BlackOmega

Um so is that good or bad?? And if its bad, whats a better brand or model to get?

But, back to the original topic, I put my comp back to its original config 2x6800's, XF-i, and the Antec Sp500 I have, to see if my voltages jump around, and they do. So I called Asus and talked to their tech support they didnt really have an answer, I asked them if the voltage regulators on the board could be bad, they said it was possible. And after reading some more about the 8-phase power design on this board I really should have no fluctuation whatsoever. So they sent me an RMA number and their going to inspect the board and either repair it or send me a refurbished one. Only bad thing is the 10 business day turn around time.

Another quick question, if my GPU's requires a 12v@26A but my PSU only puts out 12v@25A is that bad? Should I return it and get one of those pc power and cooling ones that have a hardcore 12v rail 12v@60A? When running 1 card the 12v rail seems ok, stays above 12v. But when in SLI it only gets 11.90v- 11.97v. What do you guys think?
-P.

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txtmstrjoe

BlackOmega, I run the ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe, and I personally dislike enabling "CPU Overvolt" and therefore using the 8-phase power regulators. Why? Because voltage regulation is anything but consistent using this system. Back when I was still learning about this motherboard's overclocking capabilities, I thought that using the 8-phase power delivery system was the way to go. However, in back-to-back comparisons with CPU Overvolt enabled and disabled, but with similar VCore settings, Disabled is actually far more stable. With CPU Overvolt enabled, my system was far more likely to experience freezes, crashes, and other indications of unstable overclocks due to irregular power delivery characteristics.

Not only that, but with CPU Overvolt enabled, the startup VCore is sometimes too low (if you have one of those chips that doesn't require a lot of VCore when overclocked), resulting in the so-called "warm boot" bug. A system reset would result in a failure to POST. You have to cut power completely, then restart the system. It's a huge hassle, in my opinion.

As far as PSU and 12V amperage go, it appears that you're overloading your system with your SLI setup. Remember that other parts of your system are also drawing on your entire 12V output (HDDs, optical drives, motherboard, etc.). As it is, you're already far short of the requirement for your entire system, and not just that of your SLI setup. In my opinion, you are risking your system's long-term life by overtaxing the PSU.

You can't go wrong with a PC Power & Cooling unit, in my opinion. Based on the stats you quoted, you're talking about the 750W Quad Silencer model; I run that PSU and am tremendously happy with it.

Last, don't worry too much about your 12V output dipping a little under 12V. That is perfectly normal (especially so with the A8N32-SLI; I find it under-reports the 12V output. How do I know this? I've tested the same PSU using three different systems, all with similar 12V draws, and only the ASUS under-reports the 12V output).

Hope this helps.

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thlnk3r

BlackOmega, just to clarify those power requirements from the video card manufacturer are based on "total system power". As Joe stated, I believe you are on the borderline of that requirement. If your budget permits and you'd rather pick up a new PSU then go for it. Make sure to do plenty of research first. Have a look at jonnyguru.com. Check out the reviews section and the forum.

Good luck buddy!

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BlackOmega

It does thanx Joe.
I have the CPU overvolt disabled. But after reading some OC guides it seems that this is the only one you want REALLY stable. So if my vcore voltage is jumping around almost 0.10v itll almost be impossible to OC. I tried check the limits of my board last night. With HTL @ 4x and cpu mult @ 6x I got to a whopping 215 before BSOD (0x000000A) IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. Checked the event log and its telling me my parallel port is crashing my rig. OK WHAT THE F? WHy didnt it crash before?
Anyway, I think it has to do with my voltages jumping around. Its not so bad @ idle but when I run orthos its all over. And so is my +12v .

And the PSU theres is 3 actually and all seem to have the same specs 1's red, 1's blue (silencer), and ones black theyre all 750w.
But the black ones the cheapest, so I guess Im gonna send this one back and get that.

And can I really run DDR500?
-P.

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txtmstrjoe

VCore fluctuation under load is normal for this motherboard. If the VCore dips too low under load, you just adjust it the next notch up until you find the sweet spot.

I run the black PC P&W Quad Silencer. Between the three, if the output ratings are identical, then the only difference amongst them is cosmetic. (I know the copper red and the black are the same unit but with different casing color; I wasn't aware that there is a blue one now... )

Can you run DDR500 with this motherboard? Yes.

But only if you have RAM capable of doing it.

(My RAM has seen up to DDR560, in fact.)

EDIT: I forgot to address your BSODs. I think those BSODs are actually caused by marginal power output from your PSU. An easy test: Run only one video card. I'm willing to bet your system's stability will improve.

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"What time is it? It's 9:39!" (The Official S939 Appreciation Club and Knowledgebase)My OCN Blog: Joe-Pinions (Have a Daily Nibble)

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime.”—Lao Tzu (thanks to Blitz6804)

Today's "thlnk3r's thoughts": "You may fire when ready."

thlnk3r

BlackOmega, IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is an indication of unstable overclock (sometimes). Did you change any of the other overclocking settings?

I'd advice checking your voltages with a multimeter during your Orthos testing. Software monitoring is not 100% accurate.

I can't say for certain if the board will run DDR500 but my brothers older S939 ABit board is able to run a set of Corsair XMS DDR500 sticks

Good luck

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BlackOmega

Thanx guys, you both have been a big help.

Ok so I pulled one card out, I put my XF-i back and Im gonna try to find the mobo limit.
Im calling newegg tommorrow losing 15% and getting that pc power PSU. Only sucky thing about it is its not modular

Have you guys heard anything about the 939 or Asus motherboards not liking all 4 ram slots full? Guy at a comp store said that.
Also, what do you guys think of that arctic freezer cpu cooler? They had a 120mm version of it there for $32.
-P.

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billbartuska

No, it's not the A8N32 or any 939 board that doesn't like all four slots populated. It's the CPU. A64 CPUs hane the memory controller on the CPU die. For some reason AMD fubarred the controller such that it can't handle the bandwidth of 4 sticks.

The best overclocking DDR1 memory used BH5 or TCCD ICs. The BH5 will run extremely low latencies (like 1.5,2,2,2, 1T) and TCCD memory will rum extreme speeds (over DDR600 is common).

Here's some TCCD at DDR620. I've had these sticks post and boot at DDR665

And, yeah, the Vcore jumps around a lot on the A8N32. All the more reason for a good PSU.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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thlnk3r

Billbartuska, the integrated memory controller can certainly handle the bandwidth of four sticks of memory. In most cases you'll start to run into stability issues when you start overclocking(with all 4 DIMMS populated). Leaving the settings at the factory defaults with four sticks of memory is completely fine. I was able to get my Corsair XMS set 20Mhz overclocked and this was with all 4 DIMM slots populated. I believe it's a catch and a miss depending on the type of IC's and processor.

Good luck

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BlackOmega

Ok so Ill just get 2 1g sticks. And Im still not sure what IC stands for. Who makes BH5 or TCCD?

And as far as PSU's go, when rating the 12v output, is it combined or per rail? Cuz if its combined then my earlier post was off. It would be something along the lines of 41.5A. Regardless after reading Jonny's review on it, Im returning it anyway. IT FREAKIN BLEW UP!
Man, I wish I'd found OCN earlier.
-P.

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