Official GIGABYTE X38-DQ6/X38T-DQ6 Info/BIOS Thread

[ChrissTi]

I finaly did get over that constant booting ..
I sweaped in other memory modules, and then back, weird.

But now that board is priming fine E8400 at 1.4V Vcore and 8x525MHz.

Great

[Buggalugs]

Corrupted bios?...then it should boot from the backup bios??

I tried everything. The board still works but i'm not gonna settle with a dead lan port (and a few other minor things) after spending $350.

Turns out these boards are obsolete already, Gigabyte are not making any more of them. Heck they've only been out a couple of months so it kinda makes me suspicious as to why, but i still want an X48DQ6...see my plan??

[REVHEAD]

I tried everything. The board still works but i'm not gonna settle with a dead lan port (and a few other minor things) after spending $350.

Turns out these boards are obsolete already, Gigabyte are not making any more of them. Heck they've only been out a couple of months so it kinda makes me suspicious as to why, but i still want an X48DQ6...see my plan??

Were di you hear this?

[BigDK]

I've just had the continuous boot cycling this morning for the first time.

Admittedly it was cold when I tried to boot it, as it is in my cabin outside where the jheating is off over night, but I've never had any PC before that won't boot due to being cold (not sub-zero though)

The BIOS is F7 and has been for over a month, and I had recently put everything back to stock settings except the memory set to 2.2 from 1.8 defualt.

After doing a BIOS reset, and removing the memory, then going to one stick, it eventually booted with an error message saying the BIOS was corrupted and to choose a the last known good version.

By then the cabin had heated up somewhat, so I'm not sure if it was the cold or what?

Has anyone else seen an issue with the X38 DQ6 not booting in cold temperatures?

[jimmsch]

BigDK
I am doing some benching in my garage. I just finished with an Abit IP35 Pro and have swapped it out for a GA X38 DQ6 just yesterday. The first thing I did was boot up and flash to F7 BIOS. I then went ahead with a fresh install of WinXP Pro with the ICH9R RAID Drivers last night. After install I went into Windows and installed the chipset drivers and loaded up all of the testing/benching apps I use. I left BIOS settings at default and shut it down.

This morning I went into the garage and the temp was exactly 0C. The PC booted right up with no problems. I then began my OC session. Here it is four hours later...the temp is just about 4C in the garage...and the OC is going very well. I am at 4.1ghz (456x9) using only 1.3000vcore.

I don't think the cold is affecting your machine, unless there is some moisture/humidity incorporated with it.

[BigDK]

Cheers for the info.

It's bone dry in here as far as I can see, not sure whats going on with this board.

I have another board in the same type of case, an Asus P5W64 WS and that never has any issues and that is on the desk next to this one.

Sometimes it boots straight away other days it several attempts and then boots, and today it took 20 mins to get it going, other times if I shut it down and leave it over night, it requires the PSU to be turned completely off and on to allow it to boot, others days it starts without needing the psu turned off.

Its now been running for 7 hours with no issues what so ever.

When it is running its fine, also not sure why the corrupted BIOS message was displayed.

[BigDK]

Now I feel real stupid.

Found the problem, 1 of the dominator mem modules was dead.

I'd forgotten to put one back in after messing about 'thought I had' and when it finally did go back 'DEAD'.

Basic error, just wasn't even contemplating the memory being dead.

This was running stock for last week as I'd clocked it back to do a clean Vista install and hadn't tweaked it back up.

I seem to remember one board being known as the quality RAM killer, but can't remember if it was this one.

If it is, then the X38 DQ6 seems of have claimed another victim.

Still don't see how a dead mem stick can be the cause of the corrupted BIOS though.

[Buggalugs]

Were di you hear this?

I was told by a large computer Parts Company here in Australia. His exact words were "they are discontinued".

I know most PC parts are obsolete in a short time but a couple of months must be a record for a motherboard. Especially when there isnt a better board available...well i guess you can get the DDR3 version still or Asus still has them.

In Australia weve been lucky to get new releases early, P35/X38 E8400 have all been released here weeks before the US and alot of places so im hoping X48 is just around the corner.

