ASUS Maximus Formula SE

[Legion455]

Hey all, ... just installed my Maximus a few days ago, ... hooked up the CPU to cooling w/ Gatorade , overclocked my 8800gt, and then overclocked the 6850 CpU to 3.78Ghz. (420 x 9) z9mem: PC-8500 ballistix)

Ran Orthos for 2 hours, temps on CPUtemp 95.4 went from 34-38 up to 66-69
yet Speedfan shows 53c.

Cooling via Petra's Basic Kit w/ Apogee GT, MCR220 radiator, & Lang D5 pump. my loop is from the pump into the radiator, then to CPU, then on to the NB Fusion, (had to put adapters to go down in dia. to fit the fusion) .. then back to pump. (and I left the fusion stock, didn't re-seat it, etc))

my question is, .. is my loop ok? and, .... what about temps? Am getting confused with all the different temps people are talking about.

I want to try and get up to 4Ghz, ...so just looking for some direction. thanks again for a great group!

ALlen

[JKad]

I'm using them. We've got a metric asston of them at work, IT was giving them away. I'm assuming they're from Strikers or some other Asus board, they came in a 3 pack along with one chipset heatsink fan (same one that ships with the Maximus).

Thanks for the feedback. Exactly the experience I was looking for. Too bad that Asus doesn't allow more control over the fans. Speedfan has much better options but its usefulness is limited if it can't control the fans. Still, I agree that knowing some of the temps is useful by itself.

[jorgito05]

I'm using them. We've got a metric asston of them at work, IT was giving them away. I'm assuming they're from Strikers or some other Asus board, they came in a 3 pack along with one chipset heatsink fan (same one that ships with the Maximus).

I use Opt 1 external for ambient, Opt 2 floating in the case center, and Opt 3 between the fins of my Accelero coolers.

They're pretty accurate, but they're only marginally useful for controlling fan speeds because the temp steppings in BIOS are so large...24, 32, 40, etc.

If you have QFan tied to a sensor, when it get within 2c of the target temp, it goes full 12v power...~2c below the threshold and it drops to 5v.

For instance, I have a Scythe SFF-F under my case, blowing up on the video cards. It's connected to Opt 3, along with a thermistor. Where I've placed my thermistor is usually about 25c.

If left in Qfan mode and 32c, it runs at 540 RPM, too slow to do much of anything. Set it to 24 and it's 1600 RPM, and therefore too loud. So, all my Opt fans are now set to 70% Ratio instead of QFan.

If Asus let you enter your own exact temp, and then had more granularity over the PWM scale (like they've done on boards in the past, or like Abit does so much better) then they'd be useful for fan control.

I suppose you could use SpeedFan to get finer control, if you can make it work properly with the Maximus sensors. Mine all go crazy and requires a reboot when I try to actually adjust something.

That said, I still like having the thermistors, I use Everest in both my Vista Sidebar and my G15 LCD to keep an eye on temps, even if they don't drive my fans. If nothing else, the Ambient is damned handy.

Very informative, thank you very much just what I was looking to hear accurate hands on experiance.

Can you help me with info about getting AI Suite and 3D Mark 06 to work after updating to latest bios, I tried un-installing then re-installing still no go.

[iadstudio]

I posted the same question on the Asus support site and got a reply with the following link>

http://estore.asus.com/shop/item.asp...3718&catid=553

The listing is for the striker extreme but looking at that manual, it appears to be the same as for the Maximus Formula. I think this is for a package of three sensors. Cost is $3.00 and shipping cheapest I think $5.00.
Still haven't heard if anyone has any experience with using these so it's a crap shoot. With New Years around the corner, there's no rush to order.

I found some at Frozen CPU that work great.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/63..._-_2_Pack.html

dunno if this helps.

[jorgito05]

Hey all, ... just installed my Maximus a few days ago, ... hooked up the CPU to cooling w/ Gatorade , overclocked my 8800gt, and then overclocked the 6850 CpU to 3.78Ghz. (420 x 9) z9mem: PC-8500 ballistix)

Ran Orthos for 2 hours, temps on CPUtemp 95.4 went from 34-38 up to 66-69
yet Speedfan shows 53c.

Cooling via Petra's Basic Kit w/ Apogee GT, MCR220 radiator, & Lang D5 pump. my loop is from the pump into the radiator, then to CPU, then on to the NB Fusion, (had to put adapters to go down in dia. to fit the fusion) .. then back to pump. (and I left the fusion stock, didn't re-seat it, etc))

my question is, .. is my loop ok? and, .... what about temps? Am getting confused with all the different temps people are talking about.

