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

[Nuckin_Futs]

Is S3/STR fixed in new BETA 1201? I can only guess it doesnt work in 1006 since nobody would confirm. Can 1201 be flashed w/ Afudos? If only MF BETA's how can I know what my mobo uses at 480 FSB v/s the 450? What Windows based app, not DOS can tell me this? Is it showing a big real world performance difference if say I get trd of maybe 8 @ 480 apposed to 7 @ 450. my E6750 can only do 8x to et 3.8 w/ DDR1204, but my Q6600 can go lower to 450x fot 4GHz but needs over 1.57v, so I'd like to use same 480x8 for the blend of clock, and RAM so I can keep DDR1200 and 3.8GHz.

So with these hacked Rampage BIOS, if we can force trd to say 6 or 7 but at FSB of 480 to 500, is the system any less stable now, or can it be balanced out to work, and where at? Where in real apps use will we see difference of trd from 7 to 8 or 9?

[ChaosMinionX]

Is S3/STR fixed in new BETA 1201? I can only guess it doesnt work in 1006 since nobody would confirm. Can 1201 be flashed w/ Afudos? If only MF BETA's how can I know what my mobo uses at 480 FSB v/s the 450? What Windows based app, not DOS can tell me this? Is it showing a big real world performance difference if say I get trd of maybe 8 @ 480 apposed to 7 @ 450. my E6750 can only do 8x to et 3.8 w/ DDR1204, but my Q6600 can go lower to 450x fot 4GHz but needs over 1.57v, so I'd like to use same 480x8 for the blend of clock, and RAM so I can keep DDR1200 and 3.8GHz.

So with these hacked Rampage BIOS, if we can force trd to say 6 or 7 but at FSB of 480 to 500, is the system any less stable now, or can it be balanced out to work, and where at? Where in real apps use will we see difference of trd from 7 to 8 or 9?

Does anyone even use S3 on their computer? I certainly dont.

[Nuckin_Futs]

Does anyone even use S3 on their computer? I certainly dont.

Yup, been using it for years, every day, throughout the day if is't stable. and of corse that's what I OC for in the end is a real world trusted daily user.

Also, Since I may be moving to ATI for the quality in HD, & BD DVD and media editing, what brand names are known to be top notch since there's no more "built by ATI"? interested in staying in area of 512mb+ GDDR4, w/ HDMI out w/ audio.

[scottath]

Has anyone tried the new Rampage bios on a non-rampage board? - thinking of flashing to the new one but want to see that it's fine first

Also, Since I may be moving to ATI for the quality in HD, & BD DVD and media editing, what brand names are known to be top notch since there's no more "built by ATI"? interested in staying in area of 512mb+ GDDR4, w/ HDMI out w/ audio.

My 2 Gecube HD3870s - standard version [not turbo version] have all that

[CaseMD]

i have a question about my e6600.
i get 450 x 8 stable, but when i get to 450 x 9 i didnt.
my setting in 1004 bios:
CPU Configuration

Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
OC From CPU Level Up [Auto]
CPU Ratio Control [Manual]
Ratio CMOS Setting [7x]
FSB Frequency [500MHz]
FSB Strap To North Bridge [Auto]*
PCIE Frequency [111]
DRAM Frequency [Auto]*

DRAM Timing Control [Manual]
Primary Info; 4-4-4-12-3-42-6-3
CAS# Latancy [4]
RAS# To CAS# Delay [4]
RAS# Precharge [4]
RAS# Active Time [12]
RAS# To RAS# Dlay [Auto]
Row Refresh Cycle Time [Auto]

Scondary Info; 8-3-5-4-6-4-6
Read To Write Dely(S/D) [Auto]
Write To Read Delay(S) [Auto]
Write To Read Delay(D) [Auto]
Read To Read(S) [Auto]
Read To Read(D) [Auto]
Write To Write Delay(S) [Auto]
Write To Write Delay(D) [Auto]

