Live MB OC Report :: ASUS Rampage Extreme

[aln688]

We should all send our HPA's back to Asus so they realise what a cr@p job they have done but as you say its probably best to hold onto it for warranty or in case you sell the board in the future as all of the new replacement cooling can be taken off and used again.

What CPU and O/S will you be using ?.

I plan to fit SLF-1 at the w/e as from Expat Griz it sounds like the S/B will run at least 10 degrees cooler than with the CNB-S1L. To be honest stick with the parts you have so far, once the system is built if you are unhappy with the performance of any part then look to swap them out. Memory reviews are a useful guide but only if they are using a similar platform, CPU architecture and cooling as the restriction may lay elsewhere. To answer your question about running memory slower than its rated speed then see post #1471 - generally it can be ran with tighter timings and less voltage and then the extra headroom may be used later after a change elsewhere in the system eg, if you went to W/C.

I don't think Asus cares to be honest, I've never had to request support from them but don't rate them very highly either.

My operating system will be Windows XP Professional x64, the operating system that is based on Windows Server 2003, just the 64-bit version.

As for CPU, I have the Intel Q9550 2.83GHz, which I'm aiming to get up to 3.6GHz. Thanks, I'll stick to the RAM I have, it will go up to 1700MHz I'm sure, pointless to buy 1800 speed RAM and run it at 1700MHz, just an un-necessary expense.

[Ghostleader]

I don't think Asus cares to be honest, I've never had to request support from them but don't rate them very highly either.

My operating system will be Windows XP Professional x64, the operating system that is based on Windows Server 2003, just the 64-bit version.

As for CPU, I have the Intel Q9550 2.83GHz, which I'm aiming to get up to 3.6GHz. Thanks, I'll stick to the RAM I have, it will go up to 1700MHz I'm sure, pointless to buy 1800 speed RAM and run it at 1700MHz, just an un-necessary expense.

If you are aiming for 3,6 you should consider to run FSB 450 and RAM at 1800 (CAS 7, tRD6), it´s gonna be a pretty awesome 24/7 setup.

[cheapseats]

Just bought an RE to play~ mind if I join in this discussion to contribute
Yesterday got some test. Settings as below (briefly)
FSB: 540
Multiplier: 8
divider: 200/667

Voltages:
CPU: 1.35v
CPU VTT: 1.19v
CPU PLL: 1.55v
vDIMM: 2v @ 7-6-5-18
vNB: 1.51v
GTLs:
CPU 0/2: +50mv
CPU 1/3: +10mv
NB: +40mv
1.5v SB: 1.55v

Others on auto

With this strap I was able to boot at tRD = 8 and Pass dual PI 32M
With 1.41v vNB I got BSOD right before I saw the desktop
With 333/1066 divider the machine was bootable but BSOD when loading Windows using tRD = 8

What's interesting is, compare with the anaxxtech's review (Rampage Formula)
It has a formula about the calculation if the machine will be able to POST or not using a certain tRD.
While 333/1066 divider's value is bigger then 200/667 in terms of theory we should be able to boot up and load to windows without a problem using the same tRD value.
The problem is, with 333/1066 divider tRD @ 8 is completely unstable while 200/667 can boot up and pass dual 32M, even memset to tRD = 7 for a memory benchmark (possible to pass PI as well, haven't tried)
Any suggestions and comments on that?

And, I have a problem on overclocking my CPU to 4.5Ghz, will post the problem later. Still looking for assisstance
(Sorry for my bad english)

EDIT: The scene as below
FSB 500 Multi 9 4500Mhz
vCore: 1.3875v 1.392v Load LLC Enabled
With this setting I can pass OCCT for 2 hrs mixed test
But in ORTHOS I wasn't able to Pass even 1 minute and always get the same error: Final Result Mismatch
It does not make a single difference by rising the vCore to 1.425v. However it do pass dueal PI 32M...that's confusing...please help

Hi ci2kla

For predicting 'allowable' POSTs, I've not had much success with the tRD equation either - I found settings that wouldn't actually POST came up as allowable using (my understanding of) the formula.

I came to the conclusion that the fixed values (for FSB range) given in the A/Tech Rampage Formula article, only applied to DDR2 (it's a DDR2 article of course). I think the 'tRD Calculator' at OCZ uses the same values and is for DDR2 only. Can anyone confirm one way or another?

Anyway, I found in tests on the 333 strap and 5:8 divider (333/1066 from your description?), that as a general rule (on my board at least and up to 625FSB), the tRD value must be at least one higher than the CL value for POST to be allowable. eg CL7/tRD8 or higher and CL8/tRD9 or higher are allowable for POST using 5:8 divider.

As a general rule for the 1:2 divider (at least between 450 and 515FSB, and again maybe just on my board ), the tRD value may be one lower than the CL value with POST still allowable. eg CL7/tRD6 or higher and CL8/tRD7 or higher are allowable for POST using 1:2 divider.

At some point below 450FSB - maybe at 400 and below but haven't tested yet - the 1:2 divider appears to allow the tRD value to be two lower than CL value. As cstkl1 showed a few posts back tRD 5 can be used with CL7. I suppose the 1:2/CL7/tRD5 combination is allowed by the lower FSB level.

So far I have found that Pull-ins obey the same 'rules' so, for example, no POST with pull-in to 6 from tRD7 with CL8/1:2 at 450-500FSB.
As rob2k mentioned finding with tRD5, pulling-in to 5 from tRD6 may not be allowed with CL7 either, depending on FSB.

Of course none of this explains the instability you found on the 333 strap but not with the 200 strap, since you were able to POST with CL7/tRD8, as expected.

I haven't tested at all yet on the 200 strap but cstkl1's findings with 1:2 at 400FSB with 4x1GB, using low vNB (1.25V) and CL7/tRD5, look interesting too. I've only gone above 515FSB using 5:8 (333 strap). Will try some 200 strap runs to see what I get in terms of vNB/stability/performance

I've been using Moderate/Strong/Stronger for Clock Twister, trying to offset my lack of decent CL7/1T clocks and that also contributes to my higher vNB requirement.

[cheapseats]

Just comparing to Ghostleader's nice Everest results for 475x9/1:2/1T/CL7/tRD6

here:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/FORUMS/...postcount=1512


Using Strong CT for this so I'm not sure if it's a direct comparison. Apart from that, it shows quite well the difference between 1T and 2T for Read and Latency.

Second screen shows how much extra I would need to reach about the same Read but still with higher latency for 2T. Wouldn't fancy trying to stabilise at 490FSB with tRD 6 though

[aln688]

If you are aiming for 3,6 you should consider to run FSB 450 and RAM at 1800 (CAS 7, tRD6), it´s gonna be a pretty awesome 24/7 setup.

I can get by with 425 FSB, the multiplier on my Q9550 is 8.5, 425 * 8.5 = 3612, which means the RAM is 425 * 4 (for DDR3) = 1700. Also my Q9550 is the E0 stepping CPU, I don't know if that means it runs cooler or not.

[Ghostleader]

Just comparing to Ghostleader's nice Everest results for 475x9/1:2/1T/CL7/tRD6

here:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/FORUMS/...postcount=1512


Using Strong CT for this so I'm not sure if it's a direct comparison. Apart from that, it shows quite well the difference between 1T and 2T for Read and Latency.

Second screen shows how much extra I would need to reach about the same Read but still with higher latency for 2T. Wouldn't fancy trying to stabilise at 490FSB with tRD 6 though

Nice comparison and keep try to get 490, tRD6 stable.

I can get by with 425 FSB, the multiplier on my Q9550 is 8.5, 425 * 8.5 = 3612, which means the RAM is 425 * 4 (for DDR3) = 1700. Also my Q9550 is the E0 stepping CPU, I don't know if that means it runs cooler or not.

I know but drop it to 8 and 450 with 1800 gonna get you better performance.

[rob2k]

Crikey !!! - just saw the price of the RE2 X58 board £375 whilst looking for a PSU & Blue Ray upgrade.

[maxxx]

@Rob2k: the R2E is cheaper than the RE here.

[GLENBOY]

which bios is consided the best all round bios as i see its now up to 801 beta bios,, thanks

[Infa]

The RE is beeing upped extremely much here in price, in sweden har it costs now 3700kr, thats hard translated to 460 dollars...
so i dont know anymore, maybe some other board? but thats the best one hehe...and no p45 for me thanks.

[Think]

Crikey !!! - just saw the price of the RE2 X58 board £375 whilst looking for a PSU & Blue Ray upgrade.

