Official DO's and DON'T for ASUS A8N-SLI (PREMIUM)

[andlcs]

Is there any way to set more than 1.55V Vcore in A8N?

 

[RideFree]

Originally posted by: andlcs
Is there any way to set more than 1.55V Vcore in A8N?

Why? Are you planning to fry up some burgers?

 

[sothur]

Got my new computer yesterday, but the PSU was faulty, I'm expecting a change tomorrow. Until then, anyone checked out the beta bios 1011.005? I don't know which bios version was shipped with my motherboard, can it be determined somehow without turning on the computer? Which bios version do you recommend?

EDIT: The new PSU arrived, it works! My bios version is 1008, fair enough, I'm not updating it.

 

[Megatomic]

New BIOS version available today, it's Rev. 1011 and it's an official version not a beta. Changelog:

A8N-SLI Premium Bios version 1011
Please do read the description before updating BIOS
To avoid crashing file system, please do update the chipset driver to below version prior to this Bios.
For WinXP 32bit system, please download and update chipset drivers V6.65 or later
For WinXP 64bit system, please download and update chipset drivers V6.65 or later
For Win2k/2003 32bit system, please download and update chipset drivers V6.66 or later
For Win2003 64bit system, please download and update chipset drivers V6.66 or later
1- Update awdflash to v1.17 to avoid the system BIOS being downgraded
2- Fixed failed to boot from Marvell LAN ROM due to IRQ conflict
3- Fixed instant Music function fail issue.
4- Add an option in the Bios to Enable/Disable "Wake up from S1/S3/S4".
5- Fix sometimes asusupdate will show Unknown flash.
6- Improve the compatibility with FX-60 Dualcore CPU.

Linky

 

[Tonkadad]

Well after buying an AsusA8n-SLI Premium board I found this site and I haven?t been to encouraged by some of the poster?s experiences with this board. I have gone thru most of the posts I found relating to this board and will follow the suggestions and keep my fingers crossed.

Here?s what I got:

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit

OCZ PowerStream OCZ520ADJSLI ATX, BTX, EPS12V 520W Power Supply

XFX PVT43GNDF3 Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card

COOLER MASTER CAVALIER 3 CAV-T03-UK Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

ASUS A8N-SLI Premium Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

HITACHI Deskstar 7K80 HDS728080PLA380 -0A30356 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb

NEC Beige 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X

Any suggestions?

 

[Megatomic]

Most people don't have the problems you see us complain about here. We are all tweakers and we try to make our systems do things most people don't. Me for instance - I was trying to run my RAM at timings that weren't realistic for what I bought (same memory that you bought). When I relaxed CAS to 2.5 ALL of my problems went away even when I overclock everything. I now love this board, it is way more than I need, but it may need everything it has to offer in the future.

Speaking of which, when you set it up, go for 2.5-3-3-8 1T on your RAM for best results. And which CPU did you buy?

Lastly, welcome to AT, glad you joined us. :beer:

 

[Tonkadad]

Thanks for the ram settings, I bought an Opteron 170. Appreciate the welcome.

 

[Templ]

Well, i have a strange problem. I had 2x512MB PC4300 TwinMost Twister memory sticks and the system was working rock stable at 270x10 ( the memory was running at 270mhz aswell).

Now, i bought 2x1GB OCZ PC4000 Gold GX XTC and the system is unstable even at 230mhz. At first i thought there was something wrong with the memory, but then i figured that's not it, because the system was perfectly stable at 270mhz with just one ram stick in (yes, i did test both sticks). So, there must be something wrong with the motherboard. It seems to be having problems running the memory at more than 225mhz, when more than 1GB of it is installed.

I now have to run the memory at 225mhz (2.5-3-3-7, PC333, 3xHT, 270FSBx10 to get a stable 2.7Ghz) in order, for the system, to run stable. If anyone knows anything about this, please share your knowladge. I don't want to run this memory at 225mhz, when it could easily do 270mhz.

 

[PSUPef2k]

so I guess you would advise the A8N32-SLI board instead?

 

[gubbas]

I was able to get my rig running using the information from this thread. Thanks for the help! For me, I had a stick of PC2100 memory laying around. It did the job and I was able to set the memory voltage to 2.75 and my system fired right up on the Corsair XMS memory. My configuration is in my sig (hopefully).