DRAM Static Read Control [Enabled]*
Ai Clock Twister [Moderate]*
Transaction Booster [Disabled]*
Relax Level [0]*
------------------------------------------
CPU Voltage [1.3875v] = 1.368v
CPU PLL Voltage [1.50v = 1.616v
North Bridge Voltage [1.47v]
DRAM Voltage [2.14v] = 2.245v
FSB Termination Voltage [1.40v] = 1.472v
South Bridge Voltage [1.075v] = 1.104v
Loadline Calibration [Enabled]
CPU GTL Refference [0.63%]
North Bridge GTL Reference [0.63%]
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage [Auto]
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage [ Auto]
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage [Auto]
SB 1.5v Voltage [1.55v] = 1.584v

NB LED Selection [FSBT Volts]
SB LED Selection [SB 1.5 Selection]
CPU LED Selection [PLL Volts]

CPU Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
PCIE Spread Spectrum [Disabled]

i have tried even higher voltage till the maximum. i cant get over 410 x 9.
can someone help?
Everything is watercooled, tried different relax levels. I tried a cpu voltage of 1,5 V how high can i go??

[beard]

CaseMD, add the info about your rig into your sig. It's very hard to help if the only info is that you have a maximus formula (EDIT: sorry read the edit in the end of my post).

You've tried higher voltage till max on what? I hope you're talking about nb, there isn't much else you can even consider trying max voltage on.

If you have a 45nm cpu like e8400, be careful, read the forums. I recommend searching for (warning) info about vcore, pll and vtt (called fsb termination on these boards) voltages. You can never be too cautious with these things

I hope your cpu is not new and you know what's it's capable of, otherwise it's just obvious that it's a cpu issue - it does 500x7 (3500), 450x8 (3600) but not 450 x 9 (4050).

Don't keep everything overclocked, concentrate on one thing at a time. So change mem timings on auto (or just manually loosen it enough), pcie to 100mhz etc. Things like pcie are oc'd last - when everything else is stable. Btw, obviously you have good ram if it does cl4 @ ddr1000? It's the minimum @ fsb500 (and is set on auto).

I've been trying to find good settings wor a week, many hours a day. I'm getting really tired of it, something's not right, but i just have to do it, 1 thing at a time

Has anyone tried the new Rampage bios on a non-rampage board? - thinking of flashing to the new one but want to see that it's fine first

What do you mean by fine? Like if pc boots? I'm pretty sure it will Well i can be your guinea pig

EDIT: Oh man i only now noticed you have an e6600. So, your e6600 hit 4+ ghz on some other board?

[scottath]

What do you mean by fine? Like if pc boots? I'm pretty sure it will Well i can be your guinea pig

Thanks - basically what you said - does it work?

[CaseMD]

beard: Thanx for the answer.
My Rig: Max Form 1004 bios, asus 8800 gts (g80), Ram: a-data vitesta extreme edition 2gb DDR2-800CL4, 2 x RaptorX Raid 0 and a WD6400 AAKS.

Watercooled with: CPU: Aquacomputer Cuplex XT di, NB and SB Twinplex XT, MOSFET: 2 x EK waterblock, for the Raptors: Silentstar HD dual, for the 8800GTS i have a HEATKILLER® GPU-X² 8800.

I have an ANTEC Phantom 500w

Now for the settings:
The pcie is on 100 and losent my dram settings to 5-5-5-18. on 2.1 V

Maybe its just the E6600. Havent overclocked him till now. So its my first attempt for overclocking.
I have read the whole thread and i am aware of the possibility to fry my hardware.
on CPU my max. Voltage was 1.52, for PLL 1.6 Dram 2.1, FSB 1.46, SB 1.1, SB1.5 1.55.
on 8 x i get into windows till a fsb of 480 but didnt get it ooct stable.
i managed to get 9 x 410 fsb but also not stable in occt or orthos.
Northbridge: 1.49 V
i´m sorry for my bad english and noob questions but i am stuck here for 4 days now.

[sesion]

I have one of the first Maximus Formula SE as I bought it right after they got released, using the Rampage bios 0308 and overclocking isn't that much of an issue, however no bios can resolve my problem and it looks I have a NorthBridge on my mb...

Basically I need to set 1.57V in bios (1.6V @ windows) for NB to get a stable overclock.

When I setup anything lower then 1.57 (1.6V) prime blend will fail, however on 1.50V I did prime small FFT's for 8h stable, just blend fails...

