moloko
06-26-2008, 08:54 PM
Hey guys,
I’ve spent the past two days doing some testing with my BlackOps and have come across a number of issues that I’d like to share here.
The primary issue however that has driven the focus in this testing has been the fact the ‘Over Clock Phase Select’ is completely greyed out and cannot be selected. This means the value cannot be changed to ‘Manual O.C.’ to gain access to the overclocking options. Additionally all voltage options and memory timing options are also greyed out – basically this board is useless outside of running CMOS cleared BIOS defaults.
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/3964/1023877di2.jpg
But first, the test platform; the parts include:
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 C741D503 ES
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 L735A545 ES #1
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 L735A545 ES #2
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Q740A343 ES
Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 L633A550 retail
Foxconn X48 BlackOps – full retail version
Corsair Dominator DDR3-1800 C7 – initially used, check below for full list
Corsair TX750 PSU
XFX FX5200 – PCI power yo!
XFX GTX280
Sapphire HD3870 Toxic – CrossFire
Cooling:
Noctua NH-U12F
Corsair Dominator Fan
Noctua NF-S12-1200
NB Air Cooling
Will move to water cooled NB and phase change cooled CPU (either SS or cascade) but need to get the issues sorted first.
BIOS versions tested:
G27 – Beta BIOS from Quantum Force site
G26 – Full release BIOS from Quantum Force site
G25 – Beta BIOS from Quantum Force site
G18 – BIOS from Quantum Force Scholar
P04 – Full release BIOS from Quantum Force site
Full list of memory initially run on this platform trying to find a working combination:
Corsair Dominator DDR3-1800 C7 2x1GB
Corsair DHX Intel XMP DDR3-1600 C7 2x2GB
Kingston HyperX DDR3-1800 C8 2x1GB
Kingston HyperX DDR3-1625 C7 2x1GB
Patriot LL DDR3-1866 C8 2x1GB
OCZ Platinum DDR3-1800 C8 2x1GB
GeIL DDR3-1600 C7 2x1GB
During the memory testing I found the following behaviour:
The Kingston HyperX DDR3-1800 C8 2x1GB resulted in an FF code appearing as Windows Vista begins to load but never makes it through the ‘Black Screen of Wait’.
The Kingston HyperX DDR3-1625 C7 2x1GB results in 54 beeping code; although this code represents having finished Memory Sizing Code and being stuck Memory Test and is a trait that sometimes happens when overclocking and the solution is to shut down, clear CMOS and reboot etc, but this is occurring at CMOS cleared defaults. Not overclocked at all.
The Corsair DHX Intel XMP DDR3-1600 C7 2x2GB resulted in a stall on code 40 (Memory Sizing code) then continues to C3 and immediately reboots – massive issues with 2x2GB configurations though was informed that the BIOS team is working on this issue.
All other kits operated correctly.
Seeing as some people are finding issues with PSUs and the BlackOps, when I get a chance I’ll replace the Corsair TX750 with either my Silverstone OP1000 or PC P&C 750W.
At this stage, I’ve tried so many things that my mind is now doing loops and trying to think of something else to try. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. I’ll be stoked if it’s some stupid oversight on my behalf, albeit a little embarrassed :p:
I’ve spent the past two days doing some testing with my BlackOps and have come across a number of issues that I’d like to share here.
The primary issue however that has driven the focus in this testing has been the fact the ‘Over Clock Phase Select’ is completely greyed out and cannot be selected. This means the value cannot be changed to ‘Manual O.C.’ to gain access to the overclocking options. Additionally all voltage options and memory timing options are also greyed out – basically this board is useless outside of running CMOS cleared BIOS defaults.
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/3964/1023877di2.jpg
But first, the test platform; the parts include:
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 C741D503 ES
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 L735A545 ES #1
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 L735A545 ES #2
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Q740A343 ES
Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 L633A550 retail
Foxconn X48 BlackOps – full retail version
Corsair Dominator DDR3-1800 C7 – initially used, check below for full list
Corsair TX750 PSU
XFX FX5200 – PCI power yo!
XFX GTX280
Sapphire HD3870 Toxic – CrossFire
Cooling:
Noctua NH-U12F
Corsair Dominator Fan
Noctua NF-S12-1200
NB Air Cooling
Will move to water cooled NB and phase change cooled CPU (either SS or cascade) but need to get the issues sorted first.
BIOS versions tested:
G27 – Beta BIOS from Quantum Force site
G26 – Full release BIOS from Quantum Force site
G25 – Beta BIOS from Quantum Force site
G18 – BIOS from Quantum Force Scholar
P04 – Full release BIOS from Quantum Force site
Full list of memory initially run on this platform trying to find a working combination:
Corsair Dominator DDR3-1800 C7 2x1GB
Corsair DHX Intel XMP DDR3-1600 C7 2x2GB
Kingston HyperX DDR3-1800 C8 2x1GB
Kingston HyperX DDR3-1625 C7 2x1GB
Patriot LL DDR3-1866 C8 2x1GB
OCZ Platinum DDR3-1800 C8 2x1GB
GeIL DDR3-1600 C7 2x1GB
During the memory testing I found the following behaviour:
The Kingston HyperX DDR3-1800 C8 2x1GB resulted in an FF code appearing as Windows Vista begins to load but never makes it through the ‘Black Screen of Wait’.
The Kingston HyperX DDR3-1625 C7 2x1GB results in 54 beeping code; although this code represents having finished Memory Sizing Code and being stuck Memory Test and is a trait that sometimes happens when overclocking and the solution is to shut down, clear CMOS and reboot etc, but this is occurring at CMOS cleared defaults. Not overclocked at all.
The Corsair DHX Intel XMP DDR3-1600 C7 2x2GB resulted in a stall on code 40 (Memory Sizing code) then continues to C3 and immediately reboots – massive issues with 2x2GB configurations though was informed that the BIOS team is working on this issue.
All other kits operated correctly.
Seeing as some people are finding issues with PSUs and the BlackOps, when I get a chance I’ll replace the Corsair TX750 with either my Silverstone OP1000 or PC P&C 750W.
At this stage, I’ve tried so many things that my mind is now doing loops and trying to think of something else to try. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. I’ll be stoked if it’s some stupid oversight on my behalf, albeit a little embarrassed :p: