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

[Talonman]

^^^to this guy... here is my settings for just below 4ghz... and imma run this every day, by the time this cpu burns up *been overclocking for years and years and years... even oc'd a amd 80486dx4 to 112mhz and ive NEVER EVER seen a processor go bad from general everyday use with these volts* it will be long past overdue for an upgrade.

Thanks for the post...

Looking at your settings I Changed:
DRAM Static Read Control: From Disabled to Enabled.
Ai Clock Twister : From Light to Strong.
CPU TM Function : From Disabled to Enabled.
Vanderpool Technology : From Disabled to Enabled.
Legacy USB Support : From Disabled to Enabled.

Primed for 1 hour error free. Keeping all setting changes.

That was the easy part...

Test - FSB FREQ From 414 to 416 using Prime95 - Result: Core 2 Hardware Failure in 4 minutes.
(Verified current setting still cause errors above a 414 FSB Freq.)

Test - Kept 416 FSB FREQ, but increased FSB Term volts from 1.44 to 1.46 - Result: Core 3 Hardware Failure in 4 minutes.

Test - Kept 416 FSB and FSB Term 1.46v, but also changed:
CPU Voltage : From 1.46250v to 1.506.
CPU PLL Voltage : From 1.50v to 1.56.
Result: Prime95 ran error free for 10 minutes.

Test - Restored FSB Term volts to 1.44
Kept - CPU Voltage of 1.506, and CPU PLL Voltage of 1.56, but also increased FSB FREQ to 418.
Result: Prime95 ran error free for 10 minutes.
(I do not believe upping the Term volts was helping me with my FSB wall. I returned them to what the were and still ran clean with the upped CPU voltages.)

Test - Kept CPU Voltage of 1.506, and CPU PLL Voltage of 1.56, but also increased FSB FREQ to 420.
Result: Prime95 ran error free for 10 minutes.
(Short test but looking good)

Test - Kept CPU Voltage of 1.506, and CPU PLL Voltage of 1.56, but also increased FSB FREQ to 430.
Result: System booted into Vista fine, and had the CPU clocked to 3.87GHz, but Core 3 had a Hardware Failure in 3 minutes.

Test - Kept CPU Voltage of 1.506, and CPU PLL Voltage of 1.56, but also lowered FSB FREQ to 425.
Result: Prime95 ran error free for 10 minutes!

I wanted to see if I could successfully run a 430 FSB, but only up the CPU PLL Voltage, not the CPU voltage:
Test - Kept CPU Voltage of 1.506, but upped CPU PLL Voltage from 1.56 to 1.62, and returned the FSB FREQ to 430.
Result: Hardware Failure in 3 minutes.

Tried again by upping the CPU PLL Voltage more!
Test - Kept CPU Voltage of 1.506, but upped CPU PLL Voltage from 1.62 to 1.64, and kept the FSB FREQ to 430.
Result: Hardware Failure in 3 minutes.

Action Taken: Returned the CPU PLL Voltage to 1.56v

Conclusion: My FSB Frequency wall of 414 was being directly caused by the voltage supplied to the CPU's core. My CPU Voltage setting of 1.46250v (BIOS), only will get me my 3.7GHz on my Q6600.

My new CPU Voltage setting of 1.46250v (BIOS), looks to be good for about 3.8GHz. Everest does read lower than the BIOS'es setting, but how high can I feel good about setting my voltage to in the BIOS for my Q6600?

I think I could have 4.0GHz if I am willing to overvolt my CPU a bit more?

These are my current best BIOS 907 settings: Always looking for advice.

Under Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : Auto
CPU Ratio Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 425
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 400
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-850MHz
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 18
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: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : Auto

CPU Voltage : 1.506v (BIOS)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.56v (BIOS)
North Bridge Voltage : 1.51v (BIOS)
DRAM Voltage : 1.80v (BIOS)
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.44v (BIOS)
South Bridge Voltage : 1.05v (BIOS)
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_REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.50v (BIOS)

NB LED Selection : NB Volt
SB LED Selection : SB Volt
CPU LED Selection : CPU Volt
Voltiminder LED : Enabled

