Norfolk_lad

Hi to members of this forum.
Having looked around for quite some time, I am considering the following spec for my new computer:

Asus P4P800 (i865pe) Motherboard, incorporating:

P4 3.0Ghz 1Mb 800 FSB (Prescott) CPU
DDRam 2x256Mb PC3200 400
DVD Rom 16x MSI
Floppy Drive
ATX Midi (4 bay) 350 Watt Case/PSU
160GB 7200rpm 8Mb SATA 150 HDD
FX5700 128mb Ultra 3 TV-out Graphics Card
Windows XP Home Ed

I will be using my old CTX 17” monitor / Mercury 2.1 speakers/ LG 40x12x40 CD/RW (from my old P3 500 desktop unit) until I can afford to replace these items.

Any advice on the how well the components go together on the Asus P4P800 motherboard would be gratefully received. I think this is a good price/performance spec - what do you think? Is there anything to specify before ordering the components (e.g. type of Ram)?

I don’t intend to do any overclocking adjustments, just want to get a reasonable spec. I have seen so many good reviews about Asus P4P800 motherboard in terms of reliability and performance so decided to go with this version. I am not that bothered about raid or firewire, so the basic P4P800 over the Deluxe version seems the sensible choice to me (and a bit cheaper).

I hope to keep the computer for the next 5 to 6 years before considering the need to upgrade again (possible to 64 bit processing, who knows) so it’s important to get the spec right first time.

I have read that there have been some problems with the motherboards’ on-board sound – is this a big problem?

Thanks for reading this post. Any advice would be most welcome.

mark3567

Hi,

There are a few items you may want to look at:

1) First, the Prescott is full of problems with heat, compatibility, and it takes a lot of power, so if I were you, I would spell for the Northwood of the same size, and it will perform as well as the Prescott without all the trouble.

2) You don't want to build this rig with a 350 watt power supply. I would look at a case with at least a 425 as a minimum and ask you to take a look at a brand name like Antec or Enermax. All power supplies are not created equal and some off brand 500 power supplies do not do as well as an Antec 350. If you have to skimp, don't skimp on this area.

3) What ever you do with the memory, don't buy any memory that is not on the approved list from ASUS. If you do (some do for price), you will have more trouble than you can imagine.

That is my personal opinion.

Norfolk_lad

Thanks Mark3567, your comments are really appreciated – I will certainly take them onboard.

Thanks again.
Norfolk_lad.

blackduck30

I would consider a sound card as I love my mobo but the onboard sound gave me curry from day 1 untill I put a soundblaster card in and not a problem since

Norfolk_lad

Hi Blackduck30.

I have read on this forum that the onboard sound had created problems for a few users and that solution appears to be a dedicated sound card. I will just have to see how it goes for me. Just wondered if this was a problem for the majority of Asus 4P800 motherboard owners?

Thanks for your comments – much appreciated.

Norfolk_lad

Blackduck30.

I have just noticed that on the Asus web site,
http://www.asus.com/products/mb/overview_p4.htm
the Audio for the P4P800 is provided by ‘ADI 1985 6CH’ not ‘Realtek ALC850 8CH’ - which I understood to be a common link with all the sound problems. Is this a recent change? Can you confirm which audio version you have? Thanks.
Norfolk_lad.

blackduck30

Good pickup, I'm not sure if the ADI 1985 6CH’ is having problems but I just presumed they were using the ‘Realtek ALC850 8CH’ . I'm sure it is just a driver problem with the ‘Realtek ALC850 8CH’ but I have seen a few people not happy with it. I would say the ‘Realtek ALC850 8CH’ is the new let down, MY board was released with the realtek stuff unfortunatly so you could be fine with the ADI

johnnyasia

I'm thinking about getting this one, $60 w/shipping

Aspire 520W 12V Triple Fan Aluminum Power Supply (Silver), Model "ATX-AS520W

Maximum current:
+3.3V -- 28A
+5V -- 30A
+12V -- 34A
-5V -- 0.3A
-12V -- 0.8A
+5Vsb -- 2.0A
Combined maximum load on +3.3V and +5V is 200W
Combined maximum load on +3.3V, +5V, and +12V is 500W
Total maximum load is 520W
Compatible with ATX12V 2.03, meets the ATX12V form factor

twajetmech

That psu looks okay, pretty decent amps on the rails...also consider Fortron, Sparkle and Enermax in that price range as well, amps is what matters. I would also like to reinforce what Mark said, however much of the memory on the QVL is no longer available, difficult to find, or really expensive if you can. I reccomend you stay away from Corsair, they make excellent memory but it has issues with Asus mobos and/or requires a lot of volts to get it going, stick to Mushkin or Kingston. :4-type:
twajetmech

johnnyasia

I'm thinking about that particular Aspire PSU because it has 3 fans, and several reviewers report a reduction in CPU temps with it.

