ASUS Maximus II Formula - new P45 king?

[WaterFlex]

I just received answer form Asus support team for question where is MB temp sensor located on MF2?

So... are you ready ? - OK here we go:

MB sensor is located - TOP SECRET - by asus

They will not tell me period. They asked me to RMA if I have a problem...

New board ordered old one flying to retailer.

Lol.That`s ASUS.

[CryptiK]

That sounds a bit ridiculous, how can a sensor location be classed top secret I wonder. Well RMA sounds like your only option. You should have bought my board

[seban]

That sounds a bit ridiculous, how can a sensor location be classed top secret I wonder. Well RMA sounds like your only option. You should have bought my board

The funniest thing is that rest of sensor are hmm lets think were they can be but one which really matters as is hard to locate is Top Secret.

Maybe the support guy just did not ask engineers and under pressure gave me this BS.

I do not have to RMA luckily I can still send it back and get my cash back.

[screwtech02]

I thought you guys knew that ASUS "outsources" their "tech support" to local pre-schools... Oh wait, if they did that, it would actually be better.... Oops, my bad....

[JoeBar]

Ahh ok My bad..

I have done this Twice Guys..I have Applied Ceramique..but same Sh@t..

Δεν ξέρω τι να πω ρε φίλε...

I don't know what to say. Something is going on. 60'C under load is very high on water. When u removed the assembly the 2nd time did u noticed if it was making good contact with the chipset?

BTW what's your loop?

[Grnfinger]

He most likely has a nice pocket of air in his loop.
What are the other temps like in comparison?

[Shiranui Gen-An]

Just did 3 SPI32M runs with my M2F and Cellshock PC-8000 GKX sticks. This board has strange behaviour, it is most stable on the 5:6 divider. The times are bad as I had to run under 4GHz, PL8 (PL9 on first bench), Ai Clock Twister on moderate, and have static read and dram read training disabled. The GKX did ok, max SPI32M stable on 2.20v was 630 MHz.

I keep trying to get 650 with my Cellshock GKX on my M2F but it just isn't having it. Playing with the clock skews (delay 150ps) at least lets memtest start to run but it eventually ends up freezing. They ran just fine at the same speed on the Maximus Formula X38 (Rampage BIOS) without bothering the skews

[The Water Dog]

Have lapped my Q6600 and the nb-block( a little better, have to work more on it)
but i had 68-68-62-62, and took of my Noctua and i saw that the hold-down for the cpu are little taller then the cpu:P
So i took that of, and the Noctua( i use push and pull ) on again. With 1.4v on vcore i get: 60-60-57-57. Before the lapping i had around 70-70-65-65
Will oc tomorow and see if i can get a lttle higher=)

[GeorgeVasil]

Stability at 9*500 and 4 GB was very easy just a ~ +0.03 at vNB .

Processor:  E8400 E0
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
OC From CPU Level Up: Auto
Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
FSB Frequency: 500
CPU Clock Skew: Delay 300ps (This Gave me more stability at the same vCore - - Thanks CryptiK)
NB Clock Skew: Delay 400ps (This Gave me more stability at the same vNB - Thanks CryptiK)
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1000MHz

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A2: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B2: Auto
DRAM Timing Control: Auto (For Now)

DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Read Training: Disabled
MEM. OC Charger: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister: Auto (For now)
Ai Transaction Booster: Manual

Common Performance Level: 10
Pull-in of CHA PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH2: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH3: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH2: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH3: Disabled

PCIE Frequency: 100

CPU Voltage: 1.341 (Droops to 1.336 under Load)
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.54
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.16625
DRAM Voltage: 1.9
North Bridge Voltage: 1.35
South Bridge 1.5 Voltage: 1.54 
South Bridge 1.1 Voltage: 1.12 (Those because i have Raid)

CPU GTL Reference (0): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (1):-30mv (This means 0.64x anything else at tha 0.61x - 0.67x Range cause prime to stop)
CPU GTL Reference (2): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (3):-30mv
NB GTL Reference: Auto
DDR2 ChA Reference Voltage: Auto
DDR2 ChB Reference Voltage: Auto
North Bridge DDR Reference: Auto


CPU Configuration:

Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
C1E Support: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Tech: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled

Load-Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Edit:

4h dual Prime with 4GB.