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

Under Advanced
And CPU Configuration:
CPU Ratio Setting : 9
C1E Suppport : Disabled
CPU TM Function : Enabled
Vanderpool Technology : Enabled
Execute Disable Bit : Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled

Under Advanced
And USB Configuration :
USB Functions: Enabled
USB 2.0 Controller : Enabled
BIOS EHCI Hand-off : Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Enabled
Port 64/60 Emulation : Disabled

[Spyrus]

When testing fsb it should be good to reduce performance level.
This can help you a lot since nb voltage can be reduced.
For example i can go to 490@5:6 strap333 with 1.5nb voltage and disabled/0=>PL=7.
But after changing disabled/1=>PL=8 at 490 i needed only 1.31nb voltage
and could run past 500+ fsb with ease. After that you can test cpu fsb and try
again for PL=7 but you will need more nb volt juice there.

[CoolZone]

has anyone tried to run the Maximus Formula with Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR1000?I must find out if it works ok before I buy.Can anyone help me?
I have 4x1GB DDR1000 of these

[[XC]Atomicpineapple]

Just got my Maximus Formula today. Is Vdroop/undervolting still an issue with the latest BIOS (0907) and LLC enabled? Also can PCProbe be trusted for voltages as I cant find Vcore/ Vdimm read points anywhere!

[rbsmontemor]

I just don't know if I shoud buy this mobo or a Giga X38 DQ6.

I'm now with my friend's GA-X38-DQ6 and its stable at 475x8, but not 500Mhz FSB. Prime at 4000Mhz 445x9 for 2 hours (it's good to me). My old P5K reboots at first second of Prime95 @ 4000Mhz, but can do 475Mhz FSB stable too. I tried everything.

Another friend has one P5E3 and I can prime this Q6600 @ 510Mhz FSB...but cannot prime @ 4000Mhz for nothing in this world.

I just don't know what do to about. Someone can run your Q6600 at 475Mhz FSB stable on performance level 7? Coz' thats what I have with my friend's GA-X38-DQ6.

Someone help my brain is colapsed heheh, don't know what to choose. I just went from a DFI P35 TR2 that cannot even boot into windows @ 475Mhz FSB..and believe me, I know how to tweak that thing.

Well, sorry for the long post, but I'm really confused hehe

Rbs.

[Talonman]

When testing fsb it should be good to reduce performance level.
This can help you a lot since nb voltage can be reduced.
For example i can go to 490@5:6 strap333 with 1.5nb voltage and disabled/0=>PL=7.
But after changing disabled/1=>PL=8 at 490 i needed only 1.31nb voltage
and could run past 500+ fsb with ease. After that you can test cpu fsb and try
again for PL=7 but you will need more nb volt juice there.

Thanks for the good advice...
I will try to up my NB a tad to see it that let's me Prime error free using a higher FSB value.
When you say performance level, you mean CPU Ratio Setting : 9 correct?
I'm a Newbie!!
Note: My CPU core voltage is set to 1.506v in the BIOS, but Everest is only reporting 1.49volts, so I may not be actually over-volting my CPU as much as I may think...

Keeping my new CPU voltage settings, I tried to run Prime95 using a FSB Frequency of:
428 - Result: Prime error in 4 minutes.
427 - Result: Prime error in 4 minutes.
426 - Result: Prime error in 10 minutes.
425 - Result: Prime error in 23 minutes!
424 - Result: Prime stable for 1 Glorious hour!! (Keeping 424 for now)

This makes my memory run at 848MHz, and gives me a Core speed of 3816.3MHz.
Not by much, but still enouigh to officially get me into the 3.8GHz club!
Prime doing it's thing crossing the hour mark error free. Still looking too.


These are my current best BIOS 907 settings for 3.81GHz: Always looking for advice.

