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

[cuke2u]

Hi, the date of the bios is exactly the same so you can take your own conclusions from that...
Chris

[brewer265]

i wonder if they will ever release another non beta bios. i think the last official one was 802.

[[timko]]

I wonder if there are any changes form the beta that was leaked.

I compared the checksum of the leaked and the official 1004 and the results are the same. Therefore there is no difference between the two.

[RobotDJX]

and I wonder if we ever see another bios again for the MF

[ZenEffect]

i would highly recommend that you re-load your os after doing the flash. this in my and others experience has corrected the few bugs that happen.

[Renegade5399]

Ok more updates from me

Seems like the timing on the PCIe ports are different - using the same overclock on my 8800GT and the display driver crashes - just tried reverting back to 1004MF BIOS, and it runs smoothly again, going back to RF0219 - and I have to lower the overclock on the 8800GT. Max temp on the 8800GT is 46, so seems like it's not a temperature issue

Now I saw the EXACT opposite. I was able to clock my shader higher after the Rampage conversion. Also, my max playable settings for Crysis on my 8800GT have gone up. It no longer crashes at 860/1960/2000 like it used to...

Keep in mind Rampage bios is still beta as the board isn't out in public yet. I bet that by the time it's released (very soon from what I heard), there will be a new version...

This would explain the different behaviors, especially in this case.

[fordf250]

mate im sure you already did this but can you post me your settings for 4.05ghz on your q6600...

cheers man...(i cant get stable at 4ghz + but im sure i will with the right bios/bios settings combination....

cheers

gordy!

I would also like to know the settings if not phase cooled. I have a max formula that runs 475x8 easy and never ran stable for 440x9 with q6600.

Now I also have a striker 2 formula running 450x9 easy and working on 460x9 so it was not the cpu holding me back. Also there is a guy running 500x8 fsb with q6600 and striker 2 formula that I am waiting for settings on and will shareu

[XtremeTiramisu]

Further updates are still in progress...

Maximus Formula v1.03G
BIOS 0505

*~ Q6600 G0 - Batch: L723A765 - VID: 1.2625


*~ New revision double sided 2x1GB 1066 Ballistix Tracers - CL118Q.C1


*~ Thermalright Ultra120 Xtreme lapped (2* Scythe S-Flex SFF21F S-FDB 120mm 1600RPM Push-Pull configuration)


For the rest of other system components, please see my signature for details.



The mobo came with BIOS 0602 and its OC stability was OK until ~460FSB. I didn't spend enough time with the original 0602 due to constantly random DET RAM hang at high +460FSB.
I eventually flashed to the newest Beta BIOS MF1004 using EZ flash and it was capable of going up to ~470-475FSB but it's still unstable for high FSB with the Quad core.
There was memory compatibility and OC stability issues and same DET RAM hang with MF1004 BIOS at high FSB test settings.

As per KUP's recommendation, I downgraded the BIOS to 0505.
Easy way using EZ Flash: Reflash with a current or newer BIOS file and shut the system down while it's in the flashing process.
Rename the MF0505 BIOS file in the root directory of your USB drive to FORMULA.ROM and now turn on the system to get auto BIOS recovery.
It will auto do an erase and search and reflash to the FORMULA.ROM bios file(renamed 0505 in this case). It's completely safe and you'll just need to do a full CMOS clear after.

I'm very impressed by the new revision double sided 2x1GB 1066 Ballistix Tracer kit by the way.
Eventhough some has complained about its compatibility and OC-ability with this mobo but I do find the new rev double sided Ballistix Tracers to have great OC-ability with relatively low given volts.
I also have an older Ballistix Tracers 1066 2GB kit from last year to compare and it's capable of being stable @ DDR2-1165 (5-5-4-9-3-30-3-3-8) from my previous P5K-Deluxe setup.
But, it doesn't scale well with given volt and not stable at 5-4-4-9 primary timings.
Now Look closely at new rev. double sided Ballistix Tracers primary timings and the subtimings to its given VDimm in the template.
I feel that there may be still a small room for further timings tightening but it's more than good enough for now.

Ambient Room Temp: 21C degree
Closed Case - Well ventilated in Antec 900
Idle temp 20 min after bench sessions: Core1: 33 Core2: 33 Core3: 30 Core4: 32
OCCT 100% Load: Core1: 65.5 Core2: 65.5 Core3: 62.5 Core4: 62.5
Prime95 Small FFT 100% Load: Core1: 66 Core2: 66 Core3: 63 Core4: 63

Best CPU Score in 3DMark06 - Vista x64
http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=5837062

The following template is a reference for a 99.9% 24/7 stable configuration on air. Several hours of testing sessions using OCCT 2.0.0.a MIX and Prime95 v25.6 Blend/Small FFT stable.
Most importantly, no cold boot issue and no DET RAM hang with the following specific configuration.



Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8
FSB Frequency : 465
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1116 [5:6 Divider]
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 4
RAS# Precharge : 4
RAS# ActivateTime : 9
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 30
Write Recovery Time : 6
Read to Precharge Time : 3

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : 8
Write to Read Delay (S) : 3
Write to Read Delay (D) : 5
Read to Read Delay (S) : 4
Read to Read Delay (D) : 6
Write to Write Delay (S) : 4
Write to Write Delay (D) : 6
DRAM Static Read Control: AUTO [More bandwidth]
Ai Clock Twister : STRONG
Transaction Booster : AUTO [More bandwidth]

CPU Voltage : 1.500 [1.480] *Note: 1.472 Vcore is enough for OCCT/Prime stable but 1.480 Vcore further insures stability in cold boot and no DET RAM hang.
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.60 [1.712] *Note: AUTO setting will auto scale with given Vcore. You can try manually adjust this setting for high FSB running Quads.
DRAM Voltage : 2.12 [2.206]
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.48 [1.520~1.536] Exactly as required for stability and no DET RAM hang.
South Bridge Voltage : 1.10 [1.120]
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 [1.104]
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5 [1.536]

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

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

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


USB Configuration
USB Functions: Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Disabled

[Zucker2k]

Keep in mind Rampage bios is still beta as the board isn't out in public yet. I bet that by the time it's released (very soon from what I heard), there will be a new version...

The Rampage is already released! Has been for a long time already. The release bios is 0215 too. So 0219 is already an upgrade to the release bios, numerically speaking. It doesn't matter that we haven't seen bios 0215, but technically speaking, 0219 is an upgrade of 0215, albeit it is an alpha bios.

Edit: It needs to be said that X38 and X48 are technically one and the same. The difference may be in the binning process (resulting is less voltage, heat), and I'm yet to see the X48 do something an X38 couldn't do. If my memory serves me right, the only reason why Intel announced X48 was because there were problems with the X38 USB subsystem, and this only popped up in very rare circumstances.

Why I'm I saying this? Asus, like all other mobo manufacturing companies, has had enough time to work for this particular chipset. All the work they did on the X38 chipset was effectively for the X48 chipset as well - you can confirm this by simply flashing a maximus bios to a rampage board and vise versa. I hope for our sakes though Asus engineers would be able to continue squeezing some performance/stability out of these chipsets.

[ninogui]

Ok guys

here are my first impressions for migrating to 219 rampage, along with some questions.




Overall, i noticed no problem whatsoever.

For the very first time:

- Yes! finally i crossed the 10k line for everest memory read! never been able to do this stable on any other bios, from 505 all the way to 907. The rams are on the blue slots (for the very first time in months lolol)

- Opposite to what some people may say, i find it sooo much more stable

- my main settings:

cpu ratio 8x
FSB 442 (3.536ghz)

dram freq. 1178mhz
dram mainsettings 5,5,5,16
dram static read disabled
ai clock twister strong
trans.booster manual

perf.level 6
pull ins all disabled

cpu vcore 1.457 (1.44 everest)
pll 1.64 bios
nb 1.53 (a.55 everest)
fsb term. 1.44
sb volt 1.075
ddr volt 2.32 (2.42 everest)
loadline enabled
cpu gtl x63
nb gtl x67
ddr cont. ref ddr2

funny enough i finally got stability by notching up 1 or 2 times pll, nb, and mainly fsb term and sb. my ram likes juice, so its on 2.32 bios/2.42 everest.

have u guys noticed that the 219 undervolts the cpu on the Q6600G0 ? by as much as .1volt overall.

is it possible that i only got stability notching up fsb term and sb volt, does this make any sense to you.?

which would be the ideal subtimmings to get a little bit more of the ram? (transcend axeram pc 1200)

Sometimes the ddr cmd skew is greyed out, maybe something to do with some item on auto(no idea).


Has anyone messed with the dram clk and cmd skew to good term.? prob a delay for channel A would be in place? (the first socket closer to the nb/cpu)


any comments appreciated.

thks a lot the stilt, grnfinger, erikab, zeneffect and zucker2k and all the others for their risky first few experiments on this

BTW.. after this in practical terms why would anyone ever buy the rampage if u have the formula? all this should shut up people saying bad words about formula. After this.. only skulltrail would make any sense.

rgds

[ninogui]

After playing with Maximus and Rampage BIOSes I will keep Maximus' 1004. Faster and more stable, the extra options of the Rampage do almost nothing for 2x2GB overclocking. I've noticed too that Rampage looses timmings at high FSBs, much more than P5E and Maximus.

hi

have you tried to mess around with the skew delays and advance.? that will prob make a difference for 2x2gb.

[VinnieWeiss]

I can't seem to get anything stable past 425 FSB. It's stable in OCCT for at least 2.5 hours, but if I raise the FSB to 435, it becomes unstable and more volts don't help. Here are my current BIOS settings for my e8400:

loads of settings

I run with about the same, only the Max FSB I got was 433. Mem can go 450 at least, but no matter which voltage I change I cant get above 433 stable.

