* ASUS A8N-SLI experiences/results/issues

[BlackEvo]

Hey MaverickBP, you got PM

BlackEvo

 

[GuitarDaddy]

HiroProt thanks for the coolbits tip. I activated coolbits and O/C to 550 1.10
that raised my 3dmark05 scores from 2800 to 3000

I changed my CPU o/c to 247.6 x 10 = 2475.80 mhz htt=4 988

Ran prime95 for four hours with no errors. I think I'll stay here for awhile, almost 25% o/c and seems very stable.

 

[HiroProt]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
HiroProt thanks for the coolbits tip. I activated coolbits and O/C to 550 1.10
that raised my 3dmark05 scores from 2800 to 3000

I changed my CPU o/c to 247.6 x 10 = 2475.80 mhz htt=4 988

Ran prime95 for four hours with no errors. I think I'll stay here for awhile, almost 25% o/c and seems very stable.

Mmm...you should be able to squeeze out some more performance I would think, your memory is way better than mine and you have a 10x multiplier to work with. Is that the highest FSB you can achieve? Did you raise the voltages? I am currently running at 265 MHz FSB, and no problems at all. I could probably go even higher, will try that when I have time.

I hope that I get the money to add another 512MB RAM soon, so that I can run dual-channel.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I can get the FSB up to about 268 with 9.5multi 2548mhz (haven't tried lower multi), it will run stable, runs all benchmarks ok except prime95 (errors out in about 20mins). I haven't had any luck with the manual voltage settings. every time i've tried to increase 1 increment it hangs the system. with the auto setting the voltage increases from 1.4 to 1.49 with this o/c. I will try lower multi's to get my FSB up and take advantage of my ram, but it kind of looks like my CPU may top out at around 2500mhz. If thats the case I will be very happy with that.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

You were correct HiroProt! My new settings

282.6 x 9.0 = 2543mhz 1.50v

aquamark3 GFX 8448
aquamark3 CPU 10618
aquamark3 total 60488


Thanks again

 

[bap4201]

If you guys are only running one 6600gt , You will be FLOORED when you add a 2nd or even swap out for two 6800gts!

Thanks for reporting the results!

 

[bap4201]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
You were correct HiroProt! My new settings

282.6 x 9.0 = 2543mhz 1.50v

aquamark3 GFX 8448
aquamark3 CPU 10618
aquamark3 total 60488


Thanks again

guitardaddy, thanks for that, what processor are you using? NEVERMIND, I looked up your rig.

Anyone oc'ng w/ a FX-55? If so, what are your settings?

 

[Tanclearas]

Hiro or GD,

Have you run nTune? Did you see the message about the PCI bus being tied to the HT bus?

As for the selector card, mine shipped ready for SLI. I switched to single card and it worked fine right away. Which PCIe slot did you use for the single card? The manual says to use the blue (top-most) slot for a single card.

Originally posted by: bap4201
If you guys are only running one 6600gt , You will be FLOORED when you add a 2nd or even swap out for two 6800gts!

Thanks for reporting the results!

Yeah. Having to purchase so many new components all at once meant only one 6600GT for now. While I was waiting for the A8N-SLI, some suggested going with just an nForce3 and an AGP 6800GT. Doing that, the price would have still been higher, and my upgrade options would have been very limited.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: Tanclearas
Hiro or GD,

Have you run nTune? Did you see the message about the PCI bus being tied to the HT bus?

Yes, I get the same message in nTune. Not sure what thats all about. I don't have any PCI cards installed.

I'm not really impressed with the nTune utility, the benchmarking part works ok, But, I have never got the nTune auto performance tunning to successfully complete.

The AI booster utility is better.
However AI booster doesn't correctly read FSB above about 270, so you can only raise it incrementally past that point using bios, and you have to adjust the HTT multi in the bios also.

If you install CPU-Z 1.26 and look at the memory tab, you will see that when overclocking the FSB on the A8N above 215,216 it will automatically apply memory divider, and run the ram async.
For example my current settings are. 280.6 x 9.0 =2528mhz
but when I look at CPUZ my memory is running @ 180.6 2-2-2-5

I haven't had any luck using the manual memory clock or timing settings. or the manual voltage settings.

 

[HiroProt]

Yup, getting the same message iin nTune too, but I prefer doing these things by hand anyway. One issue though: sometime when I start up (mainly reboots), I get the "System failed due to CPU overclocking" voice error. I just reset again, and it boots up fine. Everything is stable. I wonder how I can disable that message, or what it is based on.

My SLI selector was set to dual when I got it, and I switched it to single. I'm running the GFX card in the blue slot, like the manual says.

 

[chexi]

Guitar Daddy,

Where did you find that beta bios? I only see 1002 on the Asus site.

Nevermind. I found it. Duh!!!!

 

[stevennoland]

Originally posted by: SRoode

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: SRoode
(Bump)

I know some members have gotten theirs already... Mine doesn't come till Monday.

