The Unofficial ASUS P5N-E SLI 650i Board Thread

[NineInchNick]

First of all I'd like to say hi
My first post on anandtech forums

I've noticed a strange problem on my P5N-E SLI. When I were putting my system together, I first inserted the DIMMs into the two slots closest to the cpu socket (one yellow, one black) , guess was just half-asleep while doing it Then I took to overclocking the CPU - went stable on 3,3 GHz, mem not oc'ed, factory timings (prime tested and all). THEN i noticed that I was running single channel 64 bit memory so I populated the yellow slots to get dual. Now i can't get it to run stable oc'ed at all! There is a chance that Firefox might crash while writing this post, so excuse poor spellin Have i screwed up the timings or something? I'm running factory bios, since i've read some bad opinions about the 401 in this thread. Anyone tried the 505?

 

[Tuvoc]

Have you set the memory voltage and timings manually ? That is the first step
I am on BIOS 0307 and it's perfect, as was 0202
0307 and above are supposed to increase memory compatibility, so it might be worth flashing to 0401, but do it as per instructions here and not in windows
0505 is not official. It was on the ASUS support page briefly but was then pulled (as far as I know)

 

[NineInchNick]

nope, the bios is there allright. Since some time today. I've set the voltages manually. The first four timings also 4-4-4-15 - for the other timings, i have no idea what they are supposed to be, since the SPD readings are useless for the most part. Why can't i do a windows update? I don't think I have a FDD around anymore

 

[Tuvoc]

The 0505 BIOS was there earlier today, then apparently removed. I refreshed the page and it had gone !! Check again ?

You can flash the BIOS from a flash drive, if you have one
There seems to be history of bad flashed using the windows tool

 

[NineInchNick]

Well it's there again

http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=P5N-E%20SLI

Version 0505 2007/03/16 update
Description P5N-E SLI BIOS Release version 0505
1. Add C1E function support for Conroe-L A-1 stepping CPU .
2. Support new CPU, please refer to our website at: http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpus...aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=P5N-E%20SLI
3. Support FSB 1333 CPU .
4. Fix CPR might fail when overclock too much.
File Size 460.63 (KBytes)

 

[Tuvoc]

Yes you're right, it is back !! Very strange
I wonder if they fixed the issue where the multiplier was locked with 0505 on certain CPUs.... Presumably yes

AH - but the download gives me a zero byte file

 

[NineInchNick]

Just downloaded the 0505. Updated (Asus win update for XP) Took my chances and it worked. I put the DIMMs in the black slots. No reboots as of yet.

EDIT: Right-click the "china" link and choose 'save targed as'. Worked for me.

 

[Genuine Imitation]

Yeah for some reason most of these boards like the black ram slots better. Some people have been able to run the yellow slots, but if anyone is having stability issues running yellow, the first thing I'd suggest is moving to the black slots.

 

[NineInchNick]

still no stability... prime95 ran in blend no problem for a while. Oblivion crashed (reset the computer) after about 30 min of playing :/

 

[Tuvoc]

Originally posted by: NineInchNick
Just downloaded the 0505. Updated (Asus win update for XP) Took my chances and it worked. I put the DIMMs in the black slots. No reboots as of yet.

EDIT: Right-click the "china" link and choose 'save targed as'. Worked for me.

The Europe link worked for me

I flashed it just fine, no problems. Multiplier is unlocked as it should be
But for me, 0202, 0307 and 0505 have all bene the same. I haven't noticed any difference

 

[imported_Maz]

Hey Core2 I was looking at your pg92 guide and I don't understand why you've left off cpu coolers from tuniq and thermalright. They have been reviewed and proven to be great coolers. I know your freezer pro cooler is *good* and all but I don't think you're doing any justice by calling it "best hsf". You should really put the thermalright and tuniq on that list for those that really don't know the scoop on cpu coolers.

 

[TriBeCa]

nineinchnick: I haven't been able to get into windowsupdate either.... I don't know if it's something up with them today, or if it's because I was having some memory stability issues that's messed up my windows install.

