The Unofficial ASUS P5N-E SLI 650i Board Thread

[AMelbye]

rklaahsen: before replacing you ram, try setting it to sync mode, as well as what JustaGeek said. did the trick for me.

 

[AMelbye]

sorry, double post

 

[BAMAVOO]

I moved to Vista and upped my ram to 4 gig. 4, 1 gig sticks. They are happily running at 667 with everything on Auto. All my ram is 667, though I was running 2 sticks at 800. Should I be able to run all 4 sticks at 800? The settings that were used with 2 sticks, did not work for the 4, so i just put it all at auto and am running at default.

Thanks

 

[AMelbye]

you might be able to run them at 867 or something like that, depending on the chips. Most motherboards/ram combinations end up at 667 with 4 sticks. I'm not sure about the technicalities, but I think for some reason it's more demanding on the ram.

 

[Tuvoc]

Unless it has been fixed with a later BIOS, there is a memory hole with 4 x 1GB sticks between about 723 and 838 (in fact all 650i boards have this as far as I know). In that range, the machine won't boot. Slower or faster, it will. I run at 711, but I've also tried as high as 950 or so and it's fine

 

[BAMAVOO]

Originally posted by: Tuvoc
Unless it has been fixed with a later BIOS, there is a memory hole with 4 x 1GB sticks between about 723 and 838 (in fact all 650i boards have this as far as I know). In that range, the machine won't boot. Slower or faster, it will. I run at 711, but I've also tried as high as 950 or so and it's fine

Well, guess I am stuck then, unless I go 720 or so. I don't think 2 of my 4 gig will get much over 800. I will give it a shot though

 

[AMelbye]

all your chips should be able to do 800 in a pair configuration. In a 4-chip configuration, however, things get different.

 

[Umbriel]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
BIOS 0401 is the best one for your CPU. Flash it as described above.

Try even 0202 if necessary.

Make sure that your memory voltage is set properly, increase slightly above specs if necessary.

If the freezes still occur, relax the memory timings to 5-5-5-15, make sure it is run at 2T command rate.

Good luck!

Thank you for the suggestions! I went from 2.085v to 2.178v on the memory voltage (sticker on them says 2.1v) I also tried the relaxed memory timings. I'm running bios 0401 havn't tried the older one, could that really help?

Did some more testing on different FSB speeds (in sync) anything below 1580 gives me the freeze at login half the times (when I see messenger startup I know it will work ok that time) the times that it does start up ok, then it is totaly stable, never crashes, even after hours of (EverQuest 2) gaming...

And if I go 1580 or above it NEVER freeze at startup! But then it usually freeze after a few hours of gaming. Is this normal behaviour? Can someone try to help me understand what might be happening here, I just don't get it...

 

[dlxmax]

Just nabbed bios 0801 from Asus' ftp, listed improvements:

1. Fix system hangs when using Razer Copperhead USB Mouse.
2. Improve compatibility with Creative X-Fi sound card.

Wondering if there is an unlisted #3 improvement, something about removing the complete crappyness that was the previous bios release that couldn't be overclocked! I haven't tried it yet, gonna let someone else be a guinea pig.

 

[VirtualKnight]

Originally posted by: dlxmax
Just nabbed bios 0801 from Asus' ftp, listed improvements:

1. Fix system hangs when using Razer Copperhead USB Mouse.
2. Improve compatibility with Creative X-Fi sound card.

Wondering if there is an unlisted #3 improvement, something about removing the complete crappyness that was the previous bios release that couldn't be overclocked! I haven't tried it yet, gonna let someone else be a guinea pig.

I actually have a Creative X-Fi and had many problems with it so this bios might help with my problem.

Where is that ftp site?

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: Umbriel

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
BIOS 0401 is the best one for your CPU. Flash it as described above.

Try even 0202 if necessary.

Make sure that your memory voltage is set properly, increase slightly above specs if necessary.

If the freezes still occur, relax the memory timings to 5-5-5-15, make sure it is run at 2T command rate.

Good luck!

Thank you for the suggestions! I went from 2.085v to 2.178v on the memory voltage (sticker on them says 2.1v) I also tried the relaxed memory timings. I'm running bios 0401 havn't tried the older one, could that really help?

Did some more testing on different FSB speeds (in sync) anything below 1580 gives me the freeze at login half the times (when I see messenger startup I know it will work ok that time) the times that it does start up ok, then it is totaly stable, never crashes, even after hours of (EverQuest 2) gaming...

