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

[Durkadurka]

does anybody have a qx9650 profile here? i can't go beyond 4Ghz

From my experience, you need to bump the vcore and CPUpll alot with QX9650 when going further than 4 GHz in order for it to be stable.
I needed 1.54v set in BIOS for vcore and 1.58v set in BIOS for CPUpll for it to be stable at 4.45GHz. As opposed to 1.40v vcore/1.50v CPUpll for 4GHz.
(9x445v for 4GHz and then 10x445v for 4.45GHz)
Didnt like the temps I was seeing, so I therefore settled on 4GHz to keep my temps nice and cool (with 25C ambient my cores gets to 53-54C after a day of stresstesting (Prime95 small FFT's).

[wreckwriter]

I think I'll give 1004 a shot tomorrow. Thanks for all your time.

That did the trick. Flashed to 1004, entered the setting Grnfinger gave me yesterday, system posted and booted into Windows no problem. Prime95 running now 15 or 20 minutes so far.

Should I now try to reduce CPU voltage or work towards getting the RAM speed faster?

You guys rock! Thanks so much for your help!

[wreckwriter]

That did the trick. Flashed to 1004, entered the setting Grnfinger gave me yesterday, system posted and booted into Windows no problem. Prime95 running now 15 or 20 minutes so far.

Should I now try to reduce CPU voltage or work towards getting the RAM speed faster?

You guys rock! Thanks so much for your help!

Well, Prime stable we are not just yet. Research time

[Grnfinger]

Well, Prime stable we are not just yet. Research time

Run prime using small fft's if you are not, let her run 2 hours or so, if it passes your CPU is stable, then run it again on blend that will test the ram
if your crapping out on small ftt's up the vcore a notch or 2, you might need a notch on the NB as well

Anyways glad the settings worked out for you

[wreckwriter]

Run prime using small fft's if you are not, let her run 2 hours or so, if it passes your CPU is stable, then run it again on blend that will test the ram
if your crapping out on small ftt's up the vcore a notch or 2, you might need a notch on the NB as well

Anyways glad the settings worked out for you

I tried on small ffts to start, thread 1 crapped out after about 20 minutes. Now the baby is sleeping so I'm on my other son's pc doing research for an hour or 2. When he wakes up I'll tweak volts a bit and retry. Definitely though the 1004 bios made a huge difference. Could even post with these same settings yesterday but today at least I'm in the game. I'm sure stability is just a notch or 2 away

[Grnfinger]

your on the right path, I'm sure stability is right around the corner
keep us posted.....

[zlojack]

What NB voltage would you recommend? The "AUTO" setting in the 1004 bios was volting the NB at 1.61 or thereabouts, which was causing the NB to reach about 60*C at sustained load in prime95.

So I just manually set the NB voltage to 1.50 and it seems to be doing better. NB is holding around 55*C and system seems just as stable.

I'm just a noob, but it almost seems that having too high a NB voltage might have been a problem!

Yeah. I think your high temps might have been an issue there.

Do you have good airflow? Spot coolers might help too.

[Zucker2k]

Is there a thermographic shot of this board somewhere? Should help in isolating and cooling very hot spots.

[Grnfinger]

Do to miss information bios 215 will not be available, mc2k's board shipped with bios 219

[Webster]

OK, I'm having some serious trouble with OCing this board. It doesn't help that I am a super noob at OCing, but I just dont get it. I recently flashed 0219 to my Maximus SE a few days ago, I did use the .bat files, so if that might have caused some problems, let me know.

OK, basically what is happening is I am getting a DET RAM with every OC setting I try. I have tried messing with my sticks, with no avail, I have run memtest, and tried taking the voltage up. I also tried taking the PCI-E frequency up to 112. I have also tried just running a very non agressive OC of 333x9 with a 333strap, and a 667 RAM Speed. I also tried using the other regular settings that everyone else has been getting quad stability with. My proc is a GO Q6600, and my ram is 4x1 G.Skill F2-6400.

I am tempted to flash back to MF1004 and see if I can get anywhere there, although I would like to keep my Maximus Rampage if possible.

[rcjian]

Definitely though the 1004 bios made a huge difference. Could even post with these same settings yesterday but today at least I'm in the game. I'm sure stability is just a notch or 2 away

Yup, please keep us posted, Coz I'm in the same boat as you were yesterday!!!

[zlojack]

Webster, check the specs on G.Skill in the support forums on here.

I found out that a pair of G.Skill I had would only be stable at their rated speed with a FSB of 333. Otherwise I would get errors in Memtest86+ and random crashes while gaming.

[Grnfinger]

The Rampage bios is a real bugger to get set right, once you do you will have a very stable and fast rig.
Post your current bios settings so suggestions can be made.
What clock are you trying for?

[wreckwriter]

Yup, please keep us posted, Coz I'm in the same boat as you were yesterday!!!

Tweaking NB volt and CPU volt in smallest increments. Getting a bit farther in prime with each tweak. If you are where I was yesterday are you still on bios 0907?

[rcjian]

Tweaking NB volt and CPU volt in smallest increments. Getting a bit farther in prime with each tweak. If you are where I was yesterday are you still on bios 0907?

Yes my mobo is still running with bios 0907! And thinking of going to 1004 too!

[Grnfinger]

Yes my mobo is still running with bios 0907! And thinking of going to 1004 too!

I would highly recommend 1004

[wreckwriter]

I would highly recommend 1004

As would I. I couldn't get anywhere with 0907. It was stable though at stock speeds. 1004 seems stable so far too.

[rcjian]

I would highly recommend 1004

Ok thanks, I'll give it a shot!

As would I. I couldn't get anywhere with 0907..

I hear you! Same here!

[Webster]

Here are my settings

Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 333
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 112
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-800/DDR2-667 (Neither avoid DET DRAM)
DRAM Command Rate : Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A : Normal
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B : Normal
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
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

Write to PRE Delay : Auto
Read to PRE Delay : Auto
PRE to PRE Delay : Auto
ALL PRE to ACT Delay : Auto
ALL PRE to REF Delay : Auto

DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister : Auto/Strong (Neither works)
Transaction Booster : Manual

C/P: A1 A2 | B1 B2
LVL: 08 08 | 08 08

Common Performance Level [5]

Pull-In of CHA PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH2 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH2 Disabled

CPU Voltage : Auto
CPU PLL Voltage : Auto
North Bridge Voltage : Auto
DRAM Voltage : Auto/ but have messed around up to 2.2V
FSB Termination Voltage : Auto
South Bridge Voltage : Auto
Loadline Calibration : Auto
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

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

I would really like to get to 4Ghz, but I would be happy with at least 3.6, I have the water to handle it. I tried to clock it up, but no luck there, so I thought this might be a good place to start.

[wreckwriter]

Temporarily (I hope) stuck here. Started with these settings:

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : AUTO
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 445
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 890
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 50
Write Recovery Time : 6
Read to Precharge Time : 3

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
( enabled will give better bandwidth but might create instability in ram)
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : Disabled
Relax level: 0


CPU Voltage : 1.35 ( you may need to adjust this)
CPU PLL Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge Voltage : 1.49
DRAM Voltage : 2.00
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
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-REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5

testing with Prime95 Small FFTs:

Prime failed on core 1 after about 15 minutes during the 10K test.

Changed NB voltage to 1.55- Prime failed after 17 minutes during 10k test.

Left NB at 1.55 changed CPU voltage to 1.35625- Prime failed after 23 minutes during 10k test.

Changed NB voltage to 1.57 left CPU voltage at 1.35625- Prime failed after 19 minutes during 10k test.

Dropped NB voltage back to 1.55, changed CPU voltage to 1.36250- Prime failed after 22 minutes during 10k test.

Seems to indicate something other than NB or CPU voltage is holding it back. Ideas?

Thanks!

[Grnfinger]

I would really like to get to 4Ghz, but I would be happy with at least 3.6, I have the water to handle it. I tried to clock it up, but no luck there, so I thought this might be a good place to start.

I dont run a quad anymore so try this for a start and we can tweak it up after 3.6GHz is running smooth.

Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 400
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333 / 400
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-961 / 1066
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A : Auto (leave this to auto for now)
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B : Auto (leave this to auto for now)
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : Auto
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 45-50
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

Write to PRE Delay : Auto
Read to PRE Delay : Auto
PRE to PRE Delay : Auto
ALL PRE to ACT Delay : Auto
ALL PRE to REF Delay : Auto

DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister : Stonger
Transaction Booster : Manual

Common Performance Level 7

Pull-In of CHA PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH2 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH2 Disabled

CPU Voltage : 1.45 ( you may need to go higher )
CPU PLL Voltage : Auto
North Bridge Voltage : 1.53 ( this might need adjustment)
DRAM Voltage : 2.1
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63x
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67x
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5

[ElEctric_EyE]

Temporarily (I hope) stuck here. Started with these settings:

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : AUTO
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 445
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 890
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 50
Write Recovery Time : 6
Read to Precharge Time : 3

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
( enabled will give better bandwidth but might create instability in ram)
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : Disabled
Relax level: 0


CPU Voltage : 1.35 ( you may need to adjust this)
CPU PLL Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge Voltage : 1.49
DRAM Voltage : 2.00
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
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-REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5

testing with Prime95 Small FFTs:

Prime failed on core 1 after about 15 minutes during the 10K test.

Changed NB voltage to 1.55- Prime failed after 17 minutes during 10k test.

Left NB at 1.55 changed CPU voltage to 1.35625- Prime failed after 23 minutes during 10k test.

Changed NB voltage to 1.57 left CPU voltage at 1.35625- Prime failed after 19 minutes during 10k test.

Dropped NB voltage back to 1.55, changed CPU voltage to 1.36250- Prime failed after 22 minutes during 10k test.

Seems to indicate something other than NB or CPU voltage is holding it back. Ideas?

Thanks!

Either you reached your limit, or you don't have enough volts on the cpu. With me, high volts (1.7 BIOS) on the cpu with water cooling, it is stable... I am responding to you because I know I can't go above 440 with my Q6600 on 9x. On 8x I get to 470, so logically it's not a FSB issue, it's cpu. More Volts on the cpu i'd say...

[Grnfinger]

I agree with E E more vCore should do the trick, just watch your temps

[wreckwriter]

Yea, that does seem to be the trick. 1.375 in bios, indicates in Everest as 1.35. Prime is running the 20k tests now, well over an hour running. What is the limit Intel says for normal operation? I seem to recall 1.38? Is that right? CPU temp is hovering around 50.

[Grnfinger]

At 50c I wouldnt worry to much about what Intel has to say
Glad its working out for you