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

[ZenEffect]

Thanks for clearing that up, I was a bit sketchy on what exactly the wr1/wr2.bat files were for.

Now all we need is a new bios ......

yes and a new q6600
L737B021

now i have 1 extra so i wont mind doing crazy things to the cpu

[Nuckin_Futs]

Thanks buddy, that is exactly what I was looking for!!

It only takes the 1 extra safe step to load system defaults in CMOS and shut down to clear CMOS, reboot and flash I have heard of issues for some not loading at least system defaults before a new BIOS flash. Expeciall for BETA types.

Speaking of wich, I do not see anything on the FTP site to indicate v1004 is a final. Yet, on Official Website Downloads, it is clearly listed as latest BETA release v1004.. I cannot log into the FTP .tw site since it appears to be passworded so I also cannot confirm it being listed as official final.

With that said, if I dont like it, is it a problem getting out of like it was for the ever so troublesome BETA v0907? Has anybody had good luck with AfuDOS back up and recovery from USB Memory Stick?

[kup]

Time for a new thread? One we can keep up-to-date as The Stilt isn't around much?

[kup]

All credit goes to The Stilt for finding the initial bios mod! And then secondly to the community for their continued support for this bios mod. This thread is intended to just be a tidy version of the work already done.

This bios mod can be performed on both the Asus P5E and the Asus Maximus Formula to turn them part way into an Asus Rampage Formula.

The Guide

1: Download the HP Bootable USB Utility from here:

• HPUSBBOOT.

2: Download the Boot Files from here:

• Boot Files.

3: Download the bios of your choice:

• 0207
• 0214
• 0219
• 0308

4: Download AFUDOS Engineering Version here:

• v2.29ES
• v2.36ES

5: Run the HP Bootable USB Utility and tick the "Create a DOS Startup Disk" option. Now navigate to the Boot Files (extract them first) and select the Folder you extracted them to.

6: Click "Start" within the HP Bootable USB Utility and it will make your USB Stick bootable.

7: Extract the AFUDOS of your choice (I personally used v2.29ES) to the USB Stick along with the bios you wish to flash and a backup bios for your board (located on the Asus Support site) so you can flash back if the need arises.

8: Reboot your system and press F8 when the splash screen appears to select the boot menu. Once the boot menu has loaded navigate to the USB Stick and hit Enter.

9: Once the DOS Prompt is ready, type the following to flash to the Rampage Bios (Example uses Bios 0219):

AFUDOS /iRF0219.rom /pbnc /n

This will erase, flash and verify the bios for you. Once it has completed you can reboot and be greeted by your new Rampage splash screen.

P5E Users Only

10: Disable the Second Gigabit LAN and the "OPT SENSOR" #1, #2 and #3 to stop the errors from appearing.

The Rampage Formula uses the same drivers as both the P5E and the Maximus Formula so you shouldn't need to reinstall anything but some users have experienced a better result with a fresh install of Windows after the flash.

[Grnfinger]

Very nice Kup,
I was wondering who would attemp it

[Zucker2k]

*Reserved*

Another good one Kup

[ericab]

thx kup

[Talonman]

Good call.... It is still BETA!

Your giving me second thoughts now.

The troublesome BETA v0907 only had problems flashing to a lower number BIOS correct?

[safan80]

Good call.... It is still BETA!

Your giving me second thoughts now.

the 1004 bios worked fine with my 0903 settings in fact I lowered the NB setting and fsb vtt. don't let Nuckin_Futs get to you.

[iadstudio]

Probably burning your chip out lol... 1.66 dang something's wrong with that chip. I hit 3.6 on my old 6420 at 1.36v, I think it's defective or something.

You'd be surprised. This chip clocks pretty well at lower speeds and lower voltage, but anything over 3.2 and it need crazy volts to get stable. This was one of the very early chips (week 22) and many from the early batches need volts like this.

I'm amazed how well it has held up. Almost 2 years now at that voltage and I still do not suspect this chip for my BSODs. I have heard however that voltage that high is not all that good on this board. Sometime I wish this chip would just die so I can go get a 45nm.

[TAOTAO161]

I dont now from where to start i reach FSB 395*9 easy, but when i change to FSB 400 the all game are change, i raise and raise my CPU/PLL/NB/FSB voltage the system is not come to stability.
the CPU Configuration can change anything ?

here is my config

Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : Auto
CPU Ratio Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 400
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 400
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-790MHz
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 : 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: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister : Auto
Transaction Booster : disabled
relax level 0

CPU Voltage : 1.5370v (BIOS)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.64v (BIOS)
North Bridge Voltage : 1.55v (BIOS)
DRAM Voltage : Auto (BIOS)
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.54v (BIOS)
South Bridge Voltage : 1.075v (BIOS)
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
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

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

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

Under Advanced
And CPU Configuration:
CPU Ratio Setting : 9
C1E Suppport : Disabled
CPU TM Function : Enabled
Vanderpool Technology : Enabled
Execute Disable Bit : Enabled
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled

[cuke2u]

Time for a new thread? One we can keep up-to-date as The Stilt isn't around much?

