Albatron K8SLI: Overclocking

FSB Overclocking Results

Front Side Bus Overclocking Testbed
Processor: Athlon 64, 4000+, San Diego Core
CPU Voltage: 1.4875V (1.4000V default)
Memory: OCZ PC4800 Platinum Edition
Memory Voltage: 3.00
Cooling: AMD Stock Heat sink and Fan
Power Supply: OCZ Power Stream 520
Maximum CPU Overclock
Standard Ratio (12)
246fsb x 12, 4x HT, (2-3-3-7, 1T)
2955MHz (+23%)
Maximum FSB Overclock
Lowered Ratio (9)
317fsb x 9, 3x HT, (2.5-4-4-8, 1T)
2856MHz (+58.5% Bus Overclock)

This board is a good overclocker at both standard and reduced ratios. We were unable to overclock the board past 246fsb with the stock ratio and still complete our benchmark suite. We relaxed the memory timings, increased voltages, and changed the HT ratio to 3 without success. However, the board posted the best lowered ratio fsb setting at a 1:1 memory ratio although its performance did not equal that of the Asus A8N-SLI Premium at the 295fsb ratio. At the settings listed, our test system was able to complete the entire benchmark suite three times without any reported issues.

Memory Stress Testing

Memory stress tests look at the ability of the Albatron K8SLI to operate at the officially supported memory frequencies of 400MHz DDR, at the best performing memory timings that the OCZ Technology PC4800 Elite Platinum could support.

Albatron K8SLI
Stable DDR400 Timings - 2 DIMMs
(2/4 slots populated - 1 Dual-Channel Bank)
Clock Speed: 200MHz
CAS Latency: 2
RAS to CAS Delay: 2
RAS Precharge: 2
RAS Cycle Time: 5
Voltage: 2.8V
Command Rate: 1T

The Albatron K8SLI was completely stable with 2 DDR modules in Dual-Channel at the settings of 2-2-2-5, at the default 2.8V.

Tests with 4 double-sided DIMMs on an AMD Athlon 64 system are very demanding, since AMD specifies DDR333 for this combination. However, most AMD Athlon 64 motherboards combined with recent AMD processors have been able to handle 4 DIMMs at DDR400 settings.

Albatron K8SLI
Stable DDR400 Timings - 4 DIMMs
(4/4 slots populated - 2 Dual-Channel Banks)
Clock Speed: 200MHz
CAS Latency: 2
RAS to CAS Delay: 2
RAS Precharge: 2
RAS Cycle Time: 7
Voltage: 2.8V
Command Rate: 2T

The Albatron K8SLI was completely stable with 4 DDR modules in Dual-Channel at the settings of 2-2-2-7, at the default 2.8V.

Albatron K8SLI: Features FOXCONN NF4SK8AA-8KRS: Features
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  • Gary Key - Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - link

    quote:

    I agree, I feel that the article makes some unfounded and moreover highly irresponsible statements, such as "in fact, the current price structure almost ensures that your nForce4 purchase should be an SLI-capable motherboard." SLI is not worth it in any way, shape, or form from any cost/performance standpoint, unless you happen to be the enthusiast user who wants the highest possible performance available today no matter the cost. For everyone else SLI is worthess...and yet how many new users are going to go out and waste their cash on an SLI board because of statements made in the article like the one above?


    As stated in the article the current pricing structure lends itself to the purchase of an SLI capable motherboard if the nForce4 is your chipset of choice. Even if you do not utilize SLI you at least have the option of doing so, if not for gaming, then for multiple monitor support and excellent performance utilizing two x8 lanes. If you look at the current support from the motherboard suppliers and product plans it is very obvious that SLI/CrossFire capable motherboards are becoming the standard across all price points. Our statements were based on these facts regarding the motherboard choices available. If you consider the potential cost/performance benefits then why pay the same amount of money for a board that is not capable of SLI or CrossFire and will probably not receive the same level of support over the lifespan of the product.
  • bob661 - Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - link

    quote:

    SLI is not worth it in any way, shape, or form from any cost/performance standpoint, unless you happen to be the enthusiast user who wants the highest possible performance available today no matter the cost.


    Isn't this a contradiction?
  • Capt Caveman - Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - link

    What are you talking about? You can get a SLI board for $70.
  • andlcool - Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - link

    for the asus one, it should be ddr and not ddr2.
  • ElFenix - Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - link

    still, should be a good price for stock speed boards
  • ElFenix - Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - link

    looking at the first chart i mean. doesn't seem to fall off much eh?

    <--- wants an edit function
  • Gary Key - Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - link

    The Foxconn board offered excellent stability throughout testing although it certainly is not targeted at the overclocking crowd. The performance was certainly acceptable and without the benchmarks you probably would not be able to tell the difference between it and the other boards. The layout is really nice unless you plan on utilizing two video cards with two slot cooling solutions as the space becomes very tight between the two x16 slots.

    I would like an edit function also. ;->

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