The Unofficial ASUS P5N-E SLI 650i Board Thread

[AMelbye]

I guess 10 degrees was a slight exageration. my idle motherboard temp is between 37 and 43. 42 at the moment, and the room temp is 25.

That's with an 80mm intake fan running at 1400rpm, a 12V fan running at 5V cooling the NB, and nothing but the PSU fan for exhaust. My lack of fans may be the reason for my instability at high FSBs, though.

Remember that the system temp readings are not accurate. Just ensure that the fans are blowing in a direction that makes sense regarding the airflow of the case. If you don't have stability issues, I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[AMelbye]

exlink: 'I changed it from stock compound to Arctic Silver 5 and got a 0°C change.' Was this measured at the actual chip, or by some sort of software monitoring? I don't think the temp sensor is in/at the north bridge chip

 

[EXLINK]

Originally posted by: AMelbye
exlink: 'I changed it from stock compound to Arctic Silver 5 and got a 0°C change.' Was this measured at the actual chip, or by some sort of software monitoring? I don't think the temp sensor is in/at the north bridge chip

Through software monitoring. If its not located on the chipset then I don't care that much. Currently, as the air conditioning is running and its 27°C in my room, my motherboard is idling at 44°C.

I'll try and add a 80mm fan to the side of my case and a PCI slot cooler (under my 8800GTS so I don't know if it will be a difference) and post if there are any differences.

exlink

 

[JustaGeek]

EXLINK,

I have the same case, and adding the fan to the side window lowered the temps by 3-4 deg C. I also have the 80mm fan above the HDD bay, but it is directed AWAY from the motherboard, so as to draw the air out the front, just under the DVD drives. I seems to work better than extra air pushed in, I guess it does not interfere with the air flow in the case...

I have two E6600 processors - one purchased in September 2006 in my P5N-E SLI, and another one in my wife's ASRock 775DUAL-VSTA, purchased in April 2007.
The "September" temps are CPU 39 deg, Core 1/2 45 deg. The "April" temps are CPU 35 deg, Core 1/2 30 deg!

It seems like Intel has redesigned the temperature sensors in the newer processors.

 

[EXLINK]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
EXLINK,

I have the same case, and adding the fan to the side window lowered the temps by 3-4 deg C. I also have the 80mm fan above the HDD bay, but it is directed AWAY from the motherboard, so as to draw the air out the front, just under the DVD drives. I seems to work better than extra air pushed in, I guess it does not interfere with the air flow in the case...

I have two E6600 processors - one purchased in September 2006 in my P5N-E SLI, and another one in my wife's ASRock 775DUAL-VSTA, purchased in April 2007.
The "September" temps are CPU 39 deg, Core 1/2 45 deg. The "April" temps are CPU 35 deg, Core 1/2 30 deg!

It seems like Intel has redesigned the temperature sensors in the newer processors.

How did you go about adding a side case fan to the window? I'm planning on taping the window with some masking tape and then drilling a 80mm hole with a dremel with a guiding drill. Do you think that the dremel with the masking tape will be enough to not damage the rest of the window (such as cracks and scratches)?

Thanks!
exlink

 

[JustaGeek]

I drilled 4 holes with the hole-saw drill bit, I think about 1.25" dia., aligning their outer edges with the ~80 mm circle drawn on the window. Be careful when you drill the last hole - a piece of plastic was literally ripped from the center when I did it (the plastic has a tendency to melt while you are drilling). Be VERY CAREFUL, and do not apply to much pressure. (Not responsible for any damages!). I drilled the hole at the level of the processor, to let the HSF "recycle" the fresh air coming from the side, but in your case it would be probably better to "blow" on the NB.

I have the stock HSF, and I believe that it works better for overall cooling of all the components around the processor (including the NB) keeping the steady airflow directed towards the motherboard. My NB temp is ~45 deg (measured with infrared thermometer), SB ~52 deg with an added heatsink (was 62 without!), MB temp reported by Everest ~41-42 deg C, CPU 39 Core 1/2 45/46 (Everest) Idle.

Hope this helps! Am at work, might not be able to reply promptly...

 

[AMelbye]

I just decided to try turning all the fans all the way up. If this makes it stable, I'll know that additional fans will make a difference.

 

[EXLINK]

Just added:

80mm fan (Side panel blowing on NB and GPU)
Vantec Spectrum (Below 8800GTS blowing towards the GPU)
Rounded IDE Cables

Results:

CPU went down 3°C.
Motherboard went down 9°C.
GPU went down 6°C.

Really happy with the results!

Looks like airflow is extremely important in keeping good temperatures.