Is this a RMA candidate? Oh and under prime: SB 49C / NB 56C

My current settings:

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8
FSB Frequency : 450
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1080
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual

DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister : Auto
Transaction Booster : Auto

CPU Voltage : 1.28V (1.27 windows)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.5 (1.63)
North Bridge Voltage : 1.57 (1.6)
DRAM Voltage : 2.06 (2.16)
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.2 (1.23)
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050 (1.070)
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.87x
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.83x
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR2-REF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR2-REF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5 (1.54)

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

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

Advanced CPU Configuration
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8
C1E Suppport : Disabled
CPU TM Function : Disabled
Vanderpool Technology : Disabled
Execute Disable Bit : Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled

[Leeghoofd]

i have a question about my e6600.
i get 450 x 8 stable, but when i get to 450 x 9 i didnt.
my setting in 1004 bios:
CPU Configuration

I have tried even higher voltage till the maximum. i cant get over 410 x 9.
can someone help?
Everything is watercooled, tried different relax levels. I tried a cpu voltage of 1,5 V how high can i go??

Not many E6600 reached 4ghz mate or only at ridicilous voltages ( that would mean over 1.6volts ) not advised by me to run 24/7...

Have you tried running 425 x 9 ? to get to 3.8Ghz ? I would loosen ya ram timings and disable static read control... a bit more NB voltage and you should be ready to go ... 4ghz that's something else...

[scottath]

My current settings:


- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8
FSB Frequency : 450
CPU Voltage : 1.28V (1.27 windows)

I Want your CPU - such low voltages - mine needs about 1.48v for 3.6 and it is a better than average chip - can you go 4ghz+?

[beard]

Thanks - basically what you said - does it work?

Np Yes, flashed it with afudos (rf0308->rf0401), works ok I think i'll stop flashing now for a while

[sesion]

I Want your CPU - such low voltages - mine needs about 1.48v for 3.6 and it is a better than average chip - can you go 4ghz+?

No, I can't because the temperature is holding me off. I am running 3.6 Ghz rock stable at 1.27-1.28 (its jumping between those values @ windows cpu-z) and I get 57-62C (depending on the ambient temp)

Right now I am running prime for 50 minutes and the temp's are quite high @ 61-62C where ambient is around 23-25C :/

(using lapped true120)

NB is 95% of the time at 1.60V, sometimes jumps down to 1.58.... DRAM is between 2.16-2.18...

[Leeghoofd]

I have one of the first Maximus Formula SE as I bought it right after they got released, using the Rampage bios 0308 and overclocking isn't that much of an issue, however no bios can resolve my problem and it looks I have a NorthBridge on my mb...

Basically I need to set 1.57V in bios (1.6V @ windows) for NB to get a stable overclock.

When I setup anything lower then 1.57 (1.6V) prime blend will fail, however on 1.50V I did prime small FFT's for 8h stable, just blend fails...

Is this a RMA candidate? Oh and under prime: SB 49C / NB 56C

My current settings:

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8
FSB Frequency : 450
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333 --> what does AUTO give ya ?
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1080
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual

DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled --> Disable
Ai Clock Twister : Auto
Transaction Booster : Auto --> Disable releax level 0

Also set TRFC to 55 in ram settings... are you actively cooling the NB, temps seem pretty high... put a fan over it...

don't see why you should RMA the board... you are overclocking a quad here ( nice volts on the CPU mate) and most here OC Wolfdales.. way easier on the NB... I needed 1.45 set with my Q6600 for 400FSB... NB was integrated in the WC loop...

[scottath]

Np Yes, flashed it with afudos (rf0308->rf0401), works ok I think i'll stop flashing now for a while

Thanks - i'll flash mine when i get a chance.


sesion: What fan are you using on your true? I lapped mine also but have 2 REALLY loud fans on it - Scythe Ultra Kaze and a Slipstream

[beard]

Maybe its just the E6600. Havent overclocked him till now. So its my first attempt for overclocking.


i´m sorry for my bad english and noob questions but i am stuck here for 4 days now.

