[OVERVIEW] Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus

[Corporate Thug]

wow, down to $199

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=MB-P5N...0fbe7c3425c77ad0db8d458715156b0899e33d

Review:

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews/Specific.aspx?ArticleId=19557&PageId=0

 

[McArra]

Ok, I'll post all yopur links in the first page in a few hours ok? Let's make this post as helpful as possible

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I have a question regarding this mobo. In my research, quite a number of people have mentioned a problem with the sound. If I should experience these problems as well (mobo is at home waiting to be installed this weekend), will the addition of a sound card fix the sound problems?

 

[McArra]

What are the problems? I will test it for you. My audigy 2 works perfect, ADI1988 is installed but not in use right now, if you tell me what to look at I'll test an post the results

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: McArra
What are the problems? I will test it for you. My audigy 2 works perfect, ADI1988 is installed but not in use right now, if you tell me what to look at I'll test an post the results

In reading on the Asus forums, there were a lot of issues with the sound, and I *believe* they were referring to onboard sound. But I don't know if it was operator error, nor if a sound card will work. The fact that you have a sound card and it is working fine makes me more inclined to get a sound card.

EDIT: I'll go dig around the asus forums and link to some examples...
EDIT²: I'll have to do it later. I'm getting "server too busy" errors.

 

[renethx]

Thomas Olivaux in XtremeSystems Forums got a reasonable explanation of the distinction between C55 and C55XE from NVIDIA.

nVidia told me that there were a small difference between C55XE and C55 (both 680i NB) and that there were no MCP55XE, only the MCP55.

C55XE = 16 + 8 PCI-E lanes
C55 = 16 lanes "only"

The 8 more lanes on the C55XE are for a third PEG port witch will be used by a futur nVidia solutions for particles (imagine a SLI 2x 16X + a third graphic car dedicated to particles on the 8X port).

++

Tom

XtremeSystems Forums - 680i SLI is too expensive? Asus as the solution : P5N32-E SLI PLUS

No review site has ever mentioned such an extra (hidden) x8 PCIe link in 680i SLI SPP. I hope Gary Key confirm the truth of the above claim. Additional comments based on this claim are here:

SPP (System Platform Processor, Northbridge)

Apparently there are four kinds of C55:

• C55 for 650i Ultra
  • FSB 1066/800MTps
  • DDR2-800/667/533, up to 32GB
  • 18 PCI Express lanes with links 16,1,1
• C55 for 650i SLI (printed "NF650I-SLI-N-xx" or "C55-SLIX8N-xx" on the chipset surface)
  • FSB 1066/800MTps
  • DDR2-800/667/533, up to 32GB
  • 18 PCI Express lanes with links 16,1,1 or 8,8,1,1
• C55 for 680i SLI "Lite" (printed "C55-SLIX8N-xx" on the chipset surface)
  • FSB 1333/1066/800MTps
  • DDR2-1200*/800/667/533 (* for SLI-ready memory with EPP), ECC or Non-ECC, up to 32GB
  • 18 PCI Express lanes with links 16,1,1
• C55 for 680i SLI (printed "NF680I-SLI-N-xx" or "C55-SLIX16N-xx" on the chipset surface)
  • FSB 1333/1066/800MTps
  • DDR2-1200*/800/667/533 (* for SLI-ready memory with EPP), ECC or Non-ECC, up to 32GB
  • 26 PCI Express lanes with links 16,8,1,1

Actually there are only two kinds of C55, however:

• C55
  • FSB 1333/1066/800MTps
  • DDR2-1200*/800/667/533 (* for SLI-ready memory with EPP), ECC or Non-ECC, up to 32GB
  • 18 PCI Express lanes with links 16,1,1 or 8,8,1,1
• C55XE
  • FSB 1333/1066/800MTps
  • DDR2-1200*/800/667/533 (* for SLI-ready memory with EPP), ECC or Non-ECC, up to 32GB
  • 26 PCI Express lanes with links 16,8,1,1

The only difference between C55 and C55XE is that C55XE has an extra x8 PCIe link (for a third PEG port which will be used by a future nVIDIA solutions for particle). C55 for 650i Ultra/650i SLI/680i SLI "Lite" are all the same as the C55 vanilla (identified as 650i SLI SPP by CPU-Z) with some functions disabled at the motherboard/BIOS level. C55 for 680i is the C55XE (identified as 680i SLI SPP or erroneously C60 by CPU-Z; C60 is the canceled IGP solution for Intel, cf. the INQUIRER).

