Broke Quad + 8GB + 500FSB+ Barrier with Max Formula

I have been scouring the threads to see if this has been done by someone already but came up short. I've seen many posts where folks thought this was an impossible feat so I decided to share this. A picture is worth a thousand words...

PS: I'm currently running 7x500 for 24/7.
PPS: Second screenie is E8400 @ 8x533 with 8GBs.


Setup:
Maximus Formula Rev. 102G (with Rampage Beta Bios 0403)
Core 2 Quad (L741A941, Vid. 1.2625)
2 kits of G.Skills: F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ for 4x2GB @ 1.80v (Bios set)
Cooling: Water ( Check sig.)

care to share your settings?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Darkstormz

care to share your settings?

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These are my settings for 3.5Ghz (7x500) and 8GB on Max Formula running with RF bios 0403:

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 7
FSB Frequency : 500
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1000 (1:1)
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : Auto (for 52, can't be set manually in bios)
Write Recovery Time : 6
Read to Precharge Time : 3

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : 8
Write to Read Delay (S) : 3
Write to Read Delay (D) : 5
Read to Read Delay (S) : 4
Read to Read Delay (D) : 6
Write to Write Delay (S) : 4
Write to Write Delay (D) : 6

Write to PRE Delay : 14
Read to PRE Delay : 5
PRE to PRE Delay : 1
ALL PRE to ACT Delay : 6
ALL PRE to REF Delay : 6

DRAM Static Read Control: Auto
Ai Clock Twister : Auto
Transaction Booster : Manual

Common Performance Level [9]

Pull-In of CHA PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH2 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH3 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH4 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH5 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH2 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH3 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH4 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH5 Disabled

CPU Voltage : 1.320 (CPU-Z)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50v
North Bridge Voltage : 1.65v
DRAM Voltage : 1.80v
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.50v
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050v
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.50v
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.67X
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67X
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : Auto
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : Auto
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : Auto

Advanced CPU Configuration:
Everything Disabled

Sweet man!! I'll have to give that a go on my rig.. Any other bench's/gaming issues???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by screwtech02

Sweet man!! I'll have to give that a go on my rig.. Any other bench's/gaming issues???

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No issues here.

Very good!
That is some very nice bandwidth score's on the wolfdale
I might try out your setting on my quad, my vid is alittle lower than yours, how are the bandwidth score on the quad?

Very very nice Q6600 you got yourself Zucker2k m8 :up:

I dont have 8GB's like you but here is my 500FSB quad

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/f...500fsbquad.jpg

PL9 is not to cool I will try the pull-ins and see if that helps any for improved speed

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grnfinger

I dont have 8GB's like you but here is my 500FSB quad



PL9 is not to cool I will try the pull-ins and see if that helps any for improved speed

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damn i should have kept that cpu... 500fsb drops 2 cores on mine right now :(

oh well, tomorrow my e7200 should arrive. it will be abused beaten and battered.

i think 333 strap gives 1200 for ram so you can do pl7

it does and trying it now, then I will run 3dmark for some scores

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grnfinger

it does and trying it now, then I will run 3dmark for some scores

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whats your bandwidth like? somewhere around 47.7ns latency and 15000 read?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grnfinger

I dont have 8GB's like you but here is my 500FSB quad

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/f...500fsbquad.jpg

PL9 is not to cool I will try the pull-ins and see if that helps any for improved speed

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Dude, you've lost 2 cores...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kup

Dude, you've lost 2 cores...

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Doh!
I didnt even see that, I'm running the NB at 1.53 I will up it and see if the cores come back

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grnfinger

Doh!
I didnt even see that, I'm running the NB at 1.53 I will up it and see if the cores come back

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this is why i got the dfi... its all in the gtl control my friend :yepp:

Thanks guys....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grnfinger

Very good!
That is some very nice bandwidth score's on the wolfdale
I might try out your setting on my quad, my vid is alittle lower than yours, how are the bandwidth score on the quad?

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These rams don' like tight timings but they're quite decent.... see below

Quote:

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Originally Posted by loc.o

Very very nice Q6600 you got yourself Zucker2k m8 :up:

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Thanks loc.o m8. Wish I was as extreme as you... haven't messed with LN2 or dry ice yet.

congrats man best i did was 4x1GB Q6600 @490FSB for Nautilus 500 H20 cooled

http://fileshosts.com/intel/Asus/P5K...3m52s578ms.png

zucker, what strap are you using?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eva2000

congrats man best i did was 4x1GB Q6600 @490FSB for Nautilus 500 H20 cooled

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Thanks Eva m8, that vcore for 3.4Ghz+ looks sick for a 65nm quad :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZenEffect

zucker, what strap are you using?

