Striker pwns EVGA with Q6600 G0

[Leeghoofd]

lo Micha good clocks mate

[didineedthis]

right then.
i have tried everything, still no joy

even flashed to 1102 bios and tried that ,no joy back on 1303 now.

could it be the balistic memory holding me back? i dont seem to be able to get over the 3.0ghz mark.

i got to 3.1, but i could not get it stable running occt for just a few minutes failed,
i tried upping the vcore and the 1.2 to try and compensate, but it would not run occt.

do you think i will have a better chance of getting to 3.4 with different memory and maybe a different cooler,if so could you please suggest which memory i should buy ,and what air cooler would you suggest.

thanks for all your time and effort. i am new to all this overclocking ,but i do want to learn, i have spent over 2 weeks trying to get to the 3.4 mark, i just need some guidence from the pros.
i have tried numerous settings (other peoples templates) with no joy,the only thing different in my setup is the memory and cooler?

regards

[[VII]]

STABLE!

[Akuma2000]

Nice man! Please post your BIOS settings

[howard]

just wondering : QUESTION: ... if I put instead the multiplyer to 9 , will it use less the northbridge ? (just curious) (lowering also the fsb , so having at the end same frequency)

If you run it at x9 and lower the FSB to get the same processor frequency you can cut the NB voltage if it's pushed and improve the NB timing margins. And if you're on the stock cooling for the NB the lower the better. Whether you detect a real world performance hit from a lower FSB will depend on what you're doing. I can't discern any difference at all but I'm running a FreeBSD desktop on my Striker instead of FPSs. YMMV

[Dudeguy]

If you run it at x9 and lower the FSB to get the same processor frequency you can cut the NB voltage if it's pushed and improve the NB timing margins. And if you're on the stock cooling for the NB the lower the better. Whether you detect a real world performance hit from a lower FSB will depend on what you're doing. I can't discern any difference at all but I'm running a FreeBSD desktop on my Striker instead of FPSs. YMMV

thanks for the info.
I've been working a bit around ... and finally at 9x, and 1345 (something near that... as 1333 is a fsb hole) it working flawelessly, and i've putted the voltage (except vcore) to auto , so I guess the MB by default will not super duper overclock it...
Everest say :
VCore : 1.4
FSB VTT : 1.36
NBC : 1.33
SBC : 1.52

guess it's fine, i've got a big fan blowing the mb straight (so no hot issue)

but thanks for the reply appreciated

[Marios]

Hey guys,

a few days ago i bought a striker extreme again, but i'm disappointed again. First i installed all water cooling components on the Board, put 2 x 2 GB G.Skill ddr2-1000 on it an did the 2 8800gtx into the slots. The Board was delivered with 1305 Bios. I've read a lot of bad thing about the Bios, so i decided to flash the 1303 Bios. everything worked fine but noch FSB 1600 stable with my q6600 g0. Also i had a lot of problems with the Razer-Bug. So i flashed 1301 but now nothing is fine. the max stable speed ist fsb 1400. Thats a lil crappy i think.


I used these settings, but if i want to boot with a higher fsb the screen keeps black...anyone got ideas?

Well I saw you are stable.
I do not know your settings yet so please have a look at the following and give us your suggestions.

AI Tuning: Manual
Nvidia GPU Ex: Disabled
LinkBoost: No linkboost option here. Use 1303 BIOS
CPU Multi 9
FSB - Memory Clock Mode: Unlinked
x FSB - Memory Raio: N/A
FSB (QDR), Mhz: 1400
Actual FSB (QDR), Mhz: 1400
MEM (DDR), Mhz: 900
Actual MEM (DDR), Mhz: 900
Vcore Voltage:1.55 up to 1.6
Memory Voltage:2.2 Actual 2.25 Never use auto with SLI mem (gives 2.35)
1.2v HT Voltage:1.5 or less better use auto here.
NB Core Voltage:1.45 exactly and never change this no matter what. Actual 1.52.
SB Core Voltage:1.5 or auto
CPU VTT Voltage:1.45 or even more
DDRII Controller Ref Voltage: +10
DDRII Channel A Ref Voltage: +10
DDRII Channel B Ref Voltage: +10

tCL (CAS Latency): auto
tRCD: auto
tRP: auto
tRAS: auto
Command Per Clock (CMD): 2


