The Unofficial ASUS P5N-E SLI 650i Board Thread

[akaliel2]

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: akaliel2
It doesn't like NB 1.56v. I've tried it before, when I do a cold boot, sometimes it refuses to POST for half an hour.

1.35 vCore runs FSB 1333 just fine. I've tried up to 1.5v when going up to 1500FSB and 1600FSB. Didn't help

It has to be your ram or your board is heating up. How hot is the NB? Can you put you finger on it and leave it there? I can't believe you can't hit 3200 with a E6400. Did you buy a retail chip or OEM?

Chip was retail. Neither the RAM nor the NB is too hot to the touch. But I have tons of cooling just in case. I have an Antec Nine Hundred case. It's half wire mesh, and has 2 front, 1 rear and 1 side fan that are 12cm each, a big fan on the top (PSU is on the bottom), that's 20 cm. And I have an 8cm fan mounted close to the NB heatsink blowing right on it. There isn't a temperature problem. I honestly don't know why I'm the only person who can't overclock this damn chip, but it is very irritating. I can attest to that!

 

[akaliel2]

Question, why would increasing the ram voltage make a difference if my RAM is unlinked and running at 800Mhz (spec). Why should I increase the voltage there?

 

[Genuine Imitation]

Originally posted by: akaliel2
Question, why would increasing the ram voltage make a difference if my RAM is unlinked and running at 800Mhz (spec). Why should I increase the voltage there?

It might be on the verge of being stable. If that's the case then a little more voltage could clear up all your issues.

 

[Genuine Imitation]

And we're up and running! Evercool VC-RE on the southbridge, the apogee on the cpu, and a MCW-60 on the 7800GT. My other video card is still on the desk for now. With all my fans on low this thing is sneaky quiet, and I've topped out at about 39C while at 3.15 and 1.35vcore. Let the games begin!

 

[idiotekniQues]

Originally posted by: akaliel2
Question, why would increasing the ram voltage make a difference if my RAM is unlinked and running at 800Mhz (spec). Why should I increase the voltage there?

what ram do u have

 

[acivick]

Finally some good news to report.

I had noticed previously that when I moved my memory voltage from 2.2xx to 2.1xx, I had fewer errors pop up in Memtest. On a hunch, I lowered it further to 2.08V and voila! I was able to make at least one pass at 4-4-4-15-1T timings! Obviously, I need to do some more stress testing now, but it appears that more volts for RAM isn't always better.

I also just took a look at the OCZ page for my RAM, and it looks like they lowered the original spec voltage for the RAM from 2.2V to 2.0V. Curiously, they left the extended voltage protection where it was originally at 2.3V, probably because they realized they screwed up. For any other stick, they only give 0.1V extended voltage protection.

After I finish stress testing my memory, I'm going to attempt to see if it has any impact on how far I can push my processor. Probably not, but I think it's worth a try.

 

[Rytr]

My ram shows an SPD in CPUZ of 533MHz with timings of 5-5-4-12, 2T. Using these timings I have not upped the frequency on the ram and just left it at 800MHz while overclocking the E6600 to 9*367 (1468MHz) running at 3.3Ghz.
In the bios I have the Vcore set at 1.33750V, memory at 2.353V, and NB 1.393V.
With Folding@Home running CPU temp is 38C, NB 41-42C, SB 47-48C at ambient room temp. of 20C.
At the present settings the screen will freeze after a few minutes of running Orthos. No problems with running Folding@Home, AM3, SuperPI etc.
My question is finding stability at 3.3GHz while running Orthos what adjustments should or can I make?
At 9*350 with Vcore (auto) about 2.9V and memory @ 2.2V I can apparently run Orthos for as long 4 hours without problem.

 

[idiotekniQues]

cant hurt to try to loosen ure memory timings though it seems u r in spec. but i think kickin ure NB voltage up one more notch might do the trick. just make sure it doesnt get too hot.

orthos stable 4 hours is darn good unless u have mission critical proggies running

 

[idiotekniQues]

basically, after u have been running load for a few minutes touch your NB heatsink. if it is too hot to touch then that is no good. if you can hold ure hand there for a lil bit that should be ok.

but i am a cautious overclocker so id get some third party cooling for that anyways even if you can hold ure hand there for a bit. others will say dont sweat it.

i err on the side of caution.

 

[Rytr]

I try to not get in a hurry when overclocking cause it usually leads to frustration or worse. I have the HR-05 SLI ordered from SVC but it will be late next week before it gets here. In the meantime I have a just a 40x10mm fan on the NB stock sink. Keeps it cool at a max of 42C so far...still does not look good and it adds considerably to the fan noise. It gets to about 51C without the fan. I have a 38x38mm aluminum sink on the SB.

I will try the upping the voltage on the NB a notch and see if stability improves. I have tried loosening the timings, 5-5-5-15, 2T, but no luck.

Thanks

 

[akaliel2]

Okay I tried:

vcore: 1.45v
NB: 1.39v
RAM: 2.08v

1700FSB still wouldn't boot into windows, the little windows scroller just keeps scrolling. Which is totally not the error I'd expect. A BSOD, lockup or non-post. THAT, I can understand. But eternal loading? Weird.

However, 1600FSB did load, and is now running. I tried Orthos for 10min. The CPU temp never rose above 45C. I ran 3DMark, I tried restarting, I tried cold booting. No problems encountered yet.

Previously I could only get 1600FSB to load into windows if I tried NB 1.56v, and vCore 1.45v. At that time my RAM voltage was 2.01v. So perhaps it was just a product of my RAM voltage not being high enough. Because now 1.39 NB is enough, previously the windows loading screen would lock up.

So I'll run this for several days. Hopefully, all will work out. Knock on wood. Wish me luck

 

[acivick]

Originally posted by: acivick
Finally some good news to report.

I had noticed previously that when I moved my memory voltage from 2.2xx to 2.1xx, I had fewer errors pop up in Memtest. On a hunch, I lowered it further to 2.08V and voila! I was able to make at least one pass at 4-4-4-15-1T timings! Obviously, I need to do some more stress testing now, but it appears that more volts for RAM isn't always better.

I also just took a look at the OCZ page for my RAM, and it looks like they lowered the original spec voltage for the RAM from 2.2V to 2.0V. Curiously, they left the extended voltage protection where it was originally at 2.3V, probably because they realized they screwed up. For any other stick, they only give 0.1V extended voltage protection.

After I finish stress testing my memory, I'm going to attempt to see if it has any impact on how far I can push my processor. Probably not, but I think it's worth a try.

As it turns out, I did start to get errors in subsequent runs of Memtest when running 4-4-4-15-1T. Further reductions in voltage didn't seem to help, so I think I'm at my Vdimm sweet spot. I ended up going to 4-4-4-13-2T, my previous best with 0307, which seems to be running stably. I'll see if I can work with the FSB more tomorrow.


Side note: There's another review on the board up Hot Hardware which also uses the fabled 0304 BIOS. They were also able to get a very respectable OC w/ an E6600 (1666 w/ 8x multi). They didn't mention what cooling solution or what voltage they used, however. Still, it looks like YMMV, even when you're basically using the same components with the same settings.

Quoting the article:
"The maximum front side bus speed we were able to attain was 1933 MHz, however, we were only able to have a stable system to run through our full benchmark suite at 1866 MHz. 1866 MHz is still a very high front side bus overclock, and even more impressive is that we were able to attain these speeds with stock voltage and passive chipset cooling. Cranking up the Northbridge voltage levels did not improve our overclockability, and neither did putting active cooling on the Northbridge heatsink."

