The Maximus Formula Thread - Help/OCing/Guide/Rampage conversion

[kup]

490MHz Prime Blending right now @ same voltages as above!!!

[les_paulde]

Man, I'm not getting this at the moment.

What's going on is that I've been trying to run my G.Skills above their rated speed, and have been successful thanks to Grnfinger, according to both memtest86 and memtest 3.7 for windows. But what happens sometimes, is that while in windows (regardless if i'm idle or not), the screen will go black to then return to Vista (business x64) with the message that ATIKMDIAG.SYS has crashed and was recovered. Sometimes I'm not so lucky and the computer just reboots after a BSOD. My graphics cards are not overclocked atm, and I've really been able to single this out to the speed at which my ram is running, as this also happens when my cpu and motherboard are running at close to stock (270 fsb instead of 266). Anything above 533mhz and these problems arise but it doesnt make any sense to me that there would be a problem with the memory if Prime Blend and memtest 3.7 show no errors over a 10hr testing period.

Anybody here experienced something similar and cares to shed some light on this? Thanks!

[Grnfinger]

Rampage Formula arrived. Q6600 @ 480MHz FSB Prime Blend/Linpack stable with 1.44v vNB (random voltage picked to just start me off, will lower it soon), 1.6v vPLL, 1.25v vFSBT, 2.096v vDimm. PL7 1:1 atm. This board is nice.

Very nice
I'm still waiting for a replacement Rampage.
The shop had to order one, didnt think is was going to be this long.

Man, I'm not getting this at the moment.

What's going on is that I've been trying to run my G.Skills above their rated speed, and have been successful thanks to Grnfinger, according to both memtest86 and memtest 3.7 for windows. But what happens sometimes, is that while in windows (regardless if i'm idle or not), the screen will go black to then return to Vista (business x64) with the message that ATIKMDIAG.SYS has crashed and was recovered. Sometimes I'm not so lucky and the computer just reboots after a BSOD. My graphics cards are not overclocked atm, and I've really been able to single this out to the speed at which my ram is running, as this also happens when my cpu and motherboard are running at close to stock (270 fsb instead of 266). Anything above 533mhz and these problems arise but it doesnt make any sense to me that there would be a problem with the memory if Prime Blend and memtest 3.7 show no errors over a 10hr testing period.

Anybody here experienced something similar and cares to shed some light on this? Thanks!

I have a couple of times running high FSB, couple drops of NB volts and all was fine.
As for your ram the GSkills will handle 2.2 volts actual so set 2.12 in bios and it will help squeeze a few more MHz out of them

[Grnfinger]

Double post alert but its required

Was moaning on the weekend about my 20" inch screen and the one dead pixel that was anoying the hell out of me.
So Sunday my wife took off to the mall for a few hours and left me home alone with the kids
When she returned I was ready to hang myself in the basement but after seeing what she bought me ......




Its only a cheapo RCA 32" but DAMN its fun to game on

[Zucker2k]

^^^^ Very nice; lucky guy.

RF 0501. Solves Adaptec Raid issue, supposedly is a bit faster; comes with usual disclaimer: RF 0501

[kup]

How is it a bit faster? Bandwidth?

I'm up to 495MHz FSB Prime Blend stable! All the same except 1.51v vNB now.

[zlojack]

I'll have to decide soon whether to keep the Rampage Extreme or the Formula...

The Extreme is such an awesome board, but the RAM compatibility is horrible so far.

[Zucker2k]

How is it a bit faster? Bandwidth?

I'm up to 495MHz FSB Prime Blend stable! All the same except 1.51v vNB now.

Haven't tested yet, so I can't say for sure. I'm a little tied down right now. I see you're having lots of fun, ain't ya?

I'll have to decide soon whether to keep the Rampage Extreme or the Formula...

The Extreme is such an awesome board, but the RAM compatibility is horrible so far.

I'm surprised you're having problems with the extreme; per my results, and now Kup, I can say you'll probably see a significant change in performance/stability with RF.

[zlojack]

Haven't tested yet, so I can't say for sure. I'm a little tied down right now. I see you're having lots of fun, ain't ya?

I'm surprised you're having problems with the extreme; per my results, and now Kup, I can say you'll probably see a significant change in performance/stability with RF.

The Extreme is awesome.

500 FSB without batting an eye.

My DDR3 is running at 1200 MHz because it won't go higher.

I think I'll probably wait it out. Even at that speed, I'm getting better bandwidth than my DDR2 got at it's max, so that's something.

I just hope they don't abandon the bios development now that the Rampage II Extreme X58 is around the corner.

There's just something to be said for the nice stability of the relatively mature bios of the Formula.

But I'd rather move forward than back

[kup]

Haven't tested yet, so I can't say for sure. I'm a little tied down right now. I see you're having lots of fun, ain't ya?

I'm surprised you're having problems with the extreme; per my results, and now Kup, I can say you'll probably see a significant change in performance/stability with RF.

