Best bios to update to?

p75

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Hi.

I have a P5N-E SLI with a Q6600 and Bios 0803. I have had no problems with a good OC on that bios but I am thinking of updating the bios. I want to add a bit more memory but 0803 bios won't work with more that two sticks.

What I would like to know is, what is the best bios to update to? It must not cause any problems with my OC or have features removed. One thats works.

Please don't tell me to just update to the latest bios, as this is not always the best. You can't go back once you update it.

These are the newer bios updates. http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?model=P5N-E%20SLI&os=25&SLanguage=en-us

Thanks.
 

p75

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If you can go back, is it just the same as loading it on a USB stick and updating? Btw I do need to update, as I can't install more then two memory sticks. I want to add more memory but bios 0803 don't support it.


So do you or anyone have any experience with one of the newer bios updates?

Surely i can't be the only one on this forum with a P5N-E SLI.
 

p75

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Nobody, I have tried it myself and it won't work.

I have 2x1GB and if i put in, 2x512 or another 2x1GB the computer won't go. Thats why they have bios updates, to sort these problems out.

Well I can assure you that, it is the case.
 

p75

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Yes they are all the same brand, voltage and timings.

They work in pairs but don't have to be the same amount of ram.

 

p75

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Already done that to help with my OC.
 

p75

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Well if I bought that board from Asus and it would only work with 2 sticks of ram I would RMA it to Asus as it does not work as advertised.

I wouldn't even flash the bios. It should not be necessary to flash bios to use all 4 dimm slots.

Have you contacted Asus tech support??


To late to RMA it. I bought this from a custom PC maker and is over two years old. Have not contacted Asus but they are not much help anyway.

Well I think a bios update will help but i don't want to update to any old bios, as my OC may no longer work.
 

p75

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I have had it on default and still same problem So can't be that. I have take two pictures of my voltage settings and things.







Saves trying to remember what i put. If you want other settings let me know.
 
Having the settings at default could certainly be the problem.
Bios> Advanced> Chipset> Memory Timings> set the basic timings to spec ( 444 12 or whatever )
Bios> Advanced> Jumperfree Configuration> Memory Voltage> set it as close to spec as it allows, even if it's slightly over spec. ( oops, I see that the voltage is set )
 

p75

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Sorry I don't think I made it clear. I have tried default but I have had it set, as in the picture. Don't matter what I do, it won't work.

I think this is just a crap motherboard or the navida chipset it the problem. A bios update, I think will help but as my first post, what one is best?

 
I don't think a bios update will help, could be wrong , but I ran 4x1 Crucial Ballistix on mine from bios 0401 up to 0803 then switched to 2x2 GSkill Pi Black.
Sold the machine a few weeks back in order to fund my I7.

Last bios I had running was 1401.
 

p75

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Well I updated the bios to 901, as it was only a small update. I still could not run 4 sticks but would work with three. That is no good as it drops to single data rate. I even tried upping the volts and it would just freeze up or corrupt.

It seems I would have to drop from 800 to 667, to have it run with 4 sticks. Well thats means I lose performance, so no point.

I was searching and found lots of threads on the very same problem. I will post links and quotes from some of them. They just confirm the problems I have been having.

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20070214225800262&board_id=1&model=P5N-E+SLI&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

My thoughts are 1 of 2 things. 1) The Ram is too close to the NB and it is simply causing it to get to hot. This is causing the system to artifact and freeze killing any chance for stability at these timings. 2) This board simply can't handle 4 gigs @ 800 in 4 slots. This is probably due to it being a midrange board (why the NB doesn't have a fan may be one of the poorest design decissions Asus has made on what would be probably one of the best boards they have made.)

http://reviews.ebay.com/ASUS-P5N-E-SLI-What-you-should-know-before-buy_W0QQugidZ10000000004418493

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=256120

I have been Googling a little and did see someone claim that the chipset in this board has problems powering the 4th DIMM. Yes, I was running 4 before, but maybe the 2 GB sticks pull just a little more power to push it over the edge?

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1224955
http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=58425

So this motherboard is crap and seems asus motherboards, are temperamental about memory.
 

p75

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I don't think I will bother. It's more hassle than it's worth. I may try the 2x2GB.

Btw I tried again today and I got 4x512 working on default setting. I did manage to get to windows log on, with the others but all I got was BSOD.

I am unsure how much I should push memory voltage. It may work if I push up voltage quite high but not sure if that will be to bad.

I will just have to except that, this motherboard is very poor. Shame asus can't get there backside in to gear and sort it out.