Rated: 65.71% (7 votes)
Loading ...Be careful not to choose a motherboard just based on its maximum stable FSB
James Gorbold
For the last few weeks Chris and I have been working on a Labs test of DDR2 memory kits for the next issue of Custom PC (Issue 48).
Initially, we started testing using as Asus Striker Extreme motherboard, based on the Nvidia nForce 680i SLI chipset. We chose this motherboard because we know its such a great overclocker. However, after we had tested a dozen DDR2 kits a pattern started to emerge - the Striker Extreme is indeed capable of running a very high FSB stably, but its not able to run the RAM nearly as fast. This meant it was unable to run many of the high-end kits (PC2-9200) at their stock settings, let alone overclock them.
After making the painful decision to ditch all the benchmark results we had already gathered (a week’s work) we then switched to an Asus P5K Deluxe motherboard based on the Intel P35 chipset. As suspected, the Intel Northbridge not only overclocks to a similar or higher FSB than the Nvidia Northbridge, but also supports much higher memory frequencies.
For example, one kit overclocked to just 1GHz in the Striker Extreme, while in the P5K Deluxe it works fine at 1.2GHz.
So next time you’re thinking about upgrading motherboards its important not just to pay attention to the maximum stable FSB, but also how hard it can drive the memory.
Vadim have reported problems with the Asus Striker mobo, particularly involving long term reliability issues:
http://www.vadim.co.uk/faq/Specific+Product+Questions/Asus+Striker+Extreme+680i+-+Is+this+motherboard+stable%3F/
I agree absolutely, so keep those comprehensive reviews coming !
That’s what we pay you for - and you-re good at it !
Has anyone ever built a PC, purely from comonents on your Elite list ?
Well, I’m gonna be the first - would you a picture when it’s done ?
I’m sure some readers may have tried building a PC from the Elite list before, but not told us. I think the closest article to this was a feature we did way back in Issue 34, unfortunately this feature isn’t not on website though (it’s too old).
As people have said, this is why we rely on CPC for in depth reviews. I don’t know about purely using components on the elite list, but plenty of people will have used several components from the list. My hard drive, HSF, mid range case and RAM all used to be on the Elite list. But my other components were selected because they were right for me rather than just because they may have been on someone else’s list.
I have the Striker and I am trying to run 4 x 1Gb sticks of corsair dominator PC2 8500. I cant even run it at 800Mhz stabily. I know i am putting more strain on the memory controller running 4 sticks but you would expect it to be able to run 800Mhz.
The board has never been able to run even 2 sticks stabily at 1066 Mhz. Although windows started it used to blu screen regularly and report memory errors!
Not majorly impressed to be honest!
The FSB and strap settings have a major impact on the RAM performance on 680I mobos. If the strap is slack enough, its possible to run 500MHz RAM @ 3-3-3 1T, but performance sucks. Maybe you guys just got unlucky with the settings you were choosing.
I personally had no problem running high RAM numbers on my Asus 680I board, but I had to be careful about straps.
I appreciate you guys dont always/ever? have time to get deep and personal with a bit of kit.
K
K,
Sorry but i dont know what the strap is. Could you explain it to me?
As there are several uses of the word strap/bootstrap when overclocking I’m not 100% sure what K404 meant.
However, my educated guess is that K404 was using the term to describe the technique of getting a motherboard to POST at a low FSB initially (just to get it started up gently) then increasing the FSB later.
(Sorry if I assumed incorrectly K404, I guess you could have also meant the HTT multiplier, which some people sometimes also call a strap).
i wanted to ask could you possibly point out the best AMD ATI mobo rig available at the mo in your next issue cuz im due to chance my mobo soon but i want a AM2 PCI-E x16 rig thats the dogs B*ll*x cuz after all i dont want be like all the low life intel nvidia fans with the unstable nvidia vista drivers and the ugly intel netburst fans logo on my system to be honest i think AMD are keeping us pc gamers gaming and technology moving on cuz if it was just intel and nvidia out there we would be stuck with the same technology for the next 5 years
and we wouldnt want that now would we so thanx to real pc fans like me all of you guys are still landing on you feet and if no one will help us out then expect your feet to be pulled from beneath you and land directly on your face… oh well you are intel fans so i wouldnt be too botherd to see that lol
too right!!!