[p2501]

Ok that constant booting cycle is happening to me too. Yesterday i went from a running 425x9@1.5vcore with my shiny new q6600 to everything standard (except for vddr wich i left @2.2v). Since then it starts, stays on for maybe 2 secs, shuts down, and then everything again. If i don't kill the power it does so all day. I already tried everything, it still happens even if nothing is on the board besides the cpu... i'm out of ideas by now.

[zicada]

Yup, happened to me too after i flashed to 8-series bios. Seems they did some changes to vMCH and default-straps that dont quite work yet.

The workaround is to insert som other DDR memory that are autodetected at another more common strap.

Bottom line is 8-series wont work with a reset cmos + certain types of memory. So you have to set up the bios, save to cmos, and then plug in the memory youre going to be using, if you set a certain combo of settings that cause the system to be unable to return to defaults, you have to swap out the memory again.

[zicada]

Now I feel real stupid.

Found the problem, 1 of the dominator mem modules was dead.

I'd forgotten to put one back in after messing about 'thought I had' and when it finally did go back 'DEAD'.

Basic error, just wasn't even contemplating the memory being dead.

This was running stock for last week as I'd clocked it back to do a clean Vista install and hadn't tweaked it back up.

I seem to remember one board being known as the quality RAM killer, but can't remember if it was this one.

If it is, then the X38 DQ6 seems of have claimed another victim.

Still don't see how a dead mem stick can be the cause of the corrupted BIOS though.

Sticks most likely not dead. Read above post.

[dinos22]

I was told by a large computer Parts Company here in Australia. His exact words were "they are discontinued".

I know most PC parts are obsolete in a short time but a couple of months must be a record for a motherboard. Especially when there isnt a better board available...well i guess you can get the DDR3 version still or Asus still has them.

In Australia weve been lucky to get new releases early, P35/X38 E8400 have all been released here weeks before the US and alot of places so im hoping X48 is just around the corner.

that's true

but there is still stock trickling through because of Intel X48 chipset delays

i had those reboot issues but it's just pushing OCs too high or wrong ratios

nothing that a poweroff and cmos clear cannot fix >> worked every time for me on numerous different boards and bioses

[dinos22]

this gadget has saved me a lot of hassle while overclocking

i REALLY hope GB will decide to bundle them with X48 boards or provide as inexpensive accessories cause they are just great

3xbuttons
power on
restard
clear cmos

simple but helpful

[p2501]

Yup, happened to me too after i flashed to 8-series bios. Seems they did some changes to vMCH and default-straps that dont quite work yet.

The workaround is to insert som other DDR memory that are autodetected at another more common strap.

Bottom line is 8-series wont work with a reset cmos + certain types of memory. So you have to set up the bios, save to cmos, and then plug in the memory youre going to be using, if you set a certain combo of settings that cause the system to be unable to return to defaults, you have to swap out the memory again.

So i'll have to get some cheapo memory to get it going again (wich, of course, i don't have lying around atm)? But the thing is, the board is still running the f6 bios. I was just fooling around for a bit and now this. I wanted to update it afterwards.

[ChrissTi]

Well, from the time I closed the PC case, I never used the clear cmos jumper ...
I only use the power on and reset switches. In a certain combination it resets the bios to default CPU bus, and everything else on auto, like it was a bios boot faliure.

[dinos22]

yeah you'd really only need that for benching rather than 24/7 system

[p2501]

Well, from the time I closed the PC case, I never used the clear cmos jumper ...
I only use the power on and reset switches. In a certain combination it resets the bios to default CPU bus, and everything else on auto, like it was a bios boot faliure.

Well i was okay with power and reset switches too until this happened. The thing is that it's not booting (as in not even giving me any error beeps or something) even without _anything_ on it except for the cpu.

(about the cheapo ram module: is ddr2-533 okay too? it's just 5,50€..)

[jimmsch]

I have gotten the mobo up and running. First thing I did was flash to F7 using the USB stick method. I must say this is a nice easy way to flash!