 

[vicariousgeorge]

Hi all,

I just joined the forums and have a few questions/issues:

I currently have an E6600 running stock in an ASUS P5N-e SLI motherboard.
I'm a little concerned with the temperatures.

At idle, my CPU is ~38C, and my motherboard is ~50C. They are inside an Antec
TX-640B case, with one exhaust fan (The Freezer 7 PRO exhausts directly into this).

I'm also running q-fan, although disabling it only brings the temperature down a few degrees.

I plan on overclocking, but the high stock temperatures concern me.

I wonder if the thermal paste (MX-1) on the Freezer 7 PRO is not very good. I had the same problem on my old Opty165, but was able to reduce the temperature almost 10C with some arctic silver 5.

I also just bought a Zalman heatsink for the southbridge, but I'm not sure that is causing the 50C temperature on the motherboard.

Why are my temps so high?

 

[JustaGeek]

The NB and the SB chipsets run really hot. I understand that your case has only an exhaust fan out back. Freezer 7 Pro is perfect for the processor itself, but does not do much for the other components of the MB, blowing the air right out of the case.

The air gets "trapped" under the Video Card, where apparently the MB temp sensor is located. I would recommend at least an intake fan at the bottom front, possibly the Side Panel fan blowing on or around the NB area, and definitely the SB heatsink.

 

[VinceDee]

I finally got around to testing the refurb p5n-e sli that I got in that mwave deal. I don't know if this is a unfixable problem or just a glitch, but there is a issue when I plug in a evga 8800gts 320mb. The boot screen shows up with a green tint:

Green BIOS screen

I thought it might be the 400w Ultra power supply, but I tried it with a 500w Ultra...same result.

Tried the 8800gts in another mb with the 500w power supply. It worked. That made me think the problem was the p5n-e, but when I tried a nvidia 6800gt pci-e card in the p5n-e, it worked.

I've read that the p5n-e is picky with ram, so I tried OCZ 800 4-5-4-13 and PQI 800 5-5-5-30, both with the same result...green boot up screen.

Before I RMA this board (deadline to RMA is tomorrow), I'd like to know if there is a known issue with the p5n-e and a 8800gts that can be fixed.

TIA

 

[vicariousgeorge]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
The NB and the SB chipsets run really hot. I understand that your case has only an exhaust fan out back. Freezer 7 Pro is perfect for the processor itself, but does not do much for the other components of the MB, blowing the air right out of the case.

The air gets "trapped" under the Video Card, where apparently the MB temp sensor is located. I would recommend at least an intake fan at the bottom front, possibly the Side Panel fan blowing on or around the NB area, and definitely the SB heatsink.

Thanks for the response...

I have a few options as far as an intake fan:

1) I could put an 80mm fan in the front of the case OR

2) I could put the fan in one of two places:
either: A) right where the duct used to be for a side exhaust (I had to remove it for the
Freezer 7 Pro).
B) right underneath the top duct, as there is a vent in the panel below it
(presumably for the VGA)

This still doesn't explain why my CPU idles so high...

 

[JustaGeek]

Intake fan at the bottom front is a good idea.

Side panel fans should always be used as INTAKE, not exhust. And if you removed the side duct, you should cover the hole, to allow for the air to flow from the front to the back.

I never liked those vents in the Video Card area, I think that they interrupt the "wind tunnel" effect with the air flowing from the front to the back of the case. Try covering it, or add an intake fan. You can get the 3-speed model for better noise control.

If you want another exhaust fan, the "blow hole" at the top of the case is a good idea.

Good luck!

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: VinceDee
I finally got around to testing the refurb p5n-e sli that I got in that mwave deal. I don't know if this is a unfixable problem or just a glitch, but there is a issue when I plug in a evga 8800gts 320mb. The boot screen shows up with a green tint:

Green BIOS screen

I thought it might be the 400w Ultra power supply, but I tried it with a 500w Ultra...same result.

Tried the 8800gts in another mb with the 500w power supply. It worked. That made me think the problem was the p5n-e, but when I tried a nvidia 6800gt pci-e card in the p5n-e, it worked.

I've read that the p5n-e is picky with ram, so I tried OCZ 800 4-5-4-13 and PQI 800 5-5-5-30, both with the same result...green boot up screen.

Before I RMA this board (deadline to RMA is tomorrow), I'd like to know if there is a known issue with the p5n-e and a 8800gts that can be fixed.

TIA

Try to re-seat the video card, and check if the 8x-16x PCIe card/"paddle" is installed/inserted properly. Try different DVI outputs in your Video Card, and if you are using an analog VGA adaptor, check if it is working properly. And check with a different DVI/VGA cable, make sure they are inserted properly on the VC and the monitor sides.

