*** Official ASUS P5B / P5B Deluxe Thread ***

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: stm69

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
My BIOS settings

Voltages etc

CPU Settings

Memory Settings

Thanks. Unfortunately my system isn't as rock solid as yours. In order to pass super pi 32m, I have to bump north and south up 2 notches, then it runs fine. And even tho' I'm using the same memory as you, I can't seem to get it to work non-spd. If I put ddr2-800 instead of auto, it won't post. If I edit settings, to where it looks like yours, it won't post either. And I'm running at 400 too. BTW have you seen that work over on xtreme with the graph showing how the mobo adjusts the straps? Some people recommend doing 401 over 400, but I seem to read that it drops memory bandwidth off a bit.

Yes, basically ASUS forces tighter timings in the strap when you set FSb at 400. WHen you go to 401 it backs down to about where the settings are at 266.

 

[skinnyj]

reading and reading as always i have a couple more questions.

another forums states that the p5b deluxe can be bios flashed via usb flash drive? is this tru? also if it is then does this mean i could use a usb floppy drive to flash it (i am trying to avoid buying another floppy)

next, is there such thing as p5b deluxe non-wifi? i was reading somewhere someone was asking the person if they had a p5b (vanilla) or a p5b deluxe wifi or a p5b deluxe non-wifi, but i had never heard of a deluxe non-wifi.

 

[Lee1026]

Can someone here who have the P5B cheap edition answer the following questions please?

1. Is there any memory dividers on the thing?
2. What the max voltage I can send to the ram?
3. What is the max voltage I can sent to the CPU?

 

[Baol]

Originally posted by: Lee1026
Can someone here who have the P5B cheap edition answer the following questions please?

1. Is there any memory dividers on the thing?
2. What the max voltage I can send to the ram?
3. What is the max voltage I can sent to the CPU?

1. No dividers: with FSB 266 u can choose AUTO/533/667/800/889/1067, with FSB 400 u can choose AUTO/800/1000/1200/1333/1600

2. Max is 2.1 volt, it is enough for my Corsair 667 Mhz to work at 800 Mhz with FSB 400

3. I don't remember, maybe 1.7 volt with Conroe, but 1.225 volt (1.17 volt under Windows) is enough for E6300 to work at 2.8 Ghz with FSB 400, u don't need high voltage on these processors

P5B works fine, but I don't like the bug reading CPU temperature (higher than real temperature)

 

[Baol]

Originally posted by: skinnyj
reading and reading as always i have a couple more questions.

another forums states that the p5b deluxe can be bios flashed via usb flash drive? is this tru? also if it is then does this mean i could use a usb floppy drive to flash it (i am trying to avoid buying another floppy)

next, is there such thing as p5b deluxe non-wifi? i was reading somewhere someone was asking the person if they had a p5b (vanilla) or a p5b deluxe wifi or a p5b deluxe non-wifi, but i had never heard of a deluxe non-wifi.

I flashed my P5B (vanilla) with USB flsh drive: there is an utility in the BIOS called EZFLAH, it can load new BIOS from floppy or from an USB device, as u want, u don't need bootable floppy

There is a P5B DeLuxe not-Wifi, but it is not available in some countries

 

[Baol]

Originally posted by: tomgrossi
Like many people here, I can't get my P5B to post. I read through the thread and thought I had chosen compatible components. Please help.

-E6400
-Antec Sonata II case with included SmartPower450 PS
-ASUS P5B (the "vanilla" version, not deluxe) - BIOS is whatever it is out of the box
-Corsair XMS2 5400 DDR2 RAM (2x1GB)
-Gigabyte 7600GS graphics card
-Seagate SATA drives

I've tried a bunch of different things but in *every* situation the same thing happens:
- The CPU fan, chassis fan, and drives will all spin up.
- There are no beeps whatsoever
- The screen stays blank (it thinks the computer is in power saving mode)
- The numlock light on the keybaord will go on and off when I push it

The first power up after each time I clear the CMOS causes the fans to spin for about 2 seconds, then everything goes off for a second or so, then it all starts up again and stays on. Any power ups not following a CMOS clearing does not have this effect.