My settings:

BIOS 1004
Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 433
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 400
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-866
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 4
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 4
RAS# Precharge : 4
RAS# ActivateTime : 14
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: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister : Light
Transaction Booster : Disabled
Relax level: 0

CPU Voltage : 1.31875
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
North Bridge Voltage : 1.29
DRAM Voltage : 2.10
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.20
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63X
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.63X
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5V

[dude_500]

Are there RAM dividers on this board? My old P6N could have an 1800fsb and run the ram at 800mhz. All I can find is multiplier settings to go higher than fsb. I have 4 gig sticks of G-Skill 800's which isn't the best and it won't post with anything over 900mhz on the ram.

[Robin77]

I run with about the same, only the Max FSB I got was 433. Mem can go 450 at least, but no matter which voltage I change I cant get above 433 stable.

My settings:

BIOS 1004
Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 433
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 400
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-866
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 4
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 4
RAS# Precharge : 4
RAS# ActivateTime : 14
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: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister : Light
Transaction Booster : Disabled
Relax level: 0

CPU Voltage : 1.31875
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
North Bridge Voltage : 1.29
DRAM Voltage : 2.10
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.20
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63X
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.63X
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5V

For me the same. @ 433 MHz is limit whatever settings I use.

[Grnfinger]

your NB volts are to low so are your FSBT volts
1.49 and 1.40 for a start, if your running 4GB you will need to run the NB a tad higher maybe 1.51-1.53
I also have better stability with CPU PLL set to AUTO

[Grnfinger]

set your trfc to 50 or higher

[Maglin]

Since we are on the subject I'm wondering about the skew's effect and what they are for. I have 4x4GB G.Skill PC6400 sticks. They run pretty good @ 1066mhz 5-5-5-15 / Trfc-65 / PL-7. That is @ 400 FSB. I got 450x9 to run for a few minutes but it was just so unstable. But I couldn't even post before at 450x9. I'm still on air for a few more weeks. I'm looking to WC the CPU/NB in a few weeks with some excellent gear. I'm also debating on getting some DIMM cooler's as well but I haven't found anything for 4 DIMMS.

Anyways. The Trfc was the ticket to get this stable at just 400x9. I'm thinking that changing the skew evenly would result in the same results but I've not gotten around to testing it just yet. So if anyone else has any input I'm all eyes.

[dude_500]

Since we are on the subject I'm wondering about the skew's effect and what they are for. I have 4x4GB G.Skill PC6400 sticks. They run pretty good @ 1066mhz 5-5-5-15 / Trfc-65 / PL-7. That is @ 400 FSB. I got 450x9 to run for a few minutes but it was just so unstable. But I couldn't even post before at 450x9. I'm still on air for a few more weeks. I'm looking to WC the CPU/NB in a few weeks with some excellent gear. I'm also debating on getting some DIMM cooler's as well but I haven't found anything for 4 DIMMS.

Anyways. The Trfc was the ticket to get this stable at just 400x9. I'm thinking that changing the skew evenly would result in the same results but I've not gotten around to testing it just yet. So if anyone else has any input I'm all eyes.

I've got g-skill 800's stable at 900 (450x8). Mount a fan on it... that's the answer really, with 4 sticks they get incredibly hot (burning your hand hot) but with a fan it's stable and they run cool.

[STaRGaZeR]

hi

have you tried to mess around with the skew delays and advance.? that will prob make a difference for 2x2gb.

No I didn't try them, when they release a new Rampage BIOS I'll put it again and will see the results tweaking skew delays. But I'm liking this Maximus 1004

[ZenEffect]

No I didn't try them, when they release a new Rampage BIOS I'll put it again and will see the results tweaking skew delays. But I'm liking this Maximus 1004

well, as far as i can tell the skews do absolutely nothing for performance. i have not tested for stability at this point but from the highest advanced to lowest delay i saw no difference in everest.

[sup3rfly]

i havent check if there is any performace improvement when setting the skews but what i can tell is that it did help on memory OC-able.

[STaRGaZeR]

The problem with 2x2GB is not perfomance, but stability. 1 subtimming wrong and you'll ruin your overclock. You can't use the same techniques of overcloking with 2x1 and 2x2. They're a lot more sensitive. What does skew delay do exactly BTW?

sup3rfly what are your experiences with this options?

[sup3rfly]

ok with both skew settings set to auto i cant get passed ddr1180 5-5-5-10 but with skew i got it passed to ddr 1290 5-5-5-10.... dual 8m spi... i cant remember whats the settings kind to enlight me whats the settings value then i can tell u which is the one i used...sorry i m sick and was benching with 2 mobo and busy doin insulation on rampage oops maximus formula for DI on this weekend :P

[WFO]

For those with reporting problems in Everest, v4.50.1330 final was released today.

http://www.lavalys.com/products/down...?ps=UE&lang=en

[Signal64]

I just got a 1.03G Maximus Formula out of the box and onto the bench.

I'm trying out some 2x4Gig PC28500 sticks that require a Row Refresh Cycle (tRFC) of 56, but there isn't any option above 42.

Pretty much stuffed as the SPD on these sticks are for true DDR2 800 operation and need the higher tRFC for their 1066 operation or above. To at least boot at that speed anyway.

On the P5K-E WiFi ASUS added a few more tRFC options and wondering if there is a Maximus Formula BIOS that might have the same.

Have tried 907.