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Zen, I'm using the 333 strap. I'm booting straight from bios, no clock-gening.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zucker2k

These are my settings for 3.5Ghz (7x500) and 8GB on Max Formula running with RF bios 0403:

Extreme Tweaker
North Bridge Voltage : 1.65v
DRAM Voltage : 1.80v
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.50v

Advanced CPU Configuration:
Everything Disabled

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I won't comment on NB voltage as high since you use high FSB on 8Gb RAM, and I suppose you tried to lower a notch, right? On the other side, VTT at 1.5v is about 25% out of intel specs, so as if you were giving your vcore some 1.875v :eek:

Your vDDR voltage is impressingly low at 1000MHz, you got there great sticks. Giving them some 2.0 to 2.1v would be safe (unless the maximus overshoot them as it is known for...) and could give you some better clocks

Overall, I can only say you got a great benchmarking performance there with 500 FSB on a quad + 8Gb RAM on the X38.

But, I doubt it is the sweet spot for your setup. You have a good CPU and memory combo running high specs on low voltages. Your Q6600 will be safe with up to 1.45v real vcore and your memory could kick the 1200MHz at 2.10 safe voltage. Your CPU should easily be stable at 3.9GHz at an acceptable vcore (1.45-1.47v) which on 8x multi will give you 488FSB and 976MHz on the RAM at strap 333 or if you manage strap 266 stable you'd outpass 1200MHz on the RAM

In the worst scenario (3.9GHz CPU, strap 333, memory at 976MHz), running the memory lower than 1000 MHz, you could tighten the timings, the TRFC or at least enable static read control and some more relaxed booster settings to get better bandwidth. Even at same memory settings than your actual 500FSB performance, the +400 MHz on the CPU will compensate the small decrease in memory bandwidth.

Maybe you tried it all, but I'm certain, 8x480 to 8x488MHz is a better 24/7 setup in your case and should give you lower vNB and lower VTT

Thanks jonny I'm trying to go slow on the setup. I am goint to try to hold it at 8x500. I know the fsbt is a little high too, and it runs fine at 1.38 (which is where I'm going to try to hold. I'm still trying to find that sweet spot. I P95 primed (blend mode) overnight and woke up this morning find that thread one crapped out after 7 hours and 41 minutes. So I'm close; I'll play with fsbt and ich&ich 1.50v which are both at stock. Oh, these rams won't do 1200, highest any of them run individually was 1120mhz.

I went back to the store where I got my quad and picked two more:

Quad No. 1 (above): L741A941 (Vid. 1.2625) last 4 wafer digits: 0238 = Broke 500+ fsb
Quad No. 2: L741A941 (Vid. 1.2500) last 4 wafer digits: 0475 = Broke 500+ fsb
Quad No. 3: L746B022 (Vid. 1.3125) last 4 wafer digits: 0870 = Broke 500+ fsb
Quad No. 4: L746B022 (Vid. 1.2875) last 4 wafer digits: 2233 = Could hardly do 450 fsb

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jonny_ftm

Your Q6600 will be safe with up to 1.45v real vcore and your memory could kick the 1200MHz at 2.10 safe voltage. Your CPU should easily be stable at 3.9GHz at an acceptable vcore (1.45-1.47v) which on 8x multi will give you 488FSB and 976MHz on the RAM at strap 333 or if you manage strap 266 stable you'd outpass 1200MHz on the RAM

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Mehh this is 65nm Quad Q6600 not a 45nm architecture. So usually you can pump the vcore up to 1.55V with a good cooling. Though very high vtt is not recommended. Pump up the voltage until it dies...lololol rolftomato

Still it an impressive result with a retail kits. Should be better if there a long prime or occt shots.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sparda

Mehh this is 65nm Quad Q6600 not a 45nm architecture. So usually you can pump the vcore up to 1.55V with a good cooling. Though very high vtt is not recommended. Pump up the voltage until it dies...lololol rolftomato

Still it an impressive result with a retail kits. Should be better if there a long prime or occt shots.

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If you read well around, you'll understand that 1.45v with some vdroop bypass would overshoot for 1.55v :rolleyes:
Anyway, 1.45v is absolutely safe, 1.55v with overshoot will give you 1.65v so still within a 10% of intel specs and should be ok for some years with proper cooling

How stable is this with prime, orthos or looped 3DMark?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Speederlander

How stable is this with prime, orthos or looped 3DMark?