Under Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : Auto
CPU Ratio Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 424
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 400
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-848MHz
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 18
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: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : Auto

CPU Voltage : 1.506v (BIOS)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.56v (BIOS)
North Bridge Voltage : 1.51v (BIOS)
DRAM Voltage : 1.80v (BIOS)
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.44v (BIOS)
South Bridge Voltage : 1.05v (BIOS)
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_REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.50v (BIOS)

NB LED Selection : NB Volt
SB LED Selection : SB Volt
CPU LED Selection : CPU Volt
Voltiminder LED : Enabled

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

Under Advanced
And CPU Configuration:
CPU Ratio Setting : 9
C1E Suppport : Disabled
CPU TM Function : Enabled
Vanderpool Technology : Disabled
Execute Disable Bit : Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled

Under Advanced
And USB Configuration :
USB Functions: Enabled
USB 2.0 Controller : Enabled
BIOS EHCI Hand-off : Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Enabled
Port 64/60 Emulation : Disabled

[ZenEffect]

you will probably will need more core volts to get stable higher. so long as your cpu is staying cool you should be fine.
go for 4!

[Jaekae]

Hi im new with overclocking ( first day today :p ) so i would like to get a little help to get my system stable at 4 ghz. I have a e8400 , maximus formula and crucial ballistix 8500.

current settings are
_________________________________
Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 435
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-870
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: Auto
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : disabled
Relax level: 0

CPU Voltage : 1.31
CPU PLL Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge Voltage : 1.47
DRAM Voltage : 2.10
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 : AUTO
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5
________________________________________

I ran it 30 min in orthos without any problems and tried 3d mark and got 14325 score, but tested cod4 later and had a bit of fps drops.

Any settings i can change to get it more stable? will try get fsb to 445 later.

[Talonman]

It would be nice to have a number in my head that I should not cross in the BIOS settings....

Anybody have a BIOS Warning voltage that using the Maximus and a Q6600 could get you into trouble fast?

It's probably more about heat, but still some voltage 'upper limit' numbers would be nice...

So far With the Maximus and my Q6600 GO:
My CPU Voltage setting of 1.46250v (BIOS), will allow error free Priming with a FSB Frequency 414 giving me 3.7GHz with my 400 NB Strap.
My CPU Voltage setting of 1.506v (BIOS), will allow error free Priming with a FSB Frequency 424 giving me 3.8GHz with my 400 NB Strap.

[eSp!s0]

You made my day

[Spyrus]

Thanks for the good advice...
I will try to up my NB a tad to see it that let's me Prime error free using a higher FSB value.
When you say performance level, you mean CPU Ratio Setting : 9 correct?
I'm a Newbie!!
Note: My CPU core voltage is set to 1.506v in the BIOS, but Everest is only reporting 1.49volts, so I may not be actually over-volting my CPU as much as I may think...

Performance Level = tRD timing of chipset not the CPU Ratio Setting.
You can see that with memset program.

[Talonman]

I don't currently know where to adjust that number.

And what would be a good value to put in while testing when I find it?

Going to try upping the NB voltage a tad first, and re try a FSB of 228 again to see if Prime likes it any better...

Then might live in the edge and UP the CPU voltage a tad more, and try 428 again.

Be back soon with my report.

[Dostoyevsky77]

Hi, Talonman. Take a look at THIS article to see what tRD is all about.

[icecpu]

@ JaeKae, what video card you use
I have exactly set up as yours , here is my 24/7 usage bios setting for 4.1GHz prime stable 9+ Hrs

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 455
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 105
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1093
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: Disable
Ai Clock Twister : Auto
Transaction Booster : disabled
Relax level: 1

CPU Voltage : 1.393
CPU PLL Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge Voltage : 1.61
DRAM Voltage : 2.20
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.54
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

[Talonman]

Hi, Talonman. Take a look at THIS article to see what tRD is all about.

Thanks for the link... Will do!

Update: I upped the NB voltage from 1.51 to 1.61, and re-ran Prime using a 428 FSB Frequency.
Result: Prime received an error in the first 3 minutes.
I returned my NB back to 1.51v.

I then moved the CPU's core from 1.50625v to 1.51875v, and re-ren Prime using a 428 FSB Frequency.
Result: Prime ran error free for 10 minutes...

Recap:
So far With the Maximus and my Q6600 GO:
My CPU Voltage setting of 1.46250v (BIOS), will allow error free Priming with a FSB Frequency 414 giving me 3.7GHz with my 400 NB Strap.
My CPU Voltage setting of 1.506v (BIOS), will allow error free Priming with a FSB Frequency 424 giving me 3.81GHz with my 400 NB Strap.
My CPU Voltage setting of 1.51875v (BIOS), will allow error free Priming with a FSB Frequency 428 giving me 3.85GHz with my 400 NB Strap. (And still testing!)
My CPU Voltage setting of 1.51875v (BIOS) starting taking errors 4 minutes into prime with a FSB Frequency 432 giving me 3.8888GHz with my 400 NB Strap.

