Official GIGABYTE X38-DQ6/X38T-DQ6 Info/BIOS Thread

[turtletrax]

What is annoying me the most is the boot issues I am having. I get random loss of CMOS setting, and about 1 in 5 cold-boots I lose my RAID array. I have to spend 10-15 minutes getting it to find the array without errors and then go into BIOS and point it to boot from the stripe


I have relentlessly tried voltage combinations and memory setting and no luck. I have also heard a few bad stories about Gigabyte RMA's and dont have the pateince to deal with that crap. Does anybody in Canada have Gigabyte RMA experience?

[Alcibiades]

Standard Bios options I use for High performance settings:
FSB 413-460, CPU 3.4-3.8, DDR2 1100-1224

Robust Graphics Booster [Turbo]
!! Performance Enhanced with... [Extreme]
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) [Manual]

Static tRead Value [7] Performance Level - for 1100Mhz and up
If you leave the tRead Value to [Auto] value will sometimes be too low and o/c will fail
Refresh to ACT Delay [36]
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [1000Mv]
DDR2 Overvoltage Control [+0.55v] to give 2.38v
PCIE Overvoltage Control [+0.35v]
FSB Overvoltage Control [+0.15v]
(G)MCH Overvoltage Control [+0.150v]
CPU Voltage Control [1.456v] for up to 3.6-3.7 Ghz - 1.4256v for 3.66GHz works nicely

TIP: Never try booting new o/c settings with any external devices attached and powered on. Example eSata.

F5g bios IS very good for Quad and Memory for me anyway
F3 only good for HIGH FSB

[Supershanks]

Bit late in the day but got mine yesterday. Gigabyte GA X38 DQ6 Am pretty impressed with build quality & design so far. Am currently running in yellow slots , was wondering if there is any difference in performance/stability to the red. I'm running ballistix 8500.

Apologies if ii's been covered already & i've missed it.

Off to bed now running prime on 3.6k, fingers crossed

cheers

[equlizer]

I got the same problem
Q6600 G0
X38 DQ6
Crucial BallistiX PC8500

Can`t get the fsb past 400fsb.
Tried every bios from F3-F5I
Must be Cpu related or something weird with the m/b.
I can however runt 400x9 with mem @ 600 4-4-4-4
But it will not boot with 415x8 using any timings or voltage.

[xwards]

does this Motherboard have any Vdroop?

[DStealth]

does this Motherboard have any Vdroop?

With the first F3 bios it's huge, with next bioses is in normal range of 0.02-0.03 V (with Quad @ 4ghz and 1.45-1.55V ). But if there would be Vdrop mod i'll be the first to try it .

[~aoe~]

I can't believe I didn't see this thread earlier.

Anyway, had this board for a few weeks now, but it's part of my new WC setup which is still not complete. However, I have got the CPU loop up and running and am currently testing. So far, Q6600 G0 is 2 hours Prime stable at 400x9 with 1.4875v in BIOS (F5h). Max temps at load are 48C, so still some headroom to push this further.

I have replaced the stock cooling with MCW30 on NB and a modded Enzotech CNB-S1L on SB

When I get the rest of the components I need to complete the GPU loop, I'll be able to give this more serious testing.

I did lose one of my WD Raptors after flashing the BIOS to F5g - constant reboots like previously mentioned until I cleared CMOS, but by then it was too late. Still, at least it's still under warranty

[zuess]

What is annoying me the most is the boot issues I am having. I get random loss of CMOS setting, and about 1 in 5 cold-boots I lose my RAID array. I have to spend 10-15 minutes getting it to find the array without errors and then go into BIOS and point it to boot from the stripe


I have relentlessly tried voltage combinations and memory setting and no luck. I have also heard a few bad stories about Gigabyte RMA's and dont have the pateince to deal with that crap. Does anybody in Canada have Gigabyte RMA experience?

Hi turtletrax,
I've had 2 experiences with Gigabyte RMA's.
The first board i got had a driver issue with the ethernet controller, so that went back.
The second board i got was damaged during shipping, the pcb was cracked and bent so that was sent back. Now i await my third board which i should have on Monday.
I must have alot of patience because i ordered the first board on September 27 and i still don't have one i can use.

