ASUS Striker II Extreme

[Roger_D25]

After just reading your post tekjunkie i realized that with BIOS version 0511 I get no difference in memory bandwidth with P1 + P2 enabled? With RAM running at 1605Mhz (7-7-7-21 1T) I get the same bandwidth with P1 + P2 at "Auto" and with it "Enabled"? They mention something about how P1 + P2 work in Anandtech's Striker II Extreme review but I forget what they say (something about it only comes in handy at a FSB higher than 475Mhz or maybe it was only FSB speeds below 475Mhz)? In anycase I see no difference whether its enabled or not. So far I have not experienced any of the issues you mention with BIOS version 0511 (but I've only been using it for a couple days so far)?

[tekjunkie]

After just reading your post tekjunkie i realized that with BIOS version 0511 I get no difference in memory bandwidth with P1 + P2 enabled? With RAM running at 1605Mhz (7-7-7-21 1T) I get the same bandwidth with P1 + P2 at "Auto" and with it "Enabled"? They mention something about how P1 + P2 work in Anandtech's Striker II Extreme review but I forget what they say (something about it only comes in handy at a FSB higher than 475Mhz or maybe it was only FSB speeds below 475Mhz)? In anycase I see no difference whether its enabled or not. So far I have not experienced any of the issues you mention with BIOS version 0511 (but I've only been using it for a couple days so far)?

Yep, I noticed the same with 0511 and 0603. But with 0512 and 0601, I lost some memory bandwidth unless I enable P1 and P2. But the problem was if P1/P2 enabled in 0512 and 0601, it led to random freezes. Also, I don't know me loosing my network connectivity has anything to do with the BIOS with 0511. If I have to guess, I would have guessed the driver instead of the BIOS. But, I might be wrong, it could very well be the BIOS. :shrug

[sargatanas]

well the 0603 is quite stable for me.
no freezes or anything at all

[M@G!C]

It´s not a BIOS issue, you are loosing the LAN because the drivers are not been loaded proprely due to the overclocking. You may need to do more tweaking on your system in order to be able to load the drivers correctly with the settings you have, but that may be time consuming...
It appened to me after a more agressive overclocking, it booted to windows but the LAN and VIDEO drivers where not loaded. When i reverted everything was back to normal.

[slim142]

Well I actually got some good news, I was finally able to increase FSB speed beyond 1333Mhz (finally)! I'm not exactly sure what the problem was but I started using odd numbers with the FSB instead of even numbers. For example I was initially trying FSB speeds like 1400Mhz, 1500Mhz, and 1600Mhz with no luck what-so-ever. For some reason I decided to try a FSB speed of 1605Mhz and bingo, everything is working perfectly! I can use unlocked or locked & synced and they both work fine now! I haven't had time to do any stability testing but I'm going to fire up Orthos (Blend or Large-FFT's) overnight (fingers crossed)! At the moment I'm only using my E8400 but once I get this chip stable at a few decent settings I'll install my QX9770 and really start to push it!

Up until a just a few hours ago I was very disappointed and was seriously considering the sale of this board (at a huge loss I'm sure cause nobody wants this board with all the bad results going around). Like a few others here I was sure I wanted to pick up a newer DDR3 X48 motherboard but given this small victory I just had I'm going to stick with it a bit longer, now I'm actually hopeful! Heck I'm even optimistic, sooner or later this stuff will get worked out (either through some BIOS updates or a hardware revision). Then again maybe not but if that is the case there will be many pi**ed off customers, lol! After reading this last page of posts it doesn't look like many people will be posting here anymore, lol!

The things the board does right? But have you tried FSBs like 1650, 1750 and so?
It seems like in the close future there will be a little group of people that will end up with their boards working good (hopefully)

I should also add that I just gamed for about an hour (first time playing a game since getting this motherboard) and I had zero problems. No freezing or glitching (Yet anyway)! Being able to game without issues is another plus in favor of this board for me (going from wanting to sell to being pretty impressed is awesome)! To be honest however I'm just waiting for things to start going downhill again anytime, I have a feeling that even though I'm running pretty stable now (able to game, browse internet, run some 2d benchies, etc..) as soon as I fire up Orthose (Prime) its going to fail right off (that would suck)! I will update thread later tonight before I hit the sack about stability. Good luck guys, just keep at it!

Please report your results as soon as possible. Give us some good news!

I am now using 0603. The stablity is getting better from 0511 to 0603. Sometimes with 0511, I don't even get a POST with some specific BIOS settings, which used to boot into windows. It sometimes happens with 0603 but very rare, where it gets stuck on "PCI Init". Also, I was loosing my LAN connection in windows in 0511 and 0512. 0601 fixed it. 0601 was where it started getting better. But 0603 gave back the memory performance like 0511without P1 and P2, which 0512 and 0601 were missing.