Advance Memory Settings
tRRD: AUTO
tRC: AUTO
tWR: AUTO
tWTR: AUTO
tREF: AUTO
tRD: AUTO
tRFC: AUTO
Async Latency: AUTO

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum: Disabled
LDT Spread Spectrum: Disabled

CPU Internal Thermal Control: Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal: Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E): Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled security
Virtualization Technology: Enabled makes no O/C difference
Enhanced Intel Speedstep Tech: Disabled
LDT Frequency: 5x

PCIEX16_1 Frequency (Mhz): 100
PCIEX16_2 Frequency (Mhz): 100
PCIEX16_3 Frequency (Mhz): 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, Mhz: Auto defaults at 200

NB and mosfets cooling is very important.
Sometimes lower and auto settings are better.

Better use SLI expert for your memory timings or try other dimms.
This mobo needs SLI dimms even if you do not enable SLI memory.
Check your dimms once every time you think you change your OC settings, before entering Windows.
Memtest DOES NOT work with Striker.
Never use it.
Use the memory test that comes on a Vista DVD.
You get access by pressing tab after post booting from a Vista DVD or any disk with a Vista installation.
You only need two passes to check your dimms.

[Leeghoofd]

He was already stable Marios a few post ahead (403), but thx for ya input also note he's runnign a quad which needs a different setup then the dual cores....

some stuff :

My Striker also ran fine with non SLI ram (Gskill PC6400Hz , same with PC6400PK, PC8000HZ all non SLI) only ram that gave me weird beahviour where the OCZ PC8500 SLI ones lol

I always disabled SLI support for the ram as it gave more probs then it should solve ( I did this from 0402 on but never tried enabling it afterwards ) according some users... Also the Striker ran usually better with the ram undervolted then running it at the settings prescribed by the manufacturer...

Memtest (DOS) ran fine with me though, dunno where that comes from, you referring to the winblows version ?

[Marios]

He was already stable Marios a few post ahead (403), but thx for ya input also note he's runnign a quad which needs a different setup then the dual cores....

some stuff :

My Striker also ran fine with non SLI ram (Gskill PC6400Hz , same with PC6400PK, PC8000HZ all non SLI) only ram that gave me weird beahviour where the OCZ PC8500 SLI ones lol

I always disabled SLI support for the ram as it gave more probs then it should solve ( I did this from 0402 on but never tried enabling it afterwards ) according some users... Also the Striker ran usually better with the ram undervolted then running it at the settings prescribed by the manufacturer...

Memtest (DOS) ran fine with me though, dunno where that comes from, you referring to the winblows version ?

I saw VII is stable and I saw his great mobo with water everywhere.

In my case after one year with my Striker, having checked lots of dimms I realized that memtest doesn't work.
I wrote it on another forum 6 months ago.
Now there is an ASUS statement about this problem on ASUS frequently asked questions.
So please try the memory test that comes with Vista DVD.
You do not need to install Vista.
Only boot from a Vista DVD.

This is for everyone
Just check it yourself.

Overclock your mobo in a way that boots to BIOS but you are unstable in Windows XP or Vista, or you get a restart when you try to enter Windows.

Now run the bootable version of memtest for a while.
You are most probably not going to get any errors.
Memtest only gives errors in case your dimms have serious problems.

Now boot from a Vista installation DVD and press tab tab tab tab until you get a black screen with two options.
The second one is the memory test.
Just run this once or twice, as is without any changes and see what you get.

This is a nice and quick tip to check our overclocking before we enter windows.
Memory errors may harm our installation and on the other hand, it is the only case where pressing the power button for 4 seconds does not recover our BIOS.
I found this to be a great overclocking tool.

Of course there are dimms without EPP that work OK.
Though I think EPP dimms work better with Striker.
Two more suggestions.
Stick with 1.45v NB and DDR2@900MHz.
There are exceptions though like extreme cooling or FSB:MEM=1:1 (sync).

