Testing / comparing : Intel D975XBX2 / Asus P5B DX ***56K WARNING***

[hotchoc]

Ok guys need some advise here.

First of all, thks for gtj and other for solving my ide hd and dvd drive problem. My next objective for my BX2 board is OCing it to say 3.6Ghz - 4Ghz.

Is there a guide somewhere ? My previous mobo was a Asus P5B Deluxe and the BIOS was much more simple and more detailed in the manual compared to the BX2. Correct me if i'm wrong.

Questions
1. What settings should i change before applying ANY OC at all? I have heard about the watchdog, C1E but have no idea about it. Not like it's self-explanatory by the word itself.

2. In my previous mobo, if my OC fails all i have to do is off the psu and unplug the power supply power cord and reconnect it after 10 seconds or so and settings will be reseted to normal. How do i do that for my BX2?

3. Am kinda new to OCing but i do understand how to play aroudn the settings without endangering my board. Btw, wat's the stock vcore for a E6600 ? Is it 1.325 V ?

[Forceman]

Questions
1. What settings should i change before applying ANY OC at all? I have heard about the watchdog, C1E but have no idea about it. Not like it's self-explanatory by the word itself.

2. In my previous mobo, if my OC fails all i have to do is off the psu and unplug the power supply power cord and reconnect it after 10 seconds or so and settings will be reseted to normal. How do i do that for my BX2?

1. The Watchdog and C1E are located in the maintenance bios - there is a jumper on the board near the IDE (or is it floppy) cable header that is labeled Config. If you move that jumper and boot it will take you into the maintenance BIOS where you can disable Watchdog and C1E (which I believe is called EIST on this board). You can also make other normal BIOS settings there. After saving and exiting it will tell you to power off and move the jumper back to normal before powering back on.

2. If the board doesn't POST you can move the Config jumper as above and that will allow it to boot into the maintenance BIOS to make changes.

If you aren't familiar with the way the board changes the NB strapping with the memory reference freq setting review back through this thread - that was kind of confusing for me at first.

[hotchoc]

If you move that jumper and boot it will take you into the maintenance BIOS where you can disable Watchdog and C1E (which I believe is called EIST on this board).

Move the jumper to where ??

So maintenance bios = jumper settings (manual pg 72). Either way i have to take my pc's side panel off if i kinda screw up the OC process?

Btw, what's the use of disabling C1E and watchdog ?

[gtj]

Ok guys need some advise here.

First of all, thks for gtj and other for solving my ide hd and dvd drive problem. My next objective for my BX2 board is OCing it to say 3.6Ghz - 4Ghz.

Before you do anything, let's talk about heat first. What type of cooler do you have on the CPU? An E6600 overclocked to 3.6GHz will more than double it's normal heat output.

Move the jumper to where ??

So maintenance bios = jumper settings (manual pg 72). Either way i have to take my pc's side panel off if i kinda screw up the OC process?

Btw, what's the use of disabling C1E and watchdog ?

The header where the config jumper is is the same size as 3-pin fan cables. If you have a fan extension cable like the ones that come with fan controllers, you can remove the jumper, plug the fan extension cable into the header, then plug the jumper onto the end of the cable. You can then leave the end sticking out of your case.

C1E is a power saving feature of the processor that reduces the voltage and multiplier when the processor is idle. The BIOS setting is actually broken but disable it anyway. More later.

The watchdog is Intel's attempt to save us from having to move the config jumper for a failed overclock. Unfortunately, a failed overclock to them means any overclock. You'll have to disable it or you won't be able to raise the core voltage without getting "failed to POST" messages.

[Forceman]

Move the jumper to where ??

Sorry, it is normally on pins 1-2 so move it to 2-3 to enter the maintenance BIOS (which looks like the normal BIOS except for the addition of a maintenance "tab" at the top).

[hotchoc]

In regards to the heat problem which i may have in my rig, am using this cooler: Noctua U12F Cooler with a 120mm Noctua fan at 900++ rpm. Have 5X Sycthe 120mm fans running at about 900rpmX4 and another running at 600++ rpm. My rig's a Antec p180 btw. A Zalman VF900 on my XFX 7900gt

Ok back to the BX2. Managed to find the Bios configuration jumper lock (manual page 72). How do you disable both C1E and watchdog again ?