And if I go 1580 or above it NEVER freeze at startup! But then it usually freeze after a few hours of gaming. Is this normal behaviour? Can someone try to help me understand what might be happening here, I just don't get it...

Perhaps installing the Southbridge heatsink would help, together with the fan on the Northbridge, and maybe the fan over the memory...?

Also, try increasing the Northbridge voltage up to 1.56V - but make sure you do have the fan there.

And make sure that your Exhaust fan in the rear of the case is working properly - I use 120mm running at 1800 RPM all the time, with the front and side panel 80mm intake fans.

Good luck!

 

[Robohl]

Originally posted by: VirtualKnight

Originally posted by: dlxmax
Just nabbed bios 0801 from Asus' ftp, listed improvements:

1. Fix system hangs when using Razer Copperhead USB Mouse.
2. Improve compatibility with Creative X-Fi sound card.

Wondering if there is an unlisted #3 improvement, something about removing the complete crappyness that was the previous bios release that couldn't be overclocked! I haven't tried it yet, gonna let someone else be a guinea pig.

I actually have a Creative X-Fi and had many problems with it so this bios might help with my problem.

Where is that ftp site?

Asus ftp

 

[Endersun]

is g.skill memory reliable enough for this board? I want to be able to use 4 sticks, theres so many versions of g.skill memory, would all of them work similarly?

is there some kind of list of memory that will work when using 4 sticks on this board?

it seems even some supported kinds listed in the motherboard manual wont work with 4xsticks

 

[Tuvoc]

My 4 x 1GB Geil Ultra low latency PC6400 RAM works well (but of course avoiding the memory hole)

 

[Umbriel]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

Originally posted by: Umbriel

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
BIOS 0401 is the best one for your CPU. Flash it as described above.

Try even 0202 if necessary.

Make sure that your memory voltage is set properly, increase slightly above specs if necessary.

If the freezes still occur, relax the memory timings to 5-5-5-15, make sure it is run at 2T command rate.

Good luck!

Thank you for the suggestions! I went from 2.085v to 2.178v on the memory voltage (sticker on them says 2.1v) I also tried the relaxed memory timings. I'm running bios 0401 havn't tried the older one, could that really help?

Did some more testing on different FSB speeds (in sync) anything below 1580 gives me the freeze at login half the times (when I see messenger startup I know it will work ok that time) the times that it does start up ok, then it is totaly stable, never crashes, even after hours of (EverQuest 2) gaming...

And if I go 1580 or above it NEVER freeze at startup! But then it usually freeze after a few hours of gaming. Is this normal behaviour? Can someone try to help me understand what might be happening here, I just don't get it...

Perhaps installing the Southbridge heatsink would help, together with the fan on the Northbridge, and maybe the fan over the memory...?

Also, try increasing the Northbridge voltage up to 1.56V - but make sure you do have the fan there.

And make sure that your Exhaust fan in the rear of the case is working properly - I use 120mm running at 1800 RPM all the time, with the front and side panel 80mm intake fans.

Good luck!

I got a Zalman ZM-NB47J on the Southbridge (updated my profile to show that now). I don't have any fan on the Northbridge, just the original heatsink, so I don't know if I dare up the voltage? I have 3x 120mm fans in the case, one in the front who sucks in air, and one in the back that blows it out. The third one is in the side panel sucking out hot air from the graphics card area. All fans are on auto at the moment. I disabled and removed my X-Fi soundcard from the box to see if that could be the problem, unless that solves it I'll check my temperatures and cooling some more, thanks again.

 

[Endersun]

So from reading as much as I can from this huge thread I see 3 cases where four sticks have worked so far:

So for this board....

4 x 1GB GeIL PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 @ 711 (4-4-4-12, 2T) 2.1v

2x1GB G.Skill F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ@800MHz 4-4-4-12-2T @2.013V (black slots)
2x512MB G.Skill F2-6400PHU2-1GBHZ@800MHz 4-4-4-12-2T @2.013V (yellow slots)

RAM: 4GB(4x1GB) OCZ Titanium PC6400 EPP (4-4-4-12, 2T) @ 875MHz 1:1 Ratio

Im using G.skill NR series, which is alot cheaper than geeks HZ series G.skill... Im wondering if I should stick with this ram, or if i should RMA for something like GeiL, or maybe its too picky and I should'nt even bother to get the most compatable ram?

