**Official** Asrock Z68 Extreme4 thread. Share your experiences, OCs & tech issues!

[SabreWulf69]

I was wondering if you have any interest Ket in making any custom UEFI's for this board as you did BIOS's for the P5Q ASUS series, oh, way back when. Would there be any advantages to even doing such a thing?

[Ket]

I might give it a go if the tools were available but AFAIK there are no UEFI tools out there.

[EzyRyder]

Hi Ket,

Any updates regardint the eSATA bug? Tried with the 1.50 Bios but still the same old problem!

Cheers,
Gabriel

[Ket]

The issue is being looked at by R&D. Last I knew they were trying to get their hands on a few different eSATA devices to test. The issue is on my chase-up list if I haven't heard anything by around Thursday.

[Anusha]

why is one CPU fan header is a 4-pin one and the other is a 3-pin one?
doesn't that make the auto fan control a problem?

check out the following graphs. see that there is a big difference when i set fan speed to level 2. no problem at full speed, as the board is not controlling the fan speed. maybe i should get a splitter and connect the two fans to one header?

i have two Coolermaster Blademaster fans in push-pull on my new Antec Kuhler 620. (yep, I bought a new cooler. XD)

#ambient is 31.2C, i don't know if it is right or not. but it is so damn hot.

idle

idle.jpg

getting past the 65C limit of the fan controller

midway.jpg

Prime95 blend after few minutes

fullspeed.jpg

i'll check if this is the same in UEFI too. i guess it would be.

[jacek]

I have the following problem.
I tried to install the driver for LUCID VIRTU (Lucidlogix VIRTU Setup_1_2_103_17278_64Bit - the latest) but after reboot it gives me BSOD with igdkamd64.sys error.
HD graphics driver is installed - version 15.22.4.64.2418.
I do not know what's going on.

Any help would be appreciated.

[SabreWulf69]

These pages *may* be handy for ya Ket if you haven't already come across them --> http://efizone.edkoindustries.com/ and http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawik...le=EFI_Toolkit

- SabreWulf69

[anewbie]

First problem:

I have a segate sata st3320620AS drive plugged into intel sata2_5 port. In this port the system cannot boot (it finds the drive but is unable to correctly read the boot track - the drive is selected boot able in the boot options). If I move this drive to sata2_2 the system can boot off the drive fine. If I'm not mistaken sata2_5 should be one of the 3 gb/s ports. Is there a reason the system cannot boot using this port ? Is this a hardware issue ?

[SabreWulf69]

User manual - ftp://174.142.97.10/manual/Z68%20Extreme4.pdf

Should be a BIOS option for AHCI bootable mode for the SATA 3 controller. Don't quite know why there would be any issues with the standard ports though.

Would you be able to provide a screenshot of the Advanced | Storage Configuration page?

"2.22.2 Installing Windows® 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit Without RAID Functions
If you want to install Windows® 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit OS on your SATA
/ SATAII / SATA3 HDDs without RAID functions, please follow below steps.

Using SATA / SATAII / SATA3 HDDs with NCQ function
STEP 1: Set Up UEFI.
A. Enter UEFI SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen SATA Con guration.
B. Set the option “SATA Mode” to [AHCI]. (For SATA3_0, SATA3_1 and SATA2_2 to
SATA2_5 ports.)
Set the option “Marvell SATA3 Operation Mode” to [AHCI]. (For SATA3_M1 and
SATA3_M2 ports.)
STEP 2: Install Windows® 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit OS on your
system.

Using SATA / SATAII / STA3 HDDs without NCQ function
STEP 1: Set Up UEFI.
A. Enter UEFI SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen SATA Con guration.
B. Set the option “SATA Mode” to [IDE]. (For SATA3_0, SATA3_1 and SATA2_2 to
SATA2_5 ports.)
Set the option “Marvell SATA3 Operation Mode” to [IDE]. (For SATA3_M1 and
SATA3_M2 ports.)
STEP 2: Install Windows® 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit OS on your
system."

Also,

"Marvell SATA3 Operation Mode
This item is for SATA3_M1 and SATA3_M2 ports. Use this to select Mar-
vell SATA3 operation mode. Configuration options: [IDE Mode], [AHCI
Mode] and [Disabled]. The default value is [IDE Mode].

Marvell SATA3 Bootable
Use this to enable or disable Onboard Marvell SATA3 Option ROM. If
Option ROM is disabled, UEFI cannot use the SATA device to connect to
Marvell SATA3 controller as Boot Device.

We recommend to use Intel® Z68 SATA ports (SATA3_0,
SATA3_1, SATA2_2, SATA2_3, SATA2_4 and SATA2_5) for
your bootable devices. This will minimum your boot time and
get the best performance. But if you still want to boot from
Marvell SATA3 controller, you can still enable this in UEFI.

SATA Mode
This item is for SATA3_0, SATA3_1 and SATA2_2 to SATA2_5 ports.
Use this to select SATA mode. Con guration options: [IDE Mode], [AHCI
Mode], [RAID Mode] and [Disabled]. The default value is [IDE Mode].
AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) supports NCQ
and other new features that will improve SATA disk perfor-
mance but IDE mode does not have these advantages."

[jpm]

why is one CPU fan header is a 4-pin one and the other is a 3-pin one?
doesn't that make the auto fan control a problem?

check out the following graphs. see that there is a big difference when i set fan speed to level 2. no problem at full speed, as the board is not controlling the fan speed. maybe i should get a splitter and connect the two fans to one header?

fan control is one of the few areas where i am truly disappointed by this board. as far as i can tell the fam controls don't work with any sort of precision or consistency that would be important for people trying to tune noise and temperatures. even the settings aren't consistent across fans; the cpu fans are auto-only based on target temp, and while the others allow manual "level" settings, one has fewer levels than the rest. i don't see why asrock couldn't have just let us manually specify the rpm for every fan as an option, this is entirely possible and implemented by some other brands. i'm going to move all my fans to a dedicated lamptron controller.

[anewbie]

Not sure what tool you are using to take screenshots (I think msi bios support stuff but I couldn't find anything in asrock bios to take a screen shot; so here is a yucky one:

http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/...=img_0075.jpg/
-

More information; if I leave the drive in sata2_5 and unplug the other two drives then it boots fine. This happens even if I use f11 and select the device to be the sata2_5.
-
Ok I unplugged all the drives and repluged them in (same slots as in the screen shot) and now all works.

User manual - ftp://174.142.97.10/manual/Z68%20Extreme4.pdf

Should be a BIOS option for AHCI bootable mode for the SATA 3 controller. Don't quite know why there would be any issues with the standard ports though.

Would you be able to provide a screenshot of the Advanced | Storage Configuration page?
r-
mance but IDE mode does not have these advantages."

[Ket]

why is one CPU fan header is a 4-pin one and the other is a 3-pin one?
doesn't that make the auto fan control a problem?

check out the following graphs. see that there is a big difference when i set fan speed to level 2. no problem at full speed, as the board is not controlling the fan speed. maybe i should get a splitter and connect the two fans to one header?

i have two Coolermaster Blademaster fans in push-pull on my new Antec Kuhler 620. (yep, I bought a new cooler. XD)

#ambient is 31.2C, i don't know if it is right or not. but it is so damn hot.

idle

idle.jpg

getting past the 65C limit of the fan controller

midway.jpg

Prime95 blend after few minutes

fullspeed.jpg

i'll check if this is the same in UEFI too. i guess it would be.

The 4 pin auxillery connection is not meant for fans, it is to provide additional power. It is recommended to connect it in any system running multiple graphics cards. I only use the "Level" mode when tuning the fans, all works well and the only RPM variation I ever see is what you could expect to see from fans anyway. The pump with my Eco is connected to one of the CPU fan headers and always runs 100% in "Level" mode. AFAIK, every "Level" is equal to 10% fanspeed adjustment. I'm not sure what else you are really trying to get at as its really not very clear

[Ket]

I have the following problem.
I tried to install the driver for LUCID VIRTU (Lucidlogix VIRTU Setup_1_2_103_17278_64Bit - the latest) but after reboot it gives me BSOD with igdkamd64.sys error.
HD graphics driver is installed - version 15.22.4.64.2418.
I do not know what's going on.

Any help would be appreciated.

Boot to safe mode, remove the driver then redownload it to ensure the file isn't corrupt.

[phillai]

Trying to do a bit of overclocking on my new Asrock Z68 Extreme4 but I can't change the CPU ratio at all...
In fact, as soon as I press delete (to change the highlighted ratio number before) it totally resets my UEFI settings back to default.

It won't let me type in the (required) number I'd like to up the CPU ratio.

Anyone got any ideas?

[MacClipper]

Trying to do a bit of overclocking on my new Asrock Z68 Extreme4 but I can't change the CPU ratio at all...
In fact, as soon as I press delete (to change the highlighted ratio number before) it totally resets my UEFI settings back to default.

It won't let me type in the (required) number I'd like to up the CPU ratio.

Anyone got any ideas?

Erm, do make sure your mouse cursor is out of the way...

[phillai]

I've reflashed to 1.50 again and I still can't change the ratio but I've think I've discovered something even worse!
I noticed whenever I try to get into UEFI by pressing delete it kept reseting and I noticed that I could only get into UEFI by pressing F2.

Now, I've discovered whenever I press delete anywhere within the UEFI screen, it resets the PC - It's almost like pressing the CMOS button and I lose all the UEFI settings.

What's going on here and what can I do?

If I press delete within Windows 7, it doesn't reset my PC...

[Ghostleader]

Not sure what tool you are using to take screenshots (I think msi bios support stuff but I couldn't find anything in asrock bios to take a screen shot; so here is a yucky one:

To get UEFI screenshots just insert a FAT16/32 pen drive into a USB2 port and hit F12.

