![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Tuesday , June 28, 2005
- Author:
- Morry Teitelman
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
ASUS P5WD2 Premium
Based on a tried and true design, ASUS delivers a winner with this i955X-based motherboard. Read on to find out just how much this board may change the current motherboard landscape.
BIOS (continued)
The JumperFree Configuration submenu, accessed through the Advanced screen, contains all board related FSB and voltage configuration options. The options available to the user for configuration change according to the selection of the AI Overclocking option.
Setting the AI Overclocking option to Auto or Extreme limits the configuration to the bare minimum available, forcing the BIOS to decide the optimal voltage and FSB settings. With the Overclock Profile setting selected, a number of preset overclocking parameters become available using the Overclock Options setting. While the system still controls the actual voltage and FSB settings, this option allows the user to control the amount of overclocking attempted by percentages and values. Setting the AI Overclocking option to AI Non-delay Overclocking System (N.O.S.) mode enables various AI specific options. The N.O.S. Mode option controls the sensitivity of the triggering of the dynamic overclocking system, while the Target Frequency option controls the range of overclocking allowable, with a maximum of 30% over the default CPU speed available. Note that in all modes, with the exception of Manual, all board voltage and FSB configuration are automatically configured by the BIOS and/or the AI system.
The following options, with the exception of the Performance Mode and AiBooster Support options, only appear when the AI Overclocking option is set to Manual. The CPU Frequency option sets the base CPU FSB, allowing for a maximum 450 MHz (1800 MHz quad pumped) FSB. Note that this setting must be either typed in using the numeric keys or selected using the + and - keys. The DRAM Frequency option controls the FSB of the DDR2 modules through the uses of preset ratios. The ratios are CPU FSB dependent with ratios being as follows, listed in the format DDR FSB:CPU FSB: 400MHz is 1:1, 533MHz is 4:3, 600 MHz is 3:2; 667MHz is 5:3; and 800MHz is 2:1.. The Performance Mode option controls the aggressiveness of internal chipset timing settings, with the Turbo setting giving the best overall performance. The PCI Express Frequency option controls the FSB for all system PCI-Express based devices, including the x16 video card slot, with an allowable maximum of 150 MHz. The PCI Clock Synchronization MHz option controls the speed of the PCI bus, with the option of either hard locking the bus at 33.3MHz or allowing for system-adjusted speeds based on the selected CPU FSB.
The Memory Voltage option dictates the amount of power supplied to the DDR2 modules, with a maximum setting of 2.3V. The CPU voltage is determined by the CPU VCore Voltage setting, with a maximum of 1.7V possible. This should be plenty for most overclocking needs. The FSB Termination Voltage controls the board’s Vtt voltage, which is normally regulated via the board to at least half of the DRAM voltage. This setting allows for both auto and manual configuration of the Vtt voltage, with the manual options allowing for more precise adjustment during overclocking situations. The Northbridge chipset voltage is controlled via the MCH Chipset Voltage options, while the Southbridge voltage is set using the ICH Chipset Voltage option. Both options allow for a minimal increase in the default voltage available, but they should aid in your overclocking endeavors somewhat.