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

[Richard Dower]

Lucky Richard :P.
I seriously want to know about the following though.

Originally Posted by truehighroller
I feel that we all need to try to get a handle on these ettings as they are probabl key to getting better more stable overclocking results but, we have not delved into them at all.


Clock Driving and Skew Control
CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control :
CPU Clock Skew Control :
(G)MCH Clock Skew Control


Not only that should I be enabling the loadline callibration?

On a side note I was able to get my memory happy with Extreme setting and 6 performance level, "woot" . I have now a latency of 56~. The extreme setting knocked that down like 3 ms. I haven't tested to see what my score in 3dmark 06 is now. I actually scored a 15700 the other night when messing with my memory settings and that was before getting it to run at Extreme.

Clock skew controls....i leave them alone, mostly because i don't know enough about those settings to feel comfortable messing with them, there posts outside here about these settings and what they do.

Loadline calibration...yes you should enable that or leave it at Auto, you'll have less Vcore VDroop with it enabled.

[Richard Dower]

Got my Xeon X3550 yesterday. Board is X38-DQ6 .The board posted with original BIOS , F3 (it was sitting around for some time now waiting for the 45 nm quads). First thing was to check the temperature in BIOS as the CPU fan was moving very slowly like 300 RPM . ( using a PWM fan with an aftermarket cooler). Was showing 31 C. I updated the BIOS to F8, no problems here (reset the CMOS imediatelly after). Check the settings in BIOS all seems OK.Vcore at stock, default settings. I'm using Mushkin 2x4 GB modules, set the voltage to 2.0 V and the timings to 4-4-4-12 as per specs. Run Memtest86 for 30 minutes all ok. Changed the FSB to 400 MHz lock PCI to 100 and change the memory strap to be 1:1 (800 MHz). Run Memtest for about 1 hour and half all Ok. Check BIOS temeperature shows 35C for CPU. Fan now moving at about 1800 RPM. Went to sleep, more tests and installing the OS (go for Vista x64) today an in weekend. If all stability test are ok may try go to 3.4 GHz, but my main goal is stable 24/7 without trying to push the limits as I keep computers for about 4 years between upgrades so my next system will be some post-Nehalem 16 core most likely...

Good to know the new Xeon models boot ok, even with F3.
Throw up a CPU-Z pic please, whats the CPUs default Vcore?

[adit]

I did not have much time to play yesterday, so I speak from memory.. I'm at work can not check now .(CPU-Z after I install the OS in weekend most likely... ).Vcore is left to Auto , and if I remember well was set to 1.18 V (on 3.2 GHz) and it was 1.14 V on 2.66 GHz. Looks like on "Auto" the BIOS increased the Vcore automatically , but the values look correct for 45 nm quads from what I read on another forum. In fact the only changes I did are for FSB (400MHz), PCI (100 MHz from Auto) and memory timings and voltage. The rest is untouched (yet).

[truehighroller]

Not only that is there a solution for the dreaded J-Micron blue screen of death that I don't know about out there?

[Caped Crusader]

I dont get it, why is that disappointing. Its just over spec.

because, from my knowledge, previous generation (eg: Q6600) do the same freq. with the same vcore, on average. I expected that the new quads would perform on par with the new E8XXX. I don't know, perhaps that's just me expecting too much from them...

[truehighroller]

Does any one here know if there is a solution for the BSOD caused by J-Micron Raid controllers? Please,

[Dr.Spankenstein]

O.K., I conceed. I have no idea how to remedy my boot loop!

I have not even been able to access the BIOS yet as it won't stop cycling through an on/off loop.

I have tried numerous configurations of RAM (one stick and two sticks in each bank), pulled the battery, cleared the CMOS.
Nothing is plugged in but the memory and the video card.

It seems like it starts to POST when I keep the jumper shorted, but soon quits when the bridge is opened.

Got til Monday to get this sorted or RMA processed. I'd REALLY like to give this particular board a chance.

Is there any way to "force" a BIOS failure so that it can revert to the recovery BIOS?

[Caped Crusader]

O.K., I conceed. I have no idea how to remedy my boot loop!

I have not even been able to access the BIOS yet as it won't stop cycling through an on/off loop.

I have tried numerous configurations of RAM (one stick and two sticks in each bank), pulled the battery, cleared the CMOS.
Nothing is plugged in but the memory and the video card.

It seems like it starts to POST when I keep the jumper shorted, but soon quits when the bridge is opened.

Got til Monday to get this sorted or RMA processed. I'd REALLY like to give this particular board a chance.

Is there any way to "force" a BIOS failure so that it can revert to the recovery BIOS?

I suppose you tried the unplug-power-cord-switch-off-PSU-plug-power-cord-switch-on-PSU trick, yes? If so and it still loops I'm afraid that RMA is your only chance... :|

[truehighroller]

Does any one here know if there is a solution for the BSOD caused by J-Micron Raid controllers? Please,

[truehighroller]

Does any one here know what I am refering to lmao?

[ubiquityman]

I just tried copying a few large files (500MB+) across the network.
The source computer is a Dell 400SC with Intel 100/1000 Gigabit lan, the destination is the Gigabyte.

