** OFFICIAL ** Intel DX38BT & DX48BT2 BoneTrail Thread

[AKHandyman]

Okay, after what I thought was a clean set-up, I tried a little prime95 testing and I couldn't even get through the start of it ... So I downloaded and put onto a CD Memtest 86+ v1.70 ... now I can't get through that for more than 3:57 to 4:03 minutes ... it just locks up ... I have had some errors and then when I reboot and try again, I don't get errors, but it still locks up ... I can't seem to get past 4 minutes in Memtest ... could voltages have anything to do with Memtest not working? I have everything at stock (vCore and MCH) but the vDIMM is at 2.1v ... everything seemed to be in order until I tried prime95 last night ... any suggestions would be great ...

Edit: I have gone straight into test #7 (Random number sequence) and it is still going ... but why would it lock up when it starts out by itself?

[AKHandyman]

In Memtest86+ v1.70, under advanced options, I get the message that says chipset not supported! ???
Why is that? Any clues?

[AKHandyman]

Okay, Memtest is starting to drive me a little bonkers ... I can get through test #7 three to five times without a single error, yet when I let it run through as default, I get LOADS of errors in test #3 ... yet, I have swapped out the two different sets of Dual-Channel memory and tried each channel with each pair and it seems random on the errors ... not sure what to think at this moment ... could timings be it? I haven't changed any of those .... SPD has them @ 9-9-9-24 ... I know these modules can go with tighter timings, but before I do, I want to make sure I don't have any physical problems ... I am beginning to suspect I do, though

[gtj]

Okay, after what I thought was a clean set-up, I tried a little prime95 testing and I couldn't even get through the start of it ... So I downloaded and put onto a CD Memtest 86+ v1.70 ... now I can't get through that for more than 3:57 to 4:03 minutes ... it just locks up ... I have had some errors and then when I reboot and try again, I don't get errors, but it still locks up ... I can't seem to get past 4 minutes in Memtest ... could voltages have anything to do with Memtest not working? I have everything at stock (vCore and MCH) but the vDIMM is at 2.1v ... everything seemed to be in order until I tried prime95 last night ... any suggestions would be great ...

Edit: I have gone straight into test #7 (Random number sequence) and it is still going ... but why would it lock up when it starts out by itself?

What memory do you have again?

2.1V is a LOT for any DDR3 memory and overvoltage is just as bad as undervoltage. Don't set 2.1 just because it says 2.1 on the sticker.

In Memtest86+ v1.70, under advanced options, I get the message that says chipset not supported! ???
Why is that? Any clues?

Because Memtest doesn't recognize the X38 chipset yet. It doesn't affect the tests tough.

Okay, Memtest is starting to drive me a little bonkers ... I can get through test #7 three to five times without a single error, yet when I let it run through as default, I get LOADS of errors in test #3 ... yet, I have swapped out the two different sets of Dual-Channel memory and tried each channel with each pair and it seems random on the errors ... not sure what to think at this moment ... could timings be it? I haven't changed any of those .... SPD has them @ 9-9-9-24 ... I know these modules can go with tighter timings, but before I do, I want to make sure I don't have any physical problems ... I am beginning to suspect I do, though

Again, what memory do you have? What happens when you go completely stock including vDIMM?

[AKHandyman]

First of all, thanks gtj for all of your help ... I have two, Corsair CM3X1024-1800C7DIN Dual Channel kits (2x1GB) but only one set in now ... I went back and set everything to default (F9) and then configured my RAID setup ... and set memory voltage to 1.9v and timings at default values ... I have changed the processor multi and FSB to (10x400) with a bump-up to 1.3375V on the CPU voltage override, the CPU Voltage Offset enabled, Enhanced Power Slope enabled, the FSB Voltage Override to 1.250V and the MCH voltage Override to 1.300V ... it boots into Windows fine ... what do you think of these voltages?

[AKHandyman]

Hey,
just wondered if you got your crossfire going on any games smoothly. I'm curious because I had mega issues, but I am running Vista and you said you were using XP64.

