**Official ASUS Striker II Formula Discussion/Review/Overclock/Guide/BIOS Thread**

[polar bear]

Just remember to get the latest update from the lavalys website. Before the update everest did not recommend my Maximus Extreme / Striker II boards.
(screenshot above is with the Max Ex)

[WeStSiDePLaYa]

Compare CRC check.
Beta is exactly the same with final 1001 BIOS.

Guess I didn't configure everything the same. Oh well.

[Wiinter]

polar bear:

Re: Q6600. You still find that 3200 will be our best shot on a G0? I'm sitting at 2924 now, edging it higher each time I reboot (followed by using the system regularly for a couple days to test for anomalies, inc. Prime95).

Re: 2-->3 SLI scaling. I found the exact same when going from 1-->2; there just wasn't much performance gain in 3DMark06. I don't think it uses SLI very well at all.

Anyone:

I read that a lot of people put their RAM voltage to 2.1v, citing "that's what it is rated for". I tried this with both my P5N32-E SLI and this Striker II - neither worked out very well. Is there something else I'm missing? Does it even help?

[Leeghoofd]

polar bear:

Re: 2-->3 SLI scaling. I found the exact same when going from 1-->2; there just wasn't much performance gain in 3DMark06. I don't think it uses SLI very well at all.

Anyone:

I read that a lot of people put their RAM voltage to 2.1v, citing "that's what it is rated for". I tried this with both my P5N32-E SLI and this Striker II - neither worked out very well. Is there something else I'm missing? Does it even help?

I went from 17K to 23K with one added 8800GTS 512 , something is wrong with ya setup for sure if you didn't get a good incrzease goign from 1-2... going from 2 to 3 doesn't necessarily bring another 6K... man each 1000 points is massive in 3dmark 2006...

[WeStSiDePLaYa]

polar bear:

Re: Q6600. You still find that 3200 will be our best shot on a G0? I'm sitting at 2924 now, edging it higher each time I reboot (followed by using the system regularly for a couple days to test for anomalies, inc. Prime95).

Re: 2-->3 SLI scaling. I found the exact same when going from 1-->2; there just wasn't much performance gain in 3DMark06. I don't think it uses SLI very well at all.

Anyone:

I read that a lot of people put their RAM voltage to 2.1v, citing "that's what it is rated for". I tried this with both my P5N32-E SLI and this Striker II - neither worked out very well. Is there something else I'm missing? Does it even help?

What drivers?

[polar bear]

polar bear:

Re: Q6600. You still find that 3200 will be our best shot on a G0? I'm sitting at 2924 now, edging it higher each time I reboot (followed by using the system regularly for a couple days to test for anomalies, inc. Prime95).

Re: 2-->3 SLI scaling. I found the exact same when going from 1-->2; there just wasn't much performance gain in 3DMark06. I don't think it uses SLI very well at all.

Anyone:

I read that a lot of people put their RAM voltage to 2.1v, citing "that's what it is rated for". I tried this with both my P5N32-E SLI and this Striker II - neither worked out very well. Is there something else I'm missing? Does it even help?

Q6600: Well, of course it depends. I was limited initially by using 4GB RAM and couldnt for some reason get higher than 3300 at the most. Then I switched to E6600 (and 2 GB) which I'm running at 3600 without any problems. I think 3.6 is doable on a quad, yes, with the right settings. For what it's worth, I've been able to reach a FSB of 470 on this board.

SLI: my results
1x 8800GTX: 12624
2x 8800GTX: 15314
3x 8800GTX: 15737
However I see decent scaling from 2 to 3-SLI in some games, e.g. crysis and WIC.

[Phil The Greek]

Q6600: Well, of course it depends. I was limited initially by using 4GB RAM and couldnt for some reason get higher than 3300 at the most. Then I switched to E6600 (and 2 GB) which I'm running at 3600 without any problems. I think 3.6 is doable on a quad, yes, with the right settings. For what it's worth, I've been able to reach a FSB of 470 on this board.

SLI: my results
1x 8800GTX: 12624
2x 8800GTX: 15314
3x 8800GTX: 15737
However I see decent scaling from 2 to 3-SLI in some games, e.g. crysis and WIC.

This is normal(about triple sli).Try running 3DMark 03.It's the only benchmark that shows triple sli power

[Wiinter]

Actually, polar bear, now that I recheck, my results mirror yours (1-->2).

