The Unofficial ASUS P5N-E SLI 650i Board Thread

[nefariouscaine]

Originally posted by: Crazysamz
I've just recently gotten an Asus P5n-E sli motherboard, because I used to have a Gigabyte GA-P965-DQ6 (rev 2) motherboard with 2 Nvidia 8600 GTS's Superclocked, but then I immediately realized the Gigabyte didn't support SLI, so I finally upgraded 2 weeks ago. My RAM is 4 Gigs of Corsair XMS2 SLI supported DDR2 800, and my processor is a C2duo e6600 with a scythe Ninja cooler (will cool it awesomely during an overclock, right??), and my question is what should I do to overclock? I tried using some built-in Asus AI overclocking crap that didn't work, my system would hang during post and so I had to clear the Cmos, unlike what Asus says (which is that the board will automatically reset the Cmos if at the Post screen it hangs, which doesn't always work for me). Anyways, I'm a newb to overclocking, but I was wondering if you guys could help me get from 2.4 Ghz to around 3-3.2 Ghz?? thx.

BTW, this is my first post on this board. I hope I put this in the right section. If not, sry.

first question is your memory 2x2 or 4x1 - that will make a bit of a difference to the stability of the board during an OC

my board runs my memory overclocked/underclocked (and everything in between) pretty easy on auto NB voltage but I think i'm a rarity as far as that goes

adding a fan to the NB on this board is a good idea as is adding a hsf to the SB - i used to have my NB voltage to 1.56v all the time on my last board (same board just got a new one) & with a fan temps were never an issue.

depending on your board also you might not be fully stable at 1.3v on that board - i had some pretty serious vDroop issues that I fixed with a volt mod but I don't suggest you try that - just keep an eye on how much your voltage fluctuates

i have a similar set up to your actually - i don't know what kinda PSU you have (that does make a factor) but i have the same board, processor & HSF - I get 3.375 ghz pretty "easy" but i've been overclocking this board for well over a year now and have just about all the bios screens memorized

my temps are usually around 60c (full load for days straight) at 1.424v (per cpu-z ???) I run my FSB at 375mhz (1500 quad pumped) and get around 50c as my absolute max NB temp during a hot summer day

read over the overclocking guide in the middle of this thread & it should help you alot - ask questions, ask them again if you don't understand & then try it out

especially be leary of increasing volts too much

 

[Tuvoc]

Originally posted by: nefariouscaine

my board runs my memory overclocked/underclocked (and everything in between) pretty easy on auto NB voltage but I think i'm a rarity as far as that goes

Yes, I've never had to deviate from auto on the NB volts, it always works for me

 

[OmarD]

hello.
a lot of P5N-E owner, have using
WINDOWS VISTA ULTIMATE 32 or 64 bits.
But, in the asustek webpage, in drivers for P5N-E I can not found, lan drivers and chipset drivers for Vista 64bits.
Where did u found all this drivers?? I wish install Vista Ultimate 64 bits SP1, because next week i will got 4x2GB sticks.
Than ks

 

[Tuvoc]

No doubt there are Vista x64 650i drivers on NVidia's site, but I haven't bothered to install any. I've just installed whatever came via Windows Update, that's it. Works perfectly fine

 

[Aftershocker]

Hi Guys not having much luck getting the Q6600 over clocked on this board. Would like a conservative 3Ghz.

Rig specs below. Wont boot windows at anything over 2.7Ghz unfortunately. Even at stock speed if I enter the FSB and mem speed manually at 1066 and 800 it refuses to boot further than the bios. If anyone can offer any tips id be eternally greatfull.

Upgraded BIOS to 0901 because Vista 64 was unstable on 0601 but all those issues have disappeared since I installed SP1, so would happily roll back if necessary.

 

[Tuvoc]

Originally posted by: Aftershocker
Hi Guys not having much luck getting the Q6600 over clocked on this board. Would like a conservative 3Ghz.

Rig specs below. Wont boot windows at anything over 2.7Ghz unfortunately. Even at stock speed if I enter the FSB and mem speed manually at 1066 and 800 it refuses to boot further than the bios. If anyone can offer any tips id be eternally greatfull.

Upgraded BIOS to 0901 because Vista 64 was unstable on 0601 but all those issues have disappeared since I installed SP1, so would happily roll back if necessary.

I run my quad at 333 x 9 = 3.0Ghz and I do that with the memory 1:1 at 667. I suggest that you give that a go. And despite some people managing high clocks at low volts, I need a manual setting of 1.375v to be Prime stable 24+hrs. NB voltage on auto, and memory set at 2.1v and manual timings

Mine is a B3 stepping of course. I wonder if this board has problems clocking the G0 steppings ?