So right now your P1 and P2 settings are in auto right?

[Holmer]

Everybody who responded to my posts: Thanks I appreciate your help!
OK My progress report: Yesterday I got my 2x2 GB Corsair memory instead of the two kits of 2x2GB OCZ 1600 EB which I could not get stable even at stock speeds. And yes the Corsair memory are stable at stock speed and at 1600 MHz as well (I have not tested max memory speed). The bad news is I can not get the motherboard stable at FSB (QDR) 1600 +/- 5. I have tweaked with the overvoltage settings but so far I am testing at FSB 1540 (Linked, sync, HTT: 200, rest default) and a muliplier of 10 (3.85 GHz) which is around what I dare squeze out of my QX9650 at the moment.
My settings if anyone care:
Memory settings:
P1 + P2: Auto
Primary timings: 7-7-7-20-2T
Subtimings: All set to Auto
Overvoltage settings:
CPU: 1.375
LLC: Enable
PLL: 1.5
VTT: 1.3
MEM: 1.88
NB: 1.5
SB: 1.5

All CPU features disabled

[tekjunkie]

The things the board does right? But have you tried FSBs like 1650, 1750 and so?
It seems like in the close future there will be a little group of people that will end up with their boards working good (hopefully)



Please report your results as soon as possible. Give us some good news!



So right now your P1 and P2 settings are in auto right?

Yep P1/P2 on Auto and I get around 11.7K read

[slim142]

Yep P1/P2 on Auto and I get around 11.7K read

I think you should be getting 12k+ but thats good since you are estable you cant complain (well, at least I wouldnt )

Looking forward your 3d benchies

[Roger_D25]

Holmer - Did you have any luck with those settings (1540Mhz) or do you still have the same stability issues? Obviously your QX9650 should be able to handle 1600Mhz without any issues at all but maybe you need to do some GTL testing? From what I have read most people are able to get between 430Mhz-450Mhz before having to tweak any GTL settings but everyone systems are different. Your voltages all seem resonable for the settings your using, if anything their more than enough? Make sure to let us know how it goes?

tekjunkie - How are things going for you currenlty, any luck with the network connection? Have you figured out if it is indeed your overclock and not something else causing the issues? I think M@G!C had a good suggestion about the overclock maybe causing the problem although I would have assumed if the network drivers were not loading properly wouldn't other drivers (GFX, Sound Card) also have issues? Last but not least I assume your using one of the onboard LAN connections?

slim142 - I've got great news regarding my testing last night! I was 100% convinced that Orthos would fail within minutes of starting it up but it was still running strong when I got out of bed this morning before I went to work (just a bit over 7hrs)! Since I had to work all day I manually stopped Orthos from running and shut-down my rig for the day. I was so happy when I realized it was still running, what a relief to say the least! Just to give everyone an idea of my stable settings I'll list them below (just keep in mind that the settings I used were not tweaked at all. RAM timings were loose, voltage are probably higher than they need to be, and I haven't touched any GTL or RAM REF settings). My goal is just to get a few settings running stable and then start to really tweak the settings for best performance.


CPU Level Up: Auto
RAM Level Up: Auto
P1: Enabled
P2: Enabled
AI Overclocking Tuner: Manual
Overclock Options: Disabled
CPU Multipler: 9.0x
FSB Memory Clock Mode: Linked
FSB Memory Ratio: Synced
FSB: 1605Mhz
(Memory Speed: 1605Mhz)
LDT: 5x
=============
tCL (CAS Latency): 7
tRCD: 7
tRP: 7
tRAS: 21
Command Per Clock: 1T
tRFC: 60
(Rest of Memory Settings): Auto
=======================
VCore: 1.250v
CPU PLL: 1.50v
CPU VTT: 1.24v
Memory Voltage: 1.96v
NB: 1.42v
SB: 1.55v
All CPU GTL_REF Ratios: Auto
NB GTL_REF: Auto
All DDR3 REF Voltages: Auto
=====================
All Spread Spectrum Settings: Disabled

As you can see almost all of these settings are very "safe", this was only my first major stability testing session. As time goes on I will of course work on tightening up timings, lowering voltages, and tweaking the GTL's (especialy once I install my QX9770)! I'm going to work on a few settings tonight and run Orthos overnight once again and hope for the best!

[andymg350]

i did a little tweaking last night and this is what i came up with



1777FSB Linked & Synced 444FSB
GX2 700 Core, 1100 Ram, 1750 Shader

everything is still on air too also i managed to get through post at 4 ghz but it freezes when it tries to load windows so possibilities!



