ASUS P5B: New BIOS Adds Unlocking & Improved Overclocking
by Wesley Fink on August 24, 2006 3:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
The introduction of Core 2 Duo about a month ago delivered a new processor with about a 25% improvement in performance over the fastest chips in the market. The top-line X6800, running at 2.93GHz, was the most flexible of the new processors, with completely unlocked multipliers up and down. This allowed settings like running at a 13x multiplier (stock is 11x) at 277 FSB (3.6GHz) at default voltage - the result of the incredible head room exhibited by the new Conroe processors.
Unfortunately, the X6800 costs $999 which is way out of the budget range for many buyers - and it's even more at retail right now due to demand and availability, with the best price we're currently tracking at $1150. The good news is the lowest-priced E6300 outperformed every previous Intel chip. Compared to AMD the E6600 outperformed every AMD processor, and costs $364 to $433 compared to the $825 to $950 for the AMD top-line FX-62. (Almost all of the Core 2 processors are being marked up 10% to 20% at retail, though we expect prices to drop over the coming months.)
So is there a catch? The answer is yes and no. The X6800, as stated, is unlocked up and down, allowing the flexibility to do anything you wish with the outstanding head room of the Core 2 Duo architecture. The rest of the Core 2 Duo chips are hard-locked up and down, which greatly limits the flexibility of the head room which often runs 1000MHz, 1500 MHz, or more - depending on the CPU and motherboard. You could only access this extra power at the stock multiplier. This is actually a big negative compared to AM2 processors, where all chips are at least unlocked down.
ASUS has a history of incredible creativity in their mainstream motherboards. Those who recall the P865 Springdale will remember ASUS was the first to implement the "875 only" PAT speedup on the mainstream 865 - making the 865 just as fast as the more expensive 875. On the 925, where Intel had implemented a clock lock, ASUS was the first to find a way to break the clock lock and unleash extended speeds on their 875 motherboards. With this history in mind, it should not come as a surprise that ASUS has just introduced some very creative thinking in a new BIOS for their 965P chipset P5B Deluxe motherboard.
The new 0507 BIOS for the P5B Deluxe, dated 8/10/2006, has two new and exciting features:
Even more exciting is that ASUS says they have found a way to unlock up or down most Conroe chips. This will be a significant new feature that is highly desired by many Core 2 Duo buyers. It didn't take but a few minutes for us to get the new BIOS flashed and a Core 2 Duo chip mounted to check this out.
A pattern has been developing for some time in test results from Core 2 Duo chips. The 2MB Cache chips, the E6300 and E6400, are generally overclocking a bit better than the 4MB E6600, E6700, and X6800 chips. Since performance of the 2MB is a bit lower than the 4MB cache at the same frequency, this means you can make up for some of the 2MB cache deficiency with the ability to run at a faster speed. With this in mind, testing was performed with all 4 of the Core 2 Duo chips that are multiplier locked - the 4MB E6700 and E6600, and the 2MB E6400 and E6300.
| Intel Core 2 Processors | |||
| CPU | Clock Speed | L2 Cache | Price |
| Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 | 2.93GHz | 4MB | $999 |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 | 2.66GHz | 4MB | $530 |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 | 2.40GHz | 4MB | $316 |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 | 2.13GHz | 2MB | $224 |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 | 1.86GHz | 2MB | $183 |
Unfortunately, the X6800 costs $999 which is way out of the budget range for many buyers - and it's even more at retail right now due to demand and availability, with the best price we're currently tracking at $1150. The good news is the lowest-priced E6300 outperformed every previous Intel chip. Compared to AMD the E6600 outperformed every AMD processor, and costs $364 to $433 compared to the $825 to $950 for the AMD top-line FX-62. (Almost all of the Core 2 processors are being marked up 10% to 20% at retail, though we expect prices to drop over the coming months.)
So is there a catch? The answer is yes and no. The X6800, as stated, is unlocked up and down, allowing the flexibility to do anything you wish with the outstanding head room of the Core 2 Duo architecture. The rest of the Core 2 Duo chips are hard-locked up and down, which greatly limits the flexibility of the head room which often runs 1000MHz, 1500 MHz, or more - depending on the CPU and motherboard. You could only access this extra power at the stock multiplier. This is actually a big negative compared to AM2 processors, where all chips are at least unlocked down.
