The Maximus Formula Thread - Help/OCing/Guide/Rampage conversion

[iadstudio]

I'm convinced this board hates high vCore. Can anyone verify this? It seemed like my 680i could muscle in a stable 3.8ghz @1.68v but this board doesn't want to do much over 3.6ghz @ 1.64v.

Can anyone verify this syndrome? I know anand published diminishing success with higher voltage cpu's, but what about you guys?

[Dostoyevsky77]

iastudio, I have the opposite situation. Where I used to run core at 1.45 on 680i (P5N32-E), I am now running at 1.4v... actually, I'm running higher FSB as well. 1.68v sounds really, really high... that same 1.4v is running my B3 quad at sigged.

[ChaosAD]

I had exactly the same issue. P95 error @ 47-49min using Blend test.
I had to up my vcore a few notches. For Small FFT is was stable 450x8 @ 1.32v
But for blend I had to use 1.34v to be able to pass that 47min mark.
Today I tried to disable Loadline Calibration. And now its stable 450x8 Blend @ 1.32v

That is really nice to hear...i ll give it a try soon.Disabling Loadline Calibration doesnt have any other impact on the system except the stabilty issue?

What kind of VID do u have.Mine is 1.325 and i need around 1.46v to run @ 3,6Ghz.I even need 1.4v to run @ 3,4Ghz.1.32v is pretty sweet for 3,6.ENVY U!

[iadstudio]

yeah, it is high. I have a early week chip that has always needed a lot to OC. I'll try to undervolt it and see what happens, but I'm talking more about the general amount of voltage needed. Anand seemed to think the board was not the best OC'r for chips that needed over 1.55 to OC. Soemthing about the voltage not being so stable at those levels.

[JohnMike]

I am going desperate here.No matter the settings i use i can run the pc all day for gaming and internet browsing/downloading. I can run it at 8x425 and 8x440.
But whenever i run Blend test under Prime95 at both speeds i get an error after exactly 47-48 mins.No hung ups,freezes or bsod.Just an error on one of the cores.On the third one almost always.Anyone have any idea?
I havent tried to go any further because of this problem.If anyone had a same issue plz help me out.

Rise a little bit the CPU voltage.

[Grnfinger]

This is my setting for 3.4Ghz prime and OCCT stable (425x8):

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8
FSB Frequency : 425
FSB Strap to North Bridge : AUTO
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-850
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : AUTO
Row Refresh Cycle Time : AUTO
Write Recovery Time : AUTO
Read to Precharge Time : AUTO

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : AUTO
Write to Read Delay (S) : AUTO
Write to Read Delay (D) : AUTO
Read to Read Delay (S) : AUTO
Read to Read Delay (D) : AUTO
Write to Write Delay (S) : AUTO
Write to Write Delay (D) : AUTO
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : AUTO

CPU Voltage : 1.39
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
North Bridge Voltage : 1.49
DRAM Voltage : 1.98
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : Auto
North Bridge GTL Reference : Auto
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : AUTO
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5


I try to move up to 3.6Ghz but fail OCCT after just 1 min, don't know what went wrong since I tried every settings from the members of this forum but still unstable. Any ideas what should I do for 3.6?

This is my 3.6GHz setup

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8
FSB Frequency : 450
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 400MHZ
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1199 / or 900 for 1:1
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : AUTO
Row Refresh Cycle Time : AUTO
Write Recovery Time : AUTO
Read to Precharge Time : AUTO

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : AUTO
Write to Read Delay (S) : AUTO
Write to Read Delay (D) : AUTO
Read to Read Delay (S) : AUTO
Read to Read Delay (D) : AUTO
Write to Write Delay (S) : AUTO
Write to Write Delay (D) : AUTO
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : ENABLED
-Boost Level 0

CPU Voltage : 1.45 ( for starts and adjust from there)
CPU PLL Voltage : AUTO ( yes auto and it works)
North Bridge Voltage : 1.47
DRAM Voltage : 2.16 ( less volts if your going to run 1:1)
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63x
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67x
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5

This is my 24/7 setting and its rock solid stable

[Grnfinger]

I'm convinced this board hates high vCore. Can anyone verify this? It seemed like my 680i could muscle in a stable 3.8ghz @1.68v but this board doesn't want to do much over 3.6ghz @ 1.64v.