MCP (Media and Communications Processor, Southbridge)

There are two MCPs for nForce 600i Series:

• MCP51 (a.k.a. nForce 430, printed "MCP51-xx" or "NF-430-N-xx" on the chipset surface)
  • No PCI Express lane
  • 2 x PATA, 4 x SATA at 3.0Gbps, RAID 0/1/01/5/JBOD, NCQ, Hot-Plug, Native Gigabit LAN, 8 x USB2.0, HD Audio
• MCP55 (a.k.a. nForce 590 SLI MCP, printed "NF590-SLI-N-xx" on the chipset surface)
  • 28 PCI Express lanes with links 16,8,1,1,1,1
  • 1 x PATA, 6 x SATA at 3.0Gbps, RAID 0/1/01/5/JBOD, NCQ, Hot-Plug, Dual Native Gb LAN, 10 x USB2.0, HD Audio
  • DualNet, Teaming, TCP/IP Acceleration

MCP55 is exactly nForce 570 SLI for AMD (single chip), so it is identified with "nForce 570 SLI" by CPU-Z.

Chipsets

• nForce 650i Ultra = C55 + MCP51; PEG x16 only
• nForce 650i SLI = C55 + MCP51; PEG x16 or (x8, x8)
• nForce 680i SLI "Lite" (or Dual x16 SLI or Dual PCI-E x16 in the ASUS term) = C55 + MCP55; PEG (x16, x16, x8)
• nForce 680i SLI = C55XE + MCP55; PEG (x16, x16, x8) (and the hidden x8)

Again the only difference between 680i SLI "Lite" and 680i SLI is that 680i SLI has an extra (hidden) x8 link in its SPP. FYI

nForce 500 Series for Intel

• nForce 570 SLI = C19 + MCP51; PEG x16 or (x8, x8)
• nForce 590 SLI = C19 + MCP55; PEG (x16, x16, x8)

nForce4 for Intel

• nForce4 SLI = C19 + MCP-04; PEG x16 or (x8, x8) (The lanes in MCP are disabled!)
• nForce4 SLI X16 = C19 + MCP-04; PEG (x16, x16)
• nForce4 Ultra = C19 + MCP51; PEG x16
• nForce4 SLI XE = C19 + MCP51; PEG x16 or (x8, x8)

nForce 500 Series for AMD

• nForce 550 = MCP55; PEG x16
• nForce 570 Ultra = MCP55; PEG x16
• nForce 570 SLI = MCP55; PEG (x16, x8) or (x8, x8)
• nForce 590 SLI = C51XE + MCP55; PEG (x16, x16)

nForce4 for AMD

• nForce4 = MCP-04; PEG x16
• nForce4 Ultra = MCP-04; PEG x16
• nForce4 SLI = MCP-04; PEG x16 or (x8, x8)
• nForce4 SLI X16 = C51D + MCP-04; PEG (x16, x16)

More in the sticky thread Core 2 & AM2 Motherboards, Part II, Section 9, 10, 11.

Drivers

There is no driver for SPP. In other words,

• "nForce 650i SLI/650i Ultra Drivers" = "nForce 430/410 Drivers" = MCP51 drivers
• "nForce 680i SLI Drivers" = MCP55 drivers

Even if 680i SLI "Lite" uses the 650i SPP, its drivers is still "nForce 680i SLI Drivers" = MCP55 drivers.

The above speculations are almost reasonable, except one point: no review site has ever mentioned the hidden extra x8 PCIe link in the 680i SLI SPP. But without this assumption (or at least some kind of hidden features that cost extra $50), the distinction between C55 and C55XE would be meaningless.

 

[McArra]

This board has 2x16x and 1x8x PCI-E.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Ugh, fvck. I'm having the worst time with this build--I've never had this hard of a time with a setup. It's insane. Corruption during windows updates. Now I can't install windows, nor boot into DOS to run memtest. What a fvcking pain in the ass....

My hardware, if anyone has any ideas, as I'm a bit lost:
-Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus
-C2D E6400
-2x1gb Crucial Ballistix PC2-800
-2x512mb Crucial Ballistix PC2-800
-Areca ARC-1220 RAID controller
-BFG 8800 GTS
-7 hard drives
-Corsiar 620w PSU.

Problem occurs even with few hard drives loaded, so it isn't likely a PSU issue. When I was able to for a brief period, memtest was getting all kinds of errors on the RAM. I wasn't able to get the system stable enough to test sticks independently....

 

[McArra]

Take out those 2x512 sticks and report back. Also clear CMOS.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: McArra
Take out those 2x512 sticks and report back. Also clear CMOS.

Cleared CMOS (several times). Took out the 512's. Took out the 1's. I'm running, and stable right now... I had to change the timings on the RAM to 5-5-5-18. I'll worry about decreasing that later--right now, I'm happy to get the machine up and running finally. Also I had an issue with the onboard NICs--had to power the computer down, and turn off the PSU, and then it worked. Weird.

 

[bpatters69]

Glad you got the mobo running. This mobo was in my final running but I am swearing off SLI for good. There are way too many problems for me to dive into SLI right now. I am going to buy the Asus 5PW DH Wifi which is based on the 975x chipset. I still get a performance board but hopefully none of the hassles. This is going to be my home PC and my wife and I will both use it so I need something that is stable. I could do without the wireless but I cannot find just an Asus P5W DH Deluxe.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I miss having an Intel chipset... This thing is just a pain right now. It's up and running, but certain games it plays like complete sh!t. I don't get it.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
I miss having an Intel chipset... This thing is just a pain right now. It's up and running, but certain games it plays like complete sh!t. I don't get it.