 

[fw]

There are some good A8N-SLI Premiums out there.....

I got my A8N-SLI Premium V1.02 and Bios 1009 up & running for about 10 days now. Rock solid and stable. Has a few setup quirks to watch out for (such as which HD to put on which port for the C drive) but overall the build went well. Even running 4x512MB of PC3200 ram at 400 with no problem. 2 sticks of RAM are Corsair Value Select (2.5-3-3-8), the other 2 are generic Samsung sticks out of my old Dell 8300 (3-3-3-8). MB set it up as 333Mhz 2.5-3-3-8, set the speed to 400Mhz and it's been running that way, passing all tests stable as can be.

Here's my system:

Asus A8N-SLI Premium
Athlon 64 3200+ Venice CPU cooled with XP90 & Nexus 92mm Fan installed
2GB (4x512) PC3200 DDR400 Ram
XFX 6600GT 128MB PCI-E with Zalmann VF700 ALCU cooler set on low
2 Seagate 7200.9 SATA 3.0GB/s 160GB (Raid 1) OS & Programs Drives
2 Seagate 7200.8 SATA 1.5GB/s 250GB (no raid) Data Drives
HP DVD 640i Lightscribe Writer
Mitsumi Floppy/Card Reader
Generic PCI USB/Firewire Card
Generic Intel PCI 56K Modem
Seasonic Super Tornado 400W rev. A3
Antex P180 Case with all 3 120mm Antec TriCool fans installed running on low
WinXP Pro SP2 installed

Great system!! Got another XFX6600GT on it's way to try some SLI :thumbsup:

 

[Megatomic]

Hmm, this is odd. ASUS now has another beta version of 1011 out, it's 1011-006. I'm going to give it a shot and see what's up.

 

[Jdog1718]

Here's My Working Rig. (Smooth install with absolutely no problems during the build)
Didn't install the drivers that everyone has been having problems with. Updated all the others to the newest versions.

Asus A8N-SLI Premium (Came with BIOS 1009 & running in 1009)
Athlon 64 X2 4200 (Stock)(No overclock yet)
2GB (2x1024) PC3200 DDR400 Corsair XMS Ram Twinx2048-3200c2pt running @ 2-3-3-6 1T
EVGA 7800GT 256 PCI-E (Stock)
WD Caviar 250GB Sata 3.0GB/s 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
NEC DVD/CD RW, R
Sony Floppy Drive
Aspire X-Navigator (Silver) Case w/ Aspire 500W power supply
Windows XP Pro SP2

 

[Tonkadad]

I got my A8N-SLI Premium set up going it came with Bios 1009 and recognised the XMS 2 gig Corsair ram and the Optie 170. I am confused about the ram timings in the Bios can someone help me out? I know where to go I just don't know on which line to put what.

thanks

 

[Vermontster]

Been up and running for two months now with the config in my signature.

Initially I read a lot about not being able to use this mobo in a Lian-Li case that "inverts" the normal mobo positioning, as the heatpipe to to cool the nForce chip is really not designed to work in that orientation.

My main mod was removing the heatpipe on the nForce chip, and installing the Swiftech cooler in its place. It works well. I cut off the radiator part of the heatpipe that was over the MOSFETs, and after cleaning it up and applying thermal grease reattached it... not sure if the MOSFETs really need heatsinking, especially since they are in plastic packages which will act as insulation, but no harm in trying.

To keep air moving over the MOSFETs, I reversed the Lian-Li's rear fan to exhaust (like the pre-PLUS Lian-Li's behaved), and have the Zallman pushing exhaust toward the rear of the case, over the salvaged heatsink.

The machine is FAST, and very quiet (I run a couple of the fans under Cool'n'Quiet control, and the fixed speed fans off the half-speed fan connectors from the PS. Seems to make little diff in measured temps.

Although a little bit of work, I've been happy with the speed and quiet of the system. And the ability to put the graphics cards into SLI under software control makes it easy to play games in SLI mode, though when working I use the two cards to drive the two displays individually.