I didn't really get Forceman's steps. He said this "If you move that jumper and boot it will take you into the maintenance BIOS " Move the jumper to where? AFAIK, there's a plastic thingy sticking to the jumper's pins. Btw, what's the difference between the maintenance BIOS and the normal F2 bios that we see? What will i be expecting?

You said that "The watchdog is Intel's attempt to save us from having to move the config jumper for a failed overclock. Unfortunately, a failed overclock to them means any overclock. You'll have to disable it or you won't be able to raise the core voltage without getting "failed to POST" messages".

Does it mean that once i disable watchdog, i'll be able to OC without removing my side panel when an error - BSOD, freeze, hang etc occurs or do i still need to tweak the jumper thingy everytime an error occurs?

[gtj]

Good cooling.

The jumper is on a 3 pin header. Normally it's jumpering the top 2 pins together. To get to maintenance mode, you move the jumper so it's jumpering the bottom 2 pins, then do a power cycle. When the system boots, it will automatically go into the BIOS settings and will show you the Maintenance page. You'll see C1E and Watchdog right there and you can disable them. You can also make any other BIOS settings changes you like at that time. When you save them, you'll be prompted to turn the power off and move the jumper back to the original position, then turn the power back on again. This is the same process you'll use to recover from a bad overclock attempt.

The watchdog was supposed to help recover from a failed overclock but it just plain doesn't work. If you can't get to the BIOS, the only way to recover is to do the jumper thing.

You should update your signature with all your components so we can guide you better.

[hotchoc]

So basically what i do is this
1. Off my pc
2. Switch the jumper from the top 2 pins to the lower 2 pins
3. Power cycle (what's a power cycle neway?)
4. Disable C1E and Watchdog via main. BIOS
5. Turn power off (auto or manually)
6. Swap jumper back to original position

Damn i sound like a nub :S

[slappynutz]

I've been getting random and infrequent crashes with the 32-bit Internet Explorer in Vista 64 ... the only program that's crashing. Games run fine, I pass Memtest, Orthos and OCCT, etc. This started soon after overclocking my memory. Does anyone think IE could be more demanding and detect an overclock problem than running Supreme Commander or S.T.A.L.K.E.R. maxed out?

[scorpion]

gtj - how is vista working for you. iam in to gaming,is it worth it.

[Maglin]

gtj - how is vista working for you. iam in to gaming,is it worth it.

Nice rig Scorpion. Personally my take on vista is it's pretty nice, but it does currently take a pretty decent hit in the gaming department. I currently run a duel boot of vista and xp. I spend 98% of my time in XP since it's pretty solid and with the 8800 it's definitly the OS of choice for gaming at the current moment in time. I mainly have Vista to play with it so I can kept up with the new OS features and how they work.

[gtj]

So basically what i do is this
1. Off my pc
2. Switch the jumper from the top 2 pins to the lower 2 pins
3. Power cycle (what's a power cycle neway?)
4. Disable C1E and Watchdog via main. BIOS
5. Turn power off (auto or manually)
6. Swap jumper back to original position

Damn i sound like a nub :S

Power Cycle = Turn power off then on, or on then off.
In your case for step 3, you just want to turn it on.

I've been getting random and infrequent crashes with the 32-bit Internet Explorer in Vista 64 ... the only program that's crashing. Games run fine, I pass Memtest, Orthos and OCCT, etc. This started soon after overclocking my memory. Does anyone think IE could be more demanding and detect an overclock problem than running Supreme Commander or S.T.A.L.K.E.R. maxed out?

More likely a problem with IE. I've seen other reports, non bad axe related, of IE 32 having a problem on Vista 64. You might want to check out the MSFN forums: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php

gtj - how is vista working for you. iam in to gaming,is it worth it.

