ASUS A8R-MVP stable @325MHz HTT

[n7]

Originally posted by: Stoneburner
So what's better for overall performance? 296 HTT with ram set at 2 2 2 6 , 2t command rate, or 290 at 2 3 3 8 with 1t command rate?

Run some benches to find out!

You didn't specify what speeds teh RAM is running at, so it's hard to guess.

 

[rbV5]

I finally got around to building my A8R-MVP yesterday. Build and OS install was uneventful. No issues that I've found with the System, graphics and audio seems to be working well I'll be benching the graphics later on.

Today I'm testing the CPU, I've not overclocked AMD64 before, so I'm a little unfamiliar. I'm using stock HS/F, and was hoping for around 2.4GHz on my 3800+ X2.

Initially I just went with 4X multiplier and the HTT topped out >320, max vcore+ overvolt enabled. I didn't spend much time, just looking about how high it would go. Now I'm upping the multiplier.

(3800+ X2 retail)
Currently: 300x8.5@2550 MHz

ran SP2004 on 1 core for ~30minutes stable 1.47 vcore 47C load
started another SP2004 on the 2 core, 1.46/1.44 vcore 56C load after 2 minutes

I guess thats how you test both cores with SP2004? vcore fluctuating slightly more running both cores compared to a stable 1.47 with a single instance running. Whats a safe max temp with these CPU's? Looks like I'll run 2.4GHz easy enough, I'll be happy if everything is stable

 

[AllanLim]

Is that 1T or 2T? A64 systems run considerably faster on 1T but this board sucks at 1T.

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: AllanLim
Is that 1T or 2T? A64 systems run considerably faster on 1T but this board sucks at 1T.

I had the memory set to 100MHz (2:1) and auto, which would be 2T. I was just overclocking the CPU. You're right, I am not able to run 1T at >270FSB.

The CPU will run perfectly stable ~ 2.6GHz with most multi/FSB combinations ~35C/57C on the stock HS/F. I've got cheap A-DATA memory and so far ~216MHz @ 2.5 3 3 7 1T timings will give me just under 6000MB/s Read 2600MB/s write according to Everest and dual sp2004 stable.

So far the best stable combination appears to be using the 10 multiplier; 260x10 using 166MHz memory divider gives me ~ 216MHz (260*0.83=215.8) I'm new to overclocking AMD64, so perhaps I'm off target a bit, but that combination does scream along pretty good with the X1800XT. 3DM06 >4800 and 3DM05 >9800 with the X1800XT clocked at a conservative 690/780.

 

[ElFenix]

mine just booted at 326, but windows didn't apply its theme, so i think the board is a little flaky. so i'm aiming at 310 as my safe point.

this is with an opteron 165.

it initially looked like it was hitting a wall somewhere between 265 and 270. but from 265 i started taking it up at 2 mhz intervals, booting all the way to windows between increases. that was a pain because this thing takes 45 seconds to initialize the USB ports. i don't think it likes my printer.

tomorrow i'll see how well the cpu does.

 

[Diasper]

Another glowing review of it at Techreport....

Again in the review it made it to 325mhz overclock at 1T settings...

 

[ElFenix]

right now i've got it running with the opteron at 2.5 ghz (278x9), ran 2x prime95 overnight with no corruption, will try for higher this evening (going up 2 mhz at a time with a boot to windows in between is time consuming, though with the printer unplugged it's going much faster)

curiously, though the computer passed several runs of memtest 5 and 6 at 255 mhz 2-3-2-7-1t, it wouldn't boot with those timings at just 210 mhz. the ram is only rated for 2.5-3-3-7 though. maybe i'd get errors if i let memtest run overnight.

 

[AllanLim]

Originally posted by: Diasper
Another glowing review of it at Techreport....

Again in the review it made it to 325mhz overclock at 1T settings...

He dropped the memory divider so he's not running 1:1 when at 325 HT

 

[n7]

There's really too many people complaining about this mobo, especially considering you get Crossfire capability for ~ $100 USD or in my case, $130 CND
For those who want a crazy OC with high vcore options, & the ability to run ram 1:1 well past 250 HTT, this isn't the mobo to look at.

But overall, i think it's a fabulous value for anyone wanting a good cheap OCer that's passively cooled.

 

[AllanLim]

n7, I don't think most ppl will disagree with you. I think that most ppl are just peeved at the performance achieved by glowing reviews (not just AT) and promised by the manufacturer as being fairy dust. Most things ARE too good to be true and it's time to deal with the harsh realities of 'advertising' and non-retail board reviews.

As always, CAVEAT EMPTOR. Bring on M2.

 

[n7]

Yeah, that's why i wait for others to buy 'em first, since we all know that most review sites end up with cherry picked hardware

 

[ElFenix]

the processor runs all day at 2.5 ghz
the htt runs all day at 310
the ram runs all day at 250
but those are all by themselves. for some reason it can't all do it together. ugh.

 

[Stoneburner]

So, some people are able to get their memory at 250mhz and T1 with a divider.... does this apply to any memory that will run at that speed? I can't get my memory stable at 1t running at 190mhz, even though its pc3200. I lowered the divider to 2:1 and it ran w/o flaws though. I'm trying to pick new memory for this board now.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Stoneburner
So, some people are able to get their memory at 250mhz and T1 with a divider.... does this apply to any memory that will run at that speed? I can't get my memory stable at 1t running at 190mhz, even though its pc3200. I lowered the divider to 2:1 and it ran w/o flaws though. I'm trying to pick new memory for this board now.

i am having the somewhat similar problems with 2 GB of corsair 3200LL PT something or other. if the HTT is set anywhere north of about 225 or so and with the processor overclocked the board can't run the ram at 1t, unless it is set to ddr200 or ddr266. which is crappy. but if everything is set to normal speeds, it'll run ddr400 all day long at 1t.

if my return window hadn't expired last week this board would be back to buy.com.

of course, my network controller is flaking out so it's going back to asus as soon as i figure out how to remove the scythe's backplate. then it might end up on fs/ft.