*My NB temps without a big fan and open window are 62+..still haven't put any washers...but i am 100% sure that the washers will improve my temps.

I will try for 8.5*533 now :P

[radaja]

@GeorgeVasil, thats a very nice e8400! awesome clocks at those volts

[Rocks]

Cryptik,

Thanks for all your help, you pointed me in the right direction and now I am stable with those settings. I got the water cooler, temps didn't change one bit. Now I know air cooling on higher end chips can be just as good as water cooling depending on the setup of course. Lesson learned. I bumped up my FSB to 475 and am stable with it. All other settings are as we discussed.

Everyone says the TJmax for the Q9xxx series is 100C although intel has not published it. Is that still the common consensus? Also, Any settings imparticular you would suggest in the BIOS when using water cooling? For expample, temperature warnings...etc?

Stable 6 passes on intelburntest maximum stress as well as all first pass tests of prime 95.



Temperatures
Motherboard 33 °C (91 °F)
CPU 22 °C (72 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1 38 °C (100 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2 38 °C (100 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #3 34 °C (93 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #4 33 °C (91 °F)
North Bridge 43 °C (109 °F)
South Bridge 41 °C (106 °F)
PWM 34 °C (93 °F)
GPU 40 °C (104 °F)
GPU Memory 32 °C (90 °F)
GPU Ambient 33 °C (91 °F)
GPU VRM 34 °C (93 °F)

Cooling Fans
GPU 985 RPM (62%)

Voltage Values
CPU Core 1.376 V
+3.3 V 3.264 V
+5 V 4.944 V
+12 V 11.928 V
+5 V Standby 5.164 V
CPU VTT 1.449 V
CPU PLL 1.574 V
North Bridge +1.1 V 1.449 V
South Bridge +1.1 V 1.124 V
South Bridge +1.5 V 1.501 V
DIMM 2.117 V
DIMM VTT 1.058 V
GPU Vcc 3.218 V

[CryptiK]

I keep trying to get 650 with my Cellshock GKX on my M2F but it just isn't having it. Playing with the clock skews (delay 150ps) at least lets memtest start to run but it eventually ends up freezing. They ran just fine at the same speed on the Maximus Formula X38 (Rampage BIOS) without bothering the skews

I know it's really hard to do on the M2F for some reason. I will try higher than 525 FSB & 630 MHz today (I tried 534 FSB & 640 MHz yesterday at the same settings as it passed 525/630, but it locked in loop 3).

This board is really stubborn when it comes to ram stability - sure you can hit 650 - 660 and bench everest, but SPI32M stability is nowhere to be seen. Whats the highest you've got SPI32M stable? What is the highest screen you have managed (no stability just SS)?

Have lapped my Q6600 and the nb-block( a little better, have to work more on it)
but i had 68-68-62-62, and took of my Noctua and i saw that the hold-down for the cpu are little taller then the cpu:P
So i took that of, and the Noctua( i use push and pull ) on again. With 1.4v on vcore i get: 60-60-57-57. Before the lapping i had around 70-70-65-65
Will oc tomorow and see if i can get a lttle higher=)

So your temps are even better than I thought, nice. You must have lapped a fair bit off it then

Stability at 9*500 and 4 GB was very easy just a ~ +0.03 at vNB .

Processor:  E8400 E0
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
OC From CPU Level Up: Auto
Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
FSB Frequency: 500
CPU Clock Skew: Delay 300ps (This Gave me more stability at the same vCore - - Thanks CryptiK)
NB Clock Skew: Delay 400ps (This Gave me more stability at the same vNB - Thanks CryptiK)
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1000MHz

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A2: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B2: Auto
DRAM Timing Control: Auto (For Now)

DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
DRAM Read Training: Disabled
MEM. OC Charger: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister: Auto (For now)
Ai Transaction Booster: Manual

Common Performance Level: 10
Pull-in of CHA PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH2: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH3: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH2: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH3: Disabled