 

[Core2]

Here is proof of what I was talking about last night about your Multiplier Default vs the Multiplier Set. Both screenshots are at 300FSB now if you multiply the FSB x 4 it should be 1200. Right? Well here is what you get Notice the FSB speed I have underlined in red. This should help you guys understand why its tougher with a E6600 or above to clock with lower Multipliers

Sandra 8x300 Multiplier Default

Sandra 7x300 Multiplier Set

Here is the link to that Article
Scroll down aways till he talks about the Multiplier Default vs the Multiplier Set

Here is the Formula Default Multiplier / Multiplier Set X FSB = FSB speed

 

[Genuine Imitation]

Originally posted by: Rytr
My ram shows an SPD in CPUZ of 533MHz with timings of 5-5-4-12, 2T. Using these timings I have not upped the frequency on the ram and just left it at 800MHz while overclocking the E6600 to 9*367 (1468MHz) running at 3.3Ghz.
In the bios I have the Vcore set at 1.33750V, memory at 2.353V, and NB 1.393V.
With Folding@Home running CPU temp is 38C, NB 41-42C, SB 47-48C at ambient room temp. of 20C.
At the present settings the screen will freeze after a few minutes of running Orthos. No problems with running Folding@Home, AM3, SuperPI etc.
My question is finding stability at 3.3GHz while running Orthos what adjustments should or can I make?
At 9*350 with Vcore (auto) about 2.9V and memory @ 2.2V I can apparently run Orthos for as long 4 hours without problem.

Rytr, I'm having very similar problems at about the same place. I can get to 1480 and run super pi and stuff, but i've went from 1.35 to 1.37 to 1.38 and it still isn't orthos stable. I was a little sad, but I don't think i've got sufficient NB cooling. I have a 60mm hanging over about half the NB and over the ram. I might rig an 80mm over the NB to see if that helps me. I also think running SLI puts more stress on the NB, causing more heat. Just a theory.

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: Genuine Imitation

Originally posted by: Rytr
My ram shows an SPD in CPUZ of 533MHz with timings of 5-5-4-12, 2T. Using these timings I have not upped the frequency on the ram and just left it at 800MHz while overclocking the E6600 to 9*367 (1468MHz) running at 3.3Ghz.
In the bios I have the Vcore set at 1.33750V, memory at 2.353V, and NB 1.393V.
With Folding@Home running CPU temp is 38C, NB 41-42C, SB 47-48C at ambient room temp. of 20C.
At the present settings the screen will freeze after a few minutes of running Orthos. No problems with running Folding@Home, AM3, SuperPI etc.
My question is finding stability at 3.3GHz while running Orthos what adjustments should or can I make?
At 9*350 with Vcore (auto) about 2.9V and memory @ 2.2V I can apparently run Orthos for as long 4 hours without problem.

Rytr, I'm having very similar problems at about the same place. I can get to 1480 and run super pi and stuff, but i've went from 1.35 to 1.37 to 1.38 and it still isn't orthos stable. I was a little sad, but I don't think i've got sufficient NB cooling. I have a 60mm hanging over about half the NB and over the ram. I might rig an 80mm over the NB to see if that helps me. I also think running SLI puts more stress on the NB, causing more heat. Just a theory.

Do you both have side ventilation on your case. On top of having a small chipset fan on the NB I have a 120mm fan @ 100% blowing in from the side of my case that helps cool the NB, SB, and my VC plus two more 120mm fans one intake one exhaust

 

[Genuine Imitation]

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: Genuine Imitation

Originally posted by: Rytr
My ram shows an SPD in CPUZ of 533MHz with timings of 5-5-4-12, 2T. Using these timings I have not upped the frequency on the ram and just left it at 800MHz while overclocking the E6600 to 9*367 (1468MHz) running at 3.3Ghz.
In the bios I have the Vcore set at 1.33750V, memory at 2.353V, and NB 1.393V.
With Folding@Home running CPU temp is 38C, NB 41-42C, SB 47-48C at ambient room temp. of 20C.
At the present settings the screen will freeze after a few minutes of running Orthos. No problems with running Folding@Home, AM3, SuperPI etc.
My question is finding stability at 3.3GHz while running Orthos what adjustments should or can I make?
At 9*350 with Vcore (auto) about 2.9V and memory @ 2.2V I can apparently run Orthos for as long 4 hours without problem.

Rytr, I'm having very similar problems at about the same place. I can get to 1480 and run super pi and stuff, but i've went from 1.35 to 1.37 to 1.38 and it still isn't orthos stable. I was a little sad, but I don't think i've got sufficient NB cooling. I have a 60mm hanging over about half the NB and over the ram. I might rig an 80mm over the NB to see if that helps me. I also think running SLI puts more stress on the NB, causing more heat. Just a theory.