[Leeghoofd]

Well K thx for the tip , my post wasn't intented to contradict your findings , just another point of view, only ram that behaved erratically where the Corsairs 6400C4, which sadly many many users owned at that time due to Corsairs well known reputation.
But as a non Vista User I have to rely on something before I enter windows after setting up an OC... and I still use memtest and goldmemory from the hirens boot cd (which I always keep up to date... till now no corrupt installs yet ( crossed fingers )

And for quads indeed the it's best to stick with 1:1, sadly we recommend many settings to other users but not all mobo's can run the same setups many many others can , even with identical hardware... 680i is a spooky chipset to me...

[didineedthis]

@leeghoofd

could it be the balistic memory holding me back? i dont seem to be able to get over the 3.0ghz mark.

i got to 3.1, but i could not get it stable running occt for just a few minutes failed,
i tried upping the vcore and the 1.2 to try and compensate, but it would not run occt.

do you think i will have a better chance of getting to 3.4 with different memory and maybe a different cooler,if so could you please suggest which memory i should buy ,and what air cooler would you suggest.

thanks for all your time and effort. i am new to all this overclocking ,but i do want to learn, i have spent over 2 weeks trying to get to the 3.4 mark, i just need some guidence from the pros.
i have tried numerous settings (other peoples templates) with no joy,the only thing different in my setup is the memory and cooler?

regards

[Marios]

@leeghoofd

could it be the balistic memory holding me back? i dont seem to be able to get over the 3.0ghz mark.

i got to 3.1, but i could not get it stable running occt for just a few minutes failed,
i tried upping the vcore and the 1.2 to try and compensate, but it would not run occt.

do you think i will have a better chance of getting to 3.4 with different memory and maybe a different cooler,if so could you please suggest which memory i should buy ,and what air cooler would you suggest.

thanks for all your time and effort. i am new to all this overclocking ,but i do want to learn, i have spent over 2 weeks trying to get to the 3.4 mark, i just need some guidence from the pros.
i have tried numerous settings (other peoples templates) with no joy,the only thing different in my setup is the memory and cooler?

regards

Do you have a B3 or a G0 stepping quad?
I believe you cannot expect great overclocking from B3 stepping quads on Striker Extreme.

[Don_Dan]

Do you have a B3 or a G0 stepping quad?
I believe you cannot expect great overclocking from B3 stepping quads on Striker Extreme.

G0 according to his sig!

[didineedthis]

Do you have a B3 or a G0 stepping quad?
I believe you cannot expect great overclocking from B3 stepping quads on Striker Extreme.

hi thanks for your response,

i have the go stepping quad my set up is in my signature,
if it is my memory ?.could you suggest a decent memory to get.

regards

[gastoncapo]

i got my striker yesterday..ing board came with 1305 installed..and it wont work wit my corsairs pc8500, i get the test mem error..it just freezes during bios splash screen, now i have to get a cheap stick of non epp memory to boot the system and flash back to 1303, thank u asus!!

[Marios]

i got my striker yesterday..ing board came with 1305 installed..and it wont work wit my corsairs pc8500, i get the test mem error..it just freezes during bios splash screen, now i have to get a cheap stick of non epp memory to boot the system and flash back to 1303, thank u asus!!

Those dimms are great for your Striker.
SLI is not enabled by default, so EPP is not your problem.
Just use one dimm to boot and then the other one.
Sometimes Strikers do not boot easily the very first time.
You need to know a few things.
Check how to clear CMOS your BIOS.
Boot to BIOS with the clear CMOS button pressed down and the jumper on pins 2-3, as if you want to clear cmos.
This tip works every time.
Do not save anything when in BIOS.
Just power off, replace the CCMOS jumper on 1-2, boot again in BIOS and keep 1305.
You may flash any BIOS you want later on.
Do not enable memory SLI, unless you know this mobo.
Later on you should enable it, because you overclock better and you get better bench results with SLI enabled.
Though you need to lower a few volts from the defaults (NB vdimm), and do not try to overclock your memory @1200MHz right away.
Check your dimms with Vista memory test (have a look at my previous post) @900MHz 2.1-2.2v and NB @1.45v.

[Marios]

hi thanks for your response,

i have the go stepping quad my set up is in my signature,
if it is my memory ?.could you suggest a decent memory to get.

regards

Your dimms are among the best I've seen.
Unless they give errors on vista memory test, after two passes, @vdimm 2.2v, NB@ 1.45v, @900MHz, do not change them.
You have a very good rig.