Oddly enough, I have to use the *yellow* slots on my board, or I get crazy instability. I'm on the 0202 bios, but I'm not really in a rush to upgrade it, because I tried some of the other bios versions, and that's when the instability started. It might just have been because I hadn't yet set my ram timings manually, but I'm not about to risk it. I've got an OCZ 2GB 800 kit.

Since I can't update windows atm, I'm just gonna try and find a stable overclock I'm happy with for now, and if I manage that I'll do a clean windows install (for the 3rd time) and try windowsupdate again....

 

[imported_Maz]

Should I back my memory down to 732mhz or whatever to get 1:1 ratio? Will this increase my overall performance? Generally speaking does 1:1 ratio = more stability?

Can someone confirm that e4300 procs *don't* unlock down? Anyone think this will be possible with later bios revisions? I hope so... I'd love to put my multiplier down to 8 or even 7 tbh. LOL I knew I shoulda got an e6300... gah!

 

[GreyGeezer]

Nice guide found By BillParrish on Hardforum->

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1170174]

http://www.nvidia.com/docs/CP/45121/nforce_680i_sli_overclocking.pdf]

 

[CikaNovo]

Hello everybody,I'm posting here at anandforums for the first time.Just a quick question,anybody running 4 X 1 GB of ram on this board?How is the overclocking with all four ram slots populated?

 

[NineInchNick]

Originally posted by: CikaNovo
Hello everybody,I'm posting here at anandforums for the first time.Just a quick question,anybody running 4 X 1 GB of ram on this board?How is the overclocking with all four ram slots populated?

I think the term 'nightmare' woud be an appropriate word when it comes to this board . Not that i've tried, but from what i've read, getting memory to run stable without overclocking on 2 slots is a challenge...

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: Maz
Hey Core2 I was looking at your pg92 guide and I don't understand why you've left off cpu coolers from tuniq and thermalright. They have been reviewed and proven to be great coolers. I know your freezer pro cooler is *good* and all but I don't think you're doing any justice by calling it "best hsf". You should really put the thermalright and tuniq on that list for those that really don't know the scoop on cpu coolers.

As I said yesterday anything you guys feel that need to be on that guide write it up with the links and I'll copy it and post it. The best HSF is all of them that are listed there, not just the Freezer. I feel it is the best bang for the buck and the easiest to install. The temps have been great too. The only issue I have with any bolt on or extremely large HSF is weight and downward pressure on the processor. Read Intel's spec sheet on maximum weight that should be applied. Also that's why I think a lot of people are getting a concave processor on the top.

 

[Core2]

Originally posted by: CikaNovo
Hello everybody,I'm posting here at anandforums for the first time.Just a quick question,anybody running 4 X 1 GB of ram on this board?How is the overclocking with all four ram slots populated?

It's a job to do but, it can be done. You have to adjust them manually and downgrade the speed to 667MHz if they are 800MHz ram They wont run at 800MHz so far.

 

[imported_Maz]

Originally posted by: Core2

Originally posted by: Maz
Hey Core2 I was looking at your pg92 guide and I don't understand why you've left off cpu coolers from tuniq and thermalright. They have been reviewed and proven to be great coolers. I know your freezer pro cooler is *good* and all but I don't think you're doing any justice by calling it "best hsf". You should really put the thermalright and tuniq on that list for those that really don't know the scoop on cpu coolers.

As I said yesterday anything you guys feel that need to be on that guide write it up with the links and I'll copy it and post it. The best HSF is all of them that are listed there, not just the Freezer. I feel it is the best bang for the buck and the easiest to install. The temps have been great too. The only issue I have with any bolt on or extremely large HSF is weight and downward pressure on the processor. Read Intel's spec sheet on maximum weight that should be applied. Also that's why I think a lot of people are getting a concave processor on the top.

Calling those hsf "best hsf" is a bit misleading. Best at what? Certainly not the best for cooling. In a guide that gives tips etc for overclocking it seems foolish to omit something because it exceeds intel's spec. Personally I'm not crazy about my tuniq (got suckered in by the hype) but it certainly performs well. I keep my house around 68F-70F and I idle at 30C with a greatly overclocked cpu. Heavy or dangerous or otherwise, that merits a recommendation. Anywho...

