Live MB OC Report :: ASUS Rampage Extreme

[MnM]

We need a new bios.
I have identified some issues:
- I have DVI USB KVM switch and if that is plugged in the board will not go past "initialising USB" message in bios
- pluggin in a PCI-E raid card will disable the onboard ICH9R. Not only that but Windows can not be installed on either hdds on raid card or ICH9R. Making ICH9R IDE (not raid) allows raid card to function properly. Removing raid card allows ICH9R to function properly
- performance with PCI-E raid card is sub par by about 30%!! That is a huge hit. Same PCI-E raid card and hdds in another motherboard works well (+30%)

I have emailed Asus about some of those problems:

"Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.

My name is Lyn and it's my pleasure to help you with your problem.

As you know, due to the limitation of BIOS ROM size, there may not be enough space for Adaptec BootROM to be written into BIOS when you use two RAIDs.
However, please update the Adaptec Raid card firmware firstly to have a try."

Of course I already tried latest bios for my raid card before they emailed me. I know the raid issue was present before on other motherboards but a new bios fixed this. I just hoe that Asus did put 8MB bios chips on those mobos (x2 of course as there are 2 bioses) cause as far as I know anything less than 8MB will not allow PCI-E raid card and ICH9R to work together.

I will keep you guys posted on the progress of those issues that I have raised with Asus. I also suggest that you log a call with Asus for any issues you find - help/force them to work on better bioses!

[MnM]

Got a new reply from Asus:

"I have passed your problem to our relative department. They may need to do some tests about the problem you described.
So, please wait patiently.
As soon as I get update from them, I will notice you at first time..."

[MnM]

rob2k (or anyone else running a QX9770) can you please post your bios settings (CPU overclocking page only).

Too many setting and not sure what values I should try ....

[rob2k]

Good work encouraging Asus to fix bios issues MnM - would have expected a few more beta bios's by now especially as the M/B seems very choosy as to what memory you have.

My board is still in bits but AS5 should have arrived today so I can refit the stock cooling and then start to push this board. Will post settings as soon as I'm back up.

[rddave]

Hi All,

My first post here

Whats the latest on the NB Heat problem?
Noticed a earlier post about washers under the stock cooling screws helping, has anyone else tryed this?

[eternal_fantasy]

- performance with PCI-E raid card is sub par by about 30%!! That is a huge hit. Same PCI-E raid card and hdds in another motherboard works well (+30%)

I also use a hardware PCI-E x8 raid card as per my sig, but haven't noticed any performance loss when used on the Rampage Extreme. Maybe it is isolated to Adaptec cards? What is your RAID setup? I am getting exactly the same performance as I did on all the other motherboards.

Also which address did you use to send the email to asus? I'll like to give them a kick up the backside and release some new BIOSes.

[MikeMK]

Well, my RE came back to me today, and it works!!! YAY! installed windows already, although not done any tweaking yet... tests to follow over the next few days

[MnM]

new bios - 0404 Dated 8/11/2008

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=746269&da=y

(thnaks Kensek - http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=198260)

[eternal_fantasy]

Awsome. Will give it a try.

[maxxx]

new bios - 0404 Dated 8/11/2008

Cool mate, thanks for the update. Will surely give this a try when I am back from travel....
Btw, how do you guys flash the bios? Via a floppy? Flash disk using the utility in the BIOS?
TIA...

[eternal_fantasy]

Just tried my stable settings for 0403 on the 0404 and it has rejected my pair of D9GTR. Now I'm just trying the 0206 BIOS on my second BIOS chip, and the clock twister is not functioning correctly, with some options giving the same memory performance.

Back to 0403 for me then.

[MikeMK]

Thats not good... will give 0404 a shot later and see how its doing. Currently priming at 4ghz as a starting point, so once Im happy with that I'll flash

[rob2k]

Thanks for bios post MnM - will try that for sure later. Did they send you this directly as a fix for your USB & RAID issues ?.