Vista's working great. I don't game though so I'm not sure how it will affect you. You might want to check out the Gaming forum and see how others are doing. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...splay.php?f=51

[Eluzion]

Well, I think I'm at about the two month mark and my system has been running rock solid! Very happy with the BX2 (originally had the Asus P5B and that was almost a nightmare).

One question - been running on Vista the last month and a half. At first I had XP installed to do all my overclocking and what not. Since I installed Vista, I haven't bothered installing a temperature monitoring program. Which ones are out there for Vista x64? I'm curious what my temps are now after the AS5 has "broken in".

Also, for sh*ts and giggles I installed OSX and it actually ran with my hardware (all except the sound at least). Ubuntu also worked great (Fawn 5). Just fyi for anyone that might be wondering.

[hotchoc]

So basically what i do is this
1. Off my pc
2. Switch the jumper from the top 2 pins to the lower 2 pins
3. Power cycle (what's a power cycle neway?)
4. Disable C1E and Watchdog via main. BIOS
5. Turn power off (auto or manually)
6. Swap jumper back to original position

Damn i sound like a nub :S

Done the above. Strange thing was it froze the first time i wanted to save the settings. Had to power it off manually and try it the second time before it works.

So wat's next now? Btw, wat's the stock vcore for the e6600 ? Can't really remember now

[gtj]

Well, I think I'm at about the two month mark and my system has been running rock solid! Very happy with the BX2 (originally had the Asus P5B and that was almost a nightmare).

One question - been running on Vista the last month and a half. At first I had XP installed to do all my overclocking and what not. Since I installed Vista, I haven't bothered installing a temperature monitoring program. Which ones are out there for Vista x64? I'm curious what my temps are now after the AS5 has "broken in".

Also, for sh*ts and giggles I installed OSX and it actually ran with my hardware (all except the sound at least). Ubuntu also worked great (Fawn 5). Just fyi for anyone that might be wondering.

Give Everest a shot. Get thelatest one from the Beta forum...
http://www.lavalys.com/forum/

[gtj]

Done the above. Strange thing was it froze the first time i wanted to save the settings. Had to power it off manually and try it the second time before it works.

So wat's next now? Btw, wat's the stock vcore for the e6600 ? Can't really remember now

The stock vcore for E6600's is usually 1.325v. The first thing I'd do is see how far you can go with all stock voltages. Set your memory frequency to 667, then start increasing your FSB in 10MHz steps and use Orthos to make sure you're stable at each step. Use the memory calculator in my sig to keep your memory frequency around its rated speed. I.E. Don't overclock your memory until you see what the cpu can do on default voltage.

Keep good notes and report back in.

[Eluzion]

Give Everest a shot. Get thelatest one from the Beta forum...
http://www.lavalys.com/forum/

Awesome, so Everest works now with the BX2. Looks like I'm still sitting around 30-32c idle which is about how it was initially.

[Zucker2k]

I've killed two boards so far running the BX2 in the cold Michigan air (condensation). Anyway, Intel RMA sent me on each occasion a new boxed motherboard with BLUE VRs. These were both Rev. 505 boards. My question is, are there any boxed 505s with BLUE VRs owned by anyone on this forum? How was your experience? I wonder if this has any impact on over-clocking? The last one I killed was running solid at 3.95 Ghz on the 1066 strap. I just got a new boxed BLUE VR board from Intel today and I'm tempted to sell it and switch to the AW9D max since Intel is being so tardy with a bios that unlocks multis on the ES chips. I like to play around with fsb over-clocking every now and then. The single PCI slot on the AW9D-Max is a killer, but at least I have something to hook my x-fi to.

Anyway, I have two sets of board accessories from the boxed boards for any of you with the OEM versions who might be interested. Just PM me.

[hotchoc]

1. Why set the memory frequency to 667? Would you suggest the 1:1 (FSBRAM) or other ratios for now ?
2. I understand there's a need to lock the PCI-E to avoid OCing at the same time while i increased the FSBl. Do you know where to change that ?


