ASUS P5N32-SLI Deluxe: Overclocking

FSB Overclocking Results

Front Side Bus Overclocking Testbed
Processor: Pentium 4 Prescott LGA 775
840EE Dual Core 3.2GHz
CPU Voltage: 1.4125V (1.3875V default)
Memory Settings: 3-2-2-8 1T at 715MHz
Memory Voltage: 2.1V
NorthBridge Voltage: 1.40V
SouthBridge Voltage: 1.50V
Cooling: Intel 840EE Heat Sink
Power Supply: OCZ Power Stream 520
Maximum CPU OverClock 257fsb x 16 (4119MHz) +29%
Maximum FSB OC: 261fsb x 14 (3657MHz) +15%

Oddly enough, the ability to increase the front side bus when dropping the multiplier to 14 past the stock fsb results was minimal. This same phenomenon has held true with all of the NVIDIA nForce4 Intel Edition SLI boards that we have tested to date. However, this board is an excellent overclocker, considering that our previous best FSB x 16 was at 245. At this overclock setting, the system was able to complete all of our benchmark test suites and also run Prime95 and SuperPI without issue. This was with the memory set to 715MHz at 3-2-2-8 1T settings. We were able to overclock the FSB to 263 at the 16x multiplier, which resulted in CPU operation of 4208MHz, but were unable to complete the benchmark test suite. However, even at this setting, the board was stable enough to complete all of the gaming benchmarks.


Click to enlarge.

In fact, this board outscored the previous best Abit NI8 SLI overclock scores in AquaMark 3 and 3DMark2001SE with significantly lower memory settings. Please refer to the Abit NI8 SLI article for further details. The above test results were achieved with the board operating at 4119MHz (257fsbx16), memory settings at 715MHz at 3-2-2-8 1T, and an NVIDIA 7800GTX at 515MHz core / 1350MHz memory with 81.85 WHQL drivers set to standard Quality settings.

Memory Stress Testing

Memory stress tests look at the ability of the Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe to operate at the officially supported memory frequencies of 667MHz DDR2 at the best performing memory timings that the Corsair CM2X512A-5400UL revision 1.3 will support.

Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe
Stable DDR667 Timings - 2 DIMMs
(2/4 slots populated - 1 Dual-Channel Bank)
Clock Speed: 200MHz (800FSB)
Timing Mode: 667MHz - Default
CAS Latency: 3
RAS to CAS Delay: 2
RAS Precharge: 2
RAS Cycle Time: 8
Voltage: 2.1V
Command Rate: 1

The Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe was completely stable with 2 DDR2 modules in Dual-Channel at the settings of 3-2-2-8 at 2.1V and was stable at this setting up to a timing mode of 720MHz before changing the Command Rate to 2.

We will now install all four available memory slots, which are usually more strenuous on the memory subsystem than testing 2 DDR2 modules on a motherboard.

Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe
Stable DDR667 Timings - 4 DIMMs
(4/4 slots populated - 2 Dual-Channel Banks)
Clock Speed: 200MHz (800FSB)
Timing Mode: 667MHz - Default
CAS Latency: 3
RAS to CAS Delay: 2
RAS Precharge: 2
RAS Cycle Time: 8
Voltage: 2.2V
Command Rate: 1

The Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe was completely stable with 4 DDR2 modules in Dual-Channel at the settings of 3-2-2-8 and only needed the voltage increased to 2.2. This is an excellent accomplishment and truly shows off the engineering aspects of this board.

More Features Test Setup
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  • Beenthere - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    Why would ANYONE spend the coin to buy an Intel based SLI system when you can buy an AMD system for the same price that will out-perform the Intel system and be upgradable for years???

    The only reason I can see for anyone buying any Intel product at this time is if they are stuck with an Intel system already and they desire to upgrade to a faster chip if they can find one to fit whatever socket Mobo they have. Otherwise I see no logical reason whatsoever for even considering an obsolete, under-performing Intel product.
  • Shintai - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    You ask the wrong question. Why would anyone buy a SLI/CrossFire system at all.
  • bob661 - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    quote:

    You ask the wrong question.
    He can ask any question he wants. There are no wrong questions.
    quote:

    Why would anyone buy a SLI/CrossFire system at all.
    Because one can. :)
  • Ricky Ling - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    I only afraid on the future upgradeability on this board because according to ASUS Support FAQ (as this news has not been revealed on the Internet), this board does not support future Pentium 4 that based on 65nm technology, namely Cedar Mill (Single core replacing Prescott) and Presler (Dual core replacing Smithfield)

    So how is testing done the Presler sample processor cause I thought Anand got holding of 1 Presler sample...Pls double check at the following :
    http://support.asus.com/faq/faq_right_second_detai...">http://support.asus.com/faq/faq_right_s...P5N32-SL...

    As Presler start hitting OEM already....we need more info on this issue???

  • Gary Key - Sunday, October 30, 2005 - link

    quote:

    As Presler start hitting OEM already....we need more info on this issue???


    The initial information I have from Asus this weekend is the board will support the 65nm CPU range with a bios update and the CPU steppings must be B1 or above.
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    Hello,

    I had already asked for public clarification about this issue from Asus after visiting the website last week. I believe the entire FAQ has not been properly updated as it still states the Pentium 820 will only work in single core mode which is no longer the case with this chipset revision. We have not had an issue testing the Presler or Cedar Mill CPUs with current board designs from different suppliers.

    I will respond once I have further information.

    Thank you.
  • Chuckles - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    How's the clearance on the right-most PCIe x1 slot? It looks like a card put in there would be perilously close to the northbridge heatsink.
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    Hi,

    The D-Link DGE-560T PCIe network adaptor card fit fine and it is the longest card I tried in the x1 slot. I would agree if a card had several logic chips placed in the right area on the back of the board then clearance could be an issue with the heatsink. However, the few peripheral PCIe cards that I have fit fine.
  • erwos - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    I wouldn't have minded seeing the difference between bridged SLI and bridgeless SLI on both SLI Dual x16 and SLI Dual x8 motherboards.

    My gut feeling is that nVidia is going to be phasing out the bridge in the near future, if they can get the same performance without it using the PCIe bus.

    -Erwos
  • DigitalFreak - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    "ASUS CPU Lock Free (BIOS setting to unlock multiplier locked CPUs)"

    Does this mean that all multipliers (up and down) are available again?

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