The first thing I noticed with the Rampage over the Maximus was that the Rampage doesn't overvolt the ram so much! And yes, the actual Rampage PCB (over the Maximus PCB with or without the Rampage bios) is much much more stable!!! This system is absolutely rock solid, and it feels much more stable than my old Maximus or even my absolutely rock solid P5K-E!

Testing @ 500MHz FSB now, video and Prime Blend!

[scottath]

@ kup:

What voltage are you useing for each interval on the cpu?
1.6v vPLL, 1.25v vFSBT, 2.096v vDimm. PL7 1:1 atm
^^ These constant throughout so far? ^^ (except the NB)?

EDIT: Also - what cooling you using? Water? - i have a Lapped TRUE with 2 STUPIDLY powerful fans on it (38*120mm 130cfm)

[kup]

@ kup:

What voltage are you useing for each interval on the cpu?
1.6v vPLL, 1.25v vFSBT, 2.096v vDimm. PL7 1:1 atm
^^ These constant throughout so far? ^^ (except the NB)?

EDIT: Also - what cooling you using? Water? - i have a Lapped TRUE with 2 STUPIDLY powerful fans on it (38*120mm 130cfm)

Those voltages are; 1.51v vNB, 1.616v vPLL, 1.25v vFSBT, 2.096v vDimm. vCore is @ 1.275v for 3GHz right now for testing. I could push to 3.825GHz with 1.5v on the P5K-E so I'm curious to see how the Rampage can push the Q6600...

Cooling is all on air. TRUE on Q6600, stock Rampage cooling (except MX2 on northbridge and southbridge.

[scottath]

Currently i'm running the P5E with the Rampage bios, AS5 on NB/SB/Mofets and 3 fans strapped to the nb heatsink
I normally run 3.6ghz at just under 1.50v
I can run 3dmark06 at 3.96ghz but that is with stupid voltages (1.7v) so one of the other voltages/tweaks must be holdign it back.
There is a guy on OCAU who has a q6600 from the same batch as mine that with phase change got to around 4.3ghz from memory so i'm hoping for this ship of mine to go high.....

I'll be watching your progress closely - will help us alot i think.
I came from a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 and there are so many options even in the stock P5E bios that i have no clue about - the rampage bios is even more filled with unknowns

[InfinityNX]

Use Prime small fft's to test cpu only first.
Your ram unlees its the older BT's will not be compatable with this board and you will experience alot of difficulties using it.

So I will concentrate on cpu only for now.

CPU Feature
Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
OC From CPU Level Up [Auto]
CPU Ratio Control [Manual]
Ratio CMOS Setting: 8.5
FSB Frequency 450
FSB Strap to North Bridge 333
PCIE Frequency 100
DRAM Settings
DRAM Frequency 901
DRAM Command Rate [2T]
DRAM Timing Control [Manual]
CAS# Latency [5]
RAS# to CAS Delay [5]
RAS# Precharge [5]
RAS# Active Time 15
RAS# To Ras# Delay [3]
Row Refresh Cycle Time 55
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]
DRAM Static Read Control [Disabled]
Ai Clock Twister moderate
Transaction Booster [Enabled]
Boost Level [0]
Voltage Settings
CPU Voltage 1.40 ( start here and adjustments can be made later)
CPU PLL Voltage 1.50
North Bridge Voltage 1.51
DRAM Voltage [2.20v]
FSB Termination Voltage 1.40
South Bridge Voltage 1.050
Loadline Calibration [Enabled]
CPU GTL Reference [0.65x]
North Bridge GTL Reference [0.67x]
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage DDR2-REF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage DDR2-REF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage [DDR2_REF]
SB 1.5V Voltage 1.50

@Grnfinger

Tried the BIOS setup you gave, but it didn't boot. I increased the CPU voltage from 1.4 to 1.45 then 1.50, but still, same problem. I think the problem was with the RAM, since the BT lights didn't even light up for all boot-tests. Any other advice you can give?

Thanks for your help btw.

bump

[kup]

Currently i'm running the P5E with the Rampage bios, AS5 on NB/SB/Mofets and 3 fans strapped to the nb heatsink
I normally run 3.6ghz at just under 1.50v
I can run 3dmark06 at 3.96ghz but that is with stupid voltages (1.7v) so one of the other voltages/tweaks must be holdign it back.
There is a guy on OCAU who has a q6600 from the same batch as mine that with phase change got to around 4.3ghz from memory so i'm hoping for this ship of mine to go high.....

I'll be watching your progress closely - will help us alot i think.
I came from a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 and there are so many options even in the stock P5E bios that i have no clue about - the rampage bios is even more filled with unknowns

Well I've run my old Maximus at up to 480MHz FSB with silly voltages but it was never 24/7 stable. This Rampage is rock solid @ 500MHz FSB with lower voltages than my Maximus needed for 450MHz FSB!

[kup]

OK, so 500MHz FSB can Prime Blend for about an hour (give or take 5mins) before one and only one thread gives up. What could be the cause of this? I've tried more vNB and advancing the Skew to 350 but still no resolution?

