ASUS A8R-MVP stable @325MHz HTT

[imported_Beenthere]

Overclocker's Workbench is investigating the A8R-MVP Mobo problems and is planning to:

1. Write a story about them

2. Discuss the problems directly with the Tech folks at Asus

They have asked that anyone who has experienced the Vcore, 1T memory and other A8R-MVP Mobo problems, please post to their forum so they can personally provide the laundry list of problems to the "right" people at Asus.

This is the OCW Forum link. You will need to register like all forums. There is a thread started in the ASUS section of the forum specifically discussing the Vcore and 1T memory issues on the A8R-MVP Mobo.

PLEASE post so that Asus will resolve the defects with the A8R-MVP or a lot of folks will be returning these Mobos as new defective, when it could have been a real nice Mobo.

http://www.ocworkbench.com/ocwb/ultimatebb.php

 

[EvertonB]

I'm thinking of replacing my board - what do you think I should get? My spec is in my signature.

 

[feelgood]

Originally posted by: EvertonB
I'm thinking of replacing my board - what do you think I should get? My spec is in my signature.

The problem isn't in the mobo. I get 10*280 from my Opteron...

 

[mamisano]

Originally posted by: feelgood

Originally posted by: EvertonB
I'm thinking of replacing my board - what do you think I should get? My spec is in my signature.

The problem isn't in the mobo. I get 10*280 from my Opteron...

Well, thats great for single core users, but us DC users are limited on our vcore ceiling.... that and the voltages fluxuate too much under load

 

[n7]

Can i get some clarification on the RAM issue please!?

Does it not run 1T @ higher than 240HTT 1:1, or it won't run @ 1T even with a divider?
I am considering buying this one tomorrow, since i will only be running RAM @ maybe DDR440 max aka 220, so if it's okay @ 1T when using a divider, that's fine for me.

 

[AllanLim]

Originally posted by: n7
Can i get some clarification on the RAM issue please!?

Does it not run 1T @ higher than 240HTT 1:1, or it won't run @ 1T even with a divider?
I am considering buying this one tomorrow, since i will only be running RAM @ maybe DDR440 max aka 220, so if it's okay @ 1T when using a divider, that's fine for me.

Running 9x289, 236Mhz with 166 divider 1T at 2.7v, can't run at 183 even if ram is up to it....

Originally posted by: mamisano
Well, thats great for single core users, but us DC users are limited on our vcore ceiling.... that and the voltages fluxuate too much under load

Me too, so very tempted to vmod as per http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=83144&page=2 ... but seriously, we shouldn't have to resort to this. Mobo reviews + huge pinch of salt = reality.

Good luck all

 

[RobDMB]

So is it correct I probably wont be able to run over 250mhz with my ram at 1T with this mobo with the current bios?

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: RobDMB
So is it correct I probably wont be able to run over 250mhz with my ram at 1T with this mobo with the current bios?

that seems to be correct

 

[mamisano]

Well, I'll probably keep what I have and either pick up an RD580 based board in a month or two, or keep it until socket AM2 becomes available.

 

[EvertonB]

Originally posted by: mamisano
Well, I'll probably keep what I have and either pick up an RD580 based board in a month or two, or keep it until socket AM2 becomes available.

I might do the same although I'm going to wait and see what kind of speeds are made on other boards. I'm quite happy with my 2.66Ghz from my 4200+, although I want to have another crack at using the 183Mhz memory timer to see if I can get my memory up from 222 to around 240

 

[Stoneburner]

any idea how i can get 1t working? It fails memtest after either 30 minutes on tight timings or about 2 hours on loose timings, at HTT 296. I've tried dropping it to 290, same thing. I'm using the 133 divider too!.

 

[n7]

Thanx for the responses...

What frustrates me more than anything is that out of all the frickin' s939 PCI-e mobos, there's not one w/o some major bugs, save for manybe the really expensive ones

And the kicker...even though it's rather old now, the DFI Lanparty Ultra-D appears to still be the best value OCing mobo out there, since i've now written off [my potential list] yet another Asus POS...

