P5N32-E SLI what BIOS version best for OC (problems here)

[davelakecity]

Just up flashed my bios to 1203 on P5N32-E SLI.
Before that I had a bios version dated December of 2006 ver 0602 - well I might be switching back to 0602.

With the new bios I can't hit 300 / 1200FSB / 2.7ghz. I flashed because I was hitting an absolute wall at 300/1200/2.7 with the older 0602 bios - no matter what I did I couldn't get past 300. BUT everything was running great at 300 (2.7ghz) If anyone has had similar experience I'd love to hear about it.

Main question here is: If you own a P5N32-E SLI what bios are you using and also, if you are using the newest bios 1203 how are your overclocks... (I realize I may have just messed something up in the settings so I'd like to hear if people are having success with bios 1203 on the P5N32-E SLI)

Gracias.. p.s. SPECS in sig... e4300 cpu

 

[ausch30]

I have used every BIOS since 803 and overclocking for all of them has been the same, I'm stuck at 1590 stable. I have had it up to 1900FSB and ran benchmarks but I couldn't get it stable. My problem is in the crappy L2 stepping of my CPU and I think you might have just gotten a bad one as well. Currently I am using the 1203 and it's fine but no change in stability at higher clocks.

 

[davelakecity]

AUsch30 - thanks for your reply.
If you've got a minute I'd like to know your bios settings.
linked/unlinked/sync, timings, multi, overvolt etc...

 

[ausch30]

FSB & Memory Config
FSB-Mem Unlinked
FSB 1590
Memory 795

Overclocking
Memory Timing Settings Set according to your memory
Spread Spectrum All disabled
Everything else disabled
LTD Frequency 5x

Overvoltage
Vcore 1.325
Mem 2.1
1.2 1.2
NB 1.35
SB 1.5
VTT 1.3
the rest Auto

SLI Broadcast Disabled
Nvidia GPU Disabled
SLI Ready Mem Disabled

I also bought a 40mm fan and mounted it on the NB because if you've ever felt it while the machine was on it gets quite hot, now it's just barely warm.

 

[davelakecity]

Lesson #1- Never update your bios unless your having a problem that requires a bios update to fix it.

Lesson #2 - lesson #1 only applies to non-enthusiast users... there are many reasons to update your bios including improved overclocking capabilities... I enjoy "tinkering" and if I mess something up I can always fix it or in this case I can simply revert to older bios... thanks for your "lesson"

 

[davelakecity]

AUSCH - I also bought a 40mm fan and mounted it on the NB because if you've ever felt it while the machine was on it gets quite hot, now it's just barely warm.

I've got a monster (thing is huge) zalman cnps7700-cu for HSF.... I really think my arctic freezer 7 pro is a better HSF and I wouldn't recommend the zalman, but the zalman tends to cool the components, including the nb sink, all around the socket... pushes alot of air around there... not as good as an independent nb fan, but does keep it a little cooler. My other rig with oc'd 805 and the arctic cooler definitely needs a nb fan - too hot to maintain finger contact

 

[davelakecity]

AUSCH, you got me thinking about an NB fan for other sys (IS7 mobo)
Ordering some other stuff soon anyway
thinking I'll use epoxy
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835119049

 

[ausch30]

The one I bought was from Radio Shack it's 7.7cfm but it was $13 and I just used zip ties to secure it. Just be careful of depth, the one you linked is good at 10mm but some are thicker and could interfere with CPU heatsinks. I thought about ordering one online but I hate paying more for shipping than the item and I wanted it now so I just went out and got it.

 

[davelakecity]

I was surprised to notice the other day that radio shack had an assortment of fans and that they even had arctic silver on the rack !, but unfortunately they did not have sata cables... go figure

that fan - I'm ordering bunch of stuff anyway

 

[Staplergun]

I've noticed this board hits a wall at Sync mode 1600:800 FSB speeds (Leaving my e6750 conroe at 3.2ghz COMPLETELY stable)