I want to try and get up to 4Ghz, ...so just looking for some direction. thanks again for a great group!

ALlen

I would go from pump to your system, then to Radiator. Want to cool the fluid back down before entering the pump again, hot fluid may shorten pump life.
http://

[binormalkilla]

That's a nice rig you have, I was wondering too about the temp probes, and I feel the ones the other guy mentioned about in the Asus estore sight will probably work. Also I would like to know how you got 3D Mark06 to work. After updating bios to 0907 It won't work and niether will AI Suite, can you or anyone help me?

Thanks
I dunno man.....I've never had any issues with 3dmark06, and I highly doubt it's due to the BIOS update.
Will it not load at all, or will it give a driver error for D3D9, etc.? Also, what OS?

[jorgito05]

Thanks
I dunno man.....I've never had any issues with 3dmark06, and I highly doubt it's due to the BIOS update.
Will it not load at all, or will it give a driver error for D3D9, etc.? Also, what OS?

Thanks for you quick responce, OS, XP Professional Yes I can install them, but when I click on them they error. AI Suit shows up frozen, with no reading at all and an inmediate error messege dont remember what it was now I uninstalled it; 3D Mark06 would not even initiate when I clicked on it and also errored.

AI Suite did work prior to bios update.

Thanks again

[iadstudio]

I would go from pump to your system, then to Radiator. Want to cool the fluid back down before entering the pump again, hot fluid may shorten pump life.

Even though this is the wrong thread for WC comments, can anyone comment on this please? this seems to be opposite of what most people do with their loop and I've never heard that "hot fluid", if it can even be called that, shortens pump life.

and Legion455, please tell me you're not talking about the sports drink gatorade.

[KALISPIMENTA]

will this help?
http://www.thetechrepository.com/showthread.php?t=13

[Zeussa]

Since you guys helped me with the courage to mess with “The Formula”, I’m going to give a little back here...

Slipstreaming a Windows XP install disc to include RAID drivers for Maximus Formula: Dual boot Vista/XP


For people like me who have a new rig without.... a floppy drive. Why did I not?

THIS IS WHAT WORKED, after a few failed attempts with wrong info...

First we need the Intel Matrix Storage Manager SATA RAID Controller drivers. Open your Formula Maximus Motherboard DVD > Drivers > Chipset > DOS. Copy this DOS file. There are 32 and 64bit folders relative to the XP OS you will install. One of the files in them is iastor.sys but we need them all.

So you threw the disc... go here and grab the one from the top, change extension to .rar and extract with winrar, the Winall folder has the DOS drivers.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filt...bmit=Go%21#DRV

Copy all the files from your XP disc, to a folder named Newxpdisc.

Add your RAID/SATA Drivers
Open the folder to which you copied your Windows XP CD (Newxpdisc) and create a subfolder called $OEM$ (same level as i386). Then, create a subfolder of $OEM$ called $1 and a subfolder of $1 called drivers, then a subfolder called RAID The resulting path should be Newxpdisc\$OEM$\$1\drivers\raid
Now, copy all the single driver files inside the 64bit or 32bit folder you found above, directly inside the raid folder we just made.

Locate the .SYS file for your RAID/SATA controller from among the files you just copied it should be named after your specific controller, in this case iastor.sys and copy this file to the i386 folder of your Windows CD (Newxpdisc\i386).

Open your RAID iastor.inf file in Notepad and copy the PCI identifier strings, which is a series of characters beginning with PCI\VEN in this case there are 5, up to and not including the period. Eg PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27C3&CC_0104

Next, open TXTSETUP.SIF (situated in Newxpdisc\i386) and paste your PCI identifier strings under the [HardwareIdsDatabase] section of that file (Edit tab > Find). At the end of the string, add an equal-sign followed by the driver name IN QUOTES “”. In this case it should read like this..

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27C3&CC_0104 = "iastor"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2682&CC_0104 = "iastor"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27C6&CC_0104 = "iastor"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2822&CC_0104 = "iastor"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_282A&CC_0104 = "iastor"

Now scroll down to the [SourceDisksFiles] section of TXTSETUP.SIF and add the following text:
iastor.sys = 1,,,,,,_x,4,1
eg.