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Run P95 blend overnight for 7hrs 41 minutes before thread one crapped out.

Edit: Will try again after some fine-tuning, got two other quads that do 500fsb easy so I'm playing with those now. 7:41 is pretty stable for me tho. Small ffts is cake walk; blend is the main thing with 8GBs as the NB is stressed more @ 1.65v+

With my Q9450 and 8GB of RAM, I am able to post at 501 FSB with an 8x multi. I could probably get stable if I dropped to 7x multi, but no point, slightly less CPU speed, harder to get stable, and lower RAM speed over 451 FSB with 8x multi.

Run a little prime between testing...

Man, i have tried all of your settings to no avail.... Maybe i need a lower vid proc.... I bought a "oem" proc, and lapped it, shoulda wrote the damn numbers down.....:shakes:

run 4 instances of NCI memtest for windows, set each version to use 1700mb of ram and see if it will do 300% coverage. If it passes that it will pass anything. If you want really brutal run CoreDamage at the same time to catch any cycles memtest leaves unused.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by screwtech02

Man, i have tried all of your settings to no avail.... Maybe i need a lower vid proc.... I bought a "oem" proc, and lapped it, shoulda wrote the damn numbers down.....:shakes:

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It's not a Vid. thing, its an fsb thing; your processor must be capable of it, your motherboard/chipset must also be capable of it. I have a Q6600 here with a Vid. of 3.125v that does 500fsb. So I can confidently say it has nothing to do with the Vid.

Despite my good Q6600, I also hit a wall at around 490 FSB, 500 is a post but no boot

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tony

run 4 instances of NCI memtest for windows, set each version to use 1700mb of ram and see if it will do 300% coverage. If it passes that it will pass anything. If you want really brutal run CoreDamage at the same time to catch any cycles memtest leaves unused.

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Ok, was testing with new settings... vfsb=1.40v, Vnb=1.61v..... Will give HCI memtest a shot....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tony

run 4 instances of NCI memtest for windows, set each version to use 1700mb of ram and see if it will do 300% coverage. If it passes that it will pass anything. If you want really brutal run CoreDamage at the same time to catch any cycles memtest leaves unused.

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Tony, program doesn't allow me to allocate more than 1099mb. How did you do it? Thanks.

I guess you could call this stable...

Edit: Disabled pagefile so all writes done to ram.... tried at first with pagefile on and my raided hds were taking a battering due to all the read/writes. Test took over eight hours... (overnight).

Everest bandwidth test is with ram untweaked... vnb=1.6v (as reported by everest); vfsb=1.394v. vdimm=1.80v (bios set), 1.88v actual.

I'll be playing with some ram tweaks to see if I can maintain stability.

Maybe this threat is dead but im still asking anyway;

I managed to get my Bios stable at 7*572 but cant get 470+*9 stress-stable.
cpu- and NBTemps are under 42 degrees stressed for hours (4.1ghz)

Ive read all the manuals for oc maximus but coming from AMD doesnt make it easy.
I used Zuckers2k's settings (+little ram adjustment) to get to 7*572 in bios stable.

Can someone please post E8400 E0 settings for 500+FSB? I know this isn't the oc-my-rig-for-me-thread but ive bin tweaking for weeks now. :shakes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 19*12 gamer

Maybe this threat is dead but im still asking anyway;

I managed to get my Bios stable at 7*572 but cant get 470+*9 stress-stable.
cpu- and NBTemps are under 42 degrees stressed for hours (4.1ghz)

Ive read all the manuals for oc maximus but coming from AMD doesnt make it easy.
I used Zuckers2k's settings (+little ram adjustment) to get to 7*572 in bios stable.

Can someone please post E8400 E0 settings for 500+FSB? I know this isn't the oc-my-rig-for-me-thread but ive bin tweaking for weeks now. :shakes:

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I have an old E8400 setup its a C1 chip but it should be a good place to start.
I'll look around for it and post it shortly.

wow, thanks for the quick response.

Im gonna flsah it into rampage, can i just get the latest bios or should i get 0403?

I just flashed my mobo to Rampage Formula. This gives me a lot more setting which just makes it harder for me to set them correctly :confused:

I flashed it to rampage, its a bit more complicated now but i get most of the settings and got 8.5*500 stress stable for 18+ minutes:
Managed to get Orthos small FFT's stress test stable for 18+min (stopped the test, all temps stay below 42degrees C)

My settings for that are:
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8.5 :)
FSB Frequency : 500 :)
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1002
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 18
RAS# to RAS# Delay : AUTO
Row Refresh Cycle Time : AUTO
Write Recovery Time : AUTO
Read to Precharge Time : AUTO

DRAM Static Read Control: disabled
Ai Clock Twister : lighter
Transaction Booster : auto (0-30 dont get this??)