3. Is there a visual guide to OC for BX2? There was one in the ASUS p5B Deluxe few mths back

CHeers

[ArcticOC]

Well, except for Intel great willingness to fix the C1E, I would soon start fiddeling some more on my new bougt system. Guess there will be alot of coming fixes regarding both watchdog and C1E to come (hoping)

Picture one and two show why I`t have taking been so long/slow stressing/testing all parts, got BOTH my figners crushed by a falling 100KG cooling aggregat @ work and now they look like something from the movie hellraiser, with pins stikking out in all funny directios I guess one could say that my fingers are more modded than my PC right now
Picture 3 show some of the preps/beauty. Pic 4 show my RAM 4GB D9GMH)

But before I begin to really push it, what would anyone think of as an realistic OC on this config:
- E4300 Week 44 Malay
- Intel BadAxe 2 505 w/latest BIOS
- Nvidia 7900GT
- Very powerfull PCU (no CRAP)
- Good air cooling when stressing/testing on table (before putting in rig w/Water)
- 4 x 1GB sticks with D9GMH (paid 280$ in total before tax )

Voltages, timings, tips on anything is velcome I`m aiming for the high`est 24/7speed! Was "pro" but now n00b as been out off the XTREME for a while

[gtj]

I've killed two boards so far running the BX2 in the cold Michigan air (condensation). Anyway, Intel RMA sent me on each occasion a new boxed motherboard with BLUE VRs. These were both Rev. 505 boards. My question is, are there any boxed 505s with BLUE VRs owned by anyone on this forum? How was your experience? I wonder if this has any impact on over-clocking? The last one I killed was running solid at 3.95 Ghz on the 1066 strap. I just got a new boxed BLUE VR board from Intel today and I'm tempted to sell it and switch to the AW9D max since Intel is being so tardy with a bios that unlocks multis on the ES chips. I like to play around with fsb over-clocking every now and then. The single PCI slot on the AW9D-Max is a killer, but at least I have something to hook my x-fi to.

Anyway, I have two sets of board accessories from the boxed boards for any of you with the OEM versions who might be interested. Just PM me.

Assuming you DON'T mean the 5 things with the flame heat sinks on them, then black or blue things are just choke filters, basically wire wrapped around an iron core. No difference between them. I have a 2 503's with black ones, 1 503 with blue ones and a 505 with black ones.

[gtj]

Well, except for the willingness to fix the C1E, I would soon start fiddeling some more on my new bougt system. Guess there will be alot of coming fixes regarding both watchdag and C1E to come (hopeing)

Picture one and two show why I have been so slow stressing/testing all, got Both my figners crushed by a falling 100KG cooling aggregat @ woork


Picture 3 show some of the preps/beauty

YIKES!! My fingers hurt just looking at the pics. Hope they're doing OK.

[gtj]

1. Why set the memory frequency to 667? Would you suggest the 1:1 (FSBRAM) or other ratios for now ?
2. I understand there's a need to lock the PCI-E to avoid OCing at the same time while i increased the FSBl. Do you know where to change that ?


3. Is there a visual guide to OC for BX2? There was one in the ASUS p5B Deluxe few mths back

CHeers

The default memory freq is 800. As soon as you start to raise the FSB, because of the way the frequency settings interact, your memory will start to overclock as well. By lowering the memory frequency to 667, you'll be underclocking the memory so that if you do have problems, you'll know it's NOT the memory causing them. When you've got the CPU stable at a particular FSB, then you can start playing with the memory frequency again to see how high you can push the memory.

The PCIe frequency isn't tied to the FSB on this board so don't even worry about it.

There isn't a guide as of yet but I'm working on one.

[Zucker2k]

Assuming you DON'T mean the 5 things with the flame heat sinks on them, then black or blue things are just choke filters, basically wire wrapped around an iron core. No difference between them. I have a 2 503's with black ones, 1 503 with blue ones and a 505 with black ones.

I thought those were the voltage regulators as looking at those I could tell the BX2 has 5-phase power?

[gtj]

I thought those were the voltage regulators as looking at those I could tell the BX2 has 5-phase power?

They're part of the voltage regulator circuit but the actual regulators are under the heatsinks. Each VR has a filter between it and the CPU. The filters are made up of the the black or blue square components (chokes or coils (inductors to be precise)) and the round silver capacitors.