ASUS P8Z68-M Pro tips?

[amkronos]

Going to build my system today, and the ASUS P8Z68-M Pro is the motherboard. Been a while since I built a PC so was wondering if any ASUS P8Z68-M Pro users or Asus veterans would like to lend some tips about setting this board up properly.

OS: Win 7 64bit Ultimate
CPU: Intel Core i5 2310 (Stock Fan)
GPU: XFC Radeon HD 6870 (double fan version)
PSU: Rosewill Green 630W
RAM: Corsair Vengence 8GB (4x2) Model: CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
CASE: Cooler Master Elite 430
DVD: Samsung 22X SATA Model: SH-222BB/BEBE - OEM
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB Model: ST500DM002

 

[jaquith]

The biggest tip is to use the latest drivers from ASUS P8Z68-M (PRO) and not those on the OEM DVD - http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z68M_PRO/#download and then go to Intel afterwards to update their drivers - http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect?iid=dc_iduu

Before installing the OS in the BIOS set AI Overclock Tuner -> XMP (Profile1) and then run Memtest86+ (bootable ISO) - http://www.memtest.org/#downiso for at least a couple pass and better 4 full passes. If no errors install the OS. Then install the Chipset first then the remainder of the drivers per your OS. Before installing any Apps I would run AIDA64 Extreme with all stress test options for 24 hours - http://www.aida64.com/downloads then install Window 7 compliant Apps only - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/default.aspx If needed you can install Windows XP Mode - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

I'm not a fanboy of Rosewill PSU's -- my preference is Corsair, SeaSonic and Enermax. I assume an XFX GPU.

 

[amkronos]

System went together flawlessly. The motherboard BIOS was at version 3806 out of the box so I was very pleased not to have to flash the bios! System spent 2 solid days turned on, and burned in, played games with out any hiccups.

The only issue I seem to have is every once in a while I get some static feedback on speakers plugged into the rear jacks when playing games. Happened on two different sets of speakers so I know it's the jack. Front headphone jack doesn't have the feedback, and neither does a USB headset so I know it's not drivers either.

 

[jaquith]

That can be anything from dust, to driver, to connection to interference. For 2 channel use the (green) stereo jack. You can try to clean with a degreaser like Isopropyl alcohol. Dampen the jack with alcohol twist around in the plug, clean off and repeat. Failure try an updated drive and try a higher sampling rate in the control panel.

Latest drivers - http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/

Sampling:

Dafault:

 

[amkronos]

Best answer selected by amkronos.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr