A few MOBO questions before assembling rig

[Dunadan]

So here are the specs for my new rig...just waiting on a few final components -

Case: Cooler Master Cosmos 1000
Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power 850W
Motherboard: ASUS P5E
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
Cooling: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
Video Card: EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB
Hard Drives: 4 X Seagate Barracuda 320GB (Perpendicular) 7200 RPM SATA @ RAID 0+1
Memory: Corsair Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066
DVD-/+RW: Samsung 20X SATA
Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
Network: Linksys WMP54G Wireless-G Adapter
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium

I have a few questions concerning set-up on my P5E -

1. In the manual, it says I can enter DDR2 1066 Mode, which then offers a choice of 1333 FSB. I don't understand this. I know CPU Speed = CPUM x FSB (where CPUM is the CPU Multiplier, and FSB is the front side bus). I had been thinking of shooting for a FSB of 444, with a CPUM of 9 to get a 4.0 Ghz OC. Are they talking the same FSB? Setting this at 1333 obviously wouldn't let me use a CPUM of 9. Am I getting the terms they are using mixed up?

2. In the manual it says that if you are using a dual core CPU, to make sure to plug the chassis fan cable to CHA_FAN1 connector to ensure stability. What chassis fan cable are they talking about? Just any of the ones that come with my case? If that's right, because my MOBO has 3-pin connectors, and my case uses 4-pin fan connectors, am I correct in just using a 4-3 pin converter? Or is there another way to do this?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[o1die]

I would up your memory voltage to 2.0, or whatever corsair recommends. Start out with the default settings and load your operating system first. The board may select the best memory speed for your overclock. The manual refers to the cpu fan header; the board may shut down to protect the cpu if you connect your cpu heatsink fan to the wrong plug, and you can use a 4 pin connector with your 3 pin one. Just don't force it. I would also set the shutdown temp to 70c if your board has this setting in the bios. Asus usually has a pretty good manual, so I would read some of it first.

 

[Dunadan]

Actually I've read the manual several times, so that's not the problem. Or, it actually is. I'm questioning a couple things I read in it - as there was not any additional explanation provided.

1) My first question still remains. If CPU Speed = CPUM x FSB, why are they saying I can use a FSB of 1333? I think maybe there is different terminology being used? If you assume a 9 times multiplier, a 1333 FSB would give me an unheard of OC. I'm assuming you can't use a 1X multiplier as then the RAM would running at 2666 (1333 x 2)? Is that right? If not, can someone explain where my misunderstanding is?

2) I don't think the manual is referring to the cpu fan because it already mentions making sure you connect that. This is specifically mentioning the CHA_FAN1 (which is located just above the first PCI Express x1 slot) and using it when using dual core CPUs. I have no problem connecting something to it, I'm just curious as to why?

Thanks again. Sorry to be anal...but I like to know why things work the way they do, not just that I have to do them.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Food for thought ...

1066/4 = 266

 

[imported_wired247]

honestly, you should check out the ASUS forums. First of all, even though the P5E does technically support some DDR2-1066, a lot of people are having problems with it. if your mobo POSTS don't expect it to run at full speed or super tight timings necessarily. Just a word of warning.

If your mobo does NOT post, try ONE Stick of memory only, then bump the voltage up, and loosen timings, then install the other stick. once you have everything running you can start tweaking from there.


pretty much all DDR2-800 should work, though.



The CHA_FAN stuff refers to the very small 3-hole connector for fans, you do not have to plug them into the CHA_FAN spots (there are like 3 or 4 of them on the P5E) but if you want ASUS to control your fan speed, then you have to. It is perfectly fine to hook up all your fans to regular 12V connectors.

PM me if you have problems with the P5E, but first check out the ASUS forums (trust me on this)

Also you probably need to flash the BIOS to 502 or 601 to make it detect the e8400.

the best way to do this is to get a USB flash drive, format it to FAT or FAT32 (NTFS = no workie)

download the DOS version of the bios and rename it P5e.rom , then put it on your flash drive

after the MOBO posts, (for me) it said "Unknown CPU" or something, but I was still able to get into the BIOS. Hit delete to get into bios, go to EZ flash 2 utility (from within the bios, do not press ALT-F2 during bootup), browse to your USB flash drive, and select P5E.ROM. It should flash properly, then reboot. sometimes it gives checksum error on first reboot, but it's not a problem, just let it reboot again.

 

[Dunadan]

Thanks all.

Midnight Rambler - I realize 1066/4 = 266, and times a 9 multiplier would give you the stock 3.0 Ghz...that makes sense. But why do you divide by 4? If I were using a quad core that would make sense, but I'm only running dual core.

wired347 - yes I have been spending a good bit of time over there getting some good tips. I did post these questions too, but nobody has been able to answer them. I still think there's a reason the manual specifically says to plug a chassis fan into the CHA_FAN1 in order to have stability when using dual core CPUs. If it had to do with using the MOBO to run the fan speed, I would have thought it would be mentioned in that section, but it's not, it's in the section on installing the CPU.

As for the Bios...I got my board and CPU at MWave, and paid the $10 to have them test the set-up. They installed the 601 bios, and I believe tested the start-up with their RAM, so I should be good. But, the more tips I have on what to do on that first start up, the less likely I am to freak if it doesn't go as smooth as my last build.

Thanks all....