I have a 2.8 Prescott. It idles at 36-38C, 44C with load, the hottest it's been is 49C. That's with stock heatsink & fan. Maybe the Aspire will bring that down a couple of degreees C. I don't think mine runs all that hot for a Prescott, but I want to make sure it lasts.

twajetmech

Those are some of the best temps I've seen for a prescott ! i don't think you need to cool anymore than that, however never depend on the psu fans to cool with, they are notorious for failing, and hard to notice when they do. Don't judge the psu by how many fans it has...but by its stability and amps on the rails !

Norfolk_lad

Thanks for all the advice. Just a couple of further questions:

1. Would the Antec TruePower 430W PSU fit the bill (see original post). I cannot get hold of the power supply details (max amps/volts for each rail) BTW this is a helpful article I found on choosing the right power supply which may help somebody
http://firingsquad.com/guides/power_supply/default.asp

2. Still confused about memory – which brand I should go for (crucial memory is my only experience). Mushkin or Kingston, where the best place to get Mushkin – oh but it isn’t on the approved list or I am I missing something?

Norfolk_lad

johnnyasia

These Infineon 1GB dual kits are on the Asus QVL, and Komusa tech support said they'll work with the P4P800-E Deluxe
http://komusa.com/1gbkit5pc40d3.html
1GB kit (512MBX2) PC-3200 400MHz Dual Channel DDR Infineon Technology /
Micron

$159 for CAS 3, $5 more for CAS 2.5

The Samsung are also on the QVL, and Komusa guarantees they're compatible:
http://komusa.com/sa1gbkit5pc4.html
1GB kit (512MBX2) PC-3200 400MHz Dual Channel DDR SAMSUNG

$160 for CAS 3

The Corsair or Mushkin 2-2-2 ram costs around $300 and up.

I'm tempted to get the Infineon.

mark3567

Hi,

I have the CAS 2.5 infineon for my P4c800-e deluxe and it is a 1 gig matched pair. Told you before how great they were and the price is good. If they guarantee their compatibility, then might be worth a shot. I do know that the next ASUS board I build will be built with the Infineon chips....value and stablility with speed are important to me. Just thought I would ad that.

johnnyasia

I had decided on the Infineon after your suggestion, then I had a brief attack of Acquisition Syndrome, wanting the faster Mushkin or Corsair 2-2-2, just so I could turn up all the RAM settings in the BIOS to the max. WHEEEE!


I'll save about $140 by getting the Infineon. I think hard drive speed is more important for audio recording than RAM speed anyways.

mark3567

Hi again,

You will certainly get more speed out of CAS 2, but never enough speed to be worth $140 bucks in my opinion. I seriously doubt that you would notice a difference in the two unless you are doing intensive things that would use cutting edge technology. The other memory Samsung is also excellent memory in my opinion. YOu have a real choice here and if they guarantee compatibility and a good return policy, what can you lose.

Norfolk_lad

Thanks for the advice on memory. I leaning towards the Infineon Technology 1GB kit (512MBX2) PC-3200 400MHz Dual Channel DDR. The guarantee on compatibility is good. Do Komusa ship to the UK or is there a UK oulet? I took an order through to checkout just to see if it gave me an option to ship overseas - and it didn't.

twajetmech

Try newegg.com I believe they ship overseas (they also have Mushkin pc3200 level one 1gig kit 2-3-2 @ $220)

ZombieKing

So, here's what I have,

Asus P4P800-E Deluxe Rev 1.02 (Bios 1016)
Intel P4 3.0 Prescott
Samsung 1 Gb Matched PC3200
(2) Western Digital 200Gb SATA
ATI All in Wonder 9600XT
ASUS 52/24/52 CDRW
Pioneer 16x DVD R/RW
Soundblaster 5.1
Mitsumi floppy with 6 in 1 card reader
A Top Z - Alien Gamer Case
Sparkle 550w ( I think )

My question is I want to put a second gig of ram into my machine but, my motherboard will not detect it, so when I put 4 sticks of 512 it won't event post, but if I use slots A1 and B1 I can use a gig no problem, but if I use slot A1 and A2 then it doesn't work. I there a setting I can change to enable dual channel similar to turning HyperThreading on and off. Any help would be appreciated.

twajetmech

You can try bumping the memory volts up to 2.75 with all 4 dimm slots populated and see what happens...it will not damage your memory or mobo