Originally posted by: Maz
You should really put the thermalright and tuniq on that list for those that really don't know the scoop on cpu coolers.

 

[Core2]

Like I said write it up and stop complaining

 

[imported_Maz]

Originally posted by: Core2
Like I said write it up and stop complaining

omg are you not reading my quote.... I asked for them to be put on there twice now... I even just gave a reason... I'm not complaining I'm contributing. For one of the most helpful people on this forum you can be quite the jerk. Disagreeing with someone isn't complaining. Trimming fan housing and bending a fin on a mediocre cpu cooler that has clearance issues on some boards isn't what a lot of people are looking for.

Whats to write.... put the friggin coolers on the list ffs.
Tuniq Tower 120
Tuniq Tower 120 - Cheaper
Thermalright Ultra 120
Thermalright Ultra 120

 

[TriBeCa]

HEEEEEELP.

I got some mild OC's earlier, but lost them because at some point I lost the OC profiles. Was trying to get them back, and had to fight to get my RAM under control again (I've been at 2T the whole time).

I got it looking stable at stock speeds, and tried a simple overclock. 300 x 8 for 2.4MHz (set to 1200 in the BIOS). I got to windows, started orthos, and the system hung just before the 2 minute mark. I forced a reboot, tried to get into the CMOS, and it crashed while loading. Shut off the PSU, tried again--this time, where I would normally get a system beep, I get a prolonged beep until I shut the PSU down again.

Reset the BIOS with battery and jumper...same thing. And again. And again. Tried each RAM chip separately, and in different slots. Nothing.

Absolutely NOTHING else changed...WTF is going on, and how do I get back to the bios???

 

[Rawjhaw]

Not sure it's a P5N-E issue - please help if you can...

I just received a custom-config'd system I bought from an online white-box PC builder. I immediately installed and ran 3DMark06 a few times, but that's the only stability testing i've done thus far. I then loaded up CPU-Z for some stats... and I don't quite know how to make sense of my memory timings. Under the Memory tab, i'm showing:

CAS# Latency: 5 clocks
RAS# to CAS#: 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge: 5 clocks
Cycle Time (TRAS): 31 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (TRC): 22 clocks

if I recall, my SPD tab shows: 266mhz - 4-4-4-12 2T // 400mhz - 5-5-5-15 2T

My P5N-E is set to ALL Auto settings out of the box and I haven't changed anything. Not sure how to report various voltage readings to you at the moment... but in general, how concerned should I be that my tRAS says 31?

I've shyed away from trying memtest mainly because the instructions on how to use it looked a little bit out of my newb comfort zone... : / system seems to be running stable (3DMark06 runs well so far), but would appreciate any insight I can get here...

-----------------------------------------
Asus P5N-E 650i
e6600 C2D (not OCd)
GeIL 2 X 1GB DDR2-800 PC2-6400
Ultra XVS 700W
eVGA 8800 GTS 320mb
NZXT Zero
XP Pro

 

[Tuvoc]

Originally posted by: CikaNovo
Hello everybody,I'm posting here at anandforums for the first time.Just a quick question,anybody running 4 X 1 GB of ram on this board?How is the overclocking with all four ram slots populated?

Yes I'm running 4 x 1GB sticks.
They will NOT do 800 asynch (the board won't boot).
I have settled for 3:2 ratio which works perfectly and gives 711

Now I guess if you left them in synch at 533 and increased the FSB, in theory you should get around the 350-360 FSB mark. Don't know, you'd have to try it. I run at stock FSB and just increase the multiplier when I want more speed

But you know, this board is very picky with RAM. Maybe with different memory modules the situation may be different. I did hear of someone with Corsair RAM that was supposedly running 4 x 1GB at 800 - but I'd want that verified....

 

[CikaNovo]

Thank you Tuvoc. I'm about to buy another 2 sticks of the same ram I already have,and I'm not interested in anything more than stock speed for ram so it might work after all.One more thing,as of today when i go to bios it takes couple of strokes to the keys to make them respond.In windows everything is ok.Btw. keyboard is usb.I suspect usb problems.Yes,and many thanks to Core2