Sometimes I've seen rigs that have a metal backplate to support the CPU cooler.
This metal plate might push the pins that come out of the mosfets and destroy your mobo.
So please check your rig.
I cut these pins short on the back of the mobo, so they do not touch the supporting metal backplate.
Use plastic washers between the metal plate and the mobo.
Another problem with those big CPU coolers is that they do not provide good airflow on the NB and the mosfets.
You need to find a way to cool them efficiently.
A few tips. Use paste on NB and washers on the back of the mobo to get a tight contact between the cooler and the NB. Also use three ASUS fans on all NB and the two mosfet coolers.
Use water cooling like [VII] did.
His rig is amazing
The best I've ever seen in my life.

[didineedthis]

@marios

thank you for your prompt reply.

i have managed to over clock to 3.262

1450 (725) 9x but it is unstable and the system keeps restarting its self, can you have a look at my settings below and see if you can suggest anything to get it stable.

my temps were mid 30s idle but my motherboard was around 43?



AI Tuning: Manual
Nvidia GPU Ex: Disabled
LinkBoost: No linkboost option here. Use 1303 BIOS
CPU Multi 9
FSB - Memory Clock Mode: Unlinked
x FSB - Memory Raio: N/A
FSB (QDR), Mhz: 1450
Actual FSB (QDR), Mhz: 1450
MEM (DDR), Mhz: 725
Actual MEM (DDR), Mhz: 725
Vcore Voltage:1.38125
Memory Voltage:2.0
1.2v HT Voltage:1.55
NB Core Voltage:1.45
SB Core Voltage: auto
CPU VTT Voltage:1.40 or even more
DDRII Controller Ref Voltage:
DDRII Channel A Ref Voltage:
DDRII Channel B Ref Voltage:

tCL (CAS Latency): 4
tRCD: 4
tRP: 4
tRAS: 12
Command Per Clock (CMD): 2


Advance Memory Settings
tRRD: AUTO
tRC: AUTO
tWR: AUTO
tWTR: AUTO
tREF: AUTO
tRD: AUTO
tRFC: AUTO
Async Latency: AUTO

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum: Disabled
LDT Spread Spectrum: Disabled

CPU Internal Thermal Control: Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal: Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E): Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled security
Virtualization Technology: disabled
Enhanced Intel Speedstep Tech: Disabled
LDT Frequency: 5x

PCIEX16_1 Frequency (Mhz): 100
PCIEX16_2 Frequency (Mhz): 100
PCIEX16_3 Frequency (Mhz): 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, Mhz: Auto defaults at 200

regards
didineedthis

[linflas]

@didineedthis

the D9's need a bit more voltage on this board, try bumping your volt on the vdimm to 2.1-2.15.

Also your Vcore is low for this board with the droop and drop this board has. Try bumping your vcore some as well. SB core needs about 1.6-1.65 for stability in my experience with 680i also.

[Leeghoofd]

On top of that you try 415 or 425FSB ( 8x for the CPU) 830 or 850 for the ram ( try to run in sync ) and if needed drop timings to 5-5-5-15 2T , disable legacy USB and lock SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, Mhz: 200 ( not auto )

Most users have to set 1.55 in bios to get 1.42 - 1.45 when under load for the CPU... plz do so as you seem to insist on keeping ya VCore so incredibly low set in the bios which refers to 1.28 or so when under load, fine for 3ghz but for higher it will require more...

Also most users run into trouble when reaching 360 and more FSB as the holes become more and more apparent... go straight for 415 or 425FSB...

Some users on a german forum site have had good succes with only Vcore, ram and SB set manually, rest on auto though sadly not all boards respond as good as Turricane3's...

Do you have added cooling mate for the NB and co ? (and not those crappy Asus fans they deliver in the box ) plz do so before continuing to OC... the NB heats up the heatpipe ; which results in more heat for the SB and PWM, reducing stability big time...