[Grnfinger]

OK, so 500MHz FSB can Prime Blend for about an hour (give or take 5mins) before one and only one thread gives up. What could be the cause of this? I've tried more vNB and advancing the Skew to 350 but still no resolution?

try a notch or 2 of PLL

[kup]

This will sound terribly n00b of me, but what would you recommend for vPLL? I'm currently running @ 1.616v vPLL, 1.328v vFSBT and 1.51v vNB.

[Utnorris]

So I just flashed my MF to RF bios 410. My temp sensor in PC Probe is way off, reading 21c when Core Temp is at 47-47-35-35c, ambient is at 25c. Should this be expected or should I go to 308? Specs are in sig except I have a Maximus Formula instead of a Blitz now. Core Temp seems to be correct based on previous readings by the way.

Thanks,

Utnorris

[kup]

Ignore the CPU readings and stick with CoreTemp. Quite a few Asus bios' have the same issue. I always watching my Quad idle at 5c below ambient.

[Grnfinger]

This will sound terribly n00b of me, but what would you recommend for vPLL? I'm currently running @ 1.616v vPLL, 1.328v vFSBT and 1.51v vNB.

hmm your pll seems high enough already. but 1.65 would be my max
for 500FSB your NB volts could go up a bit. maybe 1.53-1.55
Zucker2K would have better hands on than me if anyone can get a high FSB stable on the rampage it would be him.

[kup]

Cheers dude. This x48 Northbridge is much hotter than the x38. If I can keep it below 42c (120mm fan across board does it fine) it'll stay stable at 500MHz. It'll crash once it breaks 42c without the fan though...

I think I'm going to push for more this afternoon because I just realised I was running the Transaction Booster on STRONGER @ 500MHz...oops!

[InfinityNX]

Help :|

Use Prime small fft's to test cpu only first.
Your ram unlees its the older BT's will not be compatable with this board and you will experience alot of difficulties using it.

So I will concentrate on cpu only for now.

CPU Feature
Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
OC From CPU Level Up [Auto]
CPU Ratio Control [Manual]
Ratio CMOS Setting: 8.5
FSB Frequency 450
FSB Strap to North Bridge 333
PCIE Frequency 100
DRAM Settings
DRAM Frequency 901
DRAM Command Rate [2T]
DRAM Timing Control [Manual]
CAS# Latency [5]
RAS# to CAS Delay [5]
RAS# Precharge [5]
RAS# Active Time 15
RAS# To Ras# Delay [3]
Row Refresh Cycle Time 55
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]
DRAM Static Read Control [Disabled]
Ai Clock Twister moderate
Transaction Booster [Enabled]
Boost Level [0]
Voltage Settings
CPU Voltage 1.40 ( start here and adjustments can be made later)
CPU PLL Voltage 1.50
North Bridge Voltage 1.51
DRAM Voltage [2.20v]
FSB Termination Voltage 1.40
South Bridge Voltage 1.050
Loadline Calibration [Enabled]
CPU GTL Reference [0.65x]
North Bridge GTL Reference [0.67x]
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage DDR2-REF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage DDR2-REF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage [DDR2_REF]
SB 1.5V Voltage 1.50

@Grnfinger

Tried the BIOS setup you gave, but it didn't boot. I increased the CPU voltage from 1.4 to 1.45 then 1.50, but still, same problem. I think the problem was with the RAM, since the BT lights didn't even light up for all boot-tests. Any other advice you can give?

Thanks for your help btw.

[InfinityNX]

BTW, the rams i'm using are the old BT's (dual sided)

[Gunlance]

Alright guys....I'm finally callin in for some help.

I've had my MF flashed to RF 308 for a while and I have some completely rock solid stable settings right now. I have a q6600(vid 1.2125 L737B). my current settings are:
CPU Feature
Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
OC From CPU Level Up [Auto]
CPU Ratio Control [Manual]
Ratio CMOS Setting: 8
FSB Frequency 400
FSB Strap to North Bridge 400
PCIE Frequency 100
DRAM Settings
DRAM Frequency 1066
DRAM Command Rate [2T]
DRAM Timing Control [Manual]
CAS# Latency [5]
RAS# to CAS Delay [5]
RAS# Precharge [5]
RAS# Active Time 15
RAS# To Ras# Delay [3]
Row Refresh Cycle Time 55
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]
DRAM Static Read Control [Enabled]
Ai Clock Twister moderate
Transaction Booster [Enabled]
Boost Level [0]
Voltage Settings
CPU Voltage 1.26875
CPU PLL Voltage 1.50
North Bridge Voltage 1.20
DRAM Voltage [1.96v]
FSB Termination Voltage - Lowest setting I forget what it is.
South Bridge Voltage 1.050
Loadline Calibration [Disabled]
CPU GTL Reference [0.62x]
North Bridge GTL Reference [0.49x]
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage DDR2-REF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage DDR2-REF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage [DDR2_REF]
SB 1.5V Voltage 1.50

I can not for the life of my just get to 3.6 (9*400). UI've uppe vcore to 1.4 with laod line, I've went past 1.4v. I've upped PLL and FSBT. Before I say it's the chip....I'm throwing myself on all of your wonderful OC'ing ability.

HELP ME GET TO 3.6 or beyond....Thanks