Test Setup
Test Platform:- Motherboard: ASUS P5Q PRO (0703 BIOS)
- Processor: Intel C2D E6400
- Processor Cooling: Thermalright Ultra-120 + 120MM Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 1600RPM/63.7CFM
- Memory: OEM Micron PC2-5300 (D9GMH) @ 800Mhz 5-5-5-15 1.8V
- Power Supply: Corsair HX620W
- Video Card: XFX GeForce 8800 GT Alpha Dog 512MB (ForceWare 175.16)
- Additional Fans: 120MM Evercool EC12025M12S
- Hard Drive: 1 x Seagate 7200.11 500GB SATAII 32MB cache
- OS: Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit (with all updates)
Testing will occur on a Highspeed PC Standard Top Deck Tech Station, and not in a traditional case. This allows easier access to the motherboard for the constant poking and prodding that is required during the reviewing process. The setup remained as pictured during the duration of the benchmarking and overclocking process.
On a side note, a few days before the start of this review, our used & abused C2D E8400 went to Silicon Heaven. Therefore, we conducted this review using a venerable E6400, which sports a 2.13Ghz default clock speed, 1066Mhz FSB, and 2MB L2 cache.
Overclocking Methodology
Although the P5Q PRO is a mainstream model, and it’s not really marketed towards the enthusiast market, we still feel compelled to test out its overclocking capabilities. After all, if you are anything like us, the overclocking section is the first part that you read when checking out a motherboard review.
For the purposes of this review, our overclocking efforts will primarily focus on three main areas: maximum stable memory frequency, maximum stable front side bus, and then overall stable system overclock.
In our overclocking tests, we put an emphasis on stability. You will not find suicide screenshots in our motherboard reviews, since they are a disservice to consumers and the community as a whole.
While the question “What is stable?” could be debated endlessly, we have devised a methodology that combines a wide range of programs, and that will test the stability of the entire system.
Here is the suite of applications that will be run in order to validate each of the overclocks:
- Dual 32MB runs of SuperPi Mod 1.5 (ran at the same time)
- 2 hours of dual Prime 95 v25.6 using the Stress Testing Blend
- 2 hours of OCCT Custom 2H Mix OCCT v2.0.0a - Except for Memory Overclocking
- 2-3 hours of dual HCI MemTest in Windows using all available memory
- Multiple loops of 3DMark 06 (30 minutes of looping the full tests each)
- 1 hour of game play in Team Fortress 2 & Crysis @ 1680x1050
Altogether, the above suite should provide enough stress testing to ensure a completely stable overclock, however we are always up for new suggestions. As always, no two systems are ever alike, so your results may vary. Also, overclock at your own risk! If you aren’t fully confident in what you are doing, feel free to stop by
our forums and our helpful members will be glad to offer some assistance.
