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

[doctorwizz]

Help, I am having bios issues when changing settings. When I change some settings in the bios and save and exit, the pc shuts off, then restarts by itself after a few seconds. Upon powering up, I get a constant beeping and message on monitor saying: you have not connected the power cable to your video card. Does this with one or two video cards installed. Hitting reset will give the same message. After switching off the power, I can restart again. But I get the overclocking failed message. Then press F1 and enter bios, select exit and discard changes, (my settings are still there), the pc boots and will always boot. And tested prime and occt stable. I'm only mildly oc'ing a G0 at 3.2. I don't know why I am getting the video power cable message. System is very stable. Power supply voltages are super stable. Runs very cool at these settings so heat is not an issue.

Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 356
FSB Strap to North Bridge : Auto
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-855
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency :5
RAS# to CAS# Delay :5
RAS# Precharge :5
RAS# ActivateTime :12
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 : AUTO
Transaction Booster : AUTO

CPU Voltage : AUTO
CPU PLL Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge Voltage : AUTO
DRAM Voltage : 1.98 (2.06 in Windows)
FSB Termination Voltage :AUTO
South Bridge Voltage : AUTO
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 : AUTO

NB LED Selection : FSBT Volt
SB LED Selection : SB 1.5 Volt
CPU LED Selection : PLL VOlt
Voltiminder LED : Enabled

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

Advanced CPU Configuration
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
Ratio CMOS Setting : 9.0
C1E Suppport : Disabled
CPU TM Function : Disabled
Vanderpool Technology : Disabled
Execute Disable Bit : Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled

[Grnfinger]

5:6
1:1
are working of course

4:5 I am about to try out.
Had my ram stable at 1247 for 27mins b4 it crapped out so I think with a little tweaking on the timming I get 1247MHz 100% stable.
I also think its the best bios so far, I dont get the random "det ram" hang and everything just feels more responsive. After the 1003 episode it is major improvement. Give Asus another 6 months and they should have it all sorted out

[kup]

I may give it a shot then. The only thing that bugs me with 0505 is the random "DETDRAM" hang...

Hmmm...how is it on voltages for you? On 0505 I need significantly less voltage for better performance and clocks than on 0907 for example?

[Leeghoofd]

Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 356
FSB Strap to North Bridge : Auto
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-855
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency :5
RAS# to CAS# Delay :5
RAS# Precharge :5
RAS# ActivateTime :12 -- 18
RAS# to RAS# Delay :AUTO
Row Refresh Cycle Time :AUTO -- 60
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 -- Disable
Ai Clock Twister : AUTO
Transaction Booster : AUTO --Disable
Relax level : 1
CPU Voltage : AUTO -- 1.35
CPU PLL Voltage : AUTO -- 1.5
North Bridge Voltage : AUTO -- 1.45
DRAM Voltage : 1.98 (2.06 in Windows)
FSB Termination Voltage :AUTO
South Bridge Voltage : AUTO
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 : AUTO

Flash to 1004 bios and set TRFC value to at least 52 or even better 60, you are overclocking ya rams, normally they can handle it but you might need to set this setting slightly higher... increases stability big time... also disable Static read control and disable transaction booster...
Set Vcore for the CPU to a slightly higher value then ya VID... eg Vid 1.25 set Vcore to 1.3 and verify real voltage given, do not set Auto for Vcore, same for NB voltage as the baords likes to overvolt almost everything besides FSB termination voltage which is undervolted

[Grnfinger]

I was able to drop NB from 1.49 to 1.47
CPU from 1.38 to 1.37
ram is unchanged
FSBT is in the process of trying to lower from 1.40 but I think its a no go.
anything lower and I get errors almost instantly.

[Leeghoofd]

I was able to drop NB from 1.49 to 1.47

Good stuff, I needed 1.59v NB for 1200mhz ram stability in benchsessions... go go Asus

[Grnfinger]

priming now, 15 mins blend so far so good

[kup]

Flashed 1004. Dividers are still broken for me, having to use AUTO again. System does feel quite responsive, but not sure if that is a placebo effect quite yet?

I'll stick with it for now and if I don't like it I'll flash the Rampage bios instead!

[Renegade5399]

I will try 1004 here shortly. How do I flash to the Rampage BIOS? Do I have to use the windows flash utility?

