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

[Brama]

Just got my Asus Rampage Formula yesterday (no maximus -> rampage conversion.)
It had BIOS version 0219 ready. Voltages seem to be bit strange (Dram voltage set 2.1 in bios, reads 2.192 in bios; cpu voltage set 1.38125, reads 1.360 in bios ?).
Can anyone comment those voltage readings?

My P5E converted to Rampage does the same.
Actually, to have 2.1 V BIOS sensor reading, I have to set 2.02 V.
Cpu voltage is normal because if you don't enable LLC, the BIOS apply a minus offset to the preset voltage, following Intel best practice in designing a VRM for core2 processors.

[Eastcoasthandle]

Now with these new settings I can post and boot but it freezes in the windows load screen. Also idleing my NB is at 48 degrees C. Voltage wise it is at 1.65 in the Hardware Monitor. Also how would I mount a fan on my NB if I am running my system in a case?

Yup, just what I thought, your NB is to hot for idle temps IMO. OK, now I'm willing to guess that if you figure out a way to cool your north and south bridge chipsets you should be in the clear for stability. Right now your problem appears to be heat related regarding the northbridge chip. Get yourself 2, 40mm fans and 4 1 1/2" wood screws and you should be good to go. For now, I would lower your dram frequency to 800 then lower your NB voltage between 1.45V to 1.50V and you should be ok in the meantime.

Side note:
Did you ever remove that thermal cement before you installed the MB to your PC? If you look at my post here you will see that the HS doesn't always make full contact with the chipset.

[GoldiClocks]

My P5E converted to Rampage does the same.
Actually, to have 2.1 V BIOS sensor reading, I have to set 2.02 V.
Cpu voltage is normal because if you don't enable LLC, the BIOS apply a minus offset to the preset voltage, following Intel best practice in designing a VRM for core2 processors.

Loadline Calibration was turned on when I looked at the voltages though

[eSp!s0]

Not stable till now, 533FSB is hard to reach but I am close:
533x6:

525x7:

[Durkadurka]

Has anyone had problems installing soundcards on this board?
I've tried with both the Supreme FX II in the top black slot, and with a Creative X-Fi Platinum in the lower white PCI slot.
None of the drivers work, and I get a "No Audio output device is installed" message.
This is under Vista Ultimate 64-bit SP1 RTM.

Could this have anything to do with SB voltages or PCIe Frequency? (Currently running 1.5v SB and 110 MHz PCIe Frequency)

[Dostoyevsky77]

I want to run multiple displays on two Nvidia graphics cards. Just to be clear, I'm NOT talking about SLI.

Does anyone see a problem with that? Does anyone have specific experience with multiple display adapters for multiple displays? I want to run an 9800GX2 (which only runs one display) and a 320MB 8800GTS for my secondary display.

Has anyone had problems installing soundcards on this board?
I've tried with both the Supreme FX II in the top black slot, and with a Creative X-Fi Platinum (SNIP!)

I run an X-Fi Platinum on the top slot (to make room for my HR-03+, sigged pics) with no problems whatsoever. I run Vista Ultimate x64. The only time I did have a problem was when I tried the drivers from the included disc. There is only one appropriate storage contained for the drivers disc: the rubbish bin. Your vSB is very high. I run a little over 1.1 with no problems... unless you're talking about vSB 1.5v, which I also have at 1.5 (and I also run PCI-E at 110). I don't think these things should have an effect, though.

***UNRELATED EDIT: New Maximuses at NewEgg! Maybe we're not going to be left out with the laundry!

[Dostoyevsky77]

Loadline Calibration was turned on when I looked at the voltages though

The vDRAM is a normal overvolt. A lot of ASUS boards do that, and the Maximusi were no exception, so it surprises me not in the least that Rampages would do the same. Just be aware of it and undervolt where necessary.

Your CPU undervolt seems odd. I have no comment regarding it besides that.

[zlojack]

We should compare the X48 Rampage results vs. the X38 Rampage results to really see the benefit of the X48 NB.

[Grnfinger]

Just got my Asus Rampage Formula yesterday (no maximus -> rampage conversion.)
It had BIOS version 0219 ready. Voltages seem to be bit strange (Dram voltage set 2.1 in bios, reads 2.192 in bios; cpu voltage set 1.38125, reads 1.360 in bios ?).
Can anyone comment those voltage readings?

I get the exact same over voltss on the ram and same under volt on the cpu.
I have load line enabled but it still does it
Just make the adjustment in bios

[Mindfield]

Loadline Calibration was turned on when I looked at the voltages though

Loadline calibration helps with vdroop (the drop while under load) and not the vdrop which is the undervolt I've seen on every board I've owned. I have mine set 1.30v in bios and get 1.28v real. I also have the vdroop pencil mod and the voltage doesn't budge under load.

Loadline calibration never seemed to do anything for me so I left it off. Pencil mod works much better.

btw this is with P5E -> Rampage

[Grnfinger]

I want to run multiple displays on two Nvidia graphics cards. Just to be clear, I'm NOT talking about SLI.

Does anyone see a problem with that? Does anyone have specific experience with multiple display adapters for multiple displays? I want to run an 9800GX2 (which only runs one display) and a 320MB 8800GTS for my secondary display.




I run an X-Fi Platinum on the top slot (to make room for my HR-03+, sigged pics) with no problems whatsoever. I run Vista Ultimate x64. The only time I did have a problem was when I tried the drivers from the included disc. There is only one appropriate storage contained for the drivers disc: the rubbish bin. Your vSB is very high. I run a little over 1.1 with no problems... unless you're talking about vSB 1.5v, which I also have at 1.5 (and I also run PCI-E at 110). I don't think these things should have an effect, though.

***UNRELATED EDIT: New Maximuses at NewEgg! Maybe we're not going to be left out with the laundry!

I do think you need to run different cards ie 1 nvidia and 1 ati or else there will be a driver conflict and only 1 nvidia card will be enabled. I could be wrong but I think it wont work with 2 nvidia cards installed.

Has anyone had problems installing soundcards on this board?
I've tried with both the Supreme FX II in the top black slot, and with a Creative X-Fi Platinum in the lower white PCI slot.
None of the drivers work, and I get a "No Audio output device is installed" message.
This is under Vista Ultimate 64-bit SP1 RTM.

Could this have anything to do with SB voltages or PCIe Frequency? (Currently running 1.5v SB and 110 MHz PCIe Frequency)

I run a X-FI ExtremeGamer in the top slot., Vista 32 and SP1 and have had no issues. I installed the drivers from the cd and then do updates from creative site.
my PCIE is set 110, google the issue and see if others have had the same problem and see how it was resolved

[cajer]

Get yourself 2, 40mm fans and 4 1 1/2" wood screws and you should be good to go. For now, I would lower your dram frequency to 800 then lower your NB voltage between 1.45V to 1.50V and you should be ok in the meantime.


Side note:
Did you ever remove that thermal cement before you installed the MB to your PC? If you look at my post here you will see that the HS doesn't always make full contact with the chipset.

I can not put any fans on my nb or sb because my 9800GX2 commpletly covers my SB and my TRUE's fans compelety cover my NB. Any other ways to cool my NB and SB?

[GoldiClocks]

ok, thanks for all the replies guys, guess I won't be RMA'ing my board yet..

I'll give it more work tomorrow, completely new to c2d overclocking so it will take some time to get results.

[Eastcoasthandle]

I can not put any fans on my nb or sb because my 9800GX2 commpletly covers my SB and my TRUE's fans compelety cover my NB. Any other ways to cool my NB and SB?

I think you are on your own on that one based on your setup, case, etc.

[brewer265]

I can not put any fans on my nb or sb because my 9800GX2 commpletly covers my SB and my TRUE's fans compelety cover my NB. Any other ways to cool my NB and SB?

you could try one of these fans from antec to cool your nb.
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetai...?ProdID=75018#

[Eastcoasthandle]

you could try one of these fans from antec to cool your nb.
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetai...?ProdID=75018#

Hey, that's a good idea.

Look here

[TouGe]

I can not put any fans on my nb or sb because my 9800GX2 commpletly covers my SB and my TRUE's fans compelety cover my NB. Any other ways to cool my NB and SB?

Look at the bottom of my sig for the model of SB sink that I use. There are two types of Enzo coolers for the SB, the one I have listed comes with a fan and the GX2 clears it just fine.

[Jodiuh]

Does anyone know iof the bios setting for ACPI 2.0 should be enabled or disabled?

For my Vista x64 Ultimate acpi 2.0:

off = no sleep
on = sleep

What about some of those legacy options for USB?

[Nuckin_Futs]

So you guys experiencing this DET_RAM issue on cold boot, are you also getting this upon loading of system defaults? And also, are we talking since new on an ASUS final BIOS of v0802 and below?

I got mine on BETA v0903 and I can boot form reset of CMOS on cold boot out of the box w/ my Crucial Ballistix Tracers PC28500 2x1g on al BIOS to v0903. Never was an issue till I dabbled with BETA v0907 and then on. I RMD'd and the new one is fine again.

I'm just asking cause this is not normal and 2 of mine never did that w/ same RAM or even my OCZ. These RAMS just load as DDR800 and vdimm is already 2.0 since the mobo overcolts. My NB was only 1.35v on out of the bos cold boot for the first time. I did so in 2nd slots so cannot confirm 1st slots today on this mobo but my 1st one was fine either way.