Do you both have side ventilation on your case. On top of having a small chipset fan on the NB I have a 120mm fan @ 100% blowing in from the side of my case that helps cool the NB, SB, and my VC plus two more 120mm fans one intake one exhaust

Currently I do when I have the side on the case. I run a aerocool coolview seen HERE. The only problem is that the 3 80mm fans are too low on the panel, they blow over the hard drive racks more than anything else. So I've got 2 120's on the radiator pulling air in the front, 120 exhaust, and the 80mm side fans. So with the loss of the cpu fan I think my NB is overheating. I had to work today, so I won't get to play with it until this evening. I've got 3 spare 80's and a spare 120 fan I can work with, but I don't think any support rpm monitoring. What I really need is some more small zip ties!

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: Genuine Imitation

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: Genuine Imitation

Originally posted by: Rytr
My ram shows an SPD in CPUZ of 533MHz with timings of 5-5-4-12, 2T. Using these timings I have not upped the frequency on the ram and just left it at 800MHz while overclocking the E6600 to 9*367 (1468MHz) running at 3.3Ghz.
In the bios I have the Vcore set at 1.33750V, memory at 2.353V, and NB 1.393V.
With Folding@Home running CPU temp is 38C, NB 41-42C, SB 47-48C at ambient room temp. of 20C.
At the present settings the screen will freeze after a few minutes of running Orthos. No problems with running Folding@Home, AM3, SuperPI etc.
My question is finding stability at 3.3GHz while running Orthos what adjustments should or can I make?
At 9*350 with Vcore (auto) about 2.9V and memory @ 2.2V I can apparently run Orthos for as long 4 hours without problem.

Rytr, I'm having very similar problems at about the same place. I can get to 1480 and run super pi and stuff, but i've went from 1.35 to 1.37 to 1.38 and it still isn't orthos stable. I was a little sad, but I don't think i've got sufficient NB cooling. I have a 60mm hanging over about half the NB and over the ram. I might rig an 80mm over the NB to see if that helps me. I also think running SLI puts more stress on the NB, causing more heat. Just a theory.

Do you both have side ventilation on your case. On top of having a small chipset fan on the NB I have a 120mm fan @ 100% blowing in from the side of my case that helps cool the NB, SB, and my VC plus two more 120mm fans one intake one exhaust

Currently I do when I have the side on the case. I run a aerocool coolview seen HERE. The only problem is that the 3 80mm fans are too low on the panel, they blow over the hard drive racks more than anything else. So I've got 2 120's on the radiator pulling air in the front, 120 exhaust, and the 80mm side fans. So with the loss of the cpu fan I think my NB is overheating. I had to work today, so I won't get to play with it until this evening. I've got 3 spare 80's and a spare 120 fan I can work with, but I don't think any support rpm monitoring. What I really need is some more small zip ties!

Nice Case!
Drill some holes into that clear panel and hook up a fan there
That thing would look like Swiss Cheese if I had it.

 

[Rytr]

Core2 and Genuine Imitation

I don't have side ventilation on the P160 case but I have always had plans since getting the 7850 GX2 to install a 90 or 120mm fan in the side panel.
At max the NB does not exceed 42C and SB 47C at the present clocks. I obtain these readings with a Raytek MiniTemp off the base of the sinks. However, if the sinks are not efficiently conducting the heat away from the cores those temps may not be a good indicator of actual core temps.
If I am understanding heat transfer correctly the SB sink is proving to be efficient, at least the surface temps of the sink are actually warmer than when I was taking readings off the surface of the SB core...so it is drawing heat from somewhere. Never have checked the temps on the bare core of the NB just the base of the sink with and without fan. I get a 9-10C drop in temps on the sink with the fan installed.
I think I will test it with the panel off and place a fan aimed directly at the NB and see if there is any improvement running Orthos for now. I hope after installing the new sink there will be an improvement.

