX", and "Expert" mode. In "Expert" mode, it sets it to the EPP settings for the RAM, which is 4-4-4-12-1T, and is incredibly unstable. MemTest86+ throws out random errors quickly. With it "Disabled", and the RAM at 5-5-5-14-2T (I think), MemTest86+ is rock solid after 10 passes.

Currently, I've pegged my E6300 out at 3.2 GHz with the 0401 BIOS, NB@1.5v and Vcore@1.40v, and memory timings at SPD defaults (EPP disabled). It seems to be stable in MemTest86+. I don't have an RTM copy of Vista yet so I'm using the most recent preview build I've got, which is 5840 - close enough to RTM for me.

I did extensive testing with the 0202 BIOS but didn't see a big difference with 0401. Maybe the RAM's more stable when it's OC'd but my temps are very close to the same.

Before I consider the build finished, I want to get it rock solid at 3.2 GHz but I'll have to add some cooling on the NB and the SB before that's done. The first thing I did when I took the board out of the box was remove the NB heatsink, clean the nasty, flaky crap off, and put a nice thin layer of Arctic Silver 5 on it. I was appalled at the quality of interface from the factory, but it's a $150 board - I expected as much.

Two questions. Question one:

Anyone have any suggestions for cooling the 650i? I'm having a hard time finding a good SB cooler in retail and a tough time finding a good NB cooler as well. The Thermalright HR-05 looks great, but it's a bit pricy for me. The HR-05 is too big for the southbridge too, but I can't find anything aftermarket that'll fit well and be a good passive cooler.

Question 2:

Stability testing without Windows. I've always sworn by MemTest86+ and, back in the old days, I used a floppy with a DOS-based Distributed.net exectuable to stress test CPU load. Unfortunately, it's useless on dual-core processors. I'm trying to figure out what the best method for stress testing will be. Maybe a WinPE environment running two instances of Prime95/Orthos? Maybe a Knoppix boot running some kind of dual stress test? I just don't want to install Windows and have files corrupted by failed RAM stability experiments... I don't have time for that.

Build Specs:

Board: Asus P5N-E SLI (BIOS 0401)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (Retail) w/ Scythe Ninja
RAM: 2x1Gb Corsiar TwinX XMS 800 MHz C4 (TWIN2X2048-6400C4)
Graphics: BFG 7800GT OC PCI-E Video Card
PSU: Antec NeoHE 500w
HDD: WD Raptor 74gb SATA (WD740)

 

[idiotekniQues]

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: hugekebab

how are your boot configs set up?



Removable drive, HD, Cdrom

also whats the best program to load the cpu to test its load heat.

on prime 95 which only uses 100 percent of one core it gets up to 39 C (showing on probe II)
any suggestions?

Just run Futuremarks 3dmark06. Don't cook your board with Orthos or Prime yet. Let it break in. Have some fun first

knowing your setup can blaze thru orthos fully stable is fun knowing that not only can you ust boot up at a certain speed, but actually get some work done at it is the most fun.

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: KalieMa
I haven't posted on AT for a long, long time but I've been following this thread while doing my P5N-E SLI build. It's the first build I've done in two years and the first overclocking I've done since I set up my Abit BP6 dual celeron board with 2x366@550.

I'm still trying to learn about the effect that unlinked memory has on performance and stability though, but I haven't found much yet.

With the 0401 BIOS, it adds a section for "SLI-Ready Memory" setup which has "Disabled", "CPUOC +%" from 0% to 5%, "CPUOC MAX", and "Expert" mode. In "Expert" mode, it sets it to the EPP settings for the RAM, which is 4-4-4-12-1T, and is incredibly unstable. MemTest86+ throws out random errors quickly. With it "Disabled", and the RAM at 5-5-5-14-2T (I think), MemTest86+ is rock solid after 10 passes.

Currently, I've pegged my E6300 out at 3.2 GHz with the 0401 BIOS, NB@1.5v and Vcore@1.40v, and memory timings at SPD defaults (EPP disabled). It seems to be stable in MemTest86+. I don't have an RTM copy of Vista yet so I'm using the most recent preview build I've got, which is 5840 - close enough to RTM for me.

I did extensive testing with the 0202 BIOS but didn't see a big difference with 0401. Maybe the RAM's more stable when it's OC'd but my temps are very close to the same.