Hope that helps.

[koc]

I need help guys

Im on 440 FSB and i cant go over 440 what ever i do in the bios

i try f3 bios and i updated to f5h , and the same problem
i cant go over 440 FSB , and when i try to increase the FSB to more than 440
the bios reset it self to default

I use these setting

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [1000Mv]
DDR2 Overvoltage Control [normal]
PCIE Overvoltage Control [normal]
FSB Overvoltage Control [+0.15v]
(G)MCH Overvoltage Control [+0.150v]
CPU Voltage Control [1.456v]

the temp is very good

CUP 33C
NB 33C ( HR-05 )

It is bad CUP patch , or need some bios tweaks ?

[turtletrax]

Hi turtletrax,
I've had 2 experiences with Gigabyte RMA's.
The first board i got had a driver issue with the ethernet controller, so that went back.
The second board i got was damaged during shipping, the pcb was cracked and bent so that was sent back. Now i await my third board which i should have on Monday.
I must have alot of patience because i ordered the first board on September 27 and i still don't have one i can use.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Zuess. I am still praying a BIOS release sorts me out, but I think that is a pipedream. My biggest worry is I send it in for RMA, and they say NTF (nothing to fix). I had Anus do that to me once and I flipped out and have not bought a Asus board since. Crappy thing is that I am slowly leaning towards the Maximus Formula SE.

What is the average RMA turnaround time for yours so far?

Thanks

[zuess]

Hi turtletrax,

First RMA was a week now after complaining about the lack of packing material to protect it i'll have my third board on Monday.
I guess it really depends on where you bought it.

Hope better luck is coming.

[zsamz_]

yes always depens on where you bought it
i buy from ncix average return 1 week

[Alcibiades]

I need help guys

Im on 440 FSB and i cant go over 440 what ever i do in the bios

i try f3 bios and i updated to f5h , and the same problem
i cant go over 440 FSB , and when i try to increase the FSB to more than 440
the bios reset it self to default

I use these setting

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [1000Mv]
DDR2 Overvoltage Control [normal]
PCIE Overvoltage Control [normal]
FSB Overvoltage Control [+0.15v]
(G)MCH Overvoltage Control [+0.150v]
CPU Voltage Control [1.456v]

the temp is very good

CUP 33C
NB 33C ( HR-05 )

It is bad CUP patch , or need some bios tweaks ?

Turn up your PCIE to max +0.35v ALWAYS this is what the bios does anyway when you set the voltage settings to normal. I hear vdroop is less when this is max. make sure you select Turbo at the top
You must set your RAM's timings manually, choose the x2.66D 400Mhz strap for your ram, most important setting to change is the tRD to 7 or higher, you can leave the other memory settings to AUTO
(G)MCH overvoltage I don't think is needed at these modest settings
Also give your memory extra volts to get it up to recommended high speed setting.
make sure no external devices are connected when attempting these new settings as a good o/c might fail for 'other' reasons
good luck
p.s give your cpu 1.525v just to make sure vdroop not stuffing you around
and try the CPU/PCIEx driving control at normal 800mv
p.s.s use the f5g bios as it has stated better quadcore and memory support, even though f5h should also be good , i haven't tried it.
p.s.s.s I can't get over 460fsb with mine, but my brothers q6600 goes at least 480FSB on a crappy Asus p5KC!!!!

[GAR]

Hows this board doing fella???

[DStealth]

Hows this board doing fella???