I haven't yet had the time to do that, but will do so once I get this baby stable ... I am still learning about this board ... it's a tad different to what I am used to ... and I don't have a lot of experience with Intel BIOSes ...

[AKHandyman]

Just curious if anyone can comment on my last post regarding the voltages ... thanks in advance!

AK

[bigbaby]

OC result?plz.

[gtj]

Just curious if anyone can comment on my last post regarding the voltages ... thanks in advance!

AK

They looked OK until I saw "CPU Voltage Offset Enabled". That's WAY too much vCORE IMHO. Check Everest and see what it actually is.

[Mr Steveo]

A. Has anyone used the eSATA ports with an eSATA drive / device? If yes, how was file transfer integrity, speed, and smoothness (even speed vs choppy) on file transfers?

B. What brand controller chip handles the eSATA ports?

C. If its not the Intel Southbridge, is the thrid party chip routed through the PCI bus?

D. It seems Intel has cut some corners on this board. For those of you who have used the mobo extensively, is it a solid, stable platform with the major features? Or does it give the feel of a slightly buggy, rushed, compromise product?

[AKHandyman]

They looked OK until I saw "CPU Voltage Offset Enabled". That's WAY too much vCORE IMHO. Check Everest and see what it actually is.

Yeah, last night I noticed that as well in Everest ... I am going to disable that ... other than that, does it look okay? I ran two instances of Orthos for over 5 hours and ran through all of Super-Pi without errors, but when I tried 3DMark01 for grins and giggles, it wouldn't run straight through ...

[gtj]

A. Has anyone used the eSATA ports with an eSATA drive / device? If yes, how was file transfer integrity, speed, and smoothness (even speed vs choppy) on file transfers?

B. What brand controller chip handles the eSATA ports?

C. If its not the Intel Southbridge, is the thrid party chip routed through the PCI bus?

D. It seems Intel has cut some corners on this board. For those of you who have used the mobo extensively, is it a solid, stable platform with the major features? Or does it give the feel of a slightly buggy, rushed, compromise product?

A. No issues here at all.

B. Marvell

C. It's a PCIe device hung off the ICH9.

D. The BIOS is a little buggy from a usability standpoint but it doesn't compromise performance or stability. The board has been rock solid for me.

[gtj]

Yeah, last night I noticed that as well in Everest ... I am going to disable that ... other than that, does it look okay? I ran two instances of Orthos for over 5 hours and ran through all of Super-Pi without errors, but when I tried 3DMark01 for grins and giggles, it wouldn't run straight through ...

If Orthos runs OK but 3DMark doesn't, I'd suspect the video card or the drivers. XP64 right? Which video card?

IIRC you're building this rig for someone else but it would help if you updated your sig so we can see the components.

[Mr Steveo]

Few other questions please:

For those of you using the Zalman 9700 HSF, is that a three or four wire fan? If three wire, what do you use to vary the fan speed if any?

I hear about the initial BIOS being buggy. Assuming I should flash to the latest BIOS ASAP (before installing Windows,) what BIOS update method do you all recommend? What kind of drive will I need to have? (I have only flashed by iFlash with a floppy or express flash from Windows, so I am a bit ignorant here.)

[AKHandyman]

If Orthos runs OK but 3DMark doesn't, I'd suspect the video card or the drivers. XP64 right? Which video card?

IIRC you're building this rig for someone else but it would help if you updated your sig so we can see the components.

I suspected the video card as well ... it's a Sapphire HD 2900XT 1 GB, Cat 7.12 drivers and XP64

I went back and put everything to default settings ... and started a little slower this time ... CPU is stock, except for one bump on both FSB voltage override and MCH voltage override ... vDIMM is 1.78v and timings are 9-9-9-24 @666MHz ... I believe things are a bit more stable now ...

[gtj]

Few other questions please:

For those of you using the Zalman 9700 HSF, is that a three or four wire fan? If three wire, what do you use to vary the fan speed if any?

I hear about the initial BIOS being buggy. Assuming I should flash to the latest BIOS ASAP (before installing Windows,) what BIOS update method do you all recommend? What kind of drive will I need to have? (I have only flashed by iFlash with a floppy or express flash from Windows, so I am a bit ignorant here.)

