I flashed to the la-*test*-('") BIOS last night because I keep getting a pop-up from the la-*test*-('") Intel Matrix RAID driver (A SATA device has just been connected etc.) I was getting BSODs form the old driver. The BIOS pages are completely different and the CPU Damper has disappeared. I can't find anything that resembles it in the new BIOS so Vdroop has increased. There are a few more bootstraps available for RAM. Seems solid. It blanked out my two saved profiles and my son took a sharpie to my notebook of settings so I got to experiment again. 1333 FSB is available from this BIOS and I believe you need it to run Penryn.

One step forward, two steps back . . . ? lol

If there's an update for the Dlx, probably means there is an update for the P5K Premium too. Are you happy with the new BIOS or do you think it's better to hold off, Merc?

Is it worth going from 311 to 0705, my rig is running fine with nary a glitch, if yes I have no floppy and can't find my flash drive, can I use the CD/R method? Thanx!

Asus BIOS's revisions allow you to update from a CD, but I find the floppy method more reliable.

The rule of thumb with BIOS revisions is not to update unless the user is experiencing a problem or the revision offers added functionality the user needs.

I didn't think you could flash with a floppy on the P5K boards anyways as the file size is to large.

I concur completely. I moved up because I wanted to get back into my BIOS (I've gotten lazy over football season) and was having a problem with my RAID controller. Paulzig has maintained that 0311 is the best BIOS and I'd go with what he says. I wanted to check out the new features and understand the new FSB so I flashed. Once I get some good data I'll post but as of now I'd say stick with 311 or 0404 at most.

I just flashed my P5K-Premium to v0504 -- so far so good! Like Merc, I'm also seeing a more pronounced vDroop -- around .055v

Reason i asked is because i'm locked at 400 for the fsb, it's either default 333 or 400, i can't get 450, I thought that was weird??? Also multiplier is stuck at 8, is this normal???

I got some really good clocks with the 0404 BIOS though, and its probably been the best for me so far... I was reading some posts around the place regarding this new 0705 BIOS and it seems some people have trouble reverting back to the older BIOS so I'm a little hesitant to try it now LOL...

If I need this BIOS to run Penryn I guess I'll just have to damn well flash tho..

Entry of the FSB and CPU CMOS multiplier on this BIOS is different than other Asus BIOS's -- you need to manually enter/type the number into the space provided.

Doh!!! Thanx one other thing, the cpu temp is showing 16c+/- 1 or 2 degrees in bios and using Everest 4.20, while both cores are showing low 30'sC???

Paul-
according to this 0705 is a requirement for the e8200-e8500 chips. Guess you'll be flashing mate. I am having about the same Vdroop as JM so adjust Vcore accordingly. Besides that it seems to be a very stable BIOS and there are more RAM settinsg available (I guess because of the wider FSB). I am jealous of hell right now that you are geting that 8500 so early. Looks like the SuoerPi battle may be heating bcak up until CC gets an e8 series on LN2.

sirmille
I haven't looked at the tems in hardware monitor but 4.20 is reading right for me.

Well so could I surmise that core and cpu temps are relatively the same, that is if the core temps are correct! I'm wondering if I got a faulty sensor on this board, speedfan HWMonitor, Everest, BIOS show cpu temp in the low to mid teens???

The cpu temp difference is because the tjunction temp is wrong on one of the utilities. The tjunction should be either 85c or 100c. When it's set to 85c it will give you the lower readings. At 100c it will give you the higher readings.

The author of the cpu temp utility called Core Temp generally keeps up with the new chips and has the tjunction set right for the chip. You'll see the tjunction setting when you install and run the utility.

I've been using the 503 BIOS on the P5K-E and it's been great for OC. If/when I get a new CPU then I will upgrade.