I took my CPU Core all the way up to 1.53125 in the BIOS, but couldn't get 433 FSB to run Prime error free. (3.897GHz)
It that point I chickened out and went back to my 3.8GHz settings listed above.

Until I get more conformation, that some of the 4.0GHz boy's are running their q6600 Cores above 1.53125v's in the BIOS, I better stop.
I don't want to fry my chip just yet!

Looks like my chasing 4.0GHz, is going to still be about the Core voltage setting, and how far I am willing to bump it up...

[tommithy]

I don't currently know where to adjust that number.

And what would be a good value to put in while testing when I find it?

Going to try upping the NB voltage a tad first, and re try a FSB of 228 again to see if Prime likes it any better...

Then might live in the edge and UP the CPU voltage a tad more, and try 428 again.

Be back soon with my report.

To change the TRD on this board set your transaction booster to either disabled or enabled and then change the relax settings. When pushing high FSB you will want to set it to Disabled with a Relax of 0. As you go faster you may have to change Relax to 1 or 2.

[Talonman]

Just booted with my 3.81GHz settings, but set the Transaction booster Disabled, and relax set to 0.

I am going to see if I can get a highr FSB frequency withought upping the CPU Core voltage any.

Thanks for using the key words 'Transaction booster'!!

I can find that!

Update: It worked... It worked!!
Setting the transaction booster to Disabled, and relax to 0 successfully let me Prime at a FSB Frequency of 426 for some 3.83GHz error free operation...
That is withought adding to my CPU's core voltage...

Going back for more!

[Grnfinger]

Hi im new with overclocking ( first day today :p ) so i would like to get a little help to get my system stable at 4 ghz. I have a e8400 , maximus formula and crucial ballistix 8500.

current settings are
_________________________________
Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 435
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-870
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: Auto
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : disabled
Relax level: 0

CPU Voltage : 1.31
CPU PLL Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge Voltage : 1.47
DRAM Voltage : 2.10
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 : AUTO
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5
________________________________________

I ran it 30 min in orthos without any problems and tried 3d mark and got 14325 score, but tested cod4 later and had a bit of fps drops.

Any settings i can change to get it more stable? will try get fsb to 445 later.

you have PC8500 ram, why are you running it so slow?

[Jaekae]

@ icecpu

i have the same video card as you also ,

will try your settings out now and see if it works better

@ grnfinger

because i have never clocked before, just started learning today and when i try putting ram on 1066 the computer crashes 2 min after windows has started, even when i have no overclock on..

[Prodigys]

very nice rare cpu u got there, mine got exact same PFO, but it has a VID of 1.2125

Your signature says "Intel Q6600 g0 VID 1.2875" ?

My proof :



4Ghz on 1.40000Vcore is SuperPi stable, 1.42Vcore is everything stable .

[Grnfinger]

@ icecpu

i have the same video card as you also ,

will try your settings out now and see if it works better

@ grnfinger

because i have never clocked before, just started learning today and when i try putting ram on 1066 the computer crashes 2 min after windows has started, even when i have no overclock on..

How much ram are you running and how many sticks?

[Jaekae]

How much ram are you running and how many sticks?

two sticks 2 gb , in the two white slots ?

[brisk]

quick question...
is it just my board or is it the maximus boards that require more voltage than other boards to get to the speed you want on the q6600 G0

people are saying they can reach 3.0-3.2 on stock volts but in order for me to reach 3.0 i need 1.35volts...does that sound normal?

and also, what is the vDroop mod? i couldn't find anything on that other than the picture on page 1...

[CERO]

Your signature says "Intel Q6600 g0 VID 1.2875" ?

My proof :



4Ghz on 1.40000Vcore is SuperPi stable, 1.42Vcore is everything stable .

My signature is outdated...

[kamoo]

Hello All,

I have created a new post with an issue I'm having.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/....php?p=2751236

Your help is much appreciated.

KaM