I can not put any fans on my nb or sb because my 9800GX2 commpletly covers my SB and my TRUE's fans compelety cover my NB. Any other ways to cool my NB and SB?

Are you willing to remove the stock NB + SB assy.? This is the best method but then you need to find air or water cooling to fit in there where ned it.

2nd is to just remove the "ROG" badge off the SB and fix 10x30 fan to take the load off the NB since it is fed upwards. Another idea, would be to shroud the whole length of the aluminum himps with NB inside and fan from front to back. Just make sure air is drwan from front lower cool area and exhaulsted to somewhere away from GPU. If anything shield the heat from that GPU as it isnt helping the already limited NB block.

Just some ideas!

[Dostoyevsky77]

I do think you need to run different cards ie 1 nvidia and 1 ati or else there will be a driver conflict and only 1 nvidia card will be enabled. I could be wrong but I think it wont work with 2 nvidia cards installed.

I'm hoping that can be resolved in device manager by "updating" the driver on the other device.

Anyway, I think I'm going to do this thing (pending wife's approval). I'm nervous but excited: I can't wait to see the improvement.

I'll let you all know how it goes, but it probably won't be until next weekend.

Here is my sweetie:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130344

[cajer]

So you guys experiencing this DET_RAM issue on cold boot, are you also getting this upon loading of system defaults? And also, are we talking since new on an ASUS final BIOS of v0802 and below?

I got mine on BETA v0903 and I can boot form reset of CMOS on cold boot out of the box w/ my Crucial Ballistix Tracers PC28500 2x1g on al BIOS to v0903. Never was an issue till I dabbled with BETA v0907 and then on. I RMD'd and the new one is fine again.

I'm just asking cause this is not normal and 2 of mine never did that w/ same RAM or even my OCZ. These RAMS just load as DDR800 and vdimm is already 2.0 since the mobo overcolts. My NB was only 1.35v on out of the bos cold boot for the first time. I did so in 2nd slots so cannot confirm 1st slots today on this mobo but my 1st one was fine either way.

So... are you saying that if I revert to an older bios or do the maxiumus rampage mod everything will clear up? Also I don't think that I can go water or buy some better cooling for my whole mobo because I am short on money. So I will just get hte Antec spot cool and point that thing towards my NB.

[Eastcoasthandle]

Is the older bios compatible with your CPU (X3350). I would be very careful with older Bioses.

[cajer]

Is the older bios compatible with your CPU (X3350). I would be very careful with older Bioses.

I will go check.

[Nuckin_Futs]

So... are you saying that if I revert to an older bios or do the maxiumus rampage mod everything will clear up? Also I don't think that I can go water or buy some better cooling for my whole mobo because I am short on money. So I will just get hte Antec spot cool and point that thing towards my NB.

NO, reverting did not help me once I did go v0907, and from what I understand on RAMPAGE BIOS, this will void your warrenty (correct me if it has changed). But nevertheless, you're only opening the door for more problems if using a BIOS written for another mobo. So if doing so, do so at your own RISK.

I had to RMA mine to get back to normal after the bad v0907. I know others have used it and claim no issues, so again, as with any beta BIOS, nothing is guarentied. Either mine was an isolated case or nobody wants to report it.

As for the cooling, totally understood, thats why I gave the idea of modding with things around the house, some plastic and cut and shape a duct for the NB and put small 40x25mm fan either to case rear exhaulst or on front end. Abit used this method on their early OATES system to cool mosfets and it did fine on air. I still have the 1st IC7-MAX 3 and changed the mosfets blocks to copper.

[Eastcoasthandle]

NO, reverting did not help me once I did go v0907, and from what I understand on RAMPAGE BIOS, this will void your warrenty (correct me if it has changed). But nevertheless, you're only opening the door for more problems if using a BIOS written for another mobo. So if doing so, do so at your own RISK.

I had to RMA mine to get back to normal after the bad v0907. I know others have used it and claim no issues, so again, as with any beta BIOS, nothing is guarentied. Either mine was an isolated case or nobody wants to report it.

As for the cooling, totally understood, thats why I gave the idea of modding with things around the house, some plastic and cut and shape a duct for the NB and put small 40x25mm fan either to case rear exhaulst or on front end. Abit used this method on their early OATES system to cool mosfets and it did fine on air. I still have the 1st IC7-MAX 3 and changed the mosfets blocks to copper.

Do you have your ram at 2.224V from the bios or from Everest when going to 4-4-4-10? If not from the bios what voltage do you have set in the bios for Dram and northbridge?