I have tried, each with a CMOS reset in between:

- Reseating the RAM
- Using only on RAM stick, then the other
- Removing the RAM altogether (no beeps here, BTW)
- Reseating the CPU
- Reseating the graphics card
- Rechecking the connections

Again, never a beep or anything and I thought I was using pretty mainstream stuff. What should I try next. Unfortunately, I have no other DDR2 ram nor any other processor that fits in this socket so I'd really prefer to minimize what I need to buy just to test it out. Is there anywhere that doesn't charge restocking fees that I can return things to if they don't solve the problem?

I have P5B, Corsair 5400 (667 Mhz), 7600GS and all work fine. Original BIOS was 170. Maybe it is better to change the motherboard :-(

 

[Lee1026]

So 400FSB is all that I am allowed to do on the P5B vanilla?
Also, won't I need 1066 ram if I were to push to 400FSB?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Lee1026
So 400FSB is all that I am allowed to do on the P5B vanilla?
Also, won't I need 1066 ram if I were to push to 400FSB?

You can change the memory to run at 1:1 or DDR2-800

 

[Baol]

Originally posted by: Lee1026
So 400FSB is all that I am allowed to do on the P5B vanilla?
Also, won't I need 1066 ram if I were to push to 400FSB?

Max FSB limit on P5B, with BIOS 309 and 509, is 650 Mhz: I said 266 and 400 to do an example
I use "only" 400 FSB because it offers good performace and no problems (and I have 667 Mhz RAM running at 800 Mhz, it is already overclocked enough)
If u are planning to work with 400 FSB, 800 Mhz RAM is perfect, with Conroe processors it is not important to have very fast memory because there is only a little difference in performance

 

[Newark]

Any update on OCZ memory compatibility? Looking to go with some Corsair 6400C4 or some OCZ if its compatible.

Thanks

 

[acegazda]

Anyone have patriot ddr2-667 RAM? Tat's probably the best value out there ATM because of the huge price fluctuation. Does this work OK?

 

[tes]

Originally posted by: stm69

Originally posted by: tes
I did however talk to the people i bought the board from and they seem to think that the Enermax PS might be behind the troubles.They said that they have seen Enermax ps fry the P5B and P5B Deluxe by simply hooking up the power cables.They are shiping me another board and i will exchange the Enermax Liberty 500w for an Antec.

I have a feeling this still won't solve the problem, but at least i'll be able to rule the ps out.

If anyone else has anything to add to this, please feel free to.

I used an Enermax Liberty 500w with my build, and then swapped it out for a Liberty 620. Both worked fine, so in my case it definately wasn't the power supply. Just out of curiosity, you do have 3 power connectors hooked up to the mobo right? The 20, the 4 pin extension to make it 24, and then another 4 pin on the far side of the mobo? Did you hook in an extra 4 pin on the far side of the mobo just for the sake of trying? This second 4 pin might be covered up with tape or something.

I sure did try that.I hooked up the extra 4 pin 12v by the cpu and that didn't make any difference whatsoever.I also forgot to mention that i tried a P4 640 3.4 and some older ddr2 533mz in the board to see if it could have been a cpu/memory issue and still couldn't get the board to post.

The thing that concerns me is that i know of at least 2 others that are having the same exact issue as myself with similar equipment and the same board and they also can't get the board to post.An Asus tech said something about the P5B Deluxe's bios being housed on the Southbridge chip and that it was causing them some strange problems(before being updated by a newer bios patch of course.

Now that you mentioned that your Enermax Liberty works just fine with your board, it makes me feel better about mine.The new P5B Deluxe will be here tomorrow and i'm still not sure what i may try first.

So many of us are having the exact same problem with both versions of the P5B (all with only slightly different equipment) that i am starting to think the problem might be either
A. something the same on the boards is defective which will not allow the boards to even post or B. maybe a combination of components we are using is causing a compatibility problem.

As before. Any and all advice would be appreciated.

***Just found out a few things that may be the culprit.***

1. Some of the P5B/Deluxe boards shipped with a bios version that simply don't support the Conroe processors those of us expiriencing the "no P5B posting" problem have.The only way to correct this is to use an older cpu and then update the bios as soon as you are done OS installation.That will solve the Conroe non compatibility problem.I am still not 100% this is behind the "no post" problem alot of us are having.

