ASUS P5B: New BIOS Adds Unlocking & Improved Overclocking
by Wesley Fink on August 24, 2006 3:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Our Thoughts
First, we should note that certain Gigabyte P965 boards also allow downward unlocks with the latest BIOS releases. ASUS joins them in offering this feature, and they have broken new ground with the 0507 BIOS for the P5B Deluxe. The ability to specify multipliers - even if it's only downward unlocked - is so significant that every other manufacturer will have to follow suit or lose market share to the two motherboard giants.
At present, every Core 2 Duo chip we tried unlocked down (this included both B1 and B2 steppings); however, none of our samples unlocked both up and down. ASUS tells us that many Core 2 Duo chips also unlock upwards, but the upper limit is around a 14X multiplier with those chips that do unlock in both directions. If true, we're certain those chips that can unlock completely will be quickly figured out by enthusiasts and those models and steppings will become the most highly desired Core 2 Duo chips.
Certainly this new BIOS makes the ASUS P5B a much more desirable motherboard. We do need to remind readers, however, that we have generally reached even higher overclocks on the 975X chipset when compared 1:1 with the 965P. ASUS has told us they are not finished with this "Conroe Unlock" feature and that they are working on BIOS revisions to also bring Core 2 Duo unlock to 975X chipset motherboards. We have seen hardware modifications to the Intel 975 BadAxe that allow unlocking, and it would be great if ASUS can accomplish the same with a simple 975 BIOS upgrade, as they have on the P5B Deluxe.
With innovations like this ASUS BIOS, the Intel Core 2 Duo processor is gaining features that make it even more desirable in today's market. To summarize our findings, below are the highest overclocks we could achieve at each ratio with the tested processors:
Those interested in getting the most out of their high-performance DDR2 will be very happy with the unlocking feature. It allows options like the running the memory at 1:1 at DDR2-800 and 3-3-3 timings as we have done in this screen capture of a 9x400 overclock on an E6700 with memory set at the DDR2-533 ratio.
ASUS has earned our thanks for making the 965P chipset worth considering again. With overclocks up to 532 in our testing, with multipliers settable to x6 on all tested chips, and with multipliers purportedly also unlocked at the top on some formerly locked Conroe chips this BIOS upgrade has to be considered a must for any ASUS P5B Deluxe owner. For those considering a new Conroe board, the already desirable P5B has just moved to the head of the 965P class. The only feature missing now is support for CrossFire video configurations, which remains an advantage of the 975X for gaming enthusiasts.
First, we should note that certain Gigabyte P965 boards also allow downward unlocks with the latest BIOS releases. ASUS joins them in offering this feature, and they have broken new ground with the 0507 BIOS for the P5B Deluxe. The ability to specify multipliers - even if it's only downward unlocked - is so significant that every other manufacturer will have to follow suit or lose market share to the two motherboard giants.
At present, every Core 2 Duo chip we tried unlocked down (this included both B1 and B2 steppings); however, none of our samples unlocked both up and down. ASUS tells us that many Core 2 Duo chips also unlock upwards, but the upper limit is around a 14X multiplier with those chips that do unlock in both directions. If true, we're certain those chips that can unlock completely will be quickly figured out by enthusiasts and those models and steppings will become the most highly desired Core 2 Duo chips.
Certainly this new BIOS makes the ASUS P5B a much more desirable motherboard. We do need to remind readers, however, that we have generally reached even higher overclocks on the 975X chipset when compared 1:1 with the 965P. ASUS has told us they are not finished with this "Conroe Unlock" feature and that they are working on BIOS revisions to also bring Core 2 Duo unlock to 975X chipset motherboards. We have seen hardware modifications to the Intel 975 BadAxe that allow unlocking, and it would be great if ASUS can accomplish the same with a simple 975 BIOS upgrade, as they have on the P5B Deluxe.
With innovations like this ASUS BIOS, the Intel Core 2 Duo processor is gaining features that make it even more desirable in today's market. To summarize our findings, below are the highest overclocks we could achieve at each ratio with the tested processors:
| Core 2 Overclocking | ||||||
| CPU | Stock Speed | X10 | X9 | X8 | X7 | X6 |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 | 2.66GHz | 360 3.6GHz |
400 3.6GHz |
440 3.52GHz |
494 3.46GHz |
494 2.96GHz |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 | 2.40GHz | - | 402 3.62GHz |
445 3.56GHz |
495 3.47GHz |
495 2.97GHz |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 | 2.13GHz | - | - | 445 3.56GHz |
511 3.58GHz |
514 3.08GHz |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 | 1.86GHz | - | - | - | 525 3.68GHz |
532 3.19GHz |
Those interested in getting the most out of their high-performance DDR2 will be very happy with the unlocking feature. It allows options like the running the memory at 1:1 at DDR2-800 and 3-3-3 timings as we have done in this screen capture of a 9x400 overclock on an E6700 with memory set at the DDR2-533 ratio.
ASUS has earned our thanks for making the 965P chipset worth considering again. With overclocks up to 532 in our testing, with multipliers settable to x6 on all tested chips, and with multipliers purportedly also unlocked at the top on some formerly locked Conroe chips this BIOS upgrade has to be considered a must for any ASUS P5B Deluxe owner. For those considering a new Conroe board, the already desirable P5B has just moved to the head of the 965P class. The only feature missing now is support for CrossFire video configurations, which remains an advantage of the 975X for gaming enthusiasts.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
84 Comments
View All Comments
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.