Hi, why? Surely having two threads will just confuse everyone, besides this one isn't very long..
Chris

[eSp!s0]

The troublesome BETA v0907 only had problems flashing to a lower number BIOS correct?

Not for me!? Tried 0907 and flashed back to 0903 without a problem (EZFlash). Now using 1004.

[kup]

Well more just to outline the procedure in one post with links to all the files and a guide all in one place.

[Talonman]

OK ... I'm diving in!! 1004 here I come...

Update:... Flash went well!! I am now a 1004 BIOS Maximus.

She booted right up, now the hard part OC'ing..

Within a few minutes I OC'ed to 2.97GHz, and boot into Vista.

I still would like to see some setting of another member on BIOS 1004 running a Q6600. The faster the better!

CPUz reports a Core Voltage 1.128v on my Q6600. Not sure if that is good or bad?

[ante_ante]

Having one problem at boot. On my little lcd-posten everytime i start the computer it stops at countmem, have to restart engine several times. Any clues ??

[dimsdale]

I dont now from where to start i reach FSB 395*9 easy, but when i change to FSB 400 the all game are change, i raise and raise my CPU/PLL/NB/FSB voltage the system is not come to stability.
the CPU Configuration can change anything ?

TAOTAO161,
It would help us to know your memory brand and rated speed as well as your CPU. Wolfdale, Penryn...Nehalem?......Prescott????

Anyway, upping your FSB might be upping your RAM speed. RAM seems to be generally more sensitive to overclock than CPU and FSB. What speed is your RAM rated for?

Depending on your memory divider setting (FSB Strap), sometimes I think you have to go to a LOWER memory speed setting when you increase the FSB.

[kup]

Cheers guys. I just thought that the original thread was getting cluttered with so many people asking how to do the mod, even when a safe and fast method had been available for a few weeks. This thread was just to highlight that method and the fact that it can be done on the P5E as well.

[kup]

Increase both the Northbridge and ram voltage a notch or two and see if it cures it?

[TouGe]

OK ... I'm diving in!! 1004 here I come...

Update:... Flash went well!! I am now a 1004 BIOS Maximus.

She booted right up, now the hard part OC'ing..

Within a few minutes I OC'ed to 2.97GHz, and boot into Vista.

I still would like to see some setting of another member on BIOS 1004 running a Q6600. The faster the better!

CPUz reports a Core Voltage 1.128v on my Q6600. Not sure if that is good or bad?

1004 was the best BIOS so far from ASUS IMO. I was able to lower both my NB and CPU a notch when OCing my x6800 @ 3.6GHz. I found the BIOS to be very stable.

[Talonman]

My curent problem is I can't get my FSB above 335 with my 400NB Strap.

With CPU voltage set to 1.50v and PLL at 1.58v I can boot into Vista with a 330 FSB.

To boot into Vista with a 335 FSB, I had to move the CPU voltage up to 1.6250v, and didn't change my PLL at 1.58v.

I tried a 340 FSB with no success. I took my CPU voltage another notch up, and moved the PLL voltage up 2 notches. Still no luck.

As new to OC'ing as I am, I am not sure how much voltage I should hit my Q6600 with to get 3.8 to 3.9 GHz.
In my pre GX2 days, 1.5120v CPU voltage gave me a stable 3.8GHz.

All other BIOS setting are the same as I listed on the previous page.

Any advice would be appreachiated.
I still think a GX2 is stressing something that the BIOS controlls...
As to what, I have no idea!
As soon as I added the GX2, I lost my 3.8 and it has yet to return...

[dimsdale]

TouGe,

Q: Your sig says "CPU : QX 9650 @ 3.80GHz (9x400MHZ) 1.34V"
9 x 400 = 3600. Are you at 3600 or 3800 on that CPU?

A QX9650 @ 3.80GHz @ 1.34V would be impressive.
I don't think I could even boot Vista at that voltage on my QX9650.
In fact, it's taking me about 1.400 V CPU to get > 8 hours prime95 blend stable. (jwfitt on here is using 1.39xxx to get to 3.8, I believe)

I found that at about 1.38xxx V CPU I would always get errors in prime95 blend mode after a hour or two. I had to go to 1.4000 to get rock solid stability.

Anyway, if you get a chance, I'd love to see your main BIOS settings.

What sort of stability testing have your done at 1.34V?

[dimsdale]

Talonman,
How is your rig failing? When you say you can't boot into Vista, will it POST?

[Talonman]

Yes.. it starts to load, then my screen makes a core dump, then re-boots.

Other times I get the meter right bofore Vista loads, that is usually moving the hilighted - from left to right, but then it freezes and I need to hit the reset button.

[dimsdale]

Yes.. it starts to load, then my screen makes a core dump, then re-boots.

Other times I get the meter right bofore Vista loads, that is usually moving the hilighted - from left to right, but then it freezes and I need to hit the reset button.

I'm no expert, but I would try setting your FSB to 400 and then using a memory divider (FSB Strap) that UNDERCLOCKS your RAM. I think your have 800s that you are running at 850 or so, right?

See if you can boot up with RAM at less than or equal to the rated speed.

Oh yeah, and take that "Transaction Booster : Auto" and set it for
Transaction Booster : Disabled
Relax: 0