Courtesy of Ket for the above, source is post #181

[phillai]

sorry duplicate post

[anewbie]

THanks; I searched the manual (and googled) everywhere without luck. I'll have to tuck this into my notes.

To get UEFI screenshots just insert a FAT16/32 pen drive into a USB2 port and hit F12.

Courtesy of Ket for the above, source is post #181

[phillai]

I've solved the mysterious delete reset problem I had in the bios!

I slapped the USB keyboard in a different port on my USB hub.

No more resets when I press delete now when in the bios!

What's going on here and what can I do?

[anewbie]

Does the z68 (chip with v8 heat sink) on the motherboard get hot? I'm a bit confused here. On my board it seems to become very warm (hot to the touch) so I was a bit concern. From intel site the operating range seems to be up to 100C. Anyways I was a bit concern so I email asrock support and they said it should not be hot and should have a max temp of 35 Farenheit (which would be frigid) so I should return the board.
-
I am NOT using a dedicated gpu; but rather 2500k's as my gpu. This is also the only chip on the board that is extremely hot (cpu is around 35C - peak 60C when running prime95).
-
Here is my note and asrock response:
-
Also the chip labeled v8 (Z68) gets extremely hot (I would guess 70C or 80C but have no method to measure). Is this normal?
-
Their response:
-
When you mentioned extremely hot ,is when we recommended to return it , the motherboard chips does not get hot to the point the way you described.
the range is from 35 to 45 Farenheit .

[Ket]

I've solved the mysterious delete reset problem I had in the bios!

I slapped the USB keyboard in a different port on my USB hub.

No more resets when I press delete now when in the bios!

What's going on here and what can I do?

Seems like you might have a USB hub port thats going bonkers. Try connecting your keyboard and mouse to the USB ports on the mainboard.

Does the z68 (chip with v8 heat sink) on the motherboard get hot? I'm a bit confused here. On my board it seems to become very warm (hot to the touch) so I was a bit concern. From intel site the operating range seems to be up to 100C. Anyways I was a bit concern so I email asrock support and they said it should not be hot and should have a max temp of 35 Farenheit (which would be frigid) so I should return the board.
-
I am NOT using a dedicated gpu; but rather 2500k's as my gpu. This is also the only chip on the board that is extremely hot (cpu is around 35C - peak 60C when running prime95).
-
Here is my note and asrock response:
-
Also the chip labeled v8 (Z68) gets extremely hot (I would guess 70C or 80C but have no method to measure). Is this normal?
-
Their response:
-
When you mentioned extremely hot ,is when we recommended to return it , the motherboard chips does not get hot to the point the way you described.
the range is from 35 to 45 Farenheit .

Using my temperature gun (+/- 2% range) with the system idle in a case with the side panel off I measured 40.6c. (See Z68 E4 review link in my sig), I can well imagine in a closed case even with good airflow that temp rising to around the 50c mark. You have a few choices here really;

1. Remove your mobo and send it back.
2. It's very probable that the reason for your high temps is a poorly mounted "V8". You could remove the heatsink, clean off the TIM (which for stock TIM is actually quite good.. its no AS Ceramique though) check to make sure there are no "bumps and bobbles" on the HS base (if there is, simply sand them away with some sand paper) apply fresh TIM and remount the heatsink.

The latter of those options is likely going to be the fastest fix, albiet at some inconvenience. Just be aware doing the latter might void your warranty.

@ Users with eSATA / SSD issues: We are currently waiting on some devices to arrive. Once I know more, I'll let you know.

General Info;

I have suggested that the "Level" fan mode in the UEFI is replaced with a percentage method letting the user set a custom fanspeed between 25% - 100% for greater cooling to noise ratio control. Response is pending.

[Anusha]

btw Ket, what's the model number of your RAM? i see you have tightened the timings. how much VTT does it require now? lower than before?

[Ket]

I didn't change any voltages, just changed from 2133 (which will do 8-10-8-25-1N when I push 1.665v) to 1866 7-9-7-25-1N @ 1.65v. I've switched back to 2133 @ 9-10-9-25-1N 1.65v now though, I discovered 4.7GHz to only be about 98% stable and no amount of tweaking would bring it round. Damn 2500k. 4.6-4.65GHz would probably be stable, but I'm fine with 4.5GHz @ 1.33v.

Model number for the RAM I have is; F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM

[Anusha]

I didn't change any voltages, just changed from 2133 (which will do 8-10-8-25-1N when I push 1.665v) to 1866 7-9-7-25-1N @ 1.65v. I've switched back to 2133 @ 9-10-9-25-1N 1.65v now though, I discovered 4.7GHz to only be about 98% stable and no amount of tweaking would bring it round. Damn 2500k. 4.6-4.65GHz would probably be stable, but I'm fine with 4.5GHz @ 1.33v.

Model number for the RAM I have is; F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM

1.665V is bad? i'm stuck with 1333 @ 8/8/8/24/1T