That's crazy

[rob2k]

That's crazy

You're not kidding !!! - £375 for a RE2 mobo !!. When I bought the RE in July for £270 I thought I must have been mad especially when you consider I stripped off the original cooling and spent another £55 on Enzotech and Thermalright heatsinks.

Incidentally the RE has increased in price to £282 for some strange reason

Good job this will now be my main system for the next year or two

[GLENBOY]

its only locked upwards so lower the multiplier in bios down and up the fsb to maintain same cpu speed and with the higher fsb it'll be quicker

[maxxx]

FYI, the Noctua U12P and a Noctua NC-U6 chipset cooler do not fit when used together (as pictured above), the NC-U6 Northbridge (NB) heatsink hits the U12P. So I had to order the Thermalright HR-05 SLI/IFX, the one with an angle. I've also ordered (thanks to 3oh6 suggesting this) an 80x15mm fan to fit on the HR-05. When more copper heatsinks and the HR-05 arrives, I'll be able to say I'm finished this upgrade, all the copper on the board looks neat against the black PCB.

@aln688: how do you intend to position the HR-05? I am having a dilemma on the temps of the NB. TIA.

[Kensek]

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=923548&da=y

The above link is to Bios version 0901, dated 11/20/2008 for the Rampage Extreme.

Flash at your own risk. Use the EZ-Flash Method to minimize a bad flash occurring.

Also there is No Change Log.

Please Post your likes and dislikes about this version.

Thank you

[cstkl1]

does anybody know how to solve this hanging issue with 4 sticks..

getting damn frustratating..

its not the pll
not the nb voltage
not the vdimm
not the gtl
and not any skewing..

still havent got the superstable clocks with 4 sticks
damn frust
heck still using my lone raptor X
cant yet plug in the two veloci for raid 0 until i settle this..

[cheapseats]

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=923548&da=y

The above link is to Bios version 0901, dated 11/20/2008 for the Rampage Extreme.

Flash at your own risk. Use the EZ-Flash Method to minimize a bad flash occurring.

Also there is No Change Log.

Please Post your likes and dislikes about this version.

Thank you

Thank you Kensek


@ ALN688, shame about the Noctuas clashing, but all looking very good.

Blah blah.......At some point below 450FSB - maybe at 400 and below but haven't tested yet - the 1:2 divider appears to allow the tRD value to be two lower than CL value. As cstkl1 showed a few posts back tRD 5 can be used with CL7. I suppose the 1:2/CL7/tRD5 combination is allowed by the lower FSB level.

An update to this - it's actually the 200 strap, not FSB level, that seems to allow tRD values to be two lower than CL value (1:2 divider only tested so far).

Between (at least) 400-500FSB, tRD 6 is available with CL8 on 200 strap (but not on 266 or 333 straps). Similarly tRD 5 ok with CL7 up to......

Not sure yet about performance - no noticable effect in Everest or 32M for 200 strap over 266 or 333 straps, despite being able to use lower tRD values.

Does some other (hidden?) timing run looser when using the 200 strap ?

Just working through this really - any thoughts guys ?

[aln688]

@aln688: how do you intend to position the HR-05? I am having a dilemma on the temps of the NB. TIA.

The pictures from another forum thread demonstrates perfectly, here we have an X38 board (very similar to X48 layout), with the Noctua NH-U12P, Thermalright HR-05 SLI/IFX and slimline fan, exactly the same parts I'm planning on using, please look here:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=52217

I'm going to angle the HR-05 with the back of the heatsink pointing towards the bottom of the board, and use thin black 4" cable ties to attach the fan to the inside of the HR-05. For the fan I'm going to use a Sanyo Denki 80x80x15mm:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/sandenpetace.html

...which will be plugged into CHA_FAN1 which is located on the far right side of the board, near the RAM modules:



This plan seems to work, I've mapped it all out. I wanted the Noctua 80x80x25mm fan, but there isn't enough room between the HR-05 and the U12P CPU heatsink.

[MnM]

... Similarly tRD 5 ok with CL7 up to......

Which option in bios is tRD? And if the perfomace level (as I suspect) how do you map thos numbers (5,6 etc) to the actual values (light, strong etc)

[rob2k]

@ Glenboy - I think the best bios's so far are 0403, 0501 & 0801
@ Aln688 - Great pics, looking forward to seeing your results.
@ Kensek - Cheers for the link, will try 0901 later
@ Cheapseats - Thats some good information on the straps. I can only boot on the 333 & 400 straps so it maybe FSB or hardware dependant.

Had a few freezes over the weekend within 30 seconds of coming out of sleep. Just modified the power profiles for now so it never goes into this mode. Any ideas as to what may be causing this ?.

[cstkl1]

@ Glenboy - I think the best bios's so far are 0403, 0501 & 0801
@ Aln688 - Great pics, looking forward to seeing your results.
@ Kensek - Cheers for the link, will try 0901 later
@ Cheapseats - Thats some good information on the straps. I can only boot on the 333 & 400 straps so it maybe FSB or hardware dependant.

Had a few freezes over the weekend within 30 seconds of coming out of sleep. Just modified the power profiles for now so it never goes into this mode. Any ideas as to what may be causing this ?.

ok for 400 fsb
it goes like this

for strap 333 with strong/stronger no much diff at 1 T
is roughly = strap 200 with light at 2T at tRD 5.

so i guess its just a balance of tRD's and clock twister...
so with the straps and running 2:1 ratios.. choose better balance on the NB stress for certain clock skews..

base on certain fsb to reach stronger clock skews ure jump from strong to stronger is quite big...
so to choose like in between values
i guess would be manupalation of skews and tRD's either set or by pull in's.

but damn man
this board sux that it cant do 4gb at 2000mhz...
and 4x1gb kit still has that hanging issue which doesnt even make sense y it has in the first place.

previously with p5e3 all the hanging issue was because of undervolted nb or vdimm

also this board has the same issue with the maximus 2 formula..
theres a max nb voltage u can go with certain fsb voltage.
maximus extreme didnt suffer this but that board to get it superstable at 4.5ghz was a no go...

interesting crazy board eh..

[GLENBOY]

thankyou for your answer , anybody tried the 901 bios yet

@ Glenboy - I think the best bios's so far are 0403, 0501 & 0801
@ Aln688 - Great pics, looking forward to seeing your results.
@ Kensek - Cheers for the link, will try 0901 later
@ Cheapseats - Thats some good information on the straps. I can only boot on the 333 & 400 straps so it maybe FSB or hardware dependant.

Had a few freezes over the weekend within 30 seconds of coming out of sleep. Just modified the power profiles for now so it never goes into this mode. Any ideas as to what may be causing this ?.

[rob2k]

so i guess its just a balance of tRD's and clock twister...
so with the straps and running 2:1 ratios.. choose better balance on the NB stress for certain clock skews..

.....interesting crazy board eh..

That sounds complicated !!. I have used SKEWS for CPU, NB and DRAM channels A & B but have no idea what the clock twister set to AUTO is actually doing. Just glad that I have a working setup at last. Yes it is VERY crazy .......... but fun

@ Aln688 - It looks like you have missed H/S from these components ....



Was this deliberate ?. There is a good post #313 from EF where he used a digital temperature probe to determine what gets hot and what doesn't.

[Pyr0]

does anybody know how to solve this hanging issue with 4 sticks..

getting damn frustratating..

its not the pll
not the nb voltage
not the vdimm
not the gtl
and not any skewing..

still havent got the superstable clocks with 4 sticks
damn frust
heck still using my lone raptor X
cant yet plug in the two veloci for raid 0 until i settle this..

running 4X1GB here too at the mo.
for me, the PC would hang after sometime of use until i set the cpu/nb skews and the mem clk skews.
admittedly, i'm not going for any huge overclocks though. i just wanted some stable 24/7 settings (with no lockups) so i'd have something to fall back on when oc'ing

for now, i'm running 500x8, mem at 1600 7-6-5-15-1N. i've passed 12hrs of memtest and had no probs gaming etc.

