ASUS Maximus Formula SE

[ElEctric_EyE]

I 100% agree with your very last comment, and it is why I 100% trust the CPU. Anyone can read that datasheet and know limits and what it is supposed to do within those limits. A MB with unknown or proprietary crap on it, is like a creation from Apple, no schematics, nothing. Anyway, I hope you find out what the prob is, I'm out of my league on this one m8.

[jonny_ftm]

You sure about this????

I can run my chip at 1.3v with Small FFT's but at that voltage, blend/custom tests will not complete successfully. I need at least 1.35v.

It can depend on the calculations, yes. But, if you're stable on small FFT for 8h, and unstable on blend, you should try looking at your Nb and RAM settings: divider, RAM OC, timings, RAM and NB voltage, just to rule out these and maybe spare some volts on your CPU

System process is controlled by software isn't it? So the real problem here is that the loading percentage is not being reported correctly? I've noticed in OCCT, during loading with no OC'ing it has 100% load. As I've increased all the settings to OC, the reported load decreased. I originally just thought it was some sort of auto-protection for the CPU. Maybe it's built into the BIOS. If I built this board and wanted a small amount of RMA's, I might put in some simple formula to auto monitor the CPU core temps.... Now how the software like OCCT and system process and lower the load had got to be some kind of shared temp register maybe between the BIOS and software?... Just a shot in the dark here...

This is not comparable, as OCCT current beta is known officially for that CPU usage display bug

Taskmanager is true, though. Cadaveca explained it all, it is a board issue, probably related to the EPU, wether you install the drivers or not, and as I know, it was only described on the Q6600 till now. Maybe because that QX owners rarely push the CPU to extreme volts

[leoftw]

I 100% agree with your very last comment, and it is why I 100% trust the CPU. Anyone can read that datasheet and know limits and what it is supposed to do within those limits. A MB with unknown or proprietary crap on it, is like a creation from Apple, no schematics, nothing. Anyway, I hope you find out what the prob is, I'm out of my league on this one m8.

I love this comment only because you bashed on apple

[ninogui]

Hi Guys


Well all that said i get the feeling that bios-> cpu-> windows are all fighting themselves to take over the PWM and cpu power functions.

somehow also the 9x multi doesnt work ok for me, with the 8x i can almost go anywhere.

weirdest thing happened to me some days ago.. had the ultra on pcie2, switched to pcie1 and now i cant install neither asus probe or suite, bsod at reg 00000000f, also win startup screen is getting delayed before finalizing boot.

[cuke2u]

Hi, is your PSU actually powerful enough to run all you've got in your system? If I have got the correct model I see it only produces 18amps on the 12v supply and if I'm correct the minimum recommended +12 Volt current rating is 34 Amp with your gfx card...

Chris

[kup]

You guys do realise the EPU chip is on the entire P5K range too, right?

Someone with the problem should really run the update posted above and see how is works? It seems to have fixed it for me...

[jonny_ftm]

well, you must undersatnd that by default the board only uses half-phases, not full, so possibly without driver, you can never get proper load-balance. But not to fear...I have not isntalled drivers from ASUS on most recent board...just simply used Intel's .inf's for chipset and SB, as ASUS driver CD's have been lacking for eons... even just using Intel drivers, I still have the problem. It could simply be something caused by X38 driver...I did not see this problem when I played with X38 and DDR3 tho(was not an asus board tho, so no EPU..)


To be honest, dealing with the problem by buying new cpu, or getting different board, is the only solution. It's a low-level driver issue caused by hardware implementation...change the hardware, and the driver is not a problem.

PWM = Pulse width modulation....meaning the voltage supplied to cpu from PSU is not constant..it's pulsed. It could be possible that due to how current is "shared" bewteen phases, and how this is regulated that is the issue...EPU could NOT be the problem, but maybe problem lay in PWM, and reading given back to EPU by PWM created teh loops...i dunno. I lack the expertise in this area...too many SMDs in circuit that do not have proper documentation for the public.

I have also one question. Do you think the maximum amperage on one +12v rail of the PSU can be the cause. On new PSUs, there are many 12v rails, usually limited to 18A max per rail on the 750W models, and up to 20-40A on the +1000W models. I personally don't have any idea how many amps would drain an OCed Q6600, let's say at 3.8GHz and 1.6 vcore.

As the +12v is also used for motherboard input, it can be the combination of highly OCed NB/motherboard added to the extreme OC of a quadcore, would yield a high amperange demand on the +12v rails. As new motherboards are much more current demanding than old ones, could be the explanation?