[SourceDisksFiles]
iastor.sys = 1,,,,,,_x,4,1


also add iastor.sys= 1 under :

[SourceDisksFiles.x86]

[SourceDisksFiles]
iastor.sys= 1

This last entry may not be necessary, but mine worked for XP 32bit.

Then, under the [SCSI.Load] section, enter:
iastor = iastor.sys,4

Finally, in the [SCSI] section of the file, add the following:
driver_filename = "RAID/SATA Device Name” in this case:

[SCSI]
iastor = "Intel(R) 82801GR/GH SATA RAID Controller"
iastor = "Intel(R) 631xESB/632xESB SATA RAID Controller"
iastor = "Intel(R) 82801GHM SATA RAID Controller"
iastor = "Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R SATA RAID Controller"
iastor = "Intel(R) 82801HEM SATA RAID Controller"

Oops, almost there. In this step, open Notepad and make a file called WINNT.SIF in the i386 folder of our Windows setup files (Newxpdisc\i386). This file can be used to create an unattended installation routine. But for here we need to customize the OemPnPDriversPath line by entering the path to the .INF file for your RAID/SATA driver . That is the path after the $1 folder... eg "drivers\raid" include the quotes! so in this case we copy this to our WINNT.SIF file...

[Data]
AutoPartition=0
MsDosInitiated="0"
UnattendedInstall="Yes"

[Unattended]
UnattendMode=ProvideDefault
OemPreinstall=Yes
OemSkipEula=Yes
NoWaitAfterTextMode=1
NoWaitAfterGUIMode=1

WaitForReboot="No"
TargetPath=E:WINDOWS
DriverSigningPolicy=Ignore
OemPnPDriversPath="drivers\raid"

[GuiUnattended]
OEMSkipWelcome = 1

[UserData]
ProductKey=
FullName=""
OrgName=""

Prepare your bootable CD and burn it. For this I used Power ISO.
Straightforward and it has a simple Help.

Extract the small boot image from our original Windows XP disc so we can use it to make our slipstreamed CD bootable as well. With power ISO it’s called a .bif file. Action" --> "Boot" --> "Save Boot information
Next make the boot CD. Action" --> "Boot" --> "Add Boot information.. find the .bif boot image you just saved. Now drag in all files from inside the Newxpdisc folder to the main window in Power ISO... jam the Burn button and you got it!

IMPORTANT. When installing XP on this type of system. Unfortunately, XP doesn't always recognize a computer BIOS is ACPI capable and doesn't install the support for ACPI.
Once you drop the CD in the tray and fire up the computer to install XP, the first thing you'll see at the bottom of the screen is the option to press F6 if you need to install a SCSI or RAID controller. Don't press F6. Press F5 instead. This will take you to a separate menu of Hardware Abstraction Layer's where you can choose an appropriate HAL that supports ACPI. Scroll Upwards to choose ACPI Multiprocessor PC from the list below.

ACPI Multiprocessor PC
ACPI Uniprocessor PC
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC
Compaq SystemPro Multiprocessor or 100% Compatible PC
MPS Uniprocessor PC
MPS Multiprocessor PC
Standard PC
Standard PC with C-Step i486
Other

Dual Boot issue: If you already have Vista installed, you wont have a Dual Boot choice as XP boots as a default, go here to solve this issue...
http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

[-.-PhanTom-.-]

Since you guys helped me with the courage to mess with “The Formula”, I’m going to give a little back here...

Slipstreaming a Windows XP install disc to include RAID drivers for Maximus Formula: Dual boot Vista/XP

Nice, but have you tried nLite?
http://www.nliteos.com/guide/

[jorgito05]

Even though this is the wrong thread for WC comments, can anyone comment on this please? this seems to be opposite of what most people do with their loop and I've never heard that "hot fluid", if it can even be called that, shortens pump life.

and Legion455, please tell me you're not talking about the sports drink gatorade.

Those are some nice pics you have of your rig, great job.

[Repliquant67]

I run with a QX9650 at 10x4200 vcore=1.45V on a maximus formula non-SE. It is prim95 stable and I can play during more than 2h on crysis without problem. But sometimes it is very hard to go in windows, when I boot the first time after wake up in the morning. I stay blocked on the first or second bios post, and need to reboot a lot of time, cut the psu ....
Something wrong in my bios settings ? More PLL, SB or other ?
I tryed with the 903 and 907 bios (I used EZ-flash).

[cadaveca]

flash bios twice, load optimized defaults on reboot, then change settings.

