Unsupported cpu on asus M2N68-AM SE2 motherboard

[azice]

I just bought this motherboard to replace an old burned out one(different brand). When I put in the Athlon 64 x2 6400+ cpu, the system started with "Unsupported CPU press F1 to change CPU stats" error. When I press F1 the system will boot no problem. Windows loads and stable at 3.17ghz.

I've tried to update the BIOS but still getting the error message. The CPU needs to run at 125W but the systemboard seems to only support 95W CPU at most. So if I keep the system running as it is, what would happen to the system in the long run? I played a few games like world of warcraft, eve and etc without any problem for hours. Photoshop and 3D studio MAX are running fine as well. I don't really mind to press F1 during boot up stage much. So can I just keep it running or should I get another system board?

 

[Harvey]

Check Asus' CPU Support List for your board. If your CPU is, it should tell you which BIOS and board revs will work. If it isn't on it, you need another board or another CPU.

If your CPU is there, contact Asus' tech support for help. Hope you find it.

 

[azice]

I've checked, the 6400+ cpu is not on the supported cpu list for that motherboard. However, the system runs very well so far for a week. Other than have to press F1 key to boot system, there is no problem. I used the SpeedFan to check on both cpu cores, they are both in use as well. Strange enough for sure. So can I just leave it alone for a while? I'm going to build a new i7 system in 4 months, do you think the system can last that long? I've never seen a system could run with unsupported CPU before.

 

[Harvey]

That behavior may be the reason it's not listed as supported. The board is obviously not getting a signal confirming good status before continuing. You also don't know what else may not work.

They may be able to address those issues in a later BIOS version. Until they do, your best bet for getting that kind of info, or whether there's a known work around, would be from Asus.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: azice
I've checked, the 6400+ cpu is not on the supported cpu list for that motherboard. However, the system runs very well so far for a week. Other than have to press F1 key to boot system, there is no problem. I used the SpeedFan to check on both cpu cores, they are both in use as well. Strange enough for sure. So can I just leave it alone for a while? I'm going to build a new i7 system in 4 months, do you think the system can last that long? I've never seen a system could run with unsupported CPU before.

you basically are using your VRMs over their rated capacity.

you can do that and they may or may not burn out one of these days. i'm sure itll probably last, i mean people overclock cpus and some people overload power supplies and dont even know it.

but yeah just like a power supply you might burn our your VRM or some part of your motherboard's power delivery circuits.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Harvey
That behavior may be the reason it's not listed as supported. The board is obviously not getting a signal confirming good status before continuing. You also don't know what else may not work.

This behavior is by design. 125W CPUs on this (and numerous other ASUS models) are specifically identified/reported by the BIOS as unsupported due to the ~95W TDP design limit.

 

[azice]

Well, so far everything works. Clock speed stable, voltage stable, tempture pretty much the same as before I changed to this system. Other than the error message during bootup stage, there isn't any issue at all. Shocking but true. Doubt anybody could pull this with Intel cpu based motherboards. Maybe Asus AMD boards got lots of room in voltage range.

I did a stress testing over night, 18 hours without issue. So, who knows what is going on. lol