Is it a clean install? Mine works perfect...

 

[Sem82]

i really want this board but im concerned about something

my E6600 needs 1.47vcore (actual) to run prime stable at 3.6Ghz

with the current bios will i be able to get 1.47vcore

if not i guess i will have to pass or wait for an bios update

 

[TBSN]

This board has gotten me confused; the only actual difference in specifications I can find between the P5N32-E and P5N32-E Plus is the Plus version uses a Marvel LAN chipset while the LAN is integrated in the 680i SLI. Other than the dual teaming gigabit LAN what's the difference between these two boards? (Besides the price....)

 

[renethx]

Originally posted by: TBSN
This board has gotten me confused; the only actual difference in specifications I can find between the P5N32-E and P5N32-E Plus is the Plus version uses a Marvel LAN chipset while the LAN is integrated in the 680i SLI. Other than the dual teaming gigabit LAN what's the difference between these two boards? (Besides the price....)

LAN is exactly the same in both boards. The official answer to this question by ASUS is FAQ

The Asus P5N32-E SLI PLUS is a revised version of the P5N32-E SLI and has been noted to solve some issues found within the P5N32-E SLI that some users are experiencing.

Changes:

• Changed Northbridge and Southbridge Chipsets (C55XE and MCP55XE to C55 and MCP55)
• Upgraded and updated capacitors (Tantalum+Electrolytic+Conductive Polymer capacitors to Tantalu+Conductive Polymer capacitors)
• Updated BIOS
• Added accessories to the motherboard bundle

Benefits of Changes:

• Tighter control and manipulation of voltages with lower vdroop
• Fixed issues in relation to chipset functions e.g. crackling onboard sound during SLI configuration use
• 3DMark06 bundled with the motherboard

But there is no explantion of the distinction between C55 and C55XE. Please read my previous post for detailed analysis of this point.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: Sem82
i really want this board but im concerned about something

my E6600 needs 1.47vcore (actual) to run prime stable at 3.6Ghz

with the current bios will i be able to get 1.47vcore

if not i guess i will have to pass or wait for an bios update

Nope, hope a new one comes soon

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: McArra

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
I miss having an Intel chipset... This thing is just a pain right now. It's up and running, but certain games it plays like complete sh!t. I don't get it.

Is it a clean install? Mine works perfect...

Yep, clean install. I'm going to try to install that other gig of RAM, and then go play in the BIOS.... I thought a E6400 & 800GTS would perform better than this...

 

[TBSN]

Hmmm...
It looks like ASUS is trying to market this board as having a "NVIDIA® Dual X16 SLI." It's a little weird trying to figure out where this board is supposed to be in the grand scheme of things, I guess somewhere between the P5N32-E and the 650i board, but it seems as though ASUS is ready to replace the P5N32-E with this version, as it is so similar and they probably want more people to go for their more expensive Striker...

Just my speculations...

 

[AMDTHz]

Originally posted by: McArra

Originally posted by: AMDTHz
Can somebody with P5N32-E SLI Plus board PLEASE! test for the boot menu security problem, it seems it affects most board with Nvidia chipset. I will gladly buy this board if it does not have this problem as describe here:

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=...en-us&board_id=1&model=M2NPV-MX&page=1

No password, the problem is there. I guess they don't think this is a bussines board, it should be easy to fix that, shouldn't it?

Thanks for the infor pal, I guess I will be skipping this chipset and get a intel chipset...

 

[McArra]

Asus e-mail tech support is horrible, almost a month since I send them the e-mail, and the answer makes no sense at all... I WANT A NEW BIOS!!!

 

[renethx]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5N32-E%20SLI%20Plus"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5N32-E%20SLI%20Plus">ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5N32-E%20SLI%20Plus</a></a>

BIOS 0501 (Feb 7, 2007)

 

[McArra]

Nice thanks! will report back!

 

[ereshkigal181]

For people looking for results.

P5N32-E SLI PLUS
E6600
8800 GTX
2x1 gb Cellshock PC6400
SB X-FI

I just updated the bios last night to newest and ran othros all night 0 errors. Current clock is 440*8 with ram at 1000 4-4-4-15 @ 2.25 volts. I noticed no matter what I change the vcore to in bios it stays at 1.49 if I go above 400mhz fsb. I saw over at xtremesystems a write up about how the asus boards with nvidia 600 series chips link lower multi for overclocking so I dropped from 9 to 8 and BAM everything with easier. I have posted to 3.8ghz but that was before bios update and was only othros stable for 2 hours. Have to try that clock again tonight.

 

[renethx]

BIOS 0602 (Feb 15, 2007)

1. Fix incorrect display of Vcore value when above 1.80V.
2. Fixed CPU Vcore cannot be set by user when Overclocking at some frequency.
3. Support new CPUs, please refer to our website at: http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpus...guage=en-us&model=P5N32-E%20SLI%20Plus