ASUS has a history of incredible creativity in their mainstream motherboards. Those who recall the P865 Springdale will remember ASUS was the first to implement the "875 only" PAT speedup on the mainstream 865 - making the 865 just as fast as the more expensive 875. On the 925, where Intel had implemented a clock lock, ASUS was the first to find a way to break the clock lock and unleash extended speeds on their 875 motherboards. With this history in mind, it should not come as a surprise that ASUS has just introduced some very creative thinking in a new BIOS for their 965P chipset P5B Deluxe motherboard.
The new 0507 BIOS for the P5B Deluxe, dated 8/10/2006, has two new and exciting features:
- Provide better maximum overclocking.
- Add the ability to adjust the multiplier of most Conroe CPUs even if they are not Extreme Edition.
Even more exciting is that ASUS says they have found a way to unlock up or down most Conroe chips. This will be a significant new feature that is highly desired by many Core 2 Duo buyers. It didn't take but a few minutes for us to get the new BIOS flashed and a Core 2 Duo chip mounted to check this out.
A pattern has been developing for some time in test results from Core 2 Duo chips. The 2MB Cache chips, the E6300 and E6400, are generally overclocking a bit better than the 4MB E6600, E6700, and X6800 chips. Since performance of the 2MB is a bit lower than the 4MB cache at the same frequency, this means you can make up for some of the 2MB cache deficiency with the ability to run at a faster speed. With this in mind, testing was performed with all 4 of the Core 2 Duo chips that are multiplier locked - the 4MB E6700 and E6600, and the 2MB E6400 and E6300.
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ZachSaw - Thursday, August 24, 2006 - link
If you're in my position, knowing so much without the liberty of sharing the knowledge, you'll know how I feel. So it's not arrogance. I simply am not allowed to disclose too much. And do feel free to continue speculating. I've allowed you guys to go on for years without intervention, but this simply crosses the line. Anyhow, you probably won't be hearing much from me any more. If I've appeared to you as an arrogant prick trying to guide the authors to the correct path, then so be it.
atenza - Friday, August 25, 2006 - link
I agree with you. I'm sure there is absolutely no way to change the multiplier UPWARDS on a stock E6300-E6700. Given the overclocking potential of any of these CPUs, everyone could simply make his cheaper CPU a X6800 (or X6800 with 2MB cache :) And this really is the last thing Intel wants.Anemone - Thursday, August 24, 2006 - link
The article wasn't really so bad as the criticisms seem to tell, imo. Abusing IST has been around a while I admit but the basis of a stronger memory controller bios still stands and this board is significantly stronger than Gigabyte's in that regard alone.There were B1 steppings that made it to retail, at least according to a few of the recording threads I've seen.
I think the only thing truly sad is that the bios's have been abhorrently buggy on the 975's the 965's and the 590's. People have started to measure which is the "least buggy" which is kind of crazy at the prices these boards are commanding. People need to let these things cool a bit, and mature a LOT, before they're going to be worth what's being asked for them. Only after things have matured and are tested are we really going to see which of all is worthy of the money. And sadly, from what I'm hearing, the 590 is definitely NOT going to be it, so better keep an eye on the other two.
ZachSaw - Thursday, August 24, 2006 - link
Nope.
It's true that Gigabyte sucks when it comes to memory compatibility. But this article is not about that, is it?
If Gigabyte fixes the issues on memory compatibility, and the author writes about it saying that it's the first manufacturer to come out with a bios that is highly compatible with a lot of memory modules, I'll still be ranting about it.
People should own up to their mistakes.
ZachSaw - Thursday, August 24, 2006 - link
Well, perhaps the author shouldn't jump at the very first chance to suck the toe of ASUS' BIOS programmer... check around forums to find out if other manufacturers have this feature as well. A little research is always required before you start writing an article that will be read by thousands of people. It's the author's obligation.Madellga - Thursday, August 24, 2006 - link
Specially when Gary knows that. A coffee chat would do it.bob661 - Thursday, August 24, 2006 - link
Give me SLI on this chipset and I'll kick the upcoming 590 to the curb!Atty - Thursday, August 24, 2006 - link
If ASUS has added this feature for the P5B does that mean that the other boards for Core 2 (most importantly for me the nForce 500's) will have this feature?ZachSaw - Thursday, August 24, 2006 - link
Why's everyone so worried about other boards not having it?It's a very simple addition. Gimme the BIOS source, I'll add it in for u. It's a default 'feature' of the CPU, so whether or not you get it in your board will depend on how diligent your mobo's BIOS programmer is. Shouldn't take longer than 30 minutes to implement and test (internally of course). It's the process of complete validation of a new release that most BIOS programmers fear.
mpc7488 - Thursday, August 24, 2006 - link
Great results, very exciting.