Nick, in answer to the C&Q question. My computer, with the setting you gave me, will not boot up if I enable C&Q in BIOS.
Yes I have the latest Bios and the 91.45 drivers installed.
Am going to have to replace my stock HSF as the idle temps are mid to high 40s. I have not had a real chance to load it up and see what happens yet. Work keeps interfering with the fun stuff.
Am looking at the other goodies you sent now, will let you know what happens.
Thanks again for the info.
The Coo&Queit setting has worked on past Asus boards. What it does is create a "window" on the VCORE and CPU multipler based on the manual settings and uses it to raise and lower both items based on the load.
I have not worked with it as of yet on the A8N32 but what I think Asus may have changed, based on your description and a few others I have read, is the top end of that window. I do not believe the A8N32 will support a manual setting of the multipler when C&Q is enabled.
Theory Only:
Therefore the only way C&Q might work while clocking the A8n32 is to have the CPU multipler set to [AUTO] which means in order to clock the formulas would need to use the CPU's base multipler. X2 4400+ as I recall is stock @ 11X with a 1.30-1.35 vcore which means with C&Q enabled your system was trying to boot @ 2750 based on a 250FSB but the vcore of 1.4V was too low for that. In order to boot 2750 with C&Q enabled I think you will need to boost vcore to at least 1.6v. Without a good HSF I would not attempt it and run games.
However... you CAN test that theory without worry of damage... set the CPU to [AUTO] and the VCORE to [1.60-1.65v], reboot... then re-enter the BIOS and enable C&Q and reboot. If it boots my theory was correct. You could boot into Windows with that setting but I would caution running any intense applications and monitor the CPU temp closely if you do decide to run a few minor tests memory bandwidth benchmarks. If it stays below 60, its warm but still well within tolerance.
Be advise the A64 does have a thermal shutdown circuit which works 10x better than the Tbirds of the past. It won't run much past 72c and damage does not occur until it gets above 85c. I doubt you would ever see those temps unless your HSF was not installed correctly or the tower sits in a high ambient environment.
If you do replace the HSF, make sure to also buy Arctic Silver compound. Dont use ANY thermal pads. The HSF I posted comes with a laser cut mirror finish and no pad.
With a dual processor and the type of video hardware you are running I would say your assesment of the HSF is correct even if you were not clocking it up a tad.
I highly recommend the one I posted. It's expensive but well worth the investment. It also comes with an awesome little fan controller which I keep maxed @ 2100... and with SPEEDFAN enabled in windows it idles @ 1100 so I cant even tell its on @ idle. That HSF is directional... it points directy to the rear fan which, if the tower is built correctly, should be across from the CPU socket. The HSF directs the air across the fins to the rear fan wich expells it immediantly.
I use this fan for the rear of my tower:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835185006That little jewel runs a SONY fluid dynamic bearing and because of that, it is practically SILENT @ 50% speed. I also contol it with SPEEDFAN software. When the tower is under 77c it runs @ 800 RPM (dead silent) ... @ 77c it comes up to 1500 RPM till it clears the heat out of the tower, then returns to 800. If you have ever heard a typical needle bearing 120mm fan run @ 15-1800rpm... that fan is less than 1/2 the noise:
63.7CFM
Mechanical Noise Level 28.0dBA
Assuming the back of your tower will hold a 120mm fan, it is well worth the investment. My tower had the mount holes but was originally cut for an 80mm so I had to do some trimming with a set of tin shears and a file, then used a piece of 1/8th inch rubber hose you can get at the auto parts store, sliced it open down the side and slid it over the cut edge in the new fan hole as a nice seal/vibration dampner and dressing.
Last edited by NicksFXHouse on Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