PCIE Frequency: 100

CPU Voltage: 1.341 (Droops to 1.336 under Load)
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.54
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.16625
DRAM Voltage: 1.9
North Bridge Voltage: 1.35
South Bridge 1.5 Voltage: 1.54 
South Bridge 1.1 Voltage: 1.12 (Those because i have Raid)

CPU GTL Reference (0): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (1):-30mv (This means 0.64x anything else at tha 0.61x - 0.67x Range cause prime to stop)
CPU GTL Reference (2): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (3):-30mv
NB GTL Reference: Auto
DDR2 ChA Reference Voltage: Auto
DDR2 ChB Reference Voltage: Auto
North Bridge DDR Reference: Auto


CPU Configuration:

Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
C1E Support: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Tech: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled

Load-Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Edit:

4h dual Prime with 4GB.


*My NB temps without a big fan and open window are 62+..still haven't put any washers...but i am 100% sure that the washers will improve my temps.

I will try for 8.5*533 now :P

Very nice George, that's a killer CPU. Glad it appears much more stable now.

Cryptik,

Thanks for all your help, you pointed me in the right direction and now I am stable with those settings. I got the water cooler, temps didn't change one bit. Now I know air cooling on higher end chips can be just as good as water cooling depending on the setup of course. Lesson learned. I bumped up my FSB to 475 and am stable with it. All other settings are as we discussed.

Everyone says the TJmax for the Q9xxx series is 100C although intel has not published it. Is that still the common consensus? Also, Any settings imparticular you would suggest in the BIOS when using water cooling? For expample, temperature warnings...etc?

Stable 6 passes on intelburntest maximum stress as well as all first pass tests of prime 95.

Temperatures    
Motherboard    33 °C  (91 °F)
CPU    22 °C  (72 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1     38 °C  (100 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2            38 °C  (100 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #3            34 °C  (93 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #4       33 °C  (91 °F)
North Bridge    43 °C  (109 °F)
South Bridge    41 °C  (106 °F)
PWM    34 °C  (93 °F)
GPU    40 °C  (104 °F)
GPU Memory    32 °C  (90 °F)
GPU Ambient    33 °C  (91 °F)
GPU VRM    34 °C  (93 °F)
    
Cooling Fans    
GPU    985 RPM  (62%)
    
Voltage Values    
CPU Core    1.376 V
+3.3 V    3.264 V
+5 V    4.944 V
+12 V    11.928 V
+5 V Standby    5.164 V
CPU VTT    1.449 V
CPU PLL    1.574 V
North Bridge +1.1 V    1.449 V
South Bridge +1.1 V    1.124 V
South Bridge +1.5 V    1.501 V
DIMM    2.117 V
DIMM VTT    1.058 V
GPU Vcc    3.218 V 

Nice work there, good to hear its stable. Those E0 9550's go pretty well. your board temps look good. I'm not 100% sure about the Tjmax, but I think that 90*C is scary hot, so you could drop that to 70*C or so for the NB/SB, same for the power etc.

[Rocks]

Nice work there, good to hear its stable. Those E0 9550's go pretty well. your board temps look good. I'm not 100% sure about the Tjmax, but I think that 90*C is scary hot, so you could drop that to 70*C or so for the NB/SB, same for the power etc.

Not sure what you mean here by drop. NB/SB are quite cool in the 40s under prime95 and intelburtest. Under Prime 95 I am in the mid to high 60s for my CPU cores. Interburntest is low to high 80s on the cores.

[CryptiK]

Not sure what you mean here by drop. NB/SB are quite cool in the 40s under prime95 and intelburtest. Under Prime 95 I am in the mid to high 60s for my CPU cores. Interburntest is low to high 80s on the cores.

I meant lower the max temperature warning to 70*C from the default of 90*C. If mine hit 70*C, I'd want it to shut down, I think 90*C max temp warning level is unsafely high.

[Rocks]

Gotcha thanks!