Just got my rig back together with AS5 and washers!. SB temp 27 & NB temp 33 shown at idle in the bios. Not pushed in yet as this was gone midnight last night or should that be this morning !!. NB temp seemed to settle at 54 in windows using Asus Probe II.

Maxx - can be a touchy subject, general advice seems to be not to do this in Windows using the Asus update. Personally I use EZflash from within the bios. Others will only ever use a Windows startup disc and then the AFUDOS ______ dos commands to update with battery in and out to ensure a clean flash and complete clear of the CMOS. My method is to put the new bios on a memory stick, load default bios setting, update in EZflash (just point it to bios rom on memory stick), again load defaults then input my new settings - remember save and exit at each step after loading default settings.

[Chri$ch]

VCore Droop (Idle -> Load) is bigger with Bios 0404

Bios 0403 = 1.152v Idle / 1.112v Load
Bios 0404 = 1.176v Idle / 1.112v Load

i must increase the vcore to get same settings stable.

[maxxx]

@rob2k: Thanks for that tip. I do use the same method. Just wondering if the floppy method is better. I guess its the same result.
Regarding the washers, thanks for trying it out. We seem to have almost the same temps. Your ambient must be lower. What did you use by the way?

@rddave: I have tried it but was confused when I got a 35c idle NB temp. This is because I heard that the x48 is really hot. And if you use the sink provided with the Rampage Extreme, ensure the contact of the copper block on top of the NB and the sink.

[ante_ante]

Bios 0404 needs more vcore to be orthos stable to me. Use same settings as in 0403 and no go. So i´m also went back to 0403

[rob2k]

Hi Maxxx, I used an old students union card ! - makes me sound young but lets just say that I am a mature student

Not much of a summer here in the UK but room temp is 18-20C. Will push things tonight and see what I get under load - was touching 70 before - think it was 67. Coupled with new bios and new memory I'm hoping for some good quad results.

Good info Chri$ch - wonder what the drop is at 1.375v ?

[rob2k]

Just speculating about what can be done using the dual bios capability of this board.

I have flashed to 0403, I guess I can go in there (the bios) and change the bios chip that I boot from. Then flash that to 0404, have a play with that, then if I don't like it just go back in there and change back to boot from the 0403 bios chip which already has my good settings preserved.

Can anyone confirm this is possible ?.

[maxxx]

rob2k: seems to be possible since you boot from any of the bios. correct me if am wrong fella's...

[maxxx]

Guys, is the G.Skill still the best memory (at the moment) for this motherboard?

[MikeMK]

Guys, just had a slightly worrying thing happen to me! I'd primed the RE through today @ 10x400 1.32v with mem 1600mhz 7-7-7-18 1.9v and no probs whatsoever. Just did it so easily, and i was pretty pleased... especially after the SIIE!

Anyhow, i shut down, and then when i switched on the PC it wouldnt boot - it just did the whole continual switch on or switch off thing, either that or all the lights came on and nothing happened. After much fiddling i got it working again, when I went into bios, it had changed the FSB to 433mhz, and my voltages to 1.9v vcore!!!! 2.4v NB, 1.5v Vdimm - they were all over the place, no wonder it wouldnt boot. Luckily no damage was done. After correcting the settings all back up and running fine.

This is on 0403 bios. Has anyone else experienced this - obviously this is a potentially serious issue.

[mr2sw21]

VCore Droop (Idle -> Load) is bigger with Bios 0404

Bios 0403 = 1.152v Idle / 1.112v Load
Bios 0404 = 1.176v Idle / 1.112v Load

i must increase the vcore to get same settings stable.

how come Idle use more V then load?

[Nguaroth]

Eternal fantasy: which backplate did you use for your Cpu block?

Do you think this ddr3 set Mushkin HP3-12800 4096 MB, PC3-12800, 1600 MHz, 8, Non-ECC, Kit Of 2 would be any good for this mobo?

[GutterZ]

Anyone know when it will be released in the USA for purchase?

[bazx]

any one what the clock generator is for setfsb on this m/b

thanks baz