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

    quote:

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


    Asus will be clarifying the supported range of CPUs with the Lock Free setting. I noticed a difference this weekend on the retail board and bios with a CPU stepping range I thought was fully supported. I know the EE series all work properly, the balance I am not sure of at this time.
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    It will allow you to go down to 14x only in my testing. I did not have an issue with the dual core cpus down to 14x or raising the 820D to 16x. However, I have a single core cpu coming and will verify the settings with it. Please email me so I can repsond to you directly.
  • Spacecomber - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    I think a more to the point intro would have been to ask whether a $250 motherboard can make up for the shortcomings in the current line of Intel desktop processors and make them more attractive to the computer enthusiast.

    Then again, maybe people who are sticking with their Prescotts really are dreamers.
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    Good point and one that Intel finally understands but we will have to wait until next summer to see the results. :) However, this board does make up for some of the current Intel CPU shortcomings and is truly an enthusiast board for Intel customers.
  • tuteja1986 - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    Asus were leader once and i think are going to take the leader crown again: )

    They have been getting good success with:
    Dual GPU 7800GTX
    Now This motherboard
    Also they are working on 7300 go

    Good work and keep it up
  • Bozo Galora - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    reads like an ad for asus
    who the hell would use a current Intel cpu?
    not the 80% of the people who come to AT
    I'll take the upcoming (delayed again) DFI NF4 Expert mobo, thank you
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    quote:

    reads like an ad for asus


    If it means anything, I purchased a pair of these boards after I completed the initial testing to replace a couple of systems in our household. I am that confident in the board and its ability.

    quote:

    who the hell would use a current Intel cpu?

    About 80%+ of the buying public currently although the numbers are greatly skewed in their favor by large OEM and Retail sales. Actually, the newer Intel products are decent performers at a good price point. However, I completly agree that AMD owns the performance market and should receive wider credit for their efforts over the past couple of years.

    quote:

    not the 80% of the people who come to AT

    Agreed, but sometimes it is good to visit the other side of the fence. A few short years ago your statements would have held true for people with AMD systems. ;-)

    quote:

    I'll take the upcoming (delayed again) DFI NF4 Expert mobo, thank you

    An excellent choice but while you are waiting you could purchase this board now. :-)



  • karioskasra - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    Dreams are made on an Intel platform? Did I miss something here...
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    If you have an Intel CPU, then no, you did not miss anything. ;->
    I fully understand the performance and cost advantages the current AMD64 platform has over Intel. However, this should not dismiss the fact that the NVIDIA nForce4 SLI platform along with the implementation of it by Asus is an excellent solution regardless of CPU choice.
    I personally own several AMD64 platforms but in reality you would be hard pressed at this time to tell the difference in performance between the two without benchmarks. I realize there will be a small population that can but overall an current Intel based system is fine for gaming and applications.
  • ksherman - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    I REALLY like the fan less northbridge cooling setup... Wish my DFI had one like it. Esp. since my Zalman 7700 will keep those heasinks nice and cool...

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