So how is the board performing?!?!?

that has to be a AGONIZING wait


I dont think ill get my nforce4 board till january

Hi Demo,

The wait is sort of agonizing because I spent months researching and buying new parts piece by piece for my new "dream" machine (and my 1st AMD). I've been taking my time over the last 3 months and still will not finish the machine for about another 6 weeks or so. Since I will be watercooling, I'm to the point now where I needed the motherboard so I can cut the remaining tubes to the correct lengths.

So far I've gotten:
Dell 2001FP 20.1 Inch LCD Monitor (1600x1200, 16ms response)
Lian-Li V2000B case with side window
OCZ Powerstream 470W power supply (I took it apart and sleeved every power cable)
Asetek Water Cooling System (CPU, Chipset, and 2 video cooling blocks. Hydor L30 Pump. 2 Radiators)
Matrix Orbital MX432 4 line LCD (White lettering on blue background)
and Misc internals (pax-mate, cold cathodes, etc.)

I've tried to get the stuff that doesn't change much over time 1st. The last pieces that I buy will be the Processor and the Video Cards. I will probably go with the FX-53 for the CPU, and two 6800GTs. So far the only PCI-Express 6800GT I have seen that is available is the XFX at newegg, but they want $495!!! I'm hoping it drops to about $375 or so in January.

So, although I can't "use" the Motherboard on Monday, I can continue on with my build (finish routing the watercooling and leak test the system).

SRoode,

I would highly recommend you ditch the Hydor L30 pumps. I had two and the last one leaked (no damage though). With your 'Dream' system you would do well to get the new +12 volt DC pumps. They ROCK.

 

[JohnYossarian]

Hi Hiro
I am first time PC builder and got worried after reading all posts here, especially the one about the Power supply. I've seen your PSU is True Power 380W (Sonata case) that is alegedly 20 pin. Have you used the 20pin to 24 pin converter in this case? Have you had any problems so far? I have an Antec Pefromance Plus TP430 W 20 pin output and I am wondering whether I should go for another PSU (although I am very reluctant having read a lot good reviews about Antec True power) in order to make sure that my mobo A8N Sli Deluxe would be happy.

I have found several sites where they sell converters.

Please, would you advise me on this?

I would highly appreciate the opinions of all forum members!

Cheers!

 

[glorfy]

My experience so far. If you are installing a RAID setup you will need the drivers on the supplied CD, just boot with it to get them... and I hope you haven't got a USB FDD, as there seem to be more 'issues'.

MY card selector was correctly supplied set to X16, i.e. one card.

Now on to the important part - WHERE IS THE PCI-E LOCK? There is no option in the bios to set it. There is no option to ignore your CPU fan (I'm water cooling), and if you try to adjust the bios options to O/C you have to reset the RTC!

Flame On

This stinks. Asus did it once with the A8V rev 1.03, it looks like they're doing it again! We are all Guinea Pigs to them!

Flame Off.

 

[Tab]

Anyone want to show us some :camera:

 

[BahbRF]

Originally posted by: Tabb
Anyone want to show us some :camera:

I would, but all I have in my case is the Mobo, CPU, and my Zalman CNPS7700-CU cooler.

I also don't want my poor closet server to be raped by AT.

 

[HiroProt]

Originally posted by: JohnYossarian
Hi Hiro
I am first time PC builder and got worried after reading all posts here, especially the one about the Power supply. I've seen your PSU is True Power 380W (Sonata case) that is alegedly 20 pin. Have you used the 20pin to 24 pin converter in this case? Have you had any problems so far? I have an Antec Pefromance Plus TP430 W 20 pin output and I am wondering whether I should go for another PSU (although I am very reluctant having read a lot good reviews about Antec True power) in order to make sure that my mobo A8N Sli Deluxe would be happy.

I have found several sites where they sell converters.

Please, would you advise me on this?

I would highly appreciate the opinions of all forum members!

Cheers!

Welcome to the forums

No, I'm not using a converter, I just plugged the connector in shifted all the way to the right. I am only running a modest setup in terms of power requirements, so your mileage may vary. The converter should not be necessary though.

 

[JohnYossarian]

Thanks Hiro
I will have a similar rig, except for Athlon 64 3500+ 90 nm, 2x512 Corsair TwinXMS PC3200C2PT and 2xASUS EN6600GT graphic cards. Do you think this will still be OK?
Cheers!

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Well it looks like the max o/c (prime95 stable) for my CPU is 2528mhz. I can run all day @ 2601 and run benchies and play games, But it errors out in prime95. I am very happy with these results, and my target all along was 2500 for this chip. Who wouldn't be happy with 25%+ overclock!

I have found a couple of items worth noting.

1. It appears the max. FSB is 290.6. You can set it higher in the bios. But when you boot it up and run
CPU-Z and AI booster, thet both show FSB 290.6

2. AI booster doesn't read FSB over 270, therefore if your FSB is >270 you can't change it within windows.
you have to reboot and change it in bios.