P1 & P2 Enabled

this is on the 0601 bios

[Roger_D25]

Andy - Great work man! Can you break down your 3DMark06 score for me since I can't read the image you posted (SM2.0, SM3.0/HDR, and CPU)? That overall score of 19691 is awesome man, some day I'll have a score that high!

[Qwik]

Been using these setting for a couple of days now everything seems to work fine so far, had to set CPU PLL volts to 1.56, and CPU VTT to 1.30 and NB Volts to 1.40. Memory is at 2.00v in bios also. P1, P2 enabled......

[andymg350]

Roger :

3DMark Score 19691 3DMarks
SM 2.0 Score 7636
SM 3.0 Score 9170
CPU Score 5813

i tweaked it a little to 450 fsb 1800QDR Linked & Synced before i cudnt get 3dmark06 to load up it just crashed so i tried using qwiks voltages and it worked no problem and i upped the GX2 to 756 Core, 1890 Shader and 1150 Ram and got this

3DMark Score 20273 3DMarks
SM 2.0 Score 7777
SM 3.0 Score 9589
CPU Score 5900

compare link - http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=6566363

[tekjunkie]

tekjunkie - How are things going for you currenlty, any luck with the network connection? Have you figured out if it is indeed your overclock and not something else causing the issues? I think M@G!C had a good suggestion about the overclock maybe causing the problem although I would have assumed if the network drivers were not loading properly wouldn't other drivers (GFX, Sound Card) also have issues? Last but not least I assume your using one of the onboard LAN connections?

Ok I went back to 0511 to do some testing and guess what the light does not even come up to assert connectivity outside of windows when I am in BIOS and my router confirms no connectivity also. So I am kinda convinced now that it is actually the BIOS.0601 and 0603 solved that.

[Holmer]

Holmer - Did you have any luck with those settings (1540Mhz) or do you still have the same stability issues? Obviously your QX9650 should be able to handle 1600Mhz without any issues at all but maybe you need to do some GTL testing? From what I have read most people are able to get between 430Mhz-450Mhz before having to tweak any GTL settings but everyone systems are different. Your voltages all seem resonable for the settings your using, if anything their more than enough? Make sure to let us know how it goes?

#Roger_D25 Thank you for the settings. I found out that my Corsair memory is not stable at the rated 1600 MHz (unlinked with FSB 1333 and default multi). I could not pass Prime95 or OCCT RAM tests at 1540 neither synked/linked or unlinked with FSB + MEM 1540. I do not longer believe all the memory I buy is faulty. I will thoroughly Memtest at stock settings (1333) and RMA this motherboard. I have played with the GTL_REF0+1 settings without luck. The errors I get are memory related since I can pass CPU intensive tests but not memory intensive tests.

[slim142]

slim142 - I've got great news regarding my testing last night! I was 100% convinced that Orthos would fail within minutes of starting it up but it was still running strong when I got out of bed this morning before I went to work (just a bit over 7hrs)! Since I had to work all day I manually stopped Orthos from running and shut-down my rig for the day. I was so happy when I realized it was still running, what a relief to say the least! Just to give everyone an idea of my stable settings I'll list them below (just keep in mind that the settings I used were not tweaked at all. RAM timings were loose, voltage are probably higher than they need to be, and I haven't touched any GTL or RAM REF settings). My goal is just to get a few settings running stable and then start to really tweak the settings for best performance.

CPU Level Up: Auto
RAM Level Up: Auto
P1: Enabled
P2: Enabled
AI Overclocking Tuner: Manual
Overclock Options: Disabled
CPU Multipler: 9.0x
FSB Memory Clock Mode: Linked
FSB Memory Ratio: Synced
FSB: 1605Mhz
(Memory Speed: 1605Mhz)
LDT: 5x
=============
tCL (CAS Latency): 7
tRCD: 7
tRP: 7
tRAS: 21
Command Per Clock: 1T
tRFC: 60
(Rest of Memory Settings): Auto
=======================
VCore: 1.250v
CPU PLL: 1.50v
CPU VTT: 1.24v
Memory Voltage: 1.96v
NB: 1.42v
SB: 1.55v
All CPU GTL_REF Ratios: Auto
NB GTL_REF: Auto
All DDR3 REF Voltages: Auto
=====================
All Spread Spectrum Settings: Disabled

As you can see almost all of these settings are very "safe", this was only my first major stability testing session. As time goes on I will of course work on tightening up timings, lowering voltages, and tweaking the GTL's (especialy once I install my QX9770)! I'm going to work on a few settings tonight and run Orthos overnight once again and hope for the best!