Would be interesting to test with stronger PSU on this board to see if the issue stops

[cadaveca]

um, 1000w not enough?



actually i thought about this...but if you were right, then when i loaded 3d up, the system should crash from lack of power(2x2900XT's, phys-X), however, I have not had any issues in that regard.

when you think about it tho...cpu is supplied by 12v line, 8-phases...12v/8= 1.5v....issue begins @ 1.5v approx....

[jonny_ftm]

um, 1000w not enough?



actually i thought about this...but if you were right, then when i loaded 3d up, the system should crash from lack of power(2x2900XT's, phys-X), however, I have not had any issues in that regard.

when you think about it tho...cpu is supplied by 12v line, 8-phases...12v/8= 1.5v....issue begins @ 1.5v approx....

You're right, after all, the +12v rails amperage limit is only theorical, as 99.99% of the PSUs seems "forgotting" the power protection if one of the +12v rails exceeds the 18-20A limit fixed by intel. So, as many claims, it is the combined +12v Amperage that should play a role instead of the +12v limit per rail (18-20A officially to respect intel specifications).

In most calculators, a Q6600 G0 at 3.8GHz and 1.6 vcore can drain near 250W and 20-23A. If the PSU respects the combined +12v amperage "lease", the PWM would be the limiting factor.

If the CPU, after asking for about 20A will overload the 8 PWM feeding it, they'll enter a protection phase (EPU) thus limiting the current going to the CPU. At least, this is the most logical theory. In that case, only a PCB revision would solve it, with stronger PWM components

[ninogui]

Hi, is your PSU actually powerful enough to run all you've got in your system? If I have got the correct model I see it only produces 18amps on the 12v supply and if I'm correct the minimum recommended +12 Volt current rating is 34 Amp with your gfx card...

Chris

Hi


are u talkin to me..?

well my odin has 18A ok... but the top it reaches is about 12A with 1.4/1.5 cpu volt and 8800 ultra oced too. Also working with 2 disks non raid. As i dont plan on a multivga config, its plenty enough. The double ultra input is being fed from a separate rail on purpose for that in the odin range.

[cuke2u]

Hi


are u talkin to me..?

well my odin has 18A ok... but the top it reaches is about 12A with 1.4/1.5 cpu volt and 8800 ultra oced too. Also working with 2 disks non raid. As i dont plan on a multivga config, its plenty enough. The double ultra input is being fed from a separate rail on purpose for that in the odin range.

Hi, yes I was, just kinda seems a little low on the amps for all those fans, drives and that gfx. I was just thinking it might be related to your bsod's.
Chris

[CERO]

Anyone replaced the stock heatpipes?, I want to replace the stock heatpipe for a Thermalright HR05 IFX and for the SB a enzotech low profile copper block. But since I want to mount my TRUE Vertical, should I pick the regular IFX or the SLI? btw I am using a OCZ XTC cooler, but if thats in the way it could be replaced by a simple 80mm fan over it......Any one got this combination and can confirm it will fit?

[devilhood]

Anyone replaced the stock heatpipes?, I want to replace the stock heatpipe for a Thermalright HR05 IFX and for the SB a enzotech low profile copper block. But since I want to mount my TRUE Vertical, should I pick the regular IFX or the SLI? btw I am using a OCZ XTC cooler, but if thats in the way it could be replaced by a simple 80mm fan over it......Any one got this combination and can confirm it will fit?

IFX is fine for the NB, but if you have good ambient temps, I'd recommend a push-pin Zalman ZM-NB47J heatsink for the SB.
If you are worried about temps, get the SLI heatsink for the SB and actively cool it if needed.
I have a Thermalright Ultra eXtreme 120 for my CPU and if it is put in horizontally it gives enough room for the NB IFX + 80mm. No problems!

[Grnfinger]

Could anyone offer some advice please.....

@ 3.8GHz with 1.55 volts

idle temps are
45-37-33-35

on full load after 15 mins I see
60-58-58-59

I am comfortable with the load temps, should I worry much on the idle?
Core1 is the one that bothers me

[CERO]

IFX is fine for the NB, but if you have good ambient temps, I'd recommend a push-pin Zalman ZM-NB47J heatsink for the SB.
If you are worried about temps, get the SLI heatsink for the SB and actively cool it if needed.
I have a Thermalright Ultra eXtreme 120 for my CPU and if it is put in horizontally it gives enough room for the NB IFX + 80mm. No problems!

Thnx again devilhood m8 , but I want it essentially mount the TRUE vertically, would the normal IFX fit or should I get the SLI, but would it then interfer with any surrounding components GFX/ OCZ XTC cooler? As for the SB I already got this http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ensllowprcoc.html , on my way.