I am not crazy about the way they work the voltages in the BIOS. + this and - that...why not just let us choose a voltage like most other BIOSes?

Anyway in basically the same conditions as an Abit IP35 Pro this mobo did a little bit better with slightly less voltages. I was able to run Orthos blend for more than an hour at 4.4ghx (489x9). using only 1.39vcore. Obviously that wasn't stable and I didn't want to go over 1.4vcore, so I lowered the clock.

4.3ghz (478x9) ran the blend for more than three hours on 1.38vcore.

I finally settled on the below setting.

CPU: E8400
ES/Retail: Retail
Batch #: Q746A377
Ship/Packaging Date: Jan. 04, 2008
Voltage(s) (Stock/OC'ed): 1.112 (VID)/1.3625 (set in BIOS)
Frequency(ies) (OC'ed): 467x9 (4.2ghz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA X38 DQ6
BIOS: F7
Video Card: El Cheapo X300 PCI-E
__________________________________________________ __
FSB = 467x9(4.2ghz)
RAM = 1:1
Vcore = 1.3625(set in BIOS) (CPU-Z idle = 1.34------CPU-Z load = 1.32)
DDR2: +0.30v
__________________________________________________
*Extra* Memory(ies) (Timing(s)): 2GB OCZ SLI ready PC2-8500 5-5-5-15 running 1:1
*Extra* Memory(ies) (Voltage(s)): 2.2v
*Extra* Third Party Cooling Solution: NY winter (Zalman 9700)
*Extra* Paste(s)/Compound(s)/Other(s): AS5
*Extra* NB/SB/Mosfets bolt modded using Ceramique
*Extra* PSU Ultra XVS 750watt Modular

Ambient temps in my garage were a balmy 4C...open case w/ 120mm blowing on NB. Core

Temp reads 36C (core 1) 32C (core 0) idle...as always, this NEVER changes. Load was 36

(core 1) 43 (core 0). Everyst reads the CPU temp as 19C under load.



For some reason I cannot get 500mhz stable on this board OR the ABit IP35 Pro. I will spend the day trying to get stable at 500x8. Any ideas on how to do this wil be appreciated.

[Buggalugs]

that's true

but there is still stock trickling through because of Intel X48 chipset delays

i had those reboot issues but it's just pushing OCs too high or wrong ratios

nothing that a poweroff and cmos clear cannot fix >> worked every time for me on numerous different boards and bioses

I dont know what state ur in Dinos but the 3 biggest suppliers in Melbourne dont have them. 2 of them dont have any Gigabyte X38 boards left, 1 has only X38TDQ6 and X38DS4 models. Maybe things are different in Sydney or whatever.


Anyhow lets hope the X48's hit the stores very soon.

[Richard Dower]

New X38-DQ6 review:

http://www.insidehw.com/Reviews/Moth...A-X38-DQ6.html

[BigDK]

Tested the stick in this pc again and in my Commando.
Truely dead, RMA'ing back to Corsair now.

[road-runner]

Anyone have the X38 DS4 notice that the vcore setting raises higher that the actual actual bios setting when loaded? I have mine set on 1.51875 in the bios and it idles at 1.488 according to Cpuz. When I start prime95 it jumps up to 1.552 and sometimes blinks to 1.56. Also I am using bios F3A.

Edit: It only does it with prime95 small ftts, I check WCG and it does not do it with it.

[dinos22]

Anyone have the X38 DS4 notice that the vcore setting raises higher that the actual actual bios setting when loaded? I have mine set on 1.51875 in the bios and it idles at 1.488 according to Cpuz. When I start prime95 it jumps up to 1.552 and sometimes blinks to 1.56. Also I am using bios F3A.

Edit: It only does it with prime95 small ftts, I check WCG and it does not do it with it.

LOL weird

pull out a DMM and check for sure

[road-runner]

LOL weird

pull out a DMM and check for sure

Where at on the board do I check it?

[dinos22]

Where at on the board do I check it?

eek
good point
need to do some poking around on the next bench session