Asus P5N32-E SLI
11. Overclocking
The Asus P5N32-E SLI has all the potential to become an overclocking champion. Nvidia 680i SLI offers many options from within the BIOS to optimize voltages, CPU multiplier and FSB. You need to note the capability to set memory voltages up to 3.45V, which at such high voltages will "fry" your memory modules so take care, but it is a good option for experienced overclockers. The memory settings from within the BIOS offer the option of having the FSB and memory linked or unlinked, and don't forget you can run at 1T with this board. Great help for overclockers too. Finally, if something is not configured properly in the BIOS settings, the board will resume in 90% of cases. So there's no need to do a CMOS clear.
Let's now move on to our results. Keeping the CPU multiplier at 9x, we got a stable system at 355FSB, which is somewhat higher than with the P5B Deluxe (350FSB).
Lowering the CPU multiplier to 6x, we could manage a stable system at 425FSB. The system was able to reach as high as 480, but stability was an issue.
Having read other users reports, this board can definitely go up to 500+FSB (with the proper voltage tweaks and the selected CPU/RAM combination). Overall, we are very impressed with the overclocking capabilities of this board.
Below are our settings, that reached 425MHZ FSB
AI Tuning: Manual
Nvidia GPU Ex: Disabled
LinkBoost: Disabled
FSB - Memory Clock Mode: Unlinked
x FSB - Memory Ratio: N/A
FSB (QDR), Mhz: 1700 (means 425FSB)
Actual FSB (QDR), Mhz: 1700
MEM (DDR), Mhz: 800 (means 400mhz speeds)
Actual MEM (DDR), Mhz: 880.2
Vcore Voltage: AUTO
Memory Voltage: 2AUTO
1.2v HT Voltage: AUTO
NB Core Voltage: AUTO
SB Core Voltage: AUTO
CPU VTT Voltage: AUTO
DDRII Controller Ref Voltage: AUTO
DDRII Channel A Ref Voltage: AUTO
DDRII Channel B Ref Voltage: AUTO
tCL (CAS Latency): 4
tRCD: 4
tRP: 4
tRAS: 8
Command Per Clock (CMD): 2 clock (2T)
Advance Memory Settings
tRRD: AUTO
tRC: AUTO
tWR: AUTO
tWTR: AUTO
tREF: AUTO
Async Latency: AUTO
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum: Disabled
LDT Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Internal Thermal Control: Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal: Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E): Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled
Virtualization Technology: Disabled
Enhanced Intel Speedstep Tech: Disabled
LDT Frequency: 5x
PCIEX16_1 Frequency (Mhz): 100
PCIEX16_2 Frequency (Mhz): 100
PCIEX16_3 Frequency (Mhz): 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, Mhz: 200