 

[RobDMB]

I finally put together my rig with this mobo just to give it a try for the time being. I was wondering if anyone could just give me a quick tutorial on what I change to overclock the system. Specifically I am confused at the difference between the HTT Link and the CPU settings in the bios. I'm looking to get up to around 250-280 fsb. -Rob

 

[mamisano]

Originally posted by: RobDMB
I finally put together my rig with this mobo just to give it a try for the time being. I was wondering if anyone could just give me a quick tutorial on what I change to overclock the system. Specifically I am confused at the difference between the HTT Link and the CPU settings in the bios. I'm looking to get up to around 250-280 fsb. -Rob

Check out this Overclocking guide: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1497607&enterthread=y

 

[EvertonB]

Ok, I've given up on my Ram and I've put it up for sale on eBay - ends in 7 days so I have some time to plan my replacement.

Any recommendations on what I should buy for this board? I need 2x1GB.

I've had to back down my HTT to 260 as it was failing Prime95 but I had it running at 285 before. I want to get some RAM that will handle whatever I have now, and whatever I may have in the future if Asus ever get it together with the bios or if I replace the mobo.

Thanks in advance for any tips.

 

[computergeek22]

The black heatspreader G.Skill 2gb kit available at newegg ~197

 

[the Chase]

Originally posted by: n7
Thanx for the responses...

What frustrates me more than anything is that out of all the frickin' s939 PCI-e mobos, there's not one w/o some major bugs, save for manybe the really expensive ones

And the kicker...even though it's rather old now, the DFI Lanparty Ultra-D appears to still be the best value OCing mobo out there, since i've now written off [my potential list] yet another Asus POS...

Hahaha- this is exactly my situation- I keep looking around and reading reviews and user feedback and it all eventually comes back to the Ultra-D as the best for the price! And its mature and the new revision (ADO) is supposed to be improved in some areas although I haven't read much about it. Even though I cringe( I was thinking of getting their Nf3 board for 939) at all the quirks of DFI boards, one good sale on the Ultra-D will probably snare me.

 

[computergeek22]

YOu guys don't know how much I'm kicking myself. The DFi during the christmas holidays was like around 120 bucks at monarch shipped. I could have bought myself a zalman heatsink along with that but NO I had to wait for the A8R. The same thing happened with my processor choice. The OEM opteron 170s at Monarch are no more but I was planning on buying some. Now if anything comes out and is a good buy I AM NOT waiting!!!

 

[the Chase]

Originally posted by: computergeek22
YOu guys don't know how much I'm kicking myself. The DFi during the christmas holidays was like around 120 bucks at monarch shipped. I could have bought myself a zalman heatsink along with that but NO I had to wait for the A8R. The same thing happened with my processor choice. The OEM opteron 170s at Monarch are no more but I was planning on buying some. Now if anything comes out and is a good buy I AM NOT waiting!!!

Lol-no way- you have to wait for the ATI RD580 crossfire boards now!!!:laugh:

 

[carma]

I finally put together my A8R-MVP with a new Opteron 165 today. Very funky vcore to be sure. I put a Thermaltake watercooler on it and managed to get it up to 2.8GHz. The temp was steady at 95F. I'm sure with better vcore options I could get it up to 3GHz. I think the stepping on the CPU is CCBWE. Pretty decent CPU, but not so decent motherboard. I managed to partially figure out the behavior of the vcore overvoltage function. It seems to learn, and adjust to the CPU's speed. I could not get it to exceed 266 bus speed with a 1.4 voltage setting, which seemed to fluctuate between 1.424-1.440. Once I got the 266 to boot stable over and over the voltage decides to increase to 1.472-1.488, which makes it possible to go past 266 bus. This is a false hope, becasue once the system is shut down and powered up the 1.472-1.488 voltage goes back to 1.424-1.440 voltage. So, it has the potential of going past 266 bus speed, it's just impossible becasue the overvoltage is so irregular. I hope Asus gets a new BIOS out soon that addresses this, or I will return this MB and forever lose faith in Asus becasue of this incident. My last 3 or so motherboards have been Asus. Not anymore.