I just wish there was a brand that worked no problem.... what would be the recommended RAM choice for this motherboard when it comes to using 4 sticks? Because I know for sure I will want to populate all four slots if possible, I just dont know whether to keep my cheaper G.skill or save myself alot of trouble down the road and just RMA for something else.

Also I notice the timings that worked for everyone was using 4-4-4-12, could this mean that lower timing memory could be more compatable? maybe 5-5-5-15 standard ram is a lost cause using 4 sticks?

 

[AMelbye]

if you need more ram, i'd reccomend you get new ram, and ebay whatever you have at the moment. this board is (usually) no good with 4 sticks

 

[tvdang7]

im doing pretty well with 4 stick of ram. 7x415 ram 430 right now no sweat.

EDIT actually unlinked mode doesnt work i just messed around with it it runs same speed as fsb no matter what number i put whats wrong with it?

 

[Tuvoc]

I'm also running 24/7 with 4 sticks with total stability. But support for 4 sticks can vary

 

[Endersun]

I decided to start with GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

hopefully down the road I can either manage 2x512, or if i feel up to it try to configure 4x1GB

 

[Acharash]

Hey guys,

I built this system a while ago, but only recently updated the PSU to the Zalman. After I did that, the system wouldn't go into standby mode (S3); It would just power up again. Last time this happened, I updated BIOS from 403 to 703, and it fixed the problem. This time, I've been unable to work it out. I've made sure nothing in BIOS is set to wake on action, I've updated to Beta BIOS 801, I've checked all the forums for info. I tried updating the 650i chipset, all to no avail. The system was then updated to the OCZ RAM, on recommendation by supplier; didn't fix.

I then noted that the USB devices didn't seem to work on reboot after S3 (when it powered back up). I'm going to try reinstalling the nvidia chipset drivers again (which I presume control the USB hubs), but I doubt that will work. I haven't fiddled with any timings or tried to overclock in any way.

Any suggestions would be helpful - ASUS has all but given up on me.

Cheers

Edit* Said 680i when I meant 650i. Also tried reupdating, to no success.

 

[JustaGeek]

Re-install your old power supply and verify if the problems still occurs.

Never heard of Zalman branded PSU's, so I suspect that it is manufactured by another company for Zalman. I would recommend using the "tried, tested and true" products from reputable and experienced manufacturers.

Good luck, and welcome to AnandTech!

 

[vot]

Ok I have had this board for a bout 6 months.

When I first set it up I noticed that the nvidia RAID was software emulation so I purchased a seperate RAID controller with some performance boosts but that's a side issue.

Lately I have been working with my new Heat Sink and my temps are not too good with over clocking...

My ambient temps are around 39C
My CPU Temp is around 45C at full load
My CPU cores go up to 50-65C full load
my GPU sits around 61C when idle and goes up to 93C in full load which is normal for the 8800 GT i understand.
My GPU Ambient Temps always stay around 47-50C either IDLE or full load.

These temps are not what I expected when I bought on of the best HS combos available for under 100 dollars via reviews.

The other main problem I am having is I cannot get the FSB to go above 1525mhz.

When I move the FSB up to 1600mhz to try to obtain a 1:1 ratio I just cannot post.

Things are stable at 1500FSB however this is not ideal as it is not a 1:1 ratio but rather a 15:16 ratio I think. When overclocked is when I hit what I think are high temps considering the rocking HSF I have as these were similar with just the stock fan but that's not my biggest concern as of right now.

I have tried chaing the NB V, CPU V, Memory V and all have no effect on being able to post at 400(1600)mhz FSB.

As of now all voltages are in Auto, FSB is unlinked and running 1500 / 800 and stable but running a bit hot in my opinion.

I have extremely good are flow the front of the case is pulling in air, the HSF is pushing air out the back of the case which is pulling air all with high grade fans.

The HSF comes with it's own basic thermal compound which i find doesnt stick well and is slippery as opposed to artic silver compound which I might try next regarding temperatures however does anyone know why I might be having trouble with just reaching 1600/800?

I have read alot of posts in this thread especially page 97 or whatever but nothing seems to work even though my 3dMark is pretty decent I would like to hit 12k just because and also would like to get my temps down and my fsb higher.

Any suggestions would be helpful thanks.

 

[Tuvoc]

Originally posted by: vot

My ambient temps are around 39C

Is that correct ? Your ambient room temp is 39C ?
If so, then I don't believe there is much you can do about your temps. Heck, I'd be overheating myself !!

 

[vot]

Motherboard temp rather.