Hey Kursah
Nice article on Overclocking.
I just finished it, making sure I didn't miss any of "your" important issues. I must say that is a nice pile of articles and programs you have amassed. Lots of goodies. I should be happy with my 2.8Ghz overclock, but like many, why not push it more to see how far you can go. Well I am not trying to break any records or anything. My main reason to get above 2.8Ghz is very simple really. I am trying to get my Rig sorted out for when Crysis and COD4 hits. I have played the Beta for Crysis, and basing anything of a beta is silly I know. But since I am stuck with 320Mb of VRam I am going to need to push my CPU to get better Frames per sec with the eye candy turned on. I won't be running any overclock unless I am doing Gaming. That being said, I am very tempted to Flash my BIOS to 1604, I was looking last night on the ASUS forums and it seems no one is having lots of problems since that version. You mentioned something very important that I need clarification on. You said:
The recommended method is via 3.5" floppy disk or if supported USB Drive upon reboot. Even then you must ensure that the PC's power is not switched during the update (takes a couple of seconds average, might be short, but it's a very important two seconds).
So I am concerned with my Rig doing "cold boots" between Re-starts or Re-booting. As soon as I hit "save settings and restart" In the BIOS for example, My rig shuts down completely, Fans off dead silent for a sec or two. Then Beep, on to booting. Is that pause in power going to damage My attempt to Flash my Bios?!
I have read that "cold booting" is a issue with these boards. Is that correct from your understanding? I just really need to be certain of everything before I try something new like Flashing my BIOS. I hear it over and over that, Only Flash your BIOS if your having hardware issues. Well this is a major issue isn't it? Here is a list of all the Fixes since BIOS version 0806.
Enhance memory compatibility under FSB1333 mode
Add new CPU uCode to support new processor
Revise SLP 2.0 rule
Enable hotplug support under AHCI mode
Fix displayed CPU frequency incorrectly after downgrade CPU ratio
Fix system may sometimes hang after load default in setup then exiting right away while having Conroe CPU installed.
Finetune Q-Fan control algorithm
Enable EIST under VISTA
Fix BBS device string not correct under AHCI mode
Support SLP2.0 string
Fix HCT unreported I/O and memory issuse
Support disable USB function item
Allow disable XD for conroe L
Add full reset after change DRAM mode to enhance memory compatibility
Support CONROE E0 CPU(FSB 1333)
Fix AC Power loss function not correct
Support x4 DIMM
Enable support for WiFi-TV card
Enable PreslerXE 3.73 support
Enable USB like support for SATA HDD connected to JMICRON controller when JMicron option is set to IDE or AHCI mode
Drop CPU fan low limit to 600rpm when Conroe CPU is in use.
Enhance ATA ODD compatibility
Support Conroe-L CPU
Fix CPU VCORE too high after overclocking fail
Fix DRAM frequency incorrectly display problem under auto, standard and AI N.O.S mode
Reduce system full reset of times
Patch some VGA card can't found when NB Vcore value has been set too high
Fix DDR frequency 889 unstable by SPD
Improve S3 resume time
Fix FSB not correct displayed in BIOS setup when CPU has been set to non-standard frequency
Fix chassis fan 2 speed not correct when fan speed too low
Support DDR2 double side x16 module
Enable support for CPU ratio adjustment on Kentsfield B0 stepping CPU
Enable conroe/kentsfield ratio overclocking higher above default value
Fix CPU Fan profile mode not correct after system shutdown
Revise temperature reading algorithm
Update MRC code
Enhance memory compatibility for DDR533 and DDR667 modules.
Revise S3 fuction not stable when CPU FSB over 300MHz.
Add dram frequency help string
That is all the ones that the ASUS moderator posted to me. He also said:
"There is, as somebody once said, absolutely no reason to revise your BIOS ... unless you are having a documented problem for which there is a documented fix."
So after looking at that list what do you think. Is there something in there that might help.
Keep in mind That I will be installing Vista Home premium 32 Bit as soon as I get Crysis up and running. I want the DX10 support. Can't wait, Looks Freakin Awesome!!
Anyways, I also think the "Enhance memory compatibility under FSB1333 mode" Will help me when My FSB is getting Maxed out. Do you agree? And Since I will be installing Vista soon I might as well get the Vista fixes now with the new BIOS version. I know that I will be experiencing a hole new set of problems with Vista. If it is that bad, the overclocking in Vista that is. I will have no choice to use XP. Like I said. I really want to figure out this overclocking issue before Next month. Do you any Downside to Flashing my BIOS? I mean I know the Risks are there, but it is inevitable, I am going to have to Flash one day. Those Vista issues in that list are going to rear their head too. So should I just Get the Flash over with or is there something I am overlooking when trying to break the 2.8Ghz hump?