 

[Punchy01]

Sorry to interupt, but I just had a quick queston for you guys.
Got my P5n-e SLI in the mail yesterday, along with all the rest of my goodies, and was up late last night putting everything together.
The only thing I'm not real sure about with the physical build is the Front Panel Audio Connections that came with my CoolerMaster CAC-T05.
I see the 10-pin connection on the lower left hand corner of the board, but I'm not sure which of the case's modules to use. They are (in order):
"HD Audio", "AC '97", or a cluster of eleven (11) seperate color-coded wires at the end (the green and blue wires are doubled). Moreover, the individual wires do have diagram labels attached to them as to what they are, I'm just not sure which one of three options is for me. I'm guessing it's one of the modules, but I thought I'd ask here first. Any help appreciated, and thanks in advance

 

[Genuine Imitation]

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: Genuine Imitation

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: Genuine Imitation

Originally posted by: Rytr
My ram shows an SPD in CPUZ of 533MHz with timings of 5-5-4-12, 2T. Using these timings I have not upped the frequency on the ram and just left it at 800MHz while overclocking the E6600 to 9*367 (1468MHz) running at 3.3Ghz.
In the bios I have the Vcore set at 1.33750V, memory at 2.353V, and NB 1.393V.
With Folding@Home running CPU temp is 38C, NB 41-42C, SB 47-48C at ambient room temp. of 20C.
At the present settings the screen will freeze after a few minutes of running Orthos. No problems with running Folding@Home, AM3, SuperPI etc.
My question is finding stability at 3.3GHz while running Orthos what adjustments should or can I make?
At 9*350 with Vcore (auto) about 2.9V and memory @ 2.2V I can apparently run Orthos for as long 4 hours without problem.

Rytr, I'm having very similar problems at about the same place. I can get to 1480 and run super pi and stuff, but i've went from 1.35 to 1.37 to 1.38 and it still isn't orthos stable. I was a little sad, but I don't think i've got sufficient NB cooling. I have a 60mm hanging over about half the NB and over the ram. I might rig an 80mm over the NB to see if that helps me. I also think running SLI puts more stress on the NB, causing more heat. Just a theory.

Do you both have side ventilation on your case. On top of having a small chipset fan on the NB I have a 120mm fan @ 100% blowing in from the side of my case that helps cool the NB, SB, and my VC plus two more 120mm fans one intake one exhaust

Currently I do when I have the side on the case. I run a aerocool coolview seen HERE. The only problem is that the 3 80mm fans are too low on the panel, they blow over the hard drive racks more than anything else. So I've got 2 120's on the radiator pulling air in the front, 120 exhaust, and the 80mm side fans. So with the loss of the cpu fan I think my NB is overheating. I had to work today, so I won't get to play with it until this evening. I've got 3 spare 80's and a spare 120 fan I can work with, but I don't think any support rpm monitoring. What I really need is some more small zip ties!

Nice Case!
Drill some holes into that clear panel and hook up a fan there
That thing would look like Swiss Cheese if I had it.

Haha, thanks. I vowed to try to keep this case in one piece after the mangling I did on the old case before this one. And right now I don't have the proper tools and facilities to cut/drill on it. I had to dremel the VC-RE out on the front porch of my apartment and it was freezing out.

 

[blunt420]

Hi thanks for your input guys,

My ram is the following: OCZ Plat 1 gig kit
Type DRAM
Technology DDR II SDRAM
Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
Memory Speed 800 MHz ( PC2-6400 )
CAS Latency CL4
RAM Features Platinum copper heatsink , unbuffered
Supply Voltage 2.2 V

CPU-Z reads:
Freq: 400mhz
FSBRAM: 2:3
CAS lat: 5 clocks
Ras to Cas del: 4 clocks
Ras pre: 4 clocks
Cycle tim: 14 clocks
Bank cyc time: 21 clocks
cmd Rate: 2T

My CPU tab reads:

Core2 Duo e6400
Voltage 1.328v

Core speed: fluctuates between 2133.3 / 2133.4
Multiplier x 8.0
Bus speed 266.7 mhz
Rated FSB 1066.6 mhz

I have not rebooted the pc yet, i will do so now to see if it will give me the no post funnt business again.

