A8N-SLI Deluxe/Premium thread

[i_m_weasel]

I have an A8N-SLI that I got from ZipZoomFly that has BIOS 1001. The box was opened and the motherboard anti-static bag was opened when I got them, but everything was there. The board works fine.

The Asus EZ selector card for SLI was actually in the DUAL position but I didn't notice that. I put my 1 BFG 6800GT OC in the blue slot, and put a 5V connector to the 5V EZ-plug (not realizing that I didn't have to do that with only 1 card), and booted and everyone was happy. Then I noticed I don't have any PEG menu items in my BIOS under any menu anywhere. I only started looking due to the horrible stuttering I get with this system in a few games (to include PlanetSide from SOE - same people that make EQ that is mentioned in the release notes for the latest Forceware drivers). I have subsequently put the EZ selector card into the correct position and removed the 5V supply for other uses.

Has anyone else had this "issue" where they don't have "PEG Link Mode" in their BIOS under "Advanced"????

[CrowdAds]

[JCNiest5]

According to your signature, you have a very, very old BIOS! Flash it to the newest BIOS (1006 Final) or 1007.003 beta. You should see PEG Link Control afterward, I believe (unless there's something wrong with your mobo).

[KevinST]

I asked Asus to send me a couple of replacement fans... they refused and said I would need to send the board off for repair (approx 2 week turn around!!!) or return it to reseller... again without the motherboard for some time.
So I've installed the Switech MCX159 cooler (as I have a single 6800GT) just as stumpjumper has... not powered it up yet as the PSU hasn't been fitted to the new chassis.

I've put a thermal probe under the heatsink so I'll be able to monitor the chipset temps... might be useful as the fan on the MCX158 doesn't have a speed signal

@stumpjumper... did you remove the square shim and use the 4 pads supplied with the MCX159 or stick with the original shim?? I used the 4 pads as I thought the original shim was a bit too thin and worried about chushing the chip.

[i_m_weasel]

Originally Posted by JCNiest5

According to your signature, you have a very, very old BIOS! Flash it to the newest BIOS (1006 Final) or 1007.003 beta. You should see PEG Link Control afterward, I believe (unless there's something wrong with your mobo).

No - I have the latest. I don't have the A8N-Deluxe SLI, I have the A8N-SLI. I keep following threads and find out sometimes they mean A8N-Deluxe and just leave the "Deluxe" off their description until later. Unless of course its okay to flash an A8N-SLI with the BIOS for the A8N-Deluxe SLI??? I had "assumed" not!

[stumpjumper]

Originally Posted by KevinST

@stumpjumper... did you remove the square shim and use the 4 pads supplied with the MCX159 or stick with the original shim?? I used the 4 pads as I thought the original shim was a bit too thin and worried about chushing the chip.

the 4 pads ended up being a little too thick and it wouldn't seat right so I used that shim even though it seems next to useless

also, if you have a dremel, I suggest grinding off a little bit on the corners near the posts so that the top nuts can fit, for first installation they don't matter at all but when you have to take it off it's a complete pain in the *** without them unless you take the mobo out

[KevinST]

Originally Posted by stumpjumper

also, if you have a dremel, I suggest grinding off a little bit on the corners near the posts so that the top nuts can fit, for first installation they don't matter at all but when you have to take it off it's a complete pain in the *** without them unless you take the mobo out

OK, I'm confused / concerned...
Are you saying that the copper base rests on the retaining nuts that hold the screws in place instead of resting on the chip??
I didn't think that they did... but now you've got me doubting myself!
The configuration I have is:

|--W--B--W--N--HS--P/S--F--

Where |------- is the screw, W is the washer, B is the motherboard, N is the nut, HS is the heatsink, P/S is the plastic and spring bits and F is the finger tightened nut.

[stumpjumper]

Originally Posted by KevinST

OK, I'm confused / concerned...
Are you saying that the copper base rests on the retaining nuts that hold the screws in place instead of resting on the chip??
I didn't think that they did... but now you've got me doubting myself!
The configuration I have is:

|--W--B--W--N--HS--P/S--F--

Where |------- is the screw, W is the washer, B is the motherboard, N is the nut, HS is the heatsink, P/S is the plastic and spring bits and F is the finger tightened nut.

yup, it rested just enough on mine that it wouldn't mate well with the chip so I ground back the edge of the copper base by about 1mm on the 2 corners, now instead of a sharp |_ in the corers there's a \_

[KevinST]

Originally Posted by stumpjumper

yup, it rested just enough on mine that it wouldn't mate well with the chip so I ground back the edge of the copper base by about 1mm on the 2 corners, now instead of a sharp |_ in the corers there's a \_

right - the HS's coming off again.
Thanks.

[JCNiest5]

Originally Posted by i_m_weasel

No - I have the latest. I don't have the A8N-Deluxe SLI, I have the A8N-SLI. I keep following threads and find out sometimes they mean A8N-Deluxe and just leave the "Deluxe" off their description until later. Unless of course its okay to flash an A8N-SLI with the BIOS for the A8N-Deluxe SLI??? I had "assumed" not!

Oh, my bad, my bad. I thought you have the Deluxe also (not reading carefully). Sorry about that.

[JCNiest5]

RangersFan, have you changed your NB yet? You've got a PM!

[i_m_weasel]

Originally Posted by JCNiest5

Oh, my bad, my bad. I thought you have the Deluxe also (not reading carefully). Sorry about that.

Don't worry - after I posted I realized this thread was labeled "A8N-SLI Deluxe"!!! But I still hope someone has seen this weird behavior.

Now if nVidia would just release another driver that fixes the &%^# video stutter with 6800 cards! Nothing like having a system that out-performs your last by 20% or more but runs some games with the same stutter! But at least the problem is noted in the nVidia driver release notes.

[KevinST]

Anyone know how / where the system temp is monitored?? Since changing the northbridge fan it appears to be higher. It's reporting 35C in a case with no sides fitted and the PC's only been on for 20 minutes. I'm concerned that the system temp may = the chipset temp and that the new heatsink isn't connected to the chip properly.

[stumpjumper]

Originally Posted by KevinST

Anyone know how / where the system temp is monitored?? Since changing the northbridge fan it appears to be higher. It's reporting 35C in a case with no sides fitted and the PC's only been on for 20 minutes. I'm concerned that the system temp may = the chipset temp and that the new heatsink isn't connected to the chip properly.

I believe that it's directly under the chipset, mine also went up a few degees (to 37c) when I first installed the sink, but after a few days it settled at 33c, in my case I think it was the AS5 doing it's thing

[JCNiest5]

Originally Posted by stumpjumper

I believe that it's directly under the chipset, mine also went up a few degees (to 37c) when I first installed the sink, but after a few days it settled at 33c, in my case I think it was the AS5 doing it's thing

I don't know where it is, but mine never goes over 30 even after a 24-hour burn-in. I remember my former P4C800-E Deluxe has the sensor at the very back of the board, down (or close to) the back of the last PCI slot. I remember if I blew a can of dust buster in that area, the system temp would go down. However, I was never able to locate where exactly the sensor was or how it looked like. I haven't tried the 'dust buster' method on the A8N so I am not sure where it is.

[RangersFan]

JC, you got a PM!