How to Tweak and Configure the nForce2 Chipset and
ASUS A7N8X for Digital Audio Recording

©AGRONOVA/Anders Fahlén
30.04.2003 Version 1.0

Seite 4 von 5	Download dieser Tech Info als PDF-Datei
»Zurück zur Tech Info

Nächste Seite		Vorherige Seite
1 2 3 4 5

IDE read/write performance:

The Norwegian site, www.hardware.no, has done some comparative tests of IDE drives with the Asus A7N8X motherboard. The test setup included Athlon XP 2700+ CPU and Win XP SP1. Some ATTO benchmark results of IDE read/write speed are illustrated in the following snap-shots:

Seagate Barracuda V 120 GB, 2 Mb cache, Parallel ATA 100 interface, 7200 rpm, nForce2 All-in-one ver. 1.16 driver	IBM Deskstar 180 GB GXP, 8 MB cache, parallel ATA 100 interface, 7200 rpm*, nForce2 All-in-one ver. 1.16 driver
Maxtor Diamond 9 200 GB, 8 MB Cache, parallel ATA 133 interface, 7200 rpm*, nForce2 All-in-one ver. 1.16 driver	* ATTO benchmark results probably include artificial artifacts from hard disks with large cache sizes.

SATA:

Will the onboard SATA controller and SATA to PATA converters improve PCI write/read hard disk transfer via the PCI Bus? The SATA controller, as implemented on the A7N8X, is physically hardwired to the PCI bus and does not channel read/write throughput via a separated and integrated function via the Southbridge chipset. This means that SATA specs are still ruled by the 133 Mb/s limits set by the PCI bus. It is therefore unlikely that you will gain any sustained transfer rate performance boost by using the onboard SATA controller. In contrast, it is likely that a dual conversion via SATA to PATA converters will add some CPU overhead to the system. Additionally, there are user reports of data loss during file transfer in SATA RAID 0 configuration.

Effective PCI bus bandwidth:

The theoretical maximum bandwidth of the 32-bit 33 MHz PCI bus is 133 Mbyte/sec. In audio/recording situations it is crucial that the DAW can perform with an effective PCI bus throughput as high as possible to allow for glitch-free audio recording via PCI-based devices (soundcard, dsp cards, etc.) and to allow for simultaneous use of powered DSP PCI plugins, VST instruments, etc.

Members of the RME Forum have contributed to a PCI stress test based on the utilization of an external PCI DSP card (UAD-1) and RME soundcards. The effectiveness of the PCI bus was measured in terms of Cubase SX/Nuendo cpu load following inserts of one UAD-1 DSP effect “1176” on each of the first eight audio tracks which in total consumes approx. 87% of the DSP card’s power resources. A solid 24 track stress file was recorded (24 bit @ 44.1 KHz @ 3 ms menu latency) and the DAW software’s CPU/performance meter was read off. The approach used is illustrated by a snapshot from the “Test 1” design:

The nForce2-UAD-1-RME PCI bus stress test layout.
“Test 1” design and Cubase SX performance meter results.

The following results are obtained with RME soundcards, UAD-1 and nForce2 motherboards:

Configuration	Test 1	Test 2
Motherboard:	Asus A7N8X Deluxe	Leadtek K7 NCR18 Pro
CPU:	Athlon XP 2700+	Athlon XP 2400+
BIOS version:	1001e	12/14/2002
OS:	XP	XP
Memory configuration:	1024 MB Kingston PC2700	512 Infineon DDR 333( run at 266 for FSB sync)
Soundcard:	RME HDSP PCI	RME/Steinberg 9652 PCI
Audio/MIDI software:	Cubase SX 1.05x	Cubase SX 1.051
Menu latency:	3 ms	3 ms
Video card:	MSI Geforce 4 MX 440	Matrox Parhelia
Hard disk/PCI performance meter value:	20-22% (Cubase SX metering)	-
CPU performance value:	7-8% (Cubase SX metering)	7-8% (Cubase SX metering)
UAD-1 DSP load:	87%	87% (driver version 2.26)
Overall performance:	Robust	Robust

The test results indicate that the nForce2 has good effective PCI throughput in audio applications and in combination with the UAD-1 powered PCI DSP plugins.

Soundcard/Powered DSP card compatibility:

A search at public DAW forums suggests that the Asus A7N8X is compatible, but not necessarily restricted to, the following soundcards/powered dsp cards:

The Asus A7N8X Deluxe is equipped with an in-built sound engine and adjoined ASIO drivers. Though the on-board audio resources may be fine for gamers you shouldn’t fool yourself and think that it can replace a professional audio soundcard/midi investment (they can not !). RME soundcard products are highly recommended to avoid compatibility issues as well as having a proven track record of well-written ASIO/MME drivers, professional audio features and well-functioning support.

Memory compatibility:

A listing of compatible and officially approved memory is found at Asus web site (DDR 333/400 table). To get the latest users’ experiences on memory compatibility crosscheck your information with nForce2 forums on the Internet – this link provides good information. Corsair memory compatibility and recommended parts numbers are found here. To verify that memory modules work without errors you can run Memtest86 before you install the OS. It is also recommended that you receive confirmation from the memory vendor that the modules are compatible with the nForce2. Then, if you run into problems you can RMA and receive an exchange.

A summarized table of users’ experiences with compatible memory includes, but is not limited, to:

*issues with memory modules from early batches are reported