AI OVERCLOCK TUNER =========================MANUAL
OC FROM CPU LEVEL ==========================AUTO
OC FROM MEMORY LEVEL UP ====================AUTO
FSB FREQUENCY ==============================500
CPU RATIO SETTING ==========================08

CPU CLOCK SKEW =============================300ps
NB CLOCK SKEW ==============================300ps
FSB STRAP TO NORTH BRIDGE ==================333
PCIE FREQUENCY =============================100
DRAM FREQUENCY =============================1600
DRAM COMAND RATE ===========================1N
DRAM TIMING CONTROL ========================MANUAL
CAS LATENCY ================================7
RAS TO CAS DELAY ===========================6
RAS PRE TIME ===============================5
RAS ACT TIME ===============================15
RAS TO RAS DELAY ===========================AUTO
REF CYCLE TIME =============================72
WRITE RECOVERY TIME ========================AUTO
READ TO PRE TIME ===========================AUTO
READ TO WRITE DELAY S/D ====================AUTO
WRITE TO READ DELAY S ======================AUTO
WRITE TO READ DELAY D ======================AUTO
READ TO READ DELAY S =======================AUTO
READ TO READ DELAY D =======================AUTO
WRITE TO WRITE DELAY S =====================AUTO
WRITE TO WRITE DELAY D =====================AUTO
WRITE TO PRE DELAY =========================22
READ TO PRE DELAY ==========================5
PRE TO PRE DELAY ===========================AUTO
ALL PRE TO ACT DELAY =======================AUTO
ALL PRE TO REF DELAY =======================AUTO
DRAM STATIC READ CONTROL ===================DISABLED
DRAM DYNAMIC WRITE CONTROL =================DISABLED

DRAM SKEW CONTROL
DRAM CMD SKEW ON CHANNEL A = AUTO
DRAM CLK SKEW ON DIMM A1 = NORMAL
DRAM CLK SKEW ON DIMM A2 = NORMAL
DRAM CTL SKEW ON DIMM A1 = AUTO
DRAM CTL SKEW ON DIMM A2 = AUTO

DRAM CMD SKEW ON CHANNEL B = AUTO
DRAM CLK SKEW ON DIMM B1 = DELAY 75ps
DRAM CLK SKEW ON DIMM B2 = DELAY 75ps
DRAM CTL SKEW ON DIMM B1 = AUTO
DRAM CTL SKEW ON DIMM B2 = AUTO


AI CLOCK TWISTER ===========================MODERATE
AI TRANSACTION BOOSTER =====================MANUAL
PERFORMANCE LEVEL ==========================08

PULL-IN OF CHA PH1 =========================DISABLED
PULL-IN OF CHA PH2 =========================ENABLED
PULL-IN OF CHA PH3 =========================DISABLED
PULL-IN OF CHA PH4 =========================DISABLED
PULL-IN OF CHA PH5 =========================ENABLED
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

EPU II PHASE CONTROL =======================AUTO
CPU VOLTAGE ================================1.350 V
LOAD-LINE CALIBRATION ======================DISABLED
CPU PLL VOLTAGE  ===========================1.56406 V
FSB TERMINATION VOLTAGE  ===================1.25916 V
CPU GTLVREF 0 ==============================AUTO
CPU GTLVREF 1 ==============================AUTO
CPU GTLVREF 2 ==============================AUTO
CPU GTLVREF 3 ==============================AUTO
NB GTLVREF =================================AUTO
NORTH BRIDGE VOLTAGE =======================1.48447 V
DRAM VOLTAGE ===============================1.84231 V
NB DDRVREF =================================AUTO
DDR3 CHANNEL A VREF ========================AUTO
DDR3 CHANNEL B VREF ========================AUTO
SOUTH BRIDGE 1.5 VOLTAGE ===================AUTO
SOUTH BRIDGE 1.05 VOLTAGE ==================AUTO
CPU SPREAD SPRECTRUM =======================DISABLED
PCIE SPREAD SPECTRUM =======================DISABLED

[edit] just flashed to 0901. not seeing any obvious differences, i just booted with same settings.

[aln688]

@ Aln688 - It looks like you have missed H/S from these components ....

Was this deliberate ?. There is a good post #313 from EF where he used a digital temperature probe to determine what gets hot and what doesn't.

Ha ha, you get the prize for observation! Yes I know about those two MOSFETs thanks, I just ran out of MOS-C1s (the small 2x2 heatsinks) as I'm upgrading the cooling on two boards. I've reordered more though, should arrive Wednesday. Thank you for alerting me, much appreciated. I'll repost more pictures of my board once those two MOSFETs are covered and my Thermalright HR-05 SLI/IFX is installed. Cheers.