Otherwise - probably RMA.

Hope this helps.

 

[vicariousgeorge]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Intake fan at the bottom front is a good idea.

Side panel fans should always be used as INTAKE, not exhust. And if you removed the side duct, you should cover the hole, to allow for the air to flow from the front to the back.

I never liked those vents in the Video Card area, I think that they interrupt the "wind tunnel" effect with the air flowing from the front to the back of the case. Try covering it, or add an intake fan. You can get the 3-speed model for better noise control.

If you want another exhaust fan, the "blow hole" at the top of the case is a good idea.

Good luck!

I think I'll pick up 2 of these tonight:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...m/ccd/productDetail.do

They are twice the price as newegg, but when you factor in shipping, it works out to about the same. Plus, I don't have to wait a few days.

I'm going to put one in the front, and one on the side for the VGA vent. (It should help that, as my 8800GTS idles around 65C).

I just hope it doesn't get too loud.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: vicariousgeorge

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Intake fan at the bottom front is a good idea.

Side panel fans should always be used as INTAKE, not exhust. And if you removed the side duct, you should cover the hole, to allow for the air to flow from the front to the back.

I never liked those vents in the Video Card area, I think that they interrupt the "wind tunnel" effect with the air flowing from the front to the back of the case. Try covering it, or add an intake fan. You can get the 3-speed model for better noise control.

If you want another exhaust fan, the "blow hole" at the top of the case is a good idea.

Good luck!

I think I'll pick up 2 of these tonight:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...m/ccd/productDetail.do

They are twice the price as newegg, but when you factor in shipping, it works out to about the same. Plus, I don't have to wait a few days.

I'm going to put one in the front, and one on the side for the VGA vent. (It should help that, as my 8800GTS idles around 65C).

I just hope it doesn't get too loud.

Try these at Staples (?!?), they have a 3-speed switch, and are not that noisy in "2-nd gear" LOL.

http://www.staples.com/webapp/...d=150972&cmArea=SEARCH

 

[Leaf90]

Hello,
i have a problem with my computer and it started right after the update from BIOS 0202 to 0604. When i try to start the computer i always get a Bluescreen just after the welcome-screen that says: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
and then the computer restarts.
I have 2 GB Corsair Dominator TWIN2X6400C4D as RAM, and i suspected that it had something to do with them, so i tested them in another computer, and it worked fine. Then i tried to put another memory-stick in my computer and suddenly it worked too. So there is no problem with the dominators, and the motherboard works with my friends RAM, but not with mine...
Another strange thing is that the black slots for RAM doesn't seem to work, because when put a memory-stick there the computer just beeps over and over and doesn't start.

Anyone have an idea about how to solve the problem? Sorry for my bad english xD

 

[AMelbye]

Leaf90: set your ram settings manually according to manufacturers specs, and leave SLI RAM disabled.

You may have to reduce ram speed to 667. if you can get your system stable with the yellow slots and the black are still not working, I'd RMA the board.

VinceDee: try what justageek said. Sounds like your motherboard is fine.

 

[vicariousgeorge]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek




Try these at Staples (?!?), they have a 3-speed switch, and are not that noisy in "2-nd gear" LOL.

http://www.staples.com/webapp/...d=150972&cmArea=SEARCH

Nice!!!

I just went to Staples and got the last 2 fans. I just installed intakes (one in the front and one on the side), and sealed the exhaust port (the inside of a CD case works perfectly).

Now, my temps are:

CPU at idle 33C (down from 38)
Motherboard 33C (down from 50) <--- HUGE DIFFERENCE
Video Card 49C (down from 70) <--- HUGE DIFFERENCE

The fans are slightly louder than I had hoped, but nothing I can't live with.

Thanks for the help.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: Leaf90
Hello,
i have a problem with my computer and it started right after the update from BIOS 0202 to 0604. When i try to start the computer i always get a Bluescreen just after the welcome-screen that says: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
and then the computer restarts.
I have 2 GB Corsair Dominator TWIN2X6400C4D as RAM, and i suspected that it had something to do with them, so i tested them in another computer, and it worked fine. Then i tried to put another memory-stick in my computer and suddenly it worked too. So there is no problem with the dominators, and the motherboard works with my friends RAM, but not with mine...
Another strange thing is that the black slots for RAM doesn't seem to work, because when put a memory-stick there the computer just beeps over and over and doesn't start.

Anyone have an idea about how to solve the problem? Sorry for my bad english xD

I had the same issue with the Corsair C4 memory - only one stick would work.