Can anyone verify this syndrome? I know anand published diminishing success with higher voltage cpu's, but what about you guys?

Well I hate to admit my Q6600 also has a ty VID of 1.325 for a stable 3.4GHz I need 1.45v and for 3.6GHz I need 1.565 I have run 3.8 and 4.0 but havent never got it stable, I'm alittle hesitant to run anything past 1.60v.
My lapping kit arrived today so maybe after I lap the cpu I will try for a higher stable clock

[CERO]

Well I hate to admit my Q6600 also has a ty VID of 1.325 for a stable 3.4GHz I need 1.45v and for 3.6GHz I need 1.565 I have run 3.8 and 4.0 but havent never got it stable, I'm alittle hesitant to run anything past 1.60v.
My lapping kit arrived today so maybe after I lap the cpu I will try for a higher stable clock

Make some pics Grnfinger! good luck, surely it would help at least 10c drop!

[ZenEffect]

xtreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : AUTO
FSB Frequency : 422
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 400
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1125
DRAM Command Rate : AUTO
DRAM Timing Control: AUTO
DRAM Static Read Control: AUTO
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : AUTO
CPU Voltage : 1.656
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.6
North Bridge Voltage : 1.69
DRAM Voltage : 2.26
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.56
South Bridge Voltage : 1.15
Loadline Calibration : ENABLED
CPU GTL Reference : .63
North Bridge GTL Reference : .67
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2_REF *doh forgot to write it down but its the one in the middle*
SB 1.5V Voltage : AUTO

NB LED Selection : NB Volt
SB LED Selection : SB Volt
CPU LED Selection : CPU VOlt
Voltiminder LED : DISABLED

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

Advanced CPU Configuration
CPU Ratio Control : AUTO
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
C1E Suppport : ENABLED
CPU TM Function : ENABLED
Vanderpool Technology : ENABLED *wtf is this anyways*
Execute Disable Bit : ENABLED
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled


USB Configuration
USB Functions: Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Enabled

settings for 3.8Ghz on my q6600 (1.325 VID) *really its 3.798 but who is counting... *

it is prime stable 8 hrs + and load temps are low 70's idle mid to high 30's dependant on ambient air temp. i am on water cooling, specs are in sig... and if you are that picky, im using zalman super thermal grease *cleans off nice and has a brush applicator * sorry no screen shots (not running prime for that long again because i said to myself id quit oc'ing this mofo because it is addicting) but what the hell is the point of lying (yeah im lying about a 1.325 vid cpu) when all we are doing is trying to help each other?

TO Grnfinger - Have you considered sending your cpu back to intel? im thinking about that now, but if u are lapping it, please let us know results thanks

does water cooling the northbridge help any with over all overclocks? ive got a little fan cooling it now. its chilling at around 55c load, from what it was before which if i remember right was around 70... it was even too hot to put your fingers on for too long... stock volts and all. i have not reseated anything on the motherboard because im lazy and id have to undo all this water cooling junk in my case to get to it... luckily i havent put my graphics cards on liquid yet so if any of u guys recommends me doing this as a matter of urgency it wouldnt be TOO big of a problem i suppose

[Creek Tha Gray]

new high is should i go higher

[ZenEffect]

actually here are some quick pics i snapped off for u guys.
cpu idling

running superpi *very light load and temps are reflecting it, ran it for cpu-z screenshot @ 3.8 really*

[ZenEffect]

new high is should i go higher

thats a silly question.. the answer is always YES nice cpu dude... im envious

*edited sig to be more precise for results comparison*

[Nuckin_Futs]

new high is should i go higher

I agree, answer is always "YES". However, I'd try for matched higher FSB as the 10x multi is holding you back. Lower to 7x or 8x for same high clock but more FSB. This mobo is great to 500+ FSB with ease. I had the have the Q6600 on another mobo and it is FSB limited to barely 504FSB so the Q6700 should get you a tad more.

Do let us know as it will be interesting to see if you get a nice stable 500x8 then improve o that.

[fordf250]

I'm convinced this board hates high vCore. Can anyone verify this? It seemed like my 680i could muscle in a stable 3.8ghz @1.68v but this board doesn't want to do much over 3.6ghz @ 1.64v.

Can anyone verify this syndrome? I know anand published diminishing success with higher voltage cpu's, but what about you guys?