Can you guys make any suggestions perhaps for my settings as displayed above?

Where on OCZ can i find my RAM timing specs? I checked but got lost (maybe a lil too early here).

Thanks once again.

blunt

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: Punchy01
Sorry to interupt, but I just had a quick queston for you guys.
Got my P5n-e SLI in the mail yesterday, along with all the rest of my goodies, and was up late last night putting everything together.
The only thing I'm not real sure about with the physical build is the Front Panel Audio Connections that came with my CoolerMaster CAC-T05.
I see the 10-pin connection on the lower left hand corner of the board, but I'm not sure which of the case's modules to use. They are (in order):
"HD Audio", "AC '97", or a cluster of eleven (11) seperate color-coded wires at the end (the green and blue wires are doubled). Moreover, the individual wires do have diagram labels attached to them as to what they are, I'm just not sure which one of three options is for me. I'm guessing it's one of the modules, but I thought I'd ask here first. Any help appreciated, and thanks in advance

That header is to link the audio to the Front Panel of your case. Most people use the AC 97 unless you want HD coming out the front.

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: blunt420
Hi thanks for your input guys,

My ram is the following: OCZ Plat 1 gig kit
Type DRAM
Technology DDR II SDRAM
Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
Memory Speed 800 MHz ( PC2-6400 )
CAS Latency CL4
RAM Features Platinum copper heatsink , unbuffered
Supply Voltage 2.2 V

CPU-Z reads:
Freq: 400mhz
FSBRAM: 2:3
CAS lat: 5 clocks
Ras to Cas del: 4 clocks
Ras pre: 4 clocks
Cycle tim: 14 clocks
Bank cyc time: 21 clocks
cmd Rate: 2T

My CPU tab reads:

Core2 Duo e6400
Voltage 1.328v

Core speed: fluctuates between 2133.3 / 2133.4
Multiplier x 8.0
Bus speed 266.7 mhz
Rated FSB 1066.6 mhz

I have not rebooted the pc yet, i will do so now to see if it will give me the no post funnt business again.

Can you guys make any suggestions perhaps for my settings as displayed above?

Where on OCZ can i find my RAM timing specs? I checked but got lost (maybe a lil too early here).

Thanks once again.

blunt

Tell me which of the ram listed in the link below is yours. If you check the specification it will tell you the Default timings and voltages.
Ocz Memory

You can leave everything on auto except the ram timings and voltages. We can set those when you tell me which model you have

 

[blunt420]

Hi Core2,

thanks for your quick reply... your always on top of things...

My RAM is the 7th one down on the list.

OCZ 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P800512 - Retail

Buffered/Registered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 4
ECC: No
Features: Platinum Mirrored XTC Heatspreader
Heat Spreader: Yes
Timing: 4-5-4-15
Voltage: 2.1V

Model #: OCZ2P800512
Item #: N82E16820227081

thanks again bro.

 

[Punchy01]

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: Punchy01
Sorry to interupt, but I just had a quick queston for you guys.
Got my P5n-e SLI in the mail yesterday, along with all the rest of my goodies, and was up late last night putting everything together.
The only thing I'm not real sure about with the physical build is the Front Panel Audio Connections that came with my CoolerMaster CAC-T05.
I see the 10-pin connection on the lower left hand corner of the board, but I'm not sure which of the case's modules to use. They are (in order):
"HD Audio", "AC '97", or a cluster of eleven (11) seperate color-coded wires at the end (the green and blue wires are doubled). Moreover, the individual wires do have diagram labels attached to them as to what they are, I'm just not sure which one of three options is for me. I'm guessing it's one of the modules, but I thought I'd ask here first. Any help appreciated, and thanks in advance

That header is to link the audio to the Front Panel of your case. Most people use the AC 97 unless you want HD coming out the front.

Thanks Core2. Maybe I'll just try both AC' 97 and the HD and see what each sounds like. I suppose if I can get HD out the front, it would be a bonus--not sure if it will make headphones sound any better though. What really confused me was the eleven seperate wires at the end of CoolerMaster's supplied line. Probably not for my build.