Why did you stop it at 7 hours? I know that means is 99.9% estable but a little over 8 hours wouldnt have hurt

So you are currently running an E8400 and most settings were in auto. Can you please run 3dmark, games and all the other stuff to see if you are 100% estable?
Btw, your exp might change with a QX9770, make sure you save that profile just in case

i did a little tweaking last night and this is what i came up with

1777FSB Linked & Synced 444FSB
GX2 700 Core, 1100 Ram, 1750 Shader

everything is still on air too also i managed to get through post at 4 ghz but it freezes when it tries to load windows so possibilities!

P1 & P2 Enabled

this is on the 0601 bios

Can you post your BIOS settings please?

Ok I went back to 0511 to do some testing and guess what the light does not even come up to assert connectivity outside of windows when I am in BIOS and my router confirms no connectivity also. So I am kinda convinced now that it is actually the BIOS.0601 and 0603 solved that.

I think Im gonna go straight to BIOS 0603 since is an improved 0511. Now, if I get problems I might downgrade to 0511 and then try 0611 and see which one performs better.

Also, do you guys think is a good idea to start with all settings in AUTO and just manually imput the vcore and RAM timings/voltage? Thats what I was thinking to do in first place.

[my87csx481]

#Roger_D25 Thank you for the settings. I found out that my Corsair memory is not stable at the rated 1600 MHz (unlinked with FSB 1333 and default multi). I could not pass Prime95 or OCCT RAM tests at 1540 neither synked/linked or unlinked with FSB + MEM 1540. I do not longer believe all the memory I buy is faulty. I will thoroughly Memtest at stock settings (1333) and RMA this motherboard. I have played with the GTL_REF0+1 settings without luck. The errors I get are memory related since I can pass CPU intensive tests but not memory intensive tests.

I'm having the same problems with OCZ 1600EB 2 x 2. For the longest time I could not get 'em to run at stock speeds and timings....I'm on my third kit. I finally got 'em to memtest last night at 1600 7-6-6-24-2t for 4 passes....but with 1800 QDR with the following settings (0603 BIOS):

(Thanks Roger, I'm stealin' your settings format.)

CPU Level Up: Auto
RAM Level Up: Auto
P1: Auto
P2: Auto
AI Overclocking Tuner: Manual
Overclock Options: Disabled
CPU Multipler: 9.0x
FSB Memory Clock Mode: Unlinked
FSB Memory Ratio: Auto
FSB (QDR): 1800Mhz
Memory Speed: 1600Mhz
LDT: 5x
PCIE 1&2: 100
PCIE 3: 100
SPP<->MCP: 200.0
=============
tCL (CAS Latency): 7
tRCD: 6
tRP: 6
tRAS: 24
Command Per Clock: 2T
tFAW:24
tRFC: 72
(Rest of Memory Settings): Auto
=======================
VCore: 1.38750v
Loadline Calibration: Disabled
CPU PLL: Auto
CPU VTT: 1.3v
Memory Voltage: 1.88v
NB: 1.48v
SB: 1.50v
All CPU GTL_REF Ratios: Auto
NB GTL_REF: Auto
All DDR3 REF Voltages: Auto
=====================
All Spread Spectrum Settings: Disabled

All settings are what I set in BIOS. Board overvolts Vcore and RAM....I still have to check NB and SB legs.

I previously tested with everything at stock except with memory timings, ram and NB voltage as above and it fails prime95 and OCCT. If I run CPU intensive tasks (OCCT CPU, Prime95 small fft's) = no problems. I have yet to test the above settings in windows/OCCT/Prime95....later today hopefully. I have a 2 x 1 1800 kit I need to test at stock settings as well.

Edit: Prime95 blend failed almost instantly. Don't use my settings. /Edit

[pmp]

2:1 div is very demanding one. try to cool your NB and run 2:1 mems @1600... you just loose a lot of performance by using werid divs. like 1800/1600 one.

[Holmer]

I'm having the same problems with OCZ 1600EB 2 x 2. For the longest time I could not get 'em to run at stock speeds and timings....I'm on my third kit. I finally got 'em to memtest last night at 1600 7-6-6-24-2t for 4 passes....but with 1800 QDR with the following settings (0603 BIOS):

I previously tested with everything at stock except with memory timings, ram and NB voltage as above and it fails prime95 and OCCT. If I run CPU intensive tasks (OCCT CPU, Prime95 small fft's) = no problems. I have yet to test the above settings in windows/OCCT/Prime95....later today hopefully. I have a 2 x 1 1800 kit I need to test at stock settings as well.