The windows copy progress progress to about 40% in less than 10seconds, but then just hangs there, slowing right down to a crawl.

If I repeat, it might get to 10% or so then hang (slows down tremendously.)

I do have 4K jumbo frames enabled on both the Intel and Gigabyte/RTL NICs.

This used to work fine with the Intel D975XBX2 mobo, so I'm guessing it's something specific to the Realtek NICs or an interaction between the Intel and Realtek NICs.

Anyone else seen this problem?

[truehighroller]

Does any one here know if there is a solution for the BSOD caused by J-Micron Raid controllers? ,,

I have asked this question a couple of times now and no I have not heard of that issue at all Ubi.

[vanovich]

Does any one here know if there is a solution for the BSOD caused by J-Micron Raid controllers? ,,

I have asked this question a couple of times now and no I have not heard of that issue at all Ubi.

try installing other micro raid disk ,i installed from a 975chipset board and it helped .

[ubiquityman]

I've not had any problems with the J-Micron controller, but I don't use it for RAID or booting, only for eSATA.

[SpAnKiNeM]

I suppose you tried the unplug-power-cord-switch-off-PSU-plug-power-cord-switch-on-PSU trick, yes? If so and it still loops I'm afraid that RMA is your only chance... :|

Yea and also hit the power button with the PSU off. I had the same problem like there was still capacitence in the board. Had the infinite loop prob.

[Dr.Spankenstein]

I suppose you tried the unplug-power-cord-switch-off-PSU-plug-power-cord-switch-on-PSU trick, yes? If so and it still loops I'm afraid that RMA is your only chance... :|

Man, I REALLY wanted to see if this board was special. As I mentioned before, the sticker with the model GA-X38-DQ6 was covering up the screenprinted GA-X48-DQ6!

But that doesn't a whole lot if it won't POST. I still have yet to try having the monitor connected via VGA.

Wy doesn't clearing the CMOS do anything on this board?

[ChrissTi]

Man, I REALLY wanted to see if this board was special. As I mentioned before, the sticker with the model GA-X38-DQ6 was covering up the screenprinted GA-X48-DQ6!

But that doesn't a whole lot if it won't POST. I still have yet to try having the monitor connected via VGA.

Wy doesn't clearing the CMOS do anything on this board?

It has a smart bios. Another solution to reset bios to a predvious working state is to push reset button a few seconds seconds after the MB is powered on (I do not know the exact time but for me worked after a few resets, if I didn't succeed the first time). It interprets that it has boot problems and goes back to the last configuration that worked. That boot broblem is not always interpreted corectly, that's why we have to give it a push (reset) .

Another full reset is to unplug the power cord, and remove the bios batery and leave it like that about a minute to be sure that the capacitors are empty. Than put the batery back, plug the power cord back and boot. Also a smart sollution if the system still doesn't boot is to check the memory modules, because there were situations here on the forum with broken ones ...

[truehighroller]

If you use the Js in raid for a boot drive with 4 Gigs of Ram then you get a quick blue screen reboot issue. It goes away after a few reboots and it's fine, hell some times it just doesn't do it at all. I got my running at extreme even better and stable Caped I got her running at 3.7Ghz~ and 2.66d 1100~ Extreme setting. It snapped up my shiznit pretty darn good. I am slowly learning how to push her further. If I slowly push her up she seems to be ok with it. Spankenstein post a pic of the screen printed x48. Mine has a sticker covering up the screen print as well. I need to see what is under it, if it is an x48 to shizit.

[truehighroller]

Posting this many times will likely result in NO ONE offering to help... Once is enough, if no one replies, its because no one has any clue what you're talking about.

Thanks Pergula, I appreciate your genuine and rare sincerity. If there were not people like you in life what would we all do with our time. Seriously though that was kind of gay. I posted more then once because people kept filling in more post right after me and no one if like me is going to read this whole damn thing to see what everyone has said so, bug off. I appreciate the comments directed towards helping me peeps thank you,

[Richard Dower]

I can't help because i never use the Jmicron controller...why not try flashing to F8 bios?

[Buggalugs]

Truehighroller, the Jmicron is a bit dodgy allround, the Intel one is better.

[Richard Dower]

Dunno about Intel being "better", the Jmicron controller is very functional and tests shows it's comparable to Intel.

[Richard Dower]

ITE appear to have a new Super I/O controller out, ITE IT8720F: http://www.ite.com.tw/ite_news/press2_20071211.asp

I'm guessing GB will move over to this new chip soon with upcoming P45 boards, Foxconn appear to be using them as well. Found a piccie!

http://www.clubedohardware.com.br/fu...hp?image=19665

[Richard Dower]

BTW...some numbers from my new 00NLR5 Raptors:

[truehighroller]

Well my concern now is if I switch the drives over to the Intel which apparently don't have the blue screen issue, Will I lose my raid array again? I'm guessing I will. I have no hard feelings about no one responding right away I knew some one would if I kept putting it in front every once and a while. I appreciate any ones comments I really do, Pergula just made it into something it didn't need to be that's all.