 

[Ghoulardi]

This thread is very entertaining. Its scaring me one minute but reassuring me the next.

I just ordered over $1400 from newegg for the first time ever to attempt my very first build with no help from anyone but the forums I've been reading, and NOW IM SCARED SHITLESS!

I'm trying to learn from others problems with this board but I wish I could find them all in one place. It's probably gonna take me all night to build this thing and that's just making sure everything's plugged in right. I'll be to scared to push the power button. Then if it does post, I wont know where to begin, what drivers i should and shouldn't install, what timing and whatever I should change in the bios, etc... ughhh. Maybe I should've got a dell. Man I hope I don't ****** this up, my wife will kill me if its a waste. ha ha

Oh well, I'll let you all now how it goes In a couple days.

a8n-sli premium
corsaire value select 2x512
amd 3700+
evga 3800gs
antec truepowerII 550 w
19 lcd
+some other accessories

Oh yeah, I'm going up from a celeron 888Mhz w/ 128 mb ram
14 inch monitor

 

[openwheelformula1]

if you "just" ordered those corsair value selects, cancel them and get the 2 gig Corsair XMS currently on sale with $40 instand rebate and $40 mail in rabate. Best deal in memory modules by far. Also, I'd racommend 7600GT instead of 6800GS because it runs faster and cooler with a slight price premium. Otherwise, good luck with the build and come back and tell us your OC results.

 

[Ghoulardi]

yeah but It's on its way, I got one package yesterday (lcd, psu, cannon a610 . the rest comes tuesday or monday hopefully.

I didnt see the 40+40 rebate

This one has 40 mir but not instant. Thats to much $ for me now, I guess I'll have to wait on better ram. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145574

Besides, Im not doing any OC, I just want it to be a nice stable home pc. music, web, occasional game, probably mostly poker. lol
I would love to try that farcry or fear though, hmmmmm.

Thanks for the reply

 

[Ghoulardi]

i see it now, weekend sale. Damn, wish my order wasnt on the way.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575

 

[Ghoulardi]

Can someone tell me what they think of my new setup?
Overclocking aside, will it be decent for basic web, mp3's, burning dvds, watching a video?
Thanks.

 

[Vermontster]

My previous system was based on a 3800+, and it was quite fast enough for everyday computing... I think you'll be impressed.

Best of luck with the build... you'll be fine!

 

[Ghoulardi]

I've read this entire thread and have learned a lot but I just want to make sure I am doing this right tomorrow when I build, The stuff below is what Im not sure about. Can somebody please confirm this for me?

Plug WD 250 gig SATA II drive into the Black nvidia connector 1

Plug evga 6800gs into top pci ex slot and plug in EZ plug

Use current bios. (probably shipped with v. 1009)
Can someone with a similar setup tell me what I need to first change in the bios?

Ignore ASUS drivers CD altogether.

Instead Use this driver. nForce4 AMD/Intel X16 - Windows XP/2000 (32-Bit) Version: 6.85
http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_winxp32_x16_6.85
But do not install IDE and Firewall. (anything else from it I shouldn't install?)

Is that the right way to do it And the correct driver for my setup?

My setup

WD 16 250 gig SATA II
a8n-sli premium
corsaire value select 2x512
amd 3700+
evga 3800gs
antec truepowerII 550 w
19 lcd

Thanks to anyone who wants to help with this one!

 

[openwheelformula1]

sounds good except: you don't need to plug in the EZ plug if you only use one graphic card. Also 6.70 is the driver you need. NOT 6.85. Here you go:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_winxp32_amd_6.70.html

yes don't install IDE SW drivers and NV firewall. Use windows'.

As far is BIOS goes, there are too much to discuss. I can help you out quickly cause I pretty much has the BIOS screen enbedded into my brain. Just PM me which settings you need help with.

 

[Ghoulardi]

Thanks a lot!
Im glad I asked because I already had the othe driver downloaded. What is the difference?

I didnt think plugging in the ez plug made sence without sli but I read somewhere that it still helped with stability on single cards also.
I wont plug it in.

Thanks for the PM offer, may need to.

 

[openwheelformula1]

6.70 is for A8N SLI Premium. 6.85 is for the A8N32 SLI Deluxe.