2.The P5B/Deluxe is extremely picky, especially with newer memory/high end memory.Some people in the "Newegg P5B Deluxe review thread" have reprted expiriencing a similar problem with not being able to their P5B/Deluxe's to post using most higher end memory types,especially higher end OCZ.Using older ddr2 memory to get through installation seemed to do the trick.As soon as the board bios was updated to the newest version, they then reinstalled the high end memory and the board worked fine.

While i thought that might be my problem, i am using Corsair XMS2 twin2x2048-6400c4 and obviously still can't get my board to post.I tried some older PQI ddr2 533mz and that didn't work either,so i am still without a definite solution.

I hope the above examples can help someone.If it solves your "no post" problem, please let us know here.

 

[Cinna696]

I am having a similar problem as a few others have posted on, but no one has really posted any soultions that seem to have helped as of yet. All the lights come on and fans spin up but there is no post, I've disconnected the hd and cd rom and all extra usb ports. I've moved the ram around, even using just one stick and I have reset the cmos many times to no avail. I'm going to try a different video card in a day but I have no other ddr2 ram modules to try.

Asus P5B
E6400
OCZ Gold 1gb (2x512) DDR2800
Antec NSK 4400 w/ 380W PSU
EVGA 6200

 

[tes]

Originally posted by: Cinna696
I am having a similar problem as a few others have posted on, but no one has really posted any soultions that seem to have helped as of yet. All the lights come on and fans spin up but there is no post, I've disconnected the hd and cd rom and all extra usb ports. I've moved the ram around, even using just one stick and I have reset the cmos many times to no avail. I'm going to try a different video card in a day but I have no other ddr2 ram modules to try.

Asus P5B
E6400
OCZ Gold 1gb (2x512) DDR2800
Antec NSK 4400 w/ 380W PSU
EVGA 6200

I've tried all the ddr2 i have also, but at this point, besides the unlikely prospect of having a simply doa board, the ram icompatibility sounds like it just might be the problem, unless the bios version we have just refuses to post with Conroe's.

I seriously doubt it's the video card, though i guess it wouldn't hurt to try.If it helps, let us know if you could.

 

[JbIeNlGlLe725]

hey, i have the similar problem too.
I also tried corsair6400c on the p5b deluxe, and it didn't post. however, after i took on ram out, the system posted and everything worked fine. i thought it didn't post before because the older version of bio (405), so i updated to (0507) and tried with 2 rams again, it didn't post again.. sigh.. anyone knows what cause the problem.. please hellp..

 

[Fishy007]

Originally posted by: tes

As before. Any and all advice would be appreciated.

***Just found out a few things that may be the culprit.***

1. Some of the P5B/Deluxe boards shipped with a bios version that simply don't support the Conroe processors those of us expiriencing the "no P5B posting" problem have.The only way to correct this is to use an older cpu and then update the bios as soon as you are done OS installation.That will solve the Conroe non compatibility problem.I am still not 100% this is behind the "no post" problem alot of us are having.

2.The P5B/Deluxe is extremely picky, especially with newer memory/high end memory.Some people in the "Newegg P5B Deluxe review thread" have reprted expiriencing a similar problem with not being able to their P5B/Deluxe's to post using most higher end memory types,especially higher end OCZ.Using older ddr2 memory to get through installation seemed to do the trick.As soon as the board bios was updated to the newest version, they then reinstalled the high end memory and the board worked fine.

While i thought that might be my problem, i am using Corsair XMS2 twin2x2048-6400c4 and obviously still can't get my board to post.I tried some older PQI ddr2 533mz and that didn't work either,so i am still without a definite solution.

I hope the above examples can help someone.If it solves your "no post" problem, please let us know here.

Ok. I thought I'd share my experiences, but first, my system config is as follows:

P5B Deluxe WiFi
Conroe E6600
RAM: 2x OCZ Value Ram 512MB + 2x Kingston Value ram 512MB for a total of 2GB 533MHz memory.
BFG 7600GTOC PCI Express Video Card
Sound Blaster X-Fi
LG DVD Burner
Enermax Liberty PS (400w)
Zalman CPU Cooler
4 WD Sata Hard drives (one raptor)


I had NO problems installing the chip with the BIOS that was shipped with it. It was the 04something bios. Everything went in smoothly and I was able to do a fresh install of Windows XP. However, I did notice problems with the hard drives. When I rebooted the system, the AHCI detection at post would take 30-40 seconds for all 4 drives. I tried removing all but one drive at a time to see if it was a drive problem, but they all did the same thing. Apparently the board powers down the drives at reboot and then has to power them back up. Funny thing is that a cold start will have the drives pop up instantly. Same with a reboot from the bios. I only have this problem if I reboot from the OS.