Here's my 2.8 POST: 2.80GHz

 

[computergeek22]

Originally posted by: the Chase

Originally posted by: computergeek22
YOu guys don't know how much I'm kicking myself. The DFi during the christmas holidays was like around 120 bucks at monarch shipped. I could have bought myself a zalman heatsink along with that but NO I had to wait for the A8R. The same thing happened with my processor choice. The OEM opteron 170s at Monarch are no more but I was planning on buying some. Now if anything comes out and is a good buy I AM NOT waiting!!!

Lol-no way- you have to wait for the ATI RD580 crossfire boards now!!!:laugh:

I'll have to! Anyway, does anyone know when they're going to be out. I'm hoping late january at most because my p180 is sitting at home and my hands are itching to get started on my build. Another reason to get started is that my stupid cat scratched the front aluminum panel of my p180 already!!!

 

[carma]

I have an Asus A8R-MVP and have trouble getting past 266 bus becasue of the VCORE. Yes, I have set it to 1.4v w/ over voltage enabled. On initial cold boot the VCORE does not go over 1.427 or so. However, once the system is running the VCORE adjusts slightly and peaks around 1.5v. I was able to gradually increase the bus and reached 2.8GHz before the system crapped out from overclocking. This means, whenever I turn on the system I can only initially achieve 2.4Ghz, which sucks, but it is a 600MHz overclock so I guess it's OK. Temps range from about 27C idle to 35C full load. This system is watercooled with a Thermaltake watercooler sys. I guess I can live with the 2.4GHz, at least my noise level will be low becasue the fan will be quiet at low speed.

Now I'm trying to dial the perfect HT and memory timings. I have the CAS Latency @ 2.5, the memory speed at 166, command rate @ 1T and the HT @ 600. I'm confused on the HT, does this mean it's 600 X 2 = 1200HT? I have the latest 0402(?) BIOS. Please help.

 

[twoCenter]

Originally posted by: carma
I have an Asus A8R-MVP and have trouble getting past 266 bus becasue of the VCORE. Yes, I have set it to 1.4v w/ over voltage enabled. On initial cold boot the VCORE does not go over 1.427 or so. However, once the system is running the VCORE adjusts slightly and peaks around 1.5v. I was able to gradually increase the bus and reached 2.8GHz before the system crapped out from overclocking. This means, whenever I turn on the system I can only initially achieve 2.4Ghz, which sucks, but it is a 600MHz overclock so I guess it's OK. Temps range from about 27C idle to 35C full load. This system is watercooled with a Thermaltake watercooler sys. I guess I can live with the 2.4GHz, at least my noise level will be low becasue the fan will be quiet at low speed.

Now I'm trying to dial the perfect HT and memory timings. I have the CAS Latency @ 2.5, the memory speed at 166, command rate @ 1T and the HT @ 600. I'm confused on the HT, does this mean it's 600 X 2 = 1200HT? I have the latest 0402(?) BIOS. Please help.

Like you, I have an A8R-MVP (0402) w/ opteron 165 CCBWE 0550UPMW. I am running into the same problem between 260 and 270 FSB. I am currently running stable at 2340 (9x260) with vcore set to 1.35 and showing 1.38 on the monitor. I'm using the stock HSF 47/32 (load/idle). Memory is PC3200 2.5-3-3-5 1T.

I have upped vcore and relaxed the memory timings, but it didn't seem to make a difference. I will be doing some more tweaking tonight and will post my findings. I would like to reach 2.5GHz without having to reduce memclock to 133.

 

[carma]

Originally posted by: twoCenter

Like you, I have an A8R-MVP (0402) w/ opteron 165 CCBWE 0550UPMW. I am running into the same problem between 260 and 270 FSB. I am currently running stable at 2340 (9x260) with vcore set to 1.35 and showing 1.38 on the monitor. I'm using the stock HSF 47/32 (load/idle). Memory is PC3200 2.5-3-3-5 1T.

I have upped vcore and relaxed the memory timings, but it didn't seem to make a difference. I will be doing some more tweaking tonight and will post my findings. I would like to reach 2.5GHz without having to reduce memclock to 133.

But, I think you are still limited by the VCORE not the memory clock. I have tried setting mine to 133 and still achieve the same results; cannot go past 266 bus.

 

[Shimmishim]

its not a vcore limitation.. it's a chipset limitation...

the chipset is preventing you from getting above 266.

try going from 1T to 2T. that seems to help people.