[The Water Dog]

CryptiK: Yeah, im pleased with that
Took of a bit, the cpu-hold down was higher then the cpu. The pm you got of me was before i took it of and i forgot to tell you.
I have to order some 2000-3000rpm fans and lapp the NB-block some more.
Some pics. are coming soon=)

[Rocks]

Guys, my BIOS is lagging. Inside the BIOS itself I get a 5 second freeze sometimes. It happens randomly and it wont lockup. I have no idea how to fix it though.

Should I remove the battery and clear the CMOS? I have even flashed to a different BIOS but it still happens. Not sure why.

Any help would be appreciated.

--Rocks

[CryptiK]

That's very odd that is happening despite your system being stress test stable. I have only ever experienced that when I was really unstable.

Is it doing it at stock settings too or only when overclocked?

[Rocks]

It does it at stock too. I cleared the CMOS still happenning. I also Booted from the backup BIOS and it is happening on that BIOS too. I took out all sticks of Ram but one...still happening...What is the culprit?

[GeorgeVasil]

That's very odd that is happening despite your system being stress test stable. I have only ever experienced that when I was really unstable.

Is it doing it at stock settings too or only when overclocked?

It does it at stock too. I cleared the CMOS still happenning. I also Booted from the backup BIOS and it is happening on that BIOS too. I took out all sticks of Ram but one...still happening...What is the culprit?

I have experienced that only when my Rams/Chipset were very unstable (eg when mobo posted with my 4GB 600 mhz.

But with a CMOS it all OK.

@Rocks Have u tryied to re-program the BIOS?

-----------------------------
3 things i mention the last 4 days.

-My system Change date and Time Settings to 2099 sometimes...
-When CPU is Loaded,vFSB drops sometimes intanlty (Probe Readings)..
-The CPU & NB Clock Skews Give Stability for higher FSB at the same Voltage.
(I am able to Run Small FTT's at 8.5*533 with the same setings @9*500,and the only change is CPU Clock Scew 400ps (at 300ps prime stops))

Still my NB temps are toooo High.I will Buy some Washers Today i will inform you.

[CryptiK]

It does it at stock too. I cleared the CMOS still happenning. I also Booted from the backup BIOS and it is happening on that BIOS too. I took out all sticks of Ram but one...still happening...What is the culprit?

That's strange. It may even be a graphics card issue.....set the PCI-E frequency to 101, if that doesnt help try 102 & 103 as well.

Do you have another vid card you can test it with?

[Rocks]

Thanks guys...I figured it out. It was a blue tooth USB drive. Asus sometimes has problems with USB devices being plugged in on boot. I used to have a striker II formula and the system post would freeze whenever I had my Ipod plugged in. The M2F will boot fine with it though...knock on wood.

[seban]

New Mobo just arrived - I am surprised that it took only one day - I think I might just found my new primary supplier.

Test after work ...

[CryptiK]

SPI32M @ 534 MHz, 640 MHz (DDR2-1280MHz), 2.24v vdimm, 1.50 vNB - Done with M2F

Like Shiranui Gen An, I was having issues with my board locking up with my GKX sticks when using more than 2.20v vdimm. I solved this issue by using 150ps delay on the ram channels. After doing this I could run 2.24v without issue, which is all the ram needed for 640 MHz SPI32M stable.

Static Read Control and Dram Read Training were disabled, Ai Clock Twister was set to moderate, and the PL was 8. CPU and NB clock skews were set to Normal, as using 300ps delay on both CPU & NB in conjunction with 150ps delay on the ram channels gave an error in loop 4.

Adding the 2mm washers to the NB mounting screws to increase mounting pressure and lapping the removable NB block was critical in the ability of the board being able to bench with 1.50 vNB, with NB temps being on average 5 - 6*C lower than before this was done.

[JoeBar]

Stability at 9*500 and 4 GB was very easy just a ~ +0.03 at vNB .

Edit:

4h dual Prime with 4GB.

*My NB temps without a big fan and open window are 62+..still haven't put any washers...but i am 100% sure that the washers will improve my temps.

I will try for 8.5*533 now :P

Nice clocks George!

Disable Mem OC charger. It will increase your mem scores.

BTW have u tried increasing your pcie freq when running @ 533mhz fsb? Does your mb boot?