I have updated to the latest 0614 bios and I'm running without any problems. I've also overclocked my system to 2.7ghz by upping the bus speed. I'm new at overclocking, so I hope I did it right. The system seems stable enough.

Now to the weird problem of interest: I thought I coudl speed up my system drastically by installing 667mhz memory in place of my 533 modules. I borrowed my friend's Corsair XMS 667 modules and stuck them in the board by themselves. I was able to get into windows, but experienced odd crashes and slowdowns. World of Warcraft just crapped out on me as soon as I logged in. So I rebooted and ran MemTest 86+ 1.65 on the memory. It came back with over 1000 errors. THis seemed odd as my friend had NO problems. So I took the memory back to his place and ran the MemTest on his system. It came out clean.

It seems the board has problems with handling high-speed or high-end memory. I"m not sure if this is due to a bios issue or an issue with the 965 controller and its 'fast memory access'. For now, my 533 memory runs just fine even overclocked. The performance of the system isn't quite what I thought it would be. Windows loads slower on my system than on my friends. And he has a P4 640 with less ram. But when I'm ripping a DVD or editing video, I can see a performance increase.

Hope this helps someone with their woes.

 

[Sleepyghost]

First off I haven't read all of the thread, it is damn long and I've lately been following XtremeSystems Forums more. But my emails are too well protected, I cannot register there. So here goes..

I'm considering P5B Deluxe but there's "some" issues. Here's some that have impact for me.

1)
On-board sound. Any problems with it? On XS-forums there was a mention of choppy crappy sound, but seems everybody there uses sound cards as it never became a real issue, not many mentions about it. Or maybe it works? This is a big factor for me - don't want to buy an extra card, not now.

2)
PSB Deluxe's heat-pipe system, I read, isn't too good. There's reports(XS-forums) of horrible thermal paste under it, crooked placement on the board and just general unhappiness with the performance. Some use it but change the paste, others replace it entirely with active cooling. I notice problems with temps in this thread too.
So what do you think about it: bad / good?

I'd like to use passive cooling but NOT invest into one high-grade heatsink for the northbridge(Thermaltake has a great new one) +one medium grade for the southbridge(say zalman). No thanks - the board in itself costs enough.

To me the pipe system in Gigabyte DS4 and DS6 looks more robust and the price for DS4 and P5B Dlx is the same where I live. Both boards have their share of problems. People seem to get the DS4 to actually boot easier though. I'm undecided. Any comments?

Addition: Sorry if I added no new helpfull info to your issues with this board. I'd love to contribute but am not sure about my choice yet.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Sleepyghost
First off I haven't read all of the thread, it is damn long and I've lately been following XtremeSystems Forums more. But my emails are too well protected, I cannot register there. So here goes..

I'm considering P5B Deluxe but there's "some" issues. Here's some that have impact for me.

1)
On-board sound. Any problems with it? On XS-forums there was a mention of choppy crappy sound, but seems everybody there uses sound cards as it never became a real issue, not many mentions about it. Or maybe it works? This is a big factor for me - don't want to buy an extra card, not now.

2)
PSB Deluxe's heat-pipe system, I read, isn't too good. There's reports(XS-forums) of horrible thermal paste under it, crooked placement on the board and just general unhappiness with the performance. Some use it but change the paste, others replace it entirely with active cooling. I notice problems with temps in this thread too.
So what do you think about it: bad / good?

I'd like to use passive cooling but NOT invest into one high-grade heatsink for the northbridge(Thermaltake has a great new one) +one medium grade for the southbridge(say zalman). No thanks - the board in itself costs enough.

To me the pipe system in Gigabyte DS4 and DS6 looks more robust and the price for DS4 and P5B Dlx is the same where I live. Both boards have their share of problems. People seem to get the DS4 to actually boot easier though. I'm undecided. Any comments?

Addition: Sorry if I added no new helpfull info to your issues with this board. I'd love to contribute but am not sure about my choice yet.

For your concern about the heatpipe it's fine. 99% of the people on xtremesystems are trying to go way beyond 450Mhz on their FSB which is much higher than most people ever try. When you are trying to boot at 500+ MHZ on the FSB with max voltage what do you expect? It is prefectly fine for most people.

 

[Sleepyghost]

Thanks cmdrdredd! Good point there, I guess reading XtremeSystems forums only for a while one tends to lose perspective My future overclocked figure with E6400 is, I hope, about 3Ghz, so "modest" with Core 2 Duo.

Onboard sound is fine too, clear and as HD as it claims to be? Also you seem to have the same Corsair RAM I already bought. Did it boot with it or did you have to use other 1.8V ram? Thanks again.

In the end, for me, I suppose it comes to flip of a coin between Gigibyte DS4 and Asus P5B Dlx.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Sleepyghost

Thanks cmdrdredd! Good point there, I guess reading XtremeSystems forums only for a while one tends to lose perspective My future overclocked figure with E6400 is, I hope, about 3Ghz, so "modest" with Core 2 Duo.

Onboard sound is fine too, clear and as HD as it claims to be? Also you seem to have the same Corsair RAM I already bought. Did it boot with it or did you have to use other 1.8V ram? Thanks again.

In the end, for me, I suppose it comes to flip of a coin between Gigibyte DS4 and Asus P5B Dlx.

The memory booted out of the box no problem. You just have to set timings manually.

The sound I have no idea honestly sorry. I'm a gamer and almost every gamer will tell you that you just about have to have a Creative card because EAX isn't supported on anything else.

All in all you'll be happy with either board. Just go for whichever one you feel more comfortable with by reputation.

 

[Sleepyghost]

Thanks again cmdrdredd I might go for Gigabyte DS4. Though I have a week to change my mind - a week until other parts I ordered arrive.

/end thread hijack

 

[TheSlamma]

Looks like the P5B is already getting replaced with the P5B-e now.

 

[FSH42NA]

Originally posted by: skinnyj

next, is there such thing as p5b deluxe non-wifi? i was reading somewhere someone was asking the person if they had a p5b (vanilla) or a p5b deluxe wifi or a p5b deluxe non-wifi, but i had never heard of a deluxe non-wifi.

I didn't realize there was a dlx NON-wifi till I dropped by Fry's in Palo Alto, CA. I was looking for the dlx wifi and thought that's what I bought (impulse buy). When I got home with my mobo ($250), I realized my error. Gonna have to return it tomorrow for a refund and just order an wifi dlx OR just pick up a Giga DS3 from Fry's.

 

[FiLeZz]

Just as a side note of information on what I have gotten with my p5b vanilla.


I have gotten the board stable to 480mhz fsb with a e6300

I am now running at 3.37ghz Woot Woot.. Stable.

 

[HauntFox]

Originally posted by: HauntFox

Originally posted by: tes
i am having a very hard time with my new P5B Deluxe.Simply put, no matter what i do, i cannot get it to post.Everything is installed correctly and everything is powering up when i turn the pc on, just no post,no error beeps, no nothing, just a black screen.

I am using a new Conroe E6600,Corsair XMS2 800 ddr2(2x1 gig sticks),EVGA 7900 GT,Enermax Liberty PS, all in an aluminum Thermaltake Armor JR. case.

I'e tried everything i can think of, including a regular P4 640 and some older ddr2 533mz ram i had in my old machine and that made no difference whatsover.

Has anyone had a similar expirience or maybe have any advice on a possible solution?

Asus tech support was no help and didn't ofer anything beyond what i have already tried.

I have the exact same motherboard, CPU, and RAM with the exact same problem. I'm using a Radeon x1900xt and an Ultra 600w PSU. Nothing I've tried worked either. Thought it might be an older BIOS version that doesn't work with Core 2 so I ordered a cheap Celeron to try, but since you tried a different CPU, maybe it is the board itself. If this Celeron doesn't work I might RMA the mainboard after trying a couple more final things.

I tried installing the Celeron CPU, and still had the same problem. Since everything I've tried comes up with the same result, I think it is the board itself that is the problem, so I packed up the board and am going to RMA it.