Typically, issue with windows loading(for me, anyway) was either cpu volts too low(and not prime stable), or chipset volts when prime stable(USB devices were causing the boot to fail when drivers for the devices loaded).

[jorgito05]

After updating to bios 0907 neither of these work, can anyone help.
OS XP Pro

[Repliquant67]

Ok, thanks.
I will try.
I use 1.49V for the NB with 420mhz fsb and SB in auto.

[cadaveca]

After updating to bios 0907 neither of these work, can anyone help.
OS XP Pro

Have you tried re-installing teh software? No such issues here, but i went from 802-903-802-907.

[Grnfinger]

Hey all, ... just installed my Maximus a few days ago, ... hooked up the CPU to cooling w/ Gatorade , overclocked my 8800gt, and then overclocked the 6850 CpU to 3.78Ghz. (420 x 9) z9mem: PC-8500 ballistix)

Ran Orthos for 2 hours, temps on CPUtemp 95.4 went from 34-38 up to 66-69
yet Speedfan shows 53c.

Cooling via Petra's Basic Kit w/ Apogee GT, MCR220 radiator, & Lang D5 pump. my loop is from the pump into the radiator, then to CPU, then on to the NB Fusion, (had to put adapters to go down in dia. to fit the fusion) .. then back to pump. (and I left the fusion stock, didn't re-seat it, etc))

my question is, .. is my loop ok? and, .... what about temps? Am getting confused with all the different temps people are talking about.

I want to try and get up to 4Ghz, ...so just looking for some direction. thanks again for a great group!

ALlen

You might want to get RID of the Gatorade unless you dont mind spending money.
So to really answer your question NO your loop is not ok,

Gatorade = BAD

generally your loop goes
Pump>CPU>NB>SB>GPU>RAD>RES>Pump


You got some decent parts there and you should get good temps once your loop is corrected.
Go to Wal-Mart and grab a jug of distilled water then go to your favourite e-tailer and get a bottle of Swiftech Hydra-X
Make sure to clean ALL the old fluid and what ever else grew in your loop VERY well

[jorgito05]

Have you tried re-installing teh software? No such issues here, but i went from 802-903-802-907.

Yes I re-installed software, and re-installed drivers with auto install option from the Asus support DVD; Went from 0505 that was on my disk to 0907.

[cadaveca]

try re-installing chipset drivers, perhaps? Maybe ACPI driver is corrupt, or something. I think both AISuite and Futuremark's detection use ACPI, but I could be wrong.

[jorgito05]

try re-installing chipset drivers, perhaps? Maybe ACPI driver is corrupt, or something. I think both AISuite and Futuremark's detection use ACPI, but I could be wrong.

Thanks Ill give that a go now!

[Grnfinger]

After updating to bios 0907 neither of these work, can anyone help.
OS XP Pro

Have you grabed the updated AI Suite from Asus Site?
If not try them
Uninstall 3DMark and then delete the registry key then reboot and re-install
it should work for you then

[Repliquant67]

I flashed one more time again using default settings before and after the flash.
With default settings, it was stoped too in the second post after the boot, just before detection of the sata and everything
I reset and it was ok, but I don't believe the the problem is resolved

[cadaveca]

I had this issue, but it went away after some time. Maybe one of the bioses I flashed re-wrote something that wasn't done in your bios because you did not flash teh same versions? I jsut remember that it went away after bios flashing, but I ahve flashed so many time I cannot remember when exactly I had that issue, or when it was fixed...sry.

[Legion455]

<
and Legion455, please tell me you're not talking about the sports drink gatorade..>

no no not really, just a play on words. I'm running nutin but PCPure in my loop!

now back to another question, ... with my current setup
Maximus, E6850, Ballistix PC2 8500, 88080GT (Vgpu mod), WAter (PC Pure),
so far I've gotten up to 420 x 9 = 3.78Ghz with a PCMark05 = 8941
(cpu 9216, mem 7481, graph 16635, hdd 4237)

anyway, should I try to crank it up to 450 x 9, ... or would I be better off trying to get to 500 x 8?

And what about the temps? Which program app. is the most accurate? for the Maximus? and .... is 66c-69c decent for a loaded temp (using coretemp 95.4)?

thanks again guys, ... this group is great. I'm somewhat of an "oltimer" (age = 60) as I starting making Clones back in 1984 and as early as 1985 I was changing the Xtals and running 80286s at 8Mhx instead of 6Mhz ... man, we've come a long way from those days... what a trip!

Allen