The Zalman is a 3 wire fan. I use it on some of my other systems but I just have them run full blast.

The CD method of BIOS updating would be the one I'd recommend but it doesn't work and in fact Intel removed that capability with the last release. The original BIOS release is plenty stable enough to install Windows and run the Windows based updater. You can also make a diskette and use a USB floppy drive, make a USB bootable drive, or if you have a Windows PE CD or a Vista DVD, you can boot those and run a Command Prompt and then run the Windows Updater.

[Randy]

Yeah, last night I noticed that as well in Everest ... I am going to disable that ... other than that, does it look okay? I ran two instances of Orthos for over 5 hours and ran through all of Super-Pi without errors, but when I tried 3DMark01 for grins and giggles, it wouldn't run straight through ...

I used 3dmark06 with a crossfire set-up, and I had to use a patch from Futuremark to get it to run correctly, so possibly, you may need to use a patch with 01 as well.

[AKHandyman]

I am now getting through Memtest86+ v1.70 without any errors, so GTJ, thanks for the heads up on the vDIMM voltage ... what a difference!!!

I am going to put the second HD2900XT in later tonight and see what happens ... I have 3DMark06 and I think I downloaded the patch ... not sure, but will have to do a search on my other rig to find it ...

[AKHandyman]

I was not able to use my Zalman 9700 in the P190 case ... ... the side fan which is a humongous 200mm fan (the Big Boy!) sits too far down into the case and it touches the fins ... so I had to go to the stock HSF for the QX9650 ... however, the temps seem to be all right so far ... as I said, I have the voltages pretty much at stock ... and Safari So Good!

[GARY1951]

I think it's pure personal preference. There's not enough history to look at track records. My only suggestion would be to just match your budget and performance goals.

I just run across this stuff. Looks like it might be pretty good stuff OCZ ReaperX HPC 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Thoughts?

[gtj]

I just run across this stuff. Looks like it might be pretty good stuff OCZ ReaperX HPC 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Thoughts?

I happen to like OCZ but really, what are your performance goals? Do you plan to OC much? How much?

[GARY1951]

I happen to like OCZ but really, what are your performance goals? Do you plan to OC much? How much?

Computer will be used for Flight Simulator X Very Cpu dependent and also for Photo Work. Element 6 and Olympus Studio 2,Processor QX9650. Would like to overclock 3.6 to 3.8 if possible. This may sound stupid but will probably only O/C when playing the Simulator and turn it back to stock for photo work.I"m not wanting to run all I can all the time hoping to make the system last. Would like to run at least 4 gig of ram. Thanks

[Mr Steveo]

Thank you gti et al

Thanks so much for your help, expertise, and patience with me.

I'm looking at soem RAM I'd like to get some feedback on.
What are you guys thoughts on this RAM for the Bonetrail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220278

Might I have a problem with the motherboard on first boot up since this RAMs default voltage is 1.7 volts?

[gtj]

Computer will be used for Flight Simulator X Very Cpu dependent and also for Photo Work. Element 6 and Olympus Studio 2,Processor QX9650. Would like to overclock 3.6 to 3.8 if possible. This may sound stupid but will probably only O/C when playing the Simulator and turn it back to stock for photo work.I"m not wanting to run all I can all the time hoping to make the system last. Would like to run at least 4 gig of ram. Thanks

Hmm. I think I'd recommend going for a DDR3-1600 kit if you can. DDR3 really likes having a fsb/mem ratio set at 1:2. Between the QX9650 and the DDR3-1600 you've got a lot of flexibility at 1:2.

[gtj]

Thank you gti et al

Thanks so much for your help, expertise, and patience with me.

I'm looking at soem RAM I'd like to get some feedback on.
What are you guys thoughts on this RAM for the Bonetrail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220278

Might I have a problem with the motherboard on first boot up since this RAMs default voltage is 1.7 volts?

Good question. If the SPD is programmed correctly, then there shouldn't be a problem. Might want to ask the guys at Patriot though.