Before I consider the build finished, I want to get it rock solid at 3.2 GHz but I'll have to add some cooling on the NB and the SB before that's done. The first thing I did when I took the board out of the box was remove the NB heatsink, clean the nasty, flaky crap off, and put a nice thin layer of Arctic Silver 5 on it. I was appalled at the quality of interface from the factory, but it's a $150 board - I expected as much.

Two questions. Question one:

Anyone have any suggestions for cooling the 650i? I'm having a hard time finding a good SB cooler in retail and a tough time finding a good NB cooler as well. The Thermalright HR-05 looks great, but it's a bit pricy for me. The HR-05 is too big for the southbridge too, but I can't find anything aftermarket that'll fit well and be a good passive cooler.

Question 2:

Stability testing without Windows. I've always sworn by MemTest86+ and, back in the old days, I used a floppy with a DOS-based Distributed.net exectuable to stress test CPU load. Unfortunately, it's useless on dual-core processors. I'm trying to figure out what the best method for stress testing will be. Maybe a WinPE environment running two instances of Prime95/Orthos? Maybe a Knoppix boot running some kind of dual stress test? I just don't want to install Windows and have files corrupted by failed RAM stability experiments... I don't have time for that.

Build Specs:

Board: Asus P5N-E SLI (BIOS 0401)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (Retail) w/ Scythe Ninja
RAM: 2x1Gb Corsiar TwinX XMS 800 MHz C4 (TWIN2X2048-6400C4)
Graphics: BFG 7800GT OC PCI-E Video Card
PSU: Antec NeoHE 500w
HDD: WD Raptor 74gb SATA (WD740)

Welcome Aboard KalieMa

Thanks for the nice detailed report.
I have seen a big difference in the FSB holes. With the 0401 I haven't yet to find a FSB that I couldn't hit below 460. The 0202 419-422, 445 - 465 were all dead zones for me. A lot of people were having problems just hitting 8x400. That is what I'm waiting to hear about and memory issues that were on the 0202

As far as heatsinks this Cooler Master heatsink is by far the best bang for the buck that I can see. Put the heatsink on the SB Fan on the NB stock heatsink (no need to change it)

Stability testing without Windows. I agree. There should be programs that don't run in a windows environment. I just don't know what they are.

 

[AZDude]

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: idiotekniQues


Guys the cooler cpu temps are mainly the results of using MX-1 although this chip has lower core temps than my others, the others have cooler cpu temps. The first time I tried this stuff it made such a difference that I re-did all the computers in the household, Five of them and temperature drops were 5-10c avg my wife's P4 went from 60c to 34c but also changed the HSF to a Freezer 4. So give it a try. When you apply it put a pea size (AS 5 BB size) dab dead center of the chip (don't try to spread it. You can't ) set you HSF on and rotate it a little while applying a little downward pressure. Lock it down and give it about 3-5 days for lower results 2-4 weeks for maximum results.

Yesterday I ordered a NB HSF, and HS for the SB from Newegg. While I was there I checked to see if they had any MX-1. They had it in stock, so on Core 2's high recommendations, I picked up a tube. I should have tuesday or wednesday. I'll be sure to report how much of a change I see in my temps.

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: idiotekniQues

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: hugekebab

how are your boot configs set up?



Removable drive, HD, Cdrom

also whats the best program to load the cpu to test its load heat.

on prime 95 which only uses 100 percent of one core it gets up to 39 C (showing on probe II)
any suggestions?

Just run Futuremarks 3dmark06. Don't cook your board with Orthos or Prime yet. Let it break in. Have some fun first

knowing your setup can blaze thru orthos fully stable is fun knowing that not only can you ust boot up at a certain speed, but actually get some work done at it is the most fun.

Do you break in your new car the same same way?? You'd have to be doing a lot of CPU intensive work to benefit being overclocked than default with high speed ram and tight timings.

 

[idiotekniQues]

a car is not a good comparison to a cpu. one is solid state the other is a myriad of moving parts.

i do a lot of cpu intensive work. try burning some dvds, you will use 100% of both cores most of the time if nothing else is running. i game. i also take many pictures in raw format and run them thru filters and convert them.

i like to do these things while still using my computer and not having to wait till it is done to work on a document, browse the web, have my tv tuner going, etc.

so yes, i use these clock cycles. and that is why it is fun to me to run orthos and bang it out perfectly so i know it will do all of these things and not screw up. otherwise what is the point of being fast?

if all i was going to do is low intensive stuff, id probably just save my money and spend it on something else besides a core2 setup with 800mhz ram knowing full well that i was going to OC it. isnt that why we buy this stuff?