 

[n7]

How many of you guys are also having issues with the onboard ethernet?

It really does seem that heavy traffic on it kills it, as whenever i am doing a whole bunch of downloading or uploading, it dies :|

No number of release & renews fixes it either; i have to restart the computer just to get the internet/network functioning again.

Fortunately, it seems generally okay while playing games online, & i do most of my uploading & downloading on my old PC, but damnit, it seems you really do get what you pay for...

Though that in mind, there are many cheaper mobos out there that don't have network card issues...granted they don't OC at all though...

 

[Stoneburner]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Stoneburner
So, some people are able to get their memory at 250mhz and T1 with a divider.... does this apply to any memory that will run at that speed? I can't get my memory stable at 1t running at 190mhz, even though its pc3200. I lowered the divider to 2:1 and it ran w/o flaws though. I'm trying to pick new memory for this board now.

i am having the somewhat similar problems with 2 GB of corsair 3200LL PT something or other. if the HTT is set anywhere north of about 225 or so and with the processor overclocked the board can't run the ram at 1t, unless it is set to ddr200 or ddr266. which is crappy. but if everything is set to normal speeds, it'll run ddr400 all day long at 1t.

if my return window hadn't expired last week this board would be back to buy.com.

of course, my network controller is flaking out so it's going back to asus as soon as i figure out how to remove the scythe's backplate. then it might end up on fs/ft.

think it's incompatibility problem? I"m using 2x512 corsais XmS3200llpt. Have you tried different memory?

 

[imported_apvm]

To the guy who enquire about the onboard network card problem.


This is a driver problem, if you're using XP, use the driver that came with the disk, don't use windows update to update to the new driver from MS, that one causes problem, there is a newer one from Marvell website but I haven't try that one.

If you're using XP64 don't use the driver from Asus website, use the one from Marvell website.

This should fix your problem.

 

[n7]

Thanx.

I don't recall updating the driver on Windows update, but i probably did unintentionally by selecting all updates.

I'll try rolling back when i get home.

 

[Stoneburner]

Can somebody help me again. I just got 2 gigs of the G.skill pc3200 that everybody recommends. I thought maybe it would work properly with 1T and i haven't checked that yet. But I also thought maybe i could run HTT 296 with the 166 divider which would give me 245mhz on the memory. I read the anandtech review and they were able to do it at 2.5 - 3 - 4 - 7 and 2.7 volts.... but i couldn't get it working at 3 -4 -4 -10 and 2.8 volts even. IS it just a memory limitation or are there other settings I should try? What should I change the async latency to?

 

[CdnJoe]

Hi I am new to the forum...

I would like to know what kind of ram and what timings I should look for.

I just ordered the A8R-MVP and an Opty 165...
Couldn't afford a great card right now so got a sappire 512MB x1300 for now..(Hey it was cheap)
200GB Segate SATA

I plan to overclock slightly

What kind of DDR should I get?
I would like something fairly cheap say $100=1GB or so..
I heard that tight memory timings are important with AMD 64 chips..

Recommedations would be great!

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: apvm
To the guy who enquire about the onboard network card problem.


This is a driver problem, if you're using XP, use the driver that came with the disk, don't use windows update to update to the new driver from MS, that one causes problem, there is a newer one from Marvell website but I haven't try that one.

If you're using XP64 don't use the driver from Asus website, use the one from Marvell website.

This should fix your problem.

Thanx again.

I went back to the driver off the CD, & while it's only been a day, so far, so good.
It seemed that downloading any big file would cause the ethernet lockup, & i was able to download a massive file last night after switching the drivers

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: CdnJoe
Hi I am new to the forum...

I would like to know what kind of ram and what timings I should look for.

I just ordered the A8R-MVP and an Opty 165...
Couldn't afford a great card right now so got a sappire 512MB x1300 for now..(Hey it was cheap)
200GB Segate SATA

I plan to overclock slightly

What kind of DDR should I get?
I would like something fairly cheap say $100=1GB or so..
I heard that tight memory timings are important with AMD 64 chips..

Recommedations would be great!

On a high end system, tight timings are nice.
But the performance difference on A64s is minimal, contrary to what you heard.

I'd suggest a single 1 GB dimm for now, so you can add another 1GB dimm later for 2 GB.

The A8R-MVP doesn't like OCing 1:1 with RAM anyway, so getting a good DDR400 dimm & using a divider makes more sense.

I'm going to take a leap & guess you're looking for RAM in Canadian dollars, due to your username.

$95 CND http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.php?...tDetail.php&DisplayProductID=6798&SID=

If that's not the case:
$98.66 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141233

Or just the same Mushkin i mentioned is even less USD...

 

[CdnJoe]

Thanks alot n7 for the link thats pretty cheap!

Cdn$ is great and USD is fine also,
I just wanted some feedback on brands/timings

 

[Stoneburner]

anybody notice a difference in video card performance when the pci-express voltage in bios is turned up?

 

[Stoneburner]

ALso, anybody using G.Skill ddr500 able to run at around ddr500 speed with a divider and 1T command rate/