I can run 3825mhz with q6600 needing 1.725Vcore. This mb is very stable over 1.6V. E6600 will run 4g at 500fsb with 1.65Vcore.

[Robin77]

Post follows due connection probs:

[Robin77]

58c on the NB is LOW? really
I get 45c on full load and 38 idle.
the 60c stability issue was stated as YOU MAY experience stability issues above 60c, it was also mentioned that this statement was taken from Anadantech's review of the board and it was not confirmed

I'd say yout temp is then ultralow (maybe others too have such ulow temps), but that doesn't change anything to the fact, that NB temps around 70 C are very good NB temps and nowhere near stability issues. If this was the case, Intel would have to review their official thermal spec docs for X38 and maybe would get some serious troubles regarding RMA's.

Never the less the spec is right, what is proven by my NB temps, which are rockstable and so have enough air to be not the liniting factor for further OCing.

[Monstru]

First of all....Good thread! I couldn't read it all, because it'r pretty long, but the first pages are very useful.

What dividers seem to work best for you on this board? I have noticed that 3:4 works very good (400 strap) and that 1:1 it's not what it used to be, but I am curious what works best for you. Thx

[Dostoyevsky77]

Hi, Monstru. I find 333 and 266 to give me the best bandwidth (I use Everest Ultimate 4.2 as my bench).

I have attached some 4GB benchmarks. Scroll down for the Maximus (most of them are from P5N32-E). I didn't put the NB strap, but you can figure it out from the ratio.

Best advice is to test it yourself, because your system might behave differently...

[dasc]

I started my computer yesterday and LCD monitor was showing "CPU INIT". I reset the bios, but nothing changed. I called the ASUS technical support and they issued me a RMA # for the motherboard. I wonder what happened since day before it was working fine.

[Creek Tha Gray]

I agree, answer is always "YES". However, I'd try for matched higher FSB as the 10x multi is holding you back. Lower to 7x or 8x for same high clock but more FSB. This mobo is great to 500+ FSB with ease. I had the have the Q6600 on another mobo and it is FSB limited to barely 504FSB so the Q6700 should get you a tad more.

Do let us know as it will be interesting to see if you get a nice stable 500x8 then improve o that.

i would but i don't think this ram can handle much more im looking at getting some 4gb kit of 1066

[Dostoyevsky77]

Since when did this board "start" supporting 1600FSB? I just looked at NewEgg and saw 1600FSB on the stats. Then, I went to the ASUS site. Nothing in the text, but there's a "1600FSB" logo right on the top!

Either I'm smokin' some serious crack, or there was no 1600 support when I bought the board a couple weeks ago. Neither the box nor BIOS release notes say anything about 1600FSB.

[ChaosMinionX]

Since when did this board "start" supporting 1600FSB? I just looked at NewEgg and saw 1600FSB on the stats. Then, I went to the ASUS site. Nothing in the text, but there's a "1600FSB" logo right on the top!

Either I'm smokin' some serious crack, or there was no 1600 support when I bought the board a couple weeks ago. Neither the box nor BIOS release notes say anything about 1600FSB.

Most any board is capable of 1600mhz support, its just a little more overclocking

[iadstudio]

I can run 3825mhz with q6600 needing 1.725Vcore. This mb is very stable over 1.6V. E6600 will run 4g at 500fsb with 1.65Vcore.

Then I can't figure it out? My machine crashes over 3.6 and I've ruled out the memory, just the CPU or mobo to blame. I assumed the chip couldn't handle high FSB but I can get 400 x9 no problem, but 370 x8 is not stable where it was on a 680i. I actually had 375 x10 stable on the 680i at 1.68v real.

I'm definately giving my cpu enough juice and the mobo voltages are even a little high for dual core. When I lower the mobo voltages, it makes things worse. I even loosened the board timings to ensure that wasn't the culprit.

[Dostoyevsky77]

Most any board is capable of 1600mhz support, its just a little more overclocking

Um... right, I can take a board limited to 1066FSB and clock it way past 1333, but I can't put a 1333 chip into a board with a 1066 ceiling.

Until today, I was under the impression that the new 1600FSB chips like the QX9770 that will/might be released later this year would not work on X38... the 1600FSB icon also seems to contradict what's written on the website and what's written on my box.

[Monstru]

Thank you Dostoyevsky