3. The manual CPU voltage adjustment is apparently limited to 1.52 for winchester. You can set the voltage higher in bios ei.. 1.5375 1.550 1.575 1.585 I even tested 1.60. But when you boot up and check CPU-Z and AI booster, they both show 1.52.


Now that I've found my best CPU overclock, its time to move on to optimizing my RAM.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: glorfy
Now on to the important part - WHERE IS THE PCI-E LOCK? There is no option in the bios to set it.
Flame On

This stinks. Asus did it once with the A8V rev 1.03, it looks like they're doing it again! We are all Guinea Pigs to them!

Flame Off.

The PCI-E bus on this board is not connected to the FSB, so no locks are necessary.
In the jumper free section of the bios, you will see a setting for PCI express clock 100mhz (default)
You can set the PCI clock independently from the FSB. On my rig my FSB is 282mhz and my PCI clock remains @ 100mhz. Better than locks, you can o/c your PCI bus independently.

Hope this helps

 

[HiroProt]

Originally posted by: JohnYossarian
Thanks Hiro
I will have a similar rig, except for Athlon 64 3500+ 90 nm, 2x512 Corsair TwinXMS PC3200C2PT and 2xASUS EN6600GT graphic cards. Do you think this will still be OK?
Cheers!

I think that it should be, yeah. How many A do you have on your 12V rail?

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: Tabb
Anyone want to show us some :camera:

Picture of Case open

Picture of The Cards!!!!

 

[gobucks]

has anyone had internet issues with the new NV firewall or anything? I've been trying to setup a connection through cable (roadrunner) and have nad absolutely no luck. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the NV firewall. Are there any special tricks i need to know about? I feel like such a jackass, i can put together a $1000 kickass new PC from scratch, but i can't connect it to the internet, lol.

On a side note, where are the NCQ settings for SATA drives? I have one of the new maxtor DM10s and want to enable it, but can't find it anywhere in the bios. I haven't updated the bios yet, i was gonna wait till i got connected to the internet and use that bios tool in windows.

 

[spearsd]

Hi, all!

Since people are sharing their experiences with the A8N-SLI Deluxe, I'll share mine too. The board seemed to install fine in my case, and WinXP+SP1 Home Edition install was smooth as silk. After installing the NForce4 drivers I ran into some difficulty with BSOD during WinXP boots and became very worried I had a sh!t board (I worried too much). After going through the painful process of isolating the cause by removing components one-by-one it turned out the root cause was the new BenQ DW1620-0C3 DVD DL-RW I put in my system at the same time as the new MB. It turns out currently shipping firmware revision on the BenQ does NOT play nice with NForce drivers. I moved the BenQ to another system and flashed it to the latest DW1620 Pro firmware, moved it back and all was well. Not a single crash in 9 hours of heavy use. This board is Suhweettt!

What I don't like about this board...

- Placement of the additional molex power connector (next to the PCI-X slot); how about anywhere but the middle of the damn board.
- Loud Asz chipset fan; not so much the shear volume as the alternating frequency. Anyone have any idea if it would be safe to replace with a passive copper heatsink?
- Too many backplane connector brackets; a whole bracket for a single serial port? a single FireWire port? 2 usb ports? Seems they could have put more connectors on each bracket.

It would be nice if Antec used all that extra space on the back of the Sonata case for pre-stamped connector pop-outs :-( (thus, I could eliminate most of the brackets).

To the guy asking about his Antec 420W PS... Dude, I wouldn't worry about it unless you find its a problem later on. I'm pretty sure an Antec 420W PS will be MORE than adequate.

BTW... my board came with the SLI configured for dual cards, but I tested both ways and it works fine .

So, my MB has a rev 1.02 printed on it... is that the same rev everyone else has?

A64 3500+ (90nm)
Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe Rev 1.02, BIOS 1003-002
2x Corsair CMX512-3200C2 Rev 5.1 (3-3-3-8-1T)
ATI X700 Pro (until my EVGA 6800GT arrives, maybe another later)
1x Seagate BIV 80GB
2x Seagate BIV 200GB
1x BenQ DW1620-0C3 DVD DL RW (Flashed to DW1620 Pro BIOS)
SB Audigy2 ZS
MIT MyHD MDP-100 HDTV Tuner
Antec Sonata case w/ True430W supply

Thanks everyone for contributing to these A8N-SLI threads

spearsd

 

[Tanclearas]

Originally posted by: spearsd
It would be nice if Antec used all that extra space on the back of the Sonata case for pre-stamped connector pop-outs :-( (thus, I could eliminate most of the brackets).

They're on the front of the case. I connected the 1394a to the port on the front of the case, as well as one of the three internal USB headers. I have a media card reader in a bay at the front as well, so that took another of the internal USB headers. I only used one of the brackets included in the box to hook up the remaining internal USB header.