Two sticks - one continuous beep, no boot.
Single stick - one continuous beep, no boot.
Single other stick - boots OK, enter memory voltage/timings MANUALLY.

Reboot - OK on one stick, the other stick was bad, and I RMA'd the memory.

Got my GSkill HZ's - excellent memory with (apparently) Micron chips.

My memory works fine in both yellow and black slots, but I decided not to update BIOS (yet) since the computer is working fine - am still on 0202.

If you can boot with only one stick, it is the memory.

And as AMelbye said - enter the BIOS and set all the timings/voltage manually (at least 2.1V if I remember correctly, and 4-4-4-12, the rest is fine on Auto, then read what CPUz says for other timings, and adjust them as necessary).

You said that it started happening AFTER the BIOS update - you need to reset the CMOS after you update the BIOS, remove the battery, and wait ~10min before replacing the battery and the reset jumper. Please read more about the proper BIOS update procedure on page 92. However weird it sounds (this is the first motherboard that it seems to be necessary), it works.

With the ASrock 775DUAL-VSTA all you have to do is enter the BIOS after the update and load the Setup Defaults. But if you can't even enter the BIOS and MB is not responding, this seems to be the only way...

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: vicariousgeorge

Originally posted by: JustaGeek




Try these at Staples (?!?), they have a 3-speed switch, and are not that noisy in "2-nd gear" LOL.

http://www.staples.com/webapp/...d=150972&cmArea=SEARCH

Nice!!!

I just went to Staples and got the last 2 fans. I just installed intakes (one in the front and one on the side), and sealed the exhaust port (the inside of a CD case works perfectly).

Now, my temps are:

CPU at idle 33C (down from 38)
Motherboard 33C (down from 50) <--- HUGE DIFFERENCE
Video Card 49C (down from 70) <--- HUGE DIFFERENCE

The fans are slightly louder than I had hoped, but nothing I can't live with.

Thanks for the help.

Great! When you are comfortable with your set-up and the temperatures, and feel like overclocking, you can easily do what I did: memory unlinked 800MHz, FSB 1300. Nothing special, but nothin smoldering with the stock HSF either LOL.

Your memory needs I think 2.2V, and you probably know that you have to set the timings manually.

When you say that you sealed the exhaust port - it might be stupid to ask, but you are not talking about the rear exhaust fan... right...? You mean the perforations, or the hole on the side panel, correct...?

 

[AMelbye]

Justageek: 'And as AMelbye said - enter the BIOS and set all the timings/voltage manually (at least 2.1V if I remember correctly, and 4-4-4-12, the rest is fine on Auto, then read what CPUz says for other timings, and adjust them as necessary).'

4-4-4-12-2T that is. 2T is the most importaint bit, as the board always sets this to 1T on auto, and it can't handle 1T.

In fact, I think everything should work if you set 2T manually, and leave the rest on auto. Though there isn't really any point in trying

 

[vicariousgeorge]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

When you say that you sealed the exhaust port - it might be stupid to ask, but you are not talking about the rear exhaust fan... right...? You mean the perforations, or the hole on the side panel, correct...?

The side panel has two vents: one for the CPU exhaust duct, and one below it for the VGA area. I sealed the CPU vent with a CD case, since the duct had to be removed for the Freezer 7 pro. I installed the intake in the VGA vent.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: vicariousgeorge

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

When you say that you sealed the exhaust port - it might be stupid to ask, but you are not talking about the rear exhaust fan... right...? You mean the perforations, or the hole on the side panel, correct...?

The side panel has two vents: one for the CPU exhaust duct, and one below it for the VGA area. I sealed the CPU vent with a CD case, since the duct had to be removed for the Freezer 7 pro. I installed the intake in the VGA vent.

I thought so, just wanted to make sure...

 

[elmonen]

hello everyone! I'm thinking of buying this board as it seems to be a great overclocker at this price! and there are few questions I'd like to ask..

1. Will my memory work with his board? I've read that the board is picky about memory.. and the memory I have isn't in the P5N E-SLI QVL :/

2. Is additional/better cooling for NB or SB (as it has no cooling at all!!) necessary? I'm not trying to push the limits of my cpu or anything.. at first I'm aiming at about ~330fsb which should be a breeze with this board? what would be a safe max oc with the stock cooling for 24/7 use? I know that every board are different but what would be safe at stock cooling..

my Specs:

Intel C2D E6420 (stock cooler)
Asrock ConroeXfire-Esata2
PQI 2x1GB DDR2 667Mhz
Sapphire x1950Pro 256mb
Antec Sonata II case (atm I have one case fan at the back exhaust, but I'll probably get another to better draw air from the front intake)