CPU Voltage : AUTO //reads in BIOS/cpuz/cpuid: 1.304v
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50 // 1.58v
North Bridge Voltage : 1. 51 // 1.51v
DRAM Voltage : AUTO // 2.1v
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.6// 1.5v
South Bridge Voltage : AUTO
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : AUTO //Dont get this 2
North Bridge GTL Reference : AUTO //and this (0.67*-0.62* = %?)
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : AUTO
SB 1.5V Voltage : AUTO

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

Tried 3 hours to get 500*9 working but could not boot windows nomatter what, while 520*8.5 is able to boot vista and make screens but not stress the system...

Anyone know why i cant go higher/ what im doing wrong here?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 19*12 gamer

Tried 3 hours to get 500*9 working but could not boot windows nomatter what, while 520*8.5 is able to boot vista and make screens but not stress the system...

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by 19*12 gamer

Anyone know why i cant go higher/ what im doing wrong here?

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If you can do 8.5x520 you should be able to easily do 9x500. Try more vcore/cpupll/fsbt and nbv.

Edit: You won't be needing more fsbt, since you're running lower, but give it a shot nonetheless.

Hi zucker , you sure know your q6600's , have you kept count of how many you have tested ?

:up:

Hey Aussie mate, no :) I lost count a long time ago. How's that L737B holding up?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zucker2k

Row Refresh Cycle Time : Auto (for 52, can't be set manually in bios)

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Is this so? Why can't it be set manually in bios? The only way I could get a decent OC on the Maximus formula bios was to set this to 55 with 8gb of RAM.

I'm Going to be pushing my new Q9550 and I'm thinking of converting to Rampage bios, but this could be a deal breaker.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MJR

Is this so? Why can't it be set manually in bios? The only way I could get a decent OC on the Maximus formula bios was to set this to 55 with 8gb of RAM.

I'm Going to be pushing my new Q9550 and I'm thinking of converting to Rampage bios, but this could be a deal breaker.

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You answered your own question; the settings are in increments of 5, so, 40,45,50,55. The stock TRFC (SPD) for the G.Skills is 52. If you set TRFC to AUTO, the bios will pick up the 52.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zucker2k

You answered your own question; the settings are in increments of 5, so, 40,45,50,55. The stock TRFC (SPD) for the G.Skills is 52. If you set TRFC to AUTO, the bios will pick up the 52.

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aaah, thanks. I forgot about that. My default is 46 since these are the older OCZ sticks.

I converted over the Rampage Bios. Any quick tips on how to duplicate your fsb with a 45nm chip?

If you mean 45nm quad @ 8.5x500fsb, PL8, high vtt (up to 1.70v), high vnb (1.65-1.75). If you drop the multi to say 7, you'd need lesser volts. Keep cpupll pinned at 1.50v.

Damn my e-peen is gone...
My Q6600 wont even post at 460FSB. walls at 455 :(

Maximus Formula SE flashed to Rampage 0601 bios. Tried your settings, no go. im also using 8GB of G.Skill ram, but it wouldnt work when i had 4GB either.

FPO/Batch is L726A880

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Furiøùs

Damn my e-peen is gone...
My Q6600 wont even post at 460FSB. walls at 455 :(

Maximus Formula SE flashed to Rampage 0601 bios. Tried your settings, no go. im also using 8GB of G.Skill ram, but it wouldnt work when i had 4GB either.

FPO/Batch is L726A880

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I'll try playing with gtl/vtt; remember, higher gtl = lower vtt, and vice versa. Some Q6600s tend to love higher gtls. Also try to keep your NB temps cool.

NB temps under load are 52c with 1.65v flowing through it.

I have a 80mm fan that cools the top of my GTX280 and it aims right at the copper heatsink. i took off the rubber plug things and opened up the holes for even MORE air.

Im at 0.67x on the CPU GTL REF..

Cant go any higher :mad:

OH and btw! i had a E8400 before this chip in this board, ran 460x8.5 just fine for 3.93 i believe. i had 4GB of ram at the time, but the 460 ran fine.

I tried pulling 2 sticks of ram out and trying 460, doesnt work either

:( My Q6600 Walls @ +/-470FSB... But able to boot Vista @9x470 :d On a MF1 Rampaged board.
On a MF2, this Q6600 is able to reach 510FSB...
I'll try the bios 601 if it allows me to up these FSB.