Asus Maximus II Formula - Problems & Fixes

[zoob]

Hey guys, I just bought this board and figured instead of having to troll through 60 pages in the M2F thread, I'd summarize what I could here similarly to how someone did for the P5WDH. I hope this helps! Many thanks to all contributors to the existing threads.

Asus Maximus II Formula P45 Motherboard - Problems & Fixes
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In an effort to keep threads organized, please only use this thread to post overclock settings and SOLUTIONS to issues. Use the other threads below for discussion. Thank you.


Additional information:
ASUS Maximus II Formula - new P45 king?
How to set up GTL Ref Values for 45nm & 65nm

BIOS

Latest: 1802
Recommended: 1307

1802
- Fixed multi bug
- Pull ins not working
1702
- Multi is still stuck
1602

[ 1602 ]
----------------------
1. Fix Intel 45nm Quad Core CPU ustability issue
2. Fix show wrong Vcore in AI Suite
3. Fix it take too many time to detect SATA Device under AHCI Mode

Possible multiplier lock issue (unable to change)

1403 - issues with long post @ SATA stage
1307
1307 - KET modified
0901
0802
0701
0604
0503
0117


"EDIT - I also do not know where/how Solarfall got bios version 603, all i can find is 604. I have tried 1307, 701 & 801 and all of them had the same limits, but 1307 recovers from a failed overclock properly, whereas the older bioses do not, requiring a power off at the PSU switch."
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...postcount=1038

Problems & Fixes

Will not boot / hangs / CMOS reset to POST after overclock
Ensure difference between vFSB and vNB is no more than ~0.11v. This seems to help on some people's configurations, but maybe not all.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=996

Very high northbridge temperatures
See below for remounting the heatpipe with more pressure on the NB.

Booting from Speeding HDD (possible solution)
Install a bootable drive on Primary Intel SATA port, select External Disk 0 as the second bootable drive, in the bios selection of bootable drives.
After installing a new windows on the Speeding HDD drives, it will present an OS selection after the first reset.
(thanks Gunnz Akimbo)

Cooling

Northbridge

• May not have good contact
• Take off heatpipe assembly, remove foam spacers
• Add metal washers to underside to increase pressure
• Diagram of washers and standoffs. Also see post 36 for details of what to be careful of.

Swiftech MCW30

• Fits without modification but with slightly bent posts.
• Fits better if you cut a little bit of the mounting "axe".

Swiftech MCW-NBMAX

• Waterblock designed specifically for M2F and Rampage Extreme

EK-NB Asus HP

• Fits M2F and Rampage Extreme

MOSFET

• Only one MOSFET sink is removable from the heatpipe, X38 block from MF fits

Template

Processor:  QX9770
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
OC From CPU Level Up: Auto
Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
FSB Frequency: 467
CPU Clock Skew: Normal
NB Clock Skew: Normal
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1122MHz

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1: Advance 300ps
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A2: Advance 300ps
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B1: Advance 300ps
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B2: Advance 300ps
DRAM Timing Control: Manual

1st Information: 

CAS# Latency: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Activate to Precharge: 15 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to RAS# Delay:  Auto
Row Refresh Recycle Time: 55 DRAM Clocks
Write Recovery Time: Auto
Read to Precharge Time: Auto

2nd Information:

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


3rd Information:

Write to PRE Delay: Auto
Read to PRE Delay: Auto
PRE to PRE Delay: Auto
All PRE to ACT Delay: Auto
All PRE to REF Delay: Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
DRAM Read Training: Auto
MEM. OC Charger: Auto
Ai Clock Twister: Moderate
Ai Transaction Booster: Manual

Common Performance Level: 8
Pull-in of CHA PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH2: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH3: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH2: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH3: Disabled

PCIE Frequency: 101

CPU Voltage: 1.41875
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.50
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.35175
DRAM Voltage: 2.15775
North Bridge Voltage: 1.39150
South Bridge 1.5 Voltage: 1.50
South Bridge 1.1 Voltage: 1.10

CPU GTL Reference (0): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (1):-40mv
CPU GTL Reference (2): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (3):-40mv
NB GTL Reference: Auto
DDR2 ChA Reference Voltage: Auto
DDR2 ChB Reference Voltage: Auto
North Bridge DDR Reference: Auto


CPU Configuration:

Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
C1E Support: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Tech: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled

Load-Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Overclocks
4ghz Q9450
4ghz q9550
Try positive GTL ref voltages.
E8600 @ 4 GHz - cstkl1
E8400 @ 4 GHz