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

[DFI pit bull]

I just got this board. I have problems going over 490Mhz fsb, I hav'nt seen anybody go over 500Mhz with board, feel a bit disapointed as my asus pk5 did 560x9 easily with my E8400 with a mach2 SS. Have read that F3 bios has the best fsb capability, can anyone confirm? i'm using F6.

Also can anyone share bios settings for max fsb.

Thanks

[Nuckin_Futs]

Is not the mobo that offers that option, is the chipset. X38 is supporting ECC, and non ECC memo, X48 suports only non ECC.

This is partly true. Keep in mind though, it is upto the builder to utilize it and some do not. Just as X48 can by design utilize ECC but is currently locked by Intel but potentially (not for sure) can be cracked by a builder (like ASUS) to unlock that, just like they did for PAT and PRB for Springdale !865PE and PRB for new !925XE Elderwood. Here again, Intel made efforts to lock chipset for CPU to PCI/PCIE lock limiting the FSB overclock. But ASUS cracked it, remember!

I tried ECC before and I wasn't happy with it. It is not necessary for me. RAM is pretty stable as it is and few random errors would not make a big difference in my life or in my work... As for CPU, RAM and all the other hardware where data does not reside, I am not worried. If it broke, replace it.

But I would like to know the consequences of running the system with a higher FSB... I don't mind if the hard drive gets corrupted and does not boot, does not spin, etc... I can fix/replace it. But I would mind if every so few bytes of files were corrupted randomly since I would not be finding about out that right away. And when I find out about that, there would be no way of quantifying how much data was corrupted.

How much standard voltage is on SB? What is SB 1.5?

All the other test can pass with colors, but YES, data corruption can still happen if too many hard lock ups and crashes. These synthetic benchmarks do not test HDD R/W so make sure they too have enough juice to stay smooth. I use at least 1.58v on SB 1.5 and 1.104v on SB 2 to 500FSB on my ASUS. They just need to be kept cool like anything else cause this carries the ICH9R and thats where our DATA crosses if on the Intel AHCI/RAID. I this mobo offers some sort of FSB static read control, enable it to smooth out the CPU to NB strapping curve of mobo as it climbs the higher FSB beyond 450. This will alos help in getting few more MHz FSB out of CPU as well.

The simplest rule is to keep CPU/RAM ratio simple. 1:1 or 1:2. Anything inbetween is not as stable when OC'd. P35, X38/X48 are finicky with out of sync CPU/RAM dividers since the chipset was origionally based on test for DDR3 with different timing control.

Thanks ChrissTi.

So EIST works only when no vcore is set -- simply meaning that when there is no overclocking in most cases.

Why hasn't this been mentioned at anywhere? Why do people advise for turning EIST off during overclocking and turning it back on once a stable oc is achieved if EIST is not even working with oc in the first place?

I never suggest using EIST under an OC system. It is already slower then TM2+C1E so it becomes less responsive as you up the system FSB since it uses the system FSB to function and thus is an added bottleneck in bus traffic. TM+C1E will at least allow TM1+C1E mode so you do get the multi step down but not the cvore. Mine always drop just enough to matter if on all day and also takes up some of the stress on NB and MCH, so overall system can drop some in temp.

[6_6_6]

Nuckin_Futs, I didn't say you suggested that. To the contrary, I have mentioned that I learnt how it all works now thanks to you. What I mean was that I have read everywhere else (reviews, posts, etc) that EIST should be disabled before OC and once stable, it should be enabled. I read nowhere that EIST would not work on when manual vcore is selected WHICH IS HOW OC IS DONE 99% of the cases!

I also do not recall anyone making a distinction between EIST and C1E/TM2. I thought C1E would not function without EIST until you explained.

I never suggest using EIST under an OC system. It is already slower then TM2+C1E so it becomes less responsive as you up the system FSB since it uses the system FSB to function and thus is an added bottleneck in bus traffic. TM+C1E will at least allow TM1+C1E mode so you do get the multi step down but not the cvore. Mine always drop just enough to matter if on all day and also takes up some of the stress on NB and MCH, so overall system can drop some in temp.

[REVHEAD]

has any one tried the differant memory slots to see if they vary in stability and performance? I know that other boards this can play a part in this area.

[Nuckin_Futs]

@ 6_6_6,
Oops! Sorry, I may have worded it wrong, I didn't mean to imply you said that per say, just in general is all.

[dinos22]

has any one tried the differant memory slots to see if they vary in stability and performance? I know that other boards this can play a part in this area.

i always do that

on DDR3 boards i've had unfortunately there were some big discrepancies and the slots that ran RAM really well could not be combined to run in dual channel

asus board i had ran RAM very similar in all slots

[ChrissTi]

This is partly true. Keep in mind though, it is upto the builder to utilize it and some do not.
.

X38-DQ6 supports no ECC, and ECC memos, it's on Intel and Gigabytes's site.
X48 doesn't, it's on Intel's site.

I never suggest using EIST under an OC system. It is already slower then TM2+C1E so it becomes less responsive as you up the system FSB since it uses the system FSB to function and thus is an added bottleneck in bus traffic. TM+C1E will at least allow TM1+C1E mode so you do get the multi step down but not the cvore. Mine always drop just enough to matter if on all day and also takes up some of the stress on NB and MCH, so overall system can drop some in temp.

I tested with EIST and without it when I overclocked, and there are no benchmark differences, so what you said is not true. So I use EIST on.

[ubiquityman]

I was actually talking about data corruption [due to overclocking SATA]. What would be the likelihood of that?

I have personally experienced this problem, not with SATA but with SCSI. I overclocked the PCI bus, and everything ran stable for a few days, but after some extended period of time, my system became noticeably unstable. I had previously done some burn-in testing at the overclocked configuration, but apparently I didn't do it long enough. In the end, I figured out the SCSI adapter/drives were slowly being corrupted. I'd get a bad bit every few hours. over time, this accumulated in files/data.

In the end, I backed down the PCI bus, reformatted and reinstalled the OS, then everything was fine.

[-Acid-]

I have personally experienced this problem, not with SATA but with SCSI. I overclocked the PCI bus, and everything ran stable for a few days, but after some extended period of time, my system became noticeably unstable. I had previously done some burn-in testing at the overclocked configuration, but apparently I didn't do it long enough. In the end, I figured out the SCSI adapter/drives were slowly being corrupted. I'd get a bad bit every few hours. over time, this accumulated in files/data.

In the end, I backed down the PCI bus, reformatted and reinstalled the OS, then everything was fine.

what settings were you at when this happened I use scsi too and have yet to see this problem, the computer is on 24/7 crunching

[6_6_6]

I can safely confirm there there is no sort of data corruption when PCI-E is set to 100 MHz.

Last 1 week i have misused and abused my hard disk on live system (I have a clone disk).

2008 Server Enterprise x64
X38-DQ6
Q6600
Samsung 500GB SATA-II
AHCI


I had countless BSODs, reboots, crashes, system freezes playing with OC settings, benching, stress testing, etc. I intentionally did not even do a single chkdsk. I had torture tests running on my disk for hours while doing PGP file shredding, winzips, md5sums simultaneously. Yes the hard disk sounded as if it was going to explode as it was madly seeking!

Today I booted into stock settings and did md5 comparisons. All files matched.

Voltages I mostly used was vcore 1.35v, ddr +0.25, gMCH +0.05.

So I guess it is safe to use 100MHz PCI-E and not worry sinister corruption issues if the system is CPU/Memory/GPU stable.

I have personally experienced this problem, not with SATA but with SCSI. I overclocked the PCI bus, and everything ran stable for a few days, but after some extended period of time, my system became noticeably unstable. I had previously done some burn-in testing at the overclocked configuration, but apparently I didn't do it long enough. In the end, I figured out the SCSI adapter/drives were slowly being corrupted. I'd get a bad bit every few hours. over time, this accumulated in files/data.

In the end, I backed down the PCI bus, reformatted and reinstalled the OS, then everything was fine.

[TyphooN]

I just ordered the EX38-DQ6. Right now I will be running it with 4gb of G.Skill PC8000 and a Q6600. How does 8gb run on this board?

[6_6_6]

I tested with EIST and without it when I overclocked, and there are no benchmark differences, so what you said is not true. So I use EIST on.

Of course there would be no benchmark differences. You are using your CPU at full power in the benchmarks -- EIST is not a relevant item there. It is relevant when the system is idle -- not when you are hitting the roof.

I don't like EIST. It makes my system unresponsive to a degree that I can notice. Most of the time it would run at throttled down speeds since programs do not usually take up too much cpu cycles.

For example, I can easily notice a delay when I am scrolling down my start menu with EIST.

CPUs come with 5 year warranty and they are meant to run at their advertised speeds. What is the point of running it throttled down? I have shown above that EIST does not help temps -- only 2 degrees max... And that comes down with a penalty of 3C increased NB temperature.

And you are not running any EIST at all since you are already overvolting your CPU! You are running C1E. It works slightly better for me, but it is of no use since it does not lower vcore. Heat increases linear with cpu speed and exponentially with voltage. Anyway, even that is a moot point in your benchmarks since you are running at full throttle. Please reread what _futs wrote before. I was having hte same opinions like you until he clarified that.

[Nuckin_Futs]

I have personally experienced this problem, not with SATA but with SCSI. I overclocked the PCI bus, and everything ran stable for a few days, but after some extended period of time, my system became noticeably unstable. I had previously done some burn-in testing at the overclocked configuration, but apparently I didn't do it long enough. In the end, I figured out the SCSI adapter/drives were slowly being corrupted. I'd get a bad bit every few hours. over time, this accumulated in files/data.

In the end, I backed down the PCI bus, reformatted and reinstalled the OS, then everything was fine.

I was especially reffering to SCSI devices, and I too use each a Promise and the Intel ICHxR on SB. So if for most of us utilizing even the AHCI/RAID on Intel ICH9R, you do need to up the SB volts a tad to keep stable. I notice it performs smooth on Intel SATA RAID 0+1 at only 1.10v and 1.55~1.58v on the SB_1.5.

I also can get away with a PCI-E bus to 110 w/ NB of 1.5v to 500FSB so it just depends. You should run some sort of HDD utility to find what does best.

EIST: It can be used on certain CPU's and mild overclocks with some stability, but at aslight responsiveness drop during stepping. For X38, & P35 400FSB is pretty much a stock FSB, so if you have a new 1333FSB CPU then full auto with EIST is doable if BIOS allows. I only know of Abit & DFI (at least the P35 "Blood Iron") to be stable at 400 with CPU to auto and enabled EIST. Abit also fullly supports C1E+TM2, technically reffered to as C+P state (not limited TM1) so the VID+FID reduce together.

[zsamz_]

I just ordered the EX38-DQ6. Right now I will be running it with 4gb of G.Skill PC8000 and a Q6600. How does 8gb run on this board?

i doubt you can run 4 sticks on this board
i couldt get 4 sticks stable @ 800mhz
i can do 1200+ on the dfi

[Kondik]

I just ordered the EX38-DQ6. Right now I will be running it with 4gb of G.Skill PC8000 and a Q6600. How does 8gb run on this board?

8 GB 800 Without problems 1066+ can be problematic a bit

[REVHEAD]

What are the changes in the new EX linups of these boards? I cant really see much .

[Kondik]

EPU

so in other words

Nothing

[Yany]

Hi all

I'm new to here, and I need some help. I have a nice config, but it's unstable even at stock speed and with "fail-safe" BIOS settings also. I have run Prime95 and MemTest86+ tests for ten hours without any problem but the Windows itself is unstable (Vista and XP tested). 3DMark likes to cause the display driver not to respond. In XP this means a freeze, but Vista show me a hint message to the right bottom corner that the display driver didn't respond but restarted successfully.

Sometimes I meet similar messages with the integrated network and audio driver also. It seems the motherboard (or the intel chipset on it) is unstable but I have no ide how to find out what's wrong. Can you help me? Thank you.

edit: BIOS F7 and F8D has the same result

[Richard Dower]

I just preordered the Q9450....but is €308 a good price??

[Richard Dower]

I just ordered the EX38-DQ6.

Where?

[TyphooN]

Where?

newegg

[TyphooN]

8 GB 800 Without problems 1066+ can be problematic a bit

Hrmm.. I probably won't need to go past 1000 due to my cpu.. Does anyone here run 8gb regularly?? I am have 4gb of the g.skill pc8000 ram.. its pretty cheap and if I could get it to run at at least 1000 I would be happy.

[Caped Crusader]

Hrmm.. I probably won't need to go past 1000 due to my cpu.. Does anyone here run 8gb regularly?? I am have 4gb of the g.skill pc8000 ram.. its pretty cheap and if I could get it to run at at least 1000 I would be happy.

I have that same RAM and she is running 1080 5-5-5-15 2.10 without any problems. I hear that the new PC8500 does also stock timings at 1200 without problems.

[TyphooN]

I guess I should have stated my question better, what I meant was if I could get it to run at 1000+ with 4x2GB I would be happy, but thanks for the response anyhow .

[ThatGuy16]

i have the X38-DS4, so i think its ok to post my issue in this thread.

I just got my second 3870 for crossfire. Now my OC is unstable (445x9), resulting in hard lock ups. Stock clocks are fine, so my guess is the NB need more voltage, agree?

i have no idea what in bios to change for the NB voltage, any suggestions will be appreciated!