SLI: my results
1x 8800GTX: 13003
2x 8800GTX - SingleGPU mode: 12892
2x 8800GTX - AFR1: 9888
2x 8800GTX - AFR2: 15594

Driver: 169.21
Vid BIOS:
#1 - 60.80.0e.00.05
#2 - 60.80.06.00.12

You put yours on AFR2? If you left it on default, switching to AFR2 may be the trick for your system - because I would think you'd get at least a couple thousand points above my score, just based on your OC.

[polar bear]

AFR2? Not sure what this means. How do you set it?

It's not a big deal with good scaling in 3DMark as it's not the reason I built my system But sure it's always nice to bring it higher to compare to other systems

[WeStSiDePLaYa]

Actually, polar bear, now that I recheck, my results mirror yours (1-->2).

SLI: my results
1x 8800GTX: 13003
2x 8800GTX - SingleGPU mode: 12892
2x 8800GTX - AFR1: 9888
2x 8800GTX - AFR2: 15594

Driver: 169.21
Vid BIOS:
#1 - 60.80.0e.00.05
#2 - 60.80.06.00.12

You put yours on AFR2? If you left it on default, switching to AFR2 may be the trick for your system - because I would think you'd get at least a couple thousand points above my score, just based on your OC.

Ditch those old drivers.

Use the 174.17.

The 169.21 always gave me horrible SLI performance.

[Leeghoofd]

SLI: my results
1x 8800GTX: 12624
2x 8800GTX: 15314
3x 8800GTX: 15737

Looking at those nrs clearly indicates that you need raw CPU power as your whole system is slowed down cause of the lack of CPU speed... what speed is that for the CPU ? 3Ghz ?

[polar bear]

That's exactly right, 3.0.

[zakelwe]

169.21 are bad.

Currently I am running 58.22 on 8600GT and they are pretty good for 3dmark. Not tried 174.17. I get the feeling they won't be as good though. Somebody try 58.22 for 8800GTX and see what you think. If you cannot be bothered running the whole 06 then use the pixel shader 2.0 test on 03 for a general guide to how a driver will do in general for this modern shafer world we live in.

I've been fiddling with voltages tonight and GTL voltage is quite interesting. For 3dmark06 0mv GTL or 40mv GTL would fail but +30mv passes all the time. I am running this in cnjunction with 1.66v on the northbridge.

Regards

Andy

[thriller99]

what's AFR2?????

[zakelwe]

what's AFR2?????

Alternative frame rendering for the SLi setting.

Regards
Andy

[thriller99]

Alternative frame rendering for the SLi setting.

Regards
Andy

ya, i found it ! Thx !

But can it improve performance SLI ??

[motopen1s]

hey guys

I am at the process of choosing mobo, cpu and gpu for my build (took quite a while already). Now, seeing good test results of 9600gt in sli - I am thinking it could be a good idea to couple them with Striker 2 Formula.

Initially I wanted to use x38 board (with DDR2 in sig) with fsb ~425-440 (to run RAM 1:1 at rated timings), also lowering the tRD value as much as it will go. That is - I am planing to get only modest overclock for 24/7 use (if e8400 - then ~3.6-3.8GHz; if q9450 ~3.4-3.5GHz)

I would like to ask you couple of question regarding this board to clear up some things:

1) is 4gb of RAM (2x2gb) would allow ~425-440 FSB overclock from your experience? (will use 4 side fans on Stacker 832)

2) Is it as easy to set tRD values as in Rampage Formula (came across anand review...) or its more tricky? I see some people do not have bandwidth improvement (didnt quite get if its a common problem or issue with a particular bios version?)

3) I've read about an issue with LAN ports (like reports lost internet connection or 'limited connectivity'). Is it already addressed with a new bios release?

4) Regarding layout. Is the SLI bridge long enough so that Auzentech sound card can be used between a par of graphics cards? (not sure about the width of 9600gt and auzen x-fi)


thanks for the help

[Wiinter]

174.17 ?!?

I just reformatted and installed the latest from nVidia.. I can't seem to find any newer drivers. In fact, if I search for 174.17, this forum is the only thing that shows, haha.

Oh, also, zakelwe gave the AFR definition - but in case it wasn't clear, these are SLI settings in your nVidia (or nHancer) 3D settings. Some games benefit from AFR1 or 2, and I think you can even select a newer one (AFR3) using nHancer..