Nice
Water cooled Q6600 and water cooled, single, 1 year old 8800gtx
78338

[koc]

Turn up your PCIE to max +0.35v ALWAYS this is what the bios does anyway when you set the voltage settings to normal. I hear vdroop is less when this is max. make sure you select Turbo at the top
You must set your RAM's timings manually, choose the x2.66D 400Mhz strap for your ram, most important setting to change is the tRD to 7 or higher, you can leave the other memory settings to AUTO
(G)MCH overvoltage I don't think is needed at these modest settings
Also give your memory extra volts to get it up to recommended high speed setting.
make sure no external devices are connected when attempting these new settings as a good o/c might fail for 'other' reasons
good luck
p.s give your cpu 1.525v just to make sure vdroop not stuffing you around
and try the CPU/PCIEx driving control at normal 800mv
p.s.s use the f5g bios as it has stated better quadcore and memory support, even though f5h should also be good , i haven't tried it.
p.s.s.s I can't get over 460fsb with mine, but my brothers q6600 goes at least 480FSB on a crappy Asus p5KC!!!!
__________________

thank you Alcibiades

Well i reached 450 FSB with the setting that you recommend ,

however i stick again with 450 FSB , and i can not pass 450 FSB

damn it Gigabyte

[mjb1206]

Hey GAR>>>>>> It's running great! Seems like the quad core guys might need a tweaked bios, so hopefully one will be released soon that actually has some improvements that would help all.....How about those Asus boards, I have been sneaking over there and reading, and it seems it's quite problematic as all new released boards are!

[andre X_X]

hi, anybody can confirm if P35 DQ6 PCB is the same with P35 DS3P? coz i want to mod may P35 DS3P and it seems the look quite the same. P35 DQ6 Mod also works nice on P35 DS4, which means they have same PCB/layout. thx

[Supershanks]

Well at least i've got a stable base now Stable - 9x400 13hr Prime stable + settings

Keep throwing those hints out Alcibiades I'm listening., whilst i figure these settings. Looking to go higher. managed 9x450 (next post in above link. )
but was troubled going further.
What's the max fsb looking like??

cheers

[Richard Dower]

My board has been stable at 425x8 for a week now, 1.4V set in bios...Vdroop is alot less with this mobo, memory at 2.2V. all other voltage options set to normal or auto.

I don't like to add voltage unless i have to.

[Supershanks]

Hi Richard,
Yep

I don't like to add voltage unless i have to.

i'm the same , this quad i got the other week does seem to run on a low voltage
On my p5k got 3.6 13hr prime with 1.375v (bios)
Am just getting a feel for this board & working without the damper that's on the p5k bios.

Like i said i'm re-running tonight on a notch or 2 lower to see if it's still stable

cheers

[Richard Dower]

Might be of interest to those who have this modem/router:

http://kbserver.netgear.com/release_notes/D103201.asp

Take caution when flashing firmware and ensure you've got the right model/region. Firmware revision 1.03.35...some new features added, embedded firmware driver updated.

[Alcibiades]

thank you Alcibiades

Well i reached 450 FSB with the setting that you recommend ,

however i stick again with 450 FSB , and i can not pass 450 FSB

damn it Gigabyte

I'm glad the settings worked for you

I see you have 4GB not 2, and if you are trying to get all 4GB to work at 1100MHz on a 2.40D or 1200MHz on a 2.66D strap, might be a few bios rev's away.

If I had my system running @

8x451 @3608Ghz
4GB DDR2 @ 1200Mhz

I would be very happy on Vista Ultimate x64

[Sommer]

My second X38-DQ6 mobo, the first just looped nonstop at startup after a bios update.

The F5i bios much better than F3 for me. It's early yet for a satisfaction value on the X38, but I like it so far, RMA and all. Runs very stable.

Still trying to get the best out of the rig, testing right now.

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=261016

[djshotty]

My second X38-DQ6 mobo, the first just looped nonstop at startup after a bios update.

The F5i bios much better than F3 for me. It's early yet for a satisfaction value on the X38, but I like it so far, RMA and all. Runs very stable.

Still trying to get the best out of the rig, testing right now.

I had the same looping probs when I jumped from F3 to F5h. Got past it after I crossed the jumper and reset BIOS to default. Only tried to go to 360 since then, without much success. Kinda thinking it may be the GPU's draining power from the chip. Plus, it's still not reading that I've got four strips of PC2-8500 there. For some reason BIOS and Vista benchmarks say they're DDR2-800.