bios flash

[kurtyboh]

So here's my question Im going to be building a comp with a p5q-e mobo and OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P8004GK ram, which has a voltage of 2.2 I read somewhere that when I flash the bios the voltage should be at 1.8(article said that was standard) The ram should work with the board according to the manual i just dont want to create a problem but updating my bios before i even get the computer to run. Can you guys shed some light on this for me please?

 

[antiacid]

you could try updating the BIOS once you got yourself a stable system. It doesn't really create any problems on the software side of things and the most that'll happen is that your CMOS gets cleared (so you have to input your custom settings again).

 

[shortstuff_mt]

That OCZ RAM is not very good RAM. 2.1v to only get 5-4-4-15 timings? If you haven't bought the RAM yet, get one of these instead:

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 $59.99

or

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 $60.99 -$20.00 MIR

Both of those kits run at the standard 1.8v so you won't have to worry about the voltage.

 

[kurtyboh]

Beyond whether or not its good ram... the question is how will it work to flash the bios, will the ram step down to 1.8v and run? or on auto which is what your supposed to be at when you reset your bios will it still be at 2.1?

 

[icyicy]

The first time you boot and if you reset the CMOS/flash the bios it should be at default DDR2 values, 1.8V and 5-5-5-15 timings.

My 2.1V Corsair RAM gets to the bios just fine at 1.8V, haven't tried booting all the way to windows with it. It would probably be fine but get unstable if i stressed it.

Keep in mind flashing your bios has a good chance of killing your motherboard. Don't do it like a driver update, it is not. It's something you should only do if you have a very specific reason to do, and if your motherboard is still under warranty.

 

[kurtyboh]

Thanks for that icyicy, I know its not like a driver update, but ive also heard of quite a few people having lots of fan issues and such with the first version of bios for asus p5q-e and most likely I wont end up with one, but it happens sometimes when an older box just hadnt shipped new stock in front of it and such, so if I happen to be unlucky like that I want to know I will be able to fix it. (without getting different ram) Thanks again.

 

[Shadow703793]

It doesn't matter if you flash BIOS or not the board will STILL only provide 1.8v as it is the JDEC standard voltage.

will the ram step down to 1.8v and run? or on auto which is what your supposed to be at when you reset your bios will it still be at 2.1?

The RAM will still need 2.2v.

Also if planing to update BIOS, a word of advice: NEVER FLASH BIOS THROUGH WINDOWS Use EZFlash to flash BIOS on ASUS boards.

 

[kurtyboh]

As long as the ram will run, like icyicy said it should at 1.8v is what I was most concerned with, so I could at least get it turned on with the ram i've selected was the biggest deal. I can always turn it up later.

Thanks for the ezflash info shadow

 

[antiacid]

btw, for my p5q pro, switching to the latest bios (1406? I don't remember atm) caused my overclock to become unstable. I had to downgrade back to the previous bios version. Sometimes, if it isn't broken, you just shouldn't fix it.

 

[kurtyboh]

Good to know, thanks for that antiacid