 

[Aftershocker]

Just to clarify do you unlink the memory and FSB settings and input them manually?

If I set them at 1:1 wont it try running the memory at 1333 as well, or does the 2T setting on the memory override this?

I've heard of loads of people clocking the q6600 to 3200+ but by all accounts it not straightforward with this board.

What are your temps like?

Thanks for you help btw mate.

 

[Tuvoc]

Originally posted by: Aftershocker
Just to clarify do you unlink the memory and FSB settings and input them manually?

If I set them at 1:1 wont it try running the memory at 1333 as well, or does the 2T setting on the memory override this?

I've heard of loads of people clocking the q6600 to 3200+ but by all accounts it not straightforward with this board.

What are your temps like?

Thanks for you help btw mate.

1:1 on this board sets the memory to 1333, sorry for the confusion. 667 is what I meant.
I have a feeling I have it linked but I'm not sure. Temps are very low since I fitted the Ultra 120 Extreme

 

[Tuvoc]

This board is not great for overclocking quad core CPUs, that is a fact though. I've seen a lot of posts where people can get 3GHz max out of a quad core on this board. I think it is the 3-phase power which just runs out of steam.

 

[JustaGeek]

It is "linked" and in the "Sync Mode". That's what I'm running as well.

It will give you the memory at 667MHz.

Good luck!

 

[Shampoo]

Hey guys long time no post.
I'm surprised you guys haven't changed your bios to 0901.
Since 0803 the FSB hole with 4GB of ram (4x1GB) has disappeared for me at least.
I don't know how it's affected my overclocking, but I don't think it has.
I had major problems getting Crysis running stable on my system and couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was. I had it running for a while then it would just freeze up.
I finally have it stable, so I'm guessing my overclock wasn't stable with 1700FSB and my processor at 3.4GHz.
I'm down to 3.2GHz 1600Mhz FSB. (400MHz).
Things seem okay now. So disappointed. I'm happy with the performance (not overclocking ability) of this board. I know everyone wants to overclock higher and higher, but really what good is it if the board itself doesn't perform as well as other boards with the same overclock?
I've seen this so many times, where someone will have board A and has the same overclock as another person with board B, but doesn't perform as well, then they ask on these forums why?
It's because of different chipsets, components like ram, etc.
My overclock of 3.2GHz with an E6420 and my ram at 800MHz 4-4-4-15, 2T has led to a higher windows experience score in Vista than my 3.4GHz score.
I don't know if this was a memory timing thing, but my system just feels smoother with less bumps now.
I'm happy with it, but I want a Quadcore now.
You guys with Quads on this board, should I go for the Q6600 or just wait until Nehalem comes out and get a new board and processor then?
I'm so torn between picking up a new board and a quad or a quad for this board or an E8400.

 

[Tuvoc]

I've been tossing up whether or not to do the BIOS upgrade. I think I might

As for quads - I would be inclined to wait and get a new board. I'm pretty sure quads will do 3.0GHz on this board and no more. Although that's pretty decent. Mine is rock solid at 3.0GHz. But it won't go any further, and I'm sure it's not the CPU. If I give more vcore, the vdroop just increases and under load the vcore remains same as before. I think at 3.0GHz the limit of 3-phase power has been reached. The board just can't supply any more juice. It's not a great board for big overclocking of quads. But at stock or a mild overclock, it's fine.

 

[JustaGeek]

Why would you guys want to update the BIOS if your computers work fine...?

You know that it is very hard to downgrade from these 800 - 900 "series" BIOS' if you are not happy with them...?

Unless I need the new BIOS to support new hardware, I will not make this mistake again.

BTW, my computer feels smoother than ever with the CPU at 3.0GHz and the memory at 667MHz and 1:1.

 

[Tuvoc]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Why would you guys want to update the BIOS if your computers work fine...?

To fix the 4 x 1GB memory hole, no other reason

At the moment I'm running 1:1 at 667. Although it should be 800, that's what the memory is capable of, but that's the "hole"and the machine won't boot at 800. I bet there is negligible speed difference though. I agree, linked speeds seem more sensible to me

 

[johnim]

im running a q6600 @3ghz and can go no further without bsods

bios 0608
running @333 x 9
2x2gb corsair xms2 800@667 (5 5 5 18 t2)1.92v
frezzerpro 7
corsair hx 520
8800GT 512 HR-03 GT
xp sp2/vista ultimate x64

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: Tuvoc

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Why would you guys want to update the BIOS if your computers work fine...?

To fix the 4 x 1GB memory hole, no other reason

At the moment I'm running 1:1 at 667. Although it should be 800, that's what the memory is capable of, but that's the "hole"and the machine won't boot at 800. I bet there is negligible speed difference though. I agree, linked speeds seem more sensible to me

The difference is negligible, and it's not worth the risk IMO.