I am sorry to say but I would not trust 4 error-free Memtes passes. I got some of my errors in pass 7-8. But you will find out when testing with Prime95, OCCT.

Everybody, when I replaced the TIM everywhere under the heatpipe system with MX-1, I used a very thin layer on the copper part for both the mofset areas instead of a (large) drop on each of the small chips as recommended in the guide at Asus forum: http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...Language=en-us. I tightened the heatpipe carefully (so careful that I can not unscrew one of the screws now) so ensure good contact. Does anybody think too small amount of TIM between the voltage regulators and the copper profile can be the cause of my instability with non-default FSB and MEM speeds? I ask instead of just testing it because, as mentioned, one screw is stuck because the cross was softer than my screwdriver and...you know I am too lazy to pull off my watercooling for maybe nothing if I am RMA'ing anyway.

BTW, the Corsair RAM is fine for at least 11 passes of Memtest (7 hours) at 1333 FSB and Memory speed (Auto). Giving 1600 MHz (MEM unlinked, FSB 1333) another chance with 8-7-7-20-2T

[my87csx481]

2:1 div is very demanding one. try to cool your NB and run 2:1 mems @1600... you just loose a lot of performance by using werid divs. like 1800/1600 one.

Yes, but it seemed easier to pass memtest like this than with stock cpu, 1600 memory. I'm gonna' try 1600 QDR/1600 memory again....failed almost instantly prime95 blend @ 1800/1600.

I am sorry to say but I would not trust 4 error-free Memtes passes. I got some of my errors in pass 7-8. But you will find out when testing with Prime95, OCCT.

Everybody, when I replaced the TIM everywhere under the heatpipe system with MX-1, I used a very thin layer on the copper part for both the mofset areas instead of a (large) drop on each of the small chips as recommended in the guide at Asus forum: http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...Language=en-us. I tightened the heatpipe carefully (so careful that I can not unscrew one of the screws now) so ensure good contact. Does anybody think too small amount of TIM between the voltage regulators and the copper profile can be the cause of my instability with non-default FSB and MEM speeds? I ask instead of just testing it because, as mentioned, one screw is stuck because the cross was softer than my screwdriver and...you know I am too lazy to pull off my watercooling for maybe nothing if I am RMA'ing anyway.

BTW, the Corsair RAM is fine for at least 11 passes of Memtest (7 hours) at 1333 FSB and Memory speed (Auto). Giving 1600 MHz (MEM unlinked, FSB 1333) another chance with 8-7-7-20-2T

Yes, I found out

I've got to do the TIM replacement.

[Roger_D25]

Slim142 - Truly the only reason I manually stopped Orthos was because I was leaving for work (a regular 8-hour day) and I just didn't feel comfortable letting it run all day while I was gone (just incase). Plus I'm water cooled and I would be very bummed if something happened while I was gone. At least if it caught on fire while I was home I could smell the smoke and shut it down (if I was at work that would tough), lol! Plus at this preliminary stage of testing I'm not completely worried about very long stability testing (once I get closer to where I want to be, like 4.1Ghz-4.2Ghz) I will be running Orthos for full 24hrs along with other stability tests as well. With that all said I will definalty run a few 3D benchies to test for stability in that respect (I've got tomorrow off). By the way I did indeed save those settings to one of the OC Setting blocks (just incase).

andy - Thanks for posting your results more clearly for me, much apprecaited! Plus great job on that second run you posted, that is a nice improvement from the first!

my87csx481 - Part of the reasons I posted all those settings that way was for people to use them if they wanted to post their settings in a clear and easy to understand manner.

[andymg350]

thanks roger, after i posted those second set of results things started acting weird with my windows installation and alas my external wd mybook and some apps on my flash drive got corrupted luckily the 500gb of crap i have didnt get damaged just application installers. im going to have another go at getting 3.6 to work stable with no errors or corruption so im gonna try obr's voltages.

[my87csx481]

thanks roger, after i posted those second set of results things started acting weird with my windows installation and alas my external wd mybook and some apps on my flash drive got corrupted luckily the 500gb of crap i have didnt get damaged just application installers. im going to have another go at getting 3.6 to work stable with no errors or corruption so im gonna try obr's voltages.

These voltages?

[andymg350]

yes those ones, mainly because he is using an X3350 which is pretty much the equivalent to a Q9450. ive been following this striker II thread and the 790i thread and ive been trying various settings that other users have tried besides my own to try and get maximum stability out of the system

[MateoTTR]

Is there any way to know what values are used for GTLVREF when the setting is on [Auto] ?
I think it is visible on the evga bios, but for the s2e I can't find it...