[didineedthis]

thanks for your replys. i think you are right on Leeghoofd.

i need better cooling before i will be able to get a stable clock over 3ghz.

i am on air cooling, there are fins over the northbridge, how would i cool the nb? obviously a fan of some sort ,because i do not want to go on water.

could you sudgest some cooling for the nb and sb ?and how i would go about installing them.
i am pretty sure once i have sorted the cooling for the nb-sb i will be able to get a stable overclock.
once again thanks for all your help

regards
didineedthis

[Leeghoofd]

Well some repleaced the PWM's via thermalright HR09 coolers and the NB and SB with Thermaltake Spirit coolers...

I placed a fan shroud so I could place some fans over the NB and PWM are... though not all CPU coolers allow this

3rd option is to place a Sidefan ( preferably 120mm or bigger) in the case sidepanel being centered on the NB....

[howard]

Well some repleaced the PWM's via thermalright HR09 coolers and the NB and SB with Thermaltake Spirit coolers...

I wasn't as happy as I'd hoped I'd be with the 09s. At least one of the FETs is completely uncovered with the 09 (top row, one of the ends, don't remember which end), and as Thermalright admits on their page the solution even for the other FETs doesn't and can't provide more than minimal contact with the FETs.

(It's possible to ram some extra foam under one end of the 09's expansion clamp to try to get minimal contact between the completely uncovered FET and the heat sink, I have no idea how well it worked but don't expect it did much other than insulate the FET from any air cooling it might have had, and I abandoned that approach when I changed CPU coolers)

I pulled the 09s and replaced them with adhesived-on swifttech BGA heat sinks. They run warm so they work, and everyone gets cooled.

An HR-05 and an HR-05SLI round out the chipset cooling. YMMV of course...

[didineedthis]

[QUOTE=Leeghoofd;2597253]Well some repleaced the PWM's via thermalright HR09 coolers and the NB and SB with Thermaltake Spirit coolers...

@leeghoofd

is this what i am after mate http://www.thermalright.com/where_default.htm

and i will need 2 of these right http://www.ciao.co.uk/Thermaltake_Te...#productdetail


would you sudgest getting rid of the artic freezer, if so which air cooler is the best mate.

regards

didineedthis

[Marios]

@marios

thank you for your prompt reply.

i have managed to over clock to 3.262

1450 (725) 9x but it is unstable and the system keeps restarting its self, can you have a look at my settings below and see if you can suggest anything to get it stable.

my temps were mid 30s idle but my motherboard was around 43?


regards
didineedthis

AI Tuning: Manual
Nvidia GPU Ex: Disabled
LinkBoost: No linkboost option here. Use 1303 BIOS
CPU Multi 9
FSB - Memory Clock Mode: Unlinked
x FSB - Memory Raio: N/A
FSB (QDR), Mhz: 1450
Actual FSB (QDR), Mhz: 1450
MEM (DDR), Mhz: 900
Actual MEM (DDR), Mhz: 900
Vcore Voltage:1.55 Start at 1.55 and try lower volts after success.
Memory Voltage:2.15
1.2v HT Voltage:Auto
NB Core Voltage:1.45
SB Core Voltage: auto
CPU VTT Voltage: auto
DDRII Controller Ref Voltage: +10 or auto
DDRII Channel A Ref Voltage: +10 or auto
DDRII Channel B Ref Voltage: +10 or auto

tCL (CAS Latency):
tRCD: AUTO
tRP: AUTO
tRAS: AUTO
Command Per Clock (CMD): AUTO


Advance Memory Settings
tRRD: AUTO
tRC: AUTO
tWR: AUTO
tWTR: AUTO
tREF: AUTO
tRD: AUTO
tRFC: AUTO
Async Latency: AUTO

CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum: Disabled
LDT Spread Spectrum: Disabled

CPU Internal Thermal Control: Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal: Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E): Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Enabled security
Virtualization Technology: Enabled makes no OC diffenerce
Enhanced Intel Speedstep Tech: Disabled
LDT Frequency: 5x

PCIEX16_1 Frequency (Mhz): 100
PCIEX16_2 Frequency (Mhz): 100
PCIEX16_3 Frequency (Mhz): 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, Mhz: Auto defaults at 200

SLI mem disabled

Did you check your dimms with a bootable vista dvd ?
No large fan can replace a small fan on top of each cooler (NB, and two mosfets)