[thriller99]

174.17 ?!?

I just reformatted and installed the latest from nVidia.. I can't seem to find any newer drivers. In fact, if I search for 174.17, this forum is the only thing that shows, haha.

Oh, also, zakelwe gave the AFR definition - but in case it wasn't clear, these are SLI settings in your nVidia (or nHancer) 3D settings. Some games benefit from AFR1 or 2, and I think you can even select a newer one (AFR3) using nHancer..

is it a tool for tweak ??

[WeStSiDePLaYa]

174.17 ?!?

I just reformatted and installed the latest from nVidia.. I can't seem to find any newer drivers. In fact, if I search for 174.17, this forum is the only thing that shows, haha.

Oh, also, zakelwe gave the AFR definition - but in case it wasn't clear, these are SLI settings in your nVidia (or nHancer) 3D settings. Some games benefit from AFR1 or 2, and I think you can even select a newer one (AFR3) using nHancer..

Sorry, 171.17.

My mistake. They are WQHL too.

[polar bear]

1) is 4gb of RAM (2x2gb) would allow ~425-440 FSB overclock from your experience? (will use 4 side fans on Stacker 832)

IMO this board is VERY finicky with 4gigs, I reckon it might work but it may take some work to get there. I think there were a few posts re this in this thread, have a look around. As for myself I quickly gave up the 4gb idea as it was hard to get system stable with high FSB at the same time.

EDIT: found the advice re 4GB:

Memory controller handles 8GB just fine - 8GB Results - key is to run in sync mode, keep voltages under control, and do not go above 450FSB as stated.

I'll leave your other q's to be answered by the 'pros'

[otisthecat]

tr uping your Gtl ref cpu@ 60mv
Gtl ref nb 30mv
made me stable crucial ballistic running at 1066
has help when running 9multi on quads with me anywhy

[Wiinter]

169.21:
1x 8800GTX: 13003
2x 8800GTX - nVidia Recommended: N/A
2x 8800GTX - SingleGPU mode: 12892
2x 8800GTX - AFR1: 9888
2x 8800GTX - AFR2: 15594

171.17:
1x 8800GTX: N/A
2x 8800GTX - nVidia Recommended: 15917
2x 8800GTX - SingleGPU mode: N/A
2x 8800GTX - AFR1: N/A
2x 8800GTX - AFR2: 15900

300pts diff.. I suppose that's okay. Once I saw the proxycon fps start at 90, I was sure the score would have been even higher (because I was getting low 80s before), but I guess not!

I'm only at 2925mhz - I'll edge that to 3200, but I don't know if I'll be able to figure out the right combo of voltages.

[UnSeenSVK]

hallo is that true that cant run with this board SLI on 64bit Windows vista?..

couse i have 4gb rams and i bought this board...

i ve got 2x 8800GT SLI but still in the box...

please help me...who s having sli with this board on 64bit windows?...thanks

[ShadowD]

hallo is that true that cant run with this board SLI on 64bit Windows vista?..

couse i have 4gb rams and i bought this board...

i ve got 2x 8800GT SLI but still in the box...

please help me...who s having sli with this board on 64bit windows?...thanks

I currently have this board running SLI 2x 8800GTS 512's w/Vista64 Ultimate.

That is until Vista decides it doesn't have enough resources and gives me a (Code 12) on one of them. It's driving me insane! Any time anything changes (i.e. I plug in a USB drive) it 'runs out' of resources. I've been disabling things in the BIOS, but there's nothing left I can disable... I just want to know how the hell Vista is 'out of resources'?!?!?

I am running with 4x 1GB RAM (Corsair 8500) clocked at 1000MHz 4-4-4-15-2T and 1800 FSB on a E8400. (can't seem to get it any higher than 1800) 2x 150GB Raptors (RAID0) 1kWatt PSU, WC on the CPU and Video cards.

I have the video cards OC'd to 830GPU/1100Mem/2025Shaders and I'm only getting barely over 19k in 3Dmark06. I think it should be quite a bit higher...



I just upgraded to the 1001 BIOS and 174.31 (I think) forceware drivers. I managed to get Vista to recognize both cards again last night. Hopefully they will both be available tonight when I get home.

Has anyone else had this problem (Code 12 - Not enough resources)? There are a ton of Google hits on the error, but none seem to help. (The PCI HackFlags registry hack helped for a little while)