Stable machine is worth more than about 1% gain in overall speed - if that...

I am scoring ~8000 PCMark05 points on Vista 64 with my setup - it was less with RAM at 800MHz.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: johnim
im running a q6600 @3ghz and can go no further without bsods

bios 0608
running @333 x 9
2x2gb corsair xms2 800@667 (5 5 5 18 t2)1.92v
frezzerpro 7
corsair hx 520
8800GT 512 HR-03 GT
xp sp2/vista ultimate x64

Welcome to the forums!

And try BIOS 0401 - best for the E6600.

EDIT: Just noticed Q6600 - never mind then!

 

[gelat]

I am looking to swicth from 4x1 Corsair XMS2 6400C4's (@667) to 2x2 so I can go back to 800mhz on my RAM (i dont overclock). I am looking for suggestions on memory that you guys KNOW works at 2x2. Here are my choices:

Patriot Extreme PDC24G6400LLK 2x2GB
G.Skill F2-6400CL4D-4GBPK 2x2GB
Geil Esoteria GX24GB6400ERBPDC 2x2GB
Crucial Ballistix BL2KIT25664AA804 2x2GB
OCZ Titanium OCZ2T800C44GK 2x2GB
OCZ Reaper OCZ2RPR800C44GK 2x2GB
Patriot Viper PVS24G6400LLK 2x2GB

They are all rated at 4-4-4-12/15 (2T) - I did not look for any CAS 5 memory at newegg.

I am looking for the thumbs-up on compatability on these at 800 (not 667)

 

[Tuvoc]

Here is a graphic illustration of the problem this board has with quad core CPUs. Graphs from a 1 hour run of OCCT MIX test:

Firstly the 12v line - totally stable
http://www.chesstesting.org.uk/Volt12.png

And now the vcore - a disaster
http://www.chesstesting.org.uk/VCore.png

I have a BIOS setting of about 1.38v. At idle straight away there is vdrop - the reading is 1.33v. The under load, it drops to as low as 1.18v - vdroop
This is not a PSU issue, the board just can't supply the voltage that an overclocked quads demands. Prime 95 is the same too, the vcore drops depending on the FFT size that it is running. But, despite this, the machine passes OCCT and is also Prime95 error free for 24+hrs


On the CPU only custom test, the vdroop is clearly seen, but the fluctuations here are quite small
http://www.chesstesting.org.uk/CPU_Only_Test_VCore.png

 

[gelat]

I am trying to config speedfan, and I have found most of my temps by comparing to asus probe, but I cant find what TEMP3 and TEMP1 are (listed 3rd and 4th for me)/ Temp 3 is 25o celsius and Temp1 is 40o celsius....

 

[ugzz]

So to clarify, without reading the last 200+ pages heh,
you are saying that quads work FINE @ 3.0 and lower, but have issues Above.
Is that correct?
If it is, that really sucks, i have my e4300 up from 1.8 to 3.25 rock solid for months,
that tells me i should be able to get an awesome OC with a 2.4ghz quad.. but not if i cant push 3ghz....

 

[Tuvoc]

That certainly seems to be the case. I've seen lots of people hitting a wall at 3.0 with Quads. Never seen anyone get above that. It doesn't really suck, it's a budget SLI board so it has its limitations. The cheap 3-phase power is to blame I think, it can't provide enough stable power

 

[Tuvoc]

Well I updated to the 0901 BIOS, because I wanted to see if the 4 x 1GB memory hole was fixed. And indeed, on my machine it is !! I can now run my RAM at it's rated 800 speed. BUT and it's a big BUT, I can no longer increase the multiplier on my unlocked QX6700 Extreme CPU. ASUS how totally PATHETIC you are !!! What a bunch of amateurs.
I'll have to weigh up what I've gained and what I've lost, and decide whether to stick with 0901 or go back to 0608

 

[Stump1000]

I just bought this board and a q9300. Is there any known compatibility issues. I didnt know for sure if they'd work together, but I seen where a few guys have that combo so I went with it.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: Tuvoc
Well I updated to the 0901 BIOS, because I wanted to see if the 4 x 1GB memory hole was fixed. And indeed, on my machine it is !! I can now run my RAM at it's rated 800 speed. BUT and it's a big BUT, I can no longer increase the multiplier on my unlocked QX6700 Extreme CPU. ASUS how totally PATHETIC you are !!! What a bunch of amateurs.
I'll have to weigh up what I've gained and what I've lost, and decide whether to stick with 0901 or go back to 0608

I hope you can go back! Apparently people are having problems going back from 0901.

Please let us know!