[devilhood]

Thnx again devilhood m8 , but I want it essentially mount the TRUE vertically, would the normal IFX fit or should I get the SLI, but would it then interfer with any surrounding components GFX/ OCZ XTC cooler? As for the SB I already got this http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ensllowprcoc.html , on my way.

Yeah, the SB cooler you chose is perfect really.
The IFX does actually get a tad close to the edge of my RAM so I'm not sure of the results with your OCZ XTC cooler.
IFX will not fit with a vertically mounted TRUE.

I'm not entirely sure how much room the SLI heatsink leaves, but (speculating here) I think the SLI can be mounted horizontally with the fins of the heatsink poking out to the right side of a vertically mounted TRUE, basically saving you the requirement of using active cooling on the NB.
Whether or not the SLI actually touches the RAM is another question altogether though.
I'm in Sweden at the moment, so I can't test it out, but when I get back to London on the 1st of Jan, I will be sure to post a picture of my setup after some more experimentation

[leoftw]

I wonder if we'll see any Bios updates soon .

[TheSamurai]

i hope so leo... i can't do sh*t with the 0903 and i can't find a way to back flash.

[CERO]

Yeah, the SB cooler you chose is perfect really.
The IFX does actually get a tad close to the edge of my RAM so I'm not sure of the results with your OCZ XTC cooler.
IFX will not fit with a vertically mounted TRUE.

I'm not entirely sure how much room the SLI heatsink leaves, but (speculating here) I think the SLI can be mounted horizontally with the fins of the heatsink poking out to the right side of a vertically mounted TRUE, basically saving you the requirement of using active cooling on the NB.
Whether or not the SLI actually touches the RAM is another question altogether though.
I'm in Sweden at the moment, so I can't test it out, but when I get back to London on the 1st of Jan, I will be sure to post a picture of my setup after some more experimentation

cheers m8, I could wait till then as I will try stock first out. And have a nice holiday there @ sweden

[Aldy402]

just recieved my 4gb kit [G.Skill F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ]

having a really horrible experience, the LCD poster won't get past "DET DRAM" even at stock settings.. It just reverts back to stock settings

The only way I can boot is if I have

FSB Strap & DRAM FREQUENCY at AUTO. I could specify timings but not the freq. can anybody using this mem chime in with settings?

[safan80]

set cpu @ 400x9, 1.525v.

load up prime95 v25.5, run four threads of small FFT.

dude I've already run 9x400 on my B3 with 1.54 actual voltage and I had no problems. your just running in circles. try enabling TIM I've been using it this whole time.

P.S. I'm not putting my B3 back in. Could list your rig in your sig?

just recieved my 4gb kit [G.Skill F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ]

having a really horrible experience, the LCD poster won't get past "DET DRAM" even at stock settings.. It just reverts back to stock settings

The only way I can boot is if I have

FSB Strap & DRAM FREQUENCY at AUTO. I could specify timings but not the freq. can anybody using this mem chime in with settings?

set 1.98 voltage in the bios for anything under 500Mhz on the ram. set 2.0 for 500mhz.

also try switching ram slots. you may have slots that don't work.

[Warboy]

Antec is Upgrading my Power supply to the 1000watt model to see if it fixes the voltage problem. If Not. They want to look at my system >.>


anyways....Just Throught I should tell everyone I'm trying to troubleshoot the voltage problems as best i can.

[safan80]

Antec is Upgrading my Power supply to the 1000watt model to see if it fixes the voltage problem. If Not. They want to look at my system >.>


anyways....Just Throught I should tell everyone I'm trying to troubleshoot the voltage problems as best i can.

good news.. hopefully you won't have any more issues or else you'll want to switch psu your manufacture.

[iTravis]

i hope so leo... i can't do sh*t with the 0903 and i can't find a way to back flash.

I was lucky enough to read some posts in here so I decided not to upgrade to 0903 and stick with 0602. People seem to run into problem when flash to to 0902 and 0903 then can't get back to older version but I don't have that problem at all so I think it's a bit strange.
Anyway, best BIOS to stick with is still 0602 IMO and I'm waiting for the new one to come out as well, probably won't be anytime sooner than next year.
P/S: Btw, did you try Asus Update?

[Nunzi]

just recieved my 4gb kit [G.Skill F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ]

having a really horrible experience, the LCD poster won't get past "DET DRAM" even at stock settings.. It just reverts back to stock settings

The only way I can boot is if I have

FSB Strap & DRAM FREQUENCY at AUTO. I could specify timings but not the freq. can anybody using this mem chime in with settings?

strap auto 450fsb 8x 5.5.5.15 on the timings mem @1088 2.1v in bios
hope this helps you!