[Grnfinger]

n00b question

trying to run ram at 1274 and getting rounding errors 20 to 25 mins in.
Currently 5-5-5-15 and trfc set to 40
would I try 5-5-5-18 and trfc to 45 or maybe 50? or will that have the reverse effect?

[Mic]

Renegade, see the other thread in this forum about how to flash to the rampage bios.
Wanted to try it myself, but can't find my darn usb stick.

[Renegade5399]

n00b question

trying to run ram at 1274 and getting rounding errors 20 to 25 mins in.
Currently 5-5-5-15 and trfc set to 40
would I try 5-5-5-18 and trfc to 45 or maybe 50? or will that have the reverse effect?

You've got the right idea.

[kup]

n00b question

trying to run ram at 1274 and getting rounding errors 20 to 25 mins in.
Currently 5-5-5-15 and trfc set to 40
would I try 5-5-5-18 and trfc to 45 or maybe 50? or will that have the reverse effect?

Do one change at a time, not both. That way you may get away with only changing one setting.

[doctorwizz]

Flash to 1004 bios and set TRFC value to at least 52 or even better 60, you are overclocking ya rams, normally they can handle it but you might need to set this setting slightly higher... increases stability big time... also disable Static read control and disable transaction booster...
Set Vcore for the CPU to a slightly higher value then ya VID... eg Vid 1.25 set Vcore to 1.3 and verify real voltage given, do not set Auto for Vcore, same for NB voltage as the baords likes to overvolt almost everything besides FSB termination voltage which is undervolted

Flashed to 1004 and followed your advice. I save and exit. The pc shut down and restarted. Got that power cable is not connected to your vid card message again. I pressed F1 to enter bios. Then exit and discard changes which leave the settings exactly as you suggested. I can reboot fine. Warm or cold.

Nothbridge temps are about 5c higher at these settings. 47 to 52 now. Can I lower the NB votage? Why am I getting the power cable message?

[Renegade5399]

The power cable message is generated by the MONITOR itself due to no video signal. Do you have the LCD Poster hooked up? I'll bet it's hanging at DET DRAM.

[doctorwizz]

The power cable message is generated by the MONITOR itself due to no video signal. Do you have the LCD Poster hooked up? I'll bet it's hanging at DET DRAM.

Poster says VGA BIOS.
Constant beeping when I get this.
Im pretty sure its generated by the video card, because there is a video signal.

[Renegade5399]

Yup, I had the same issue. Only way I got it to go away was to reset my CMOS. Then it posted fine.

[Leeghoofd]

Might be a bad contact with one of the powerconnectors of the cards... you can try with lower NB voltage... this setting seemed to work fab with my board... did you do a full reset to default when flashing the bios... also you can try to pop the Cmoss battery for a few minutes to make sure all is at default...

try with one vidcard ... same error... swap it for the other card... no error... maybe on eof the cards has issues and nothing to do with Bios settings...

[doctorwizz]

Yup, I had the same issue. Only way I got it to go away was to reset my CMOS. Then it posted fine.

You mean you had the power cable message?
I don't understand why I gett this message when making the smallest change.

[Renegade5399]

Yea, my message says "Check signal cable". It's generated by the monitor itself, not the PC. It's because my card wasn't firing up and it was hung on VGA BIOS on the LCD Poster. I would check the power connections to the card as suggested. If it still happens, do a full CMOS clear and start you OC over again. That's what I had to do and the issue never returned.

[doctorwizz]

Yea, my message says "Check signal cable". It's generated by the monitor itself, not the PC. It's because my card wasn't firing up and it was hung on VGA BIOS on the LCD Poster. I would check the power connections to the card as suggested. If it still happens, do a full CMOS clear and start you OC over again. That's what I had to do and the issue never returned.

I did a full cmos rest after flashing to 1004 by unplugging power and hitting the cmos reset swithch. Then loaded defaults. That is a full cmos clear?

[Renegade5399]

Correct. Perhaps you have a card with an issue? Are they modded at all?

[doctorwizz]

I just re-seated the power connections on both cards. And pushed the cards to make sure they were seated. Made a few changes and no error! The pc did power down and restart by itself. This is normal right?

[Renegade5399]

Yes, mine does the power off and boot back up routine as well. It doesn't lose any settings, it just power cycles and boots normally.

[Mic]

Also getting the Cant flash LOADER.ROM error with a brand new Maximus motherboard 802 bios.