Yes i see that you are aware of voltages, they all looked good. I also think it's your e6600, after all it's one of the first c2d's. Well it does at least 3600 - that's a decent oc.

I like this forum because native speakers are tolerant, they don't start laughing at us. Well i'm not far away from noob either, and i respect that you had the patience to read and try things first, only then you came here with your problem. Real noobs are like i want everything and i want it now!

[sesion]

Also set TRFC to 55 in ram settings... are you actively cooling the NB, temps seem pretty high... put a fan over it...

don't see why you sould RMA the board... you are overclocking a quad here ( nice volts on the CPU mate) and most here OC Wolfdales.. way easier on the NB... I needed 1.45 set with my Q6600 for 400FSB... NB was integrated in the WC loop...

I've seen people here running 3.6 @ Q6600 (8x 450) with 1.4V on NB rock stable with low temps.. that's why I though my NB is a RMA candidate...

I have tRFC set to 55 (I have nothing auto @ memory timings)

FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333 --> I belive you don't understand what this is and how it works. Auto gives you more ratio's to choose from @ DRAM Frequency... I am using 5:6 so strap 333 +it's more bw

DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled --> Enabled gives me more BW @ Everest cache & memory bench...
Ai Clock Twister : Auto
Transaction Booster : Auto --> Disable releax level 0 << why should I?

[Grnfinger]

I have one of the first Maximus Formula SE as I bought it right after they got released, using the Rampage bios 0308 and overclocking isn't that much of an issue, however no bios can resolve my problem and it looks I have a NorthBridge on my mb...

Basically I need to set 1.57V in bios (1.6V @ windows) for NB to get a stable overclock.

When I setup anything lower then 1.57 (1.6V) prime blend will fail, however on 1.50V I did prime small FFT's for 8h stable, just blend fails...

Is this a RMA candidate? Oh and under prime: SB 49C / NB 56C

While your NB temps are not the greatest 1.57 volts on the NB is certainly no RMA.
4GB's will tax the NB harder than 2GB's and you will require more volts.

[sesion]

While your NB temps are not the greatest 1.57 volts on the NB is certainly no RMA.
4GB's will tax the NB harder than 2GB's and you will require more volts.

Befor I had 2x 1GB @ DDR2-1200 and NB also was at 1.57 (1.6)...

It's just going on my nerves that everything is set on lowest voltage that's available and only the NB needs so much @ 1.6 is already red color in the bios... and basically ive seen my NB getting even 60C :/

How hot can NB get? While I had 60C at times my pc is still rock stable, so does it do any bad?

[Leeghoofd]

I've seen people here running 3.6 @ Q6600 (8x 450) with 1.4V on NB rock stable with low temps.. that's why I though my NB is a RMA candidate...

I have tRFC set to 55 (I have nothing auto @ memory timings)

FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333 --> I belive you don't understand what this is and how it works. Auto gives you more ratio's to choose from @ DRAM Frequency... I am using 5:6 so strap 333 +it's more bw

DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled --> Enabled gives me more BW @ Everest cache & memory bench...
Ai Clock Twister : Auto
Transaction Booster : Auto --> Disable releax level 0 << why should I?

Did you want to lower Nb voltage or not ? well go looser then on the memory controller... and I love to see peeps here mess with timings and co ... Can you tell me what that extra bandwith gives in apps or games ??? pretty much nothing...great for benching and co... it's either the way you run it now or another way...

You can put 10 boards to one another , each board is different in setup (meaning the little details or tweaks) so is each CPU... you can compare and try other settings but did the other users run it at stock like eg you or did they use aftermarket cooling... other ram... My Nb was integrated in the loop ( SE version ) and it never got over 50&#176;C at 1.65volts... did you replace the TIM onder the NB ? Most of us popped it and scraped that freaking Asus stuff off...

And I messed with Maximus SE from day one it was released, I know the board... latest bios however I used was 0907 you guys might be on later rev already or rampage bios... I ditched the board asI don't like boards that tend to overvolt stuff (CPU PLL, RAM voltage, NB voltage )and undervolts FSB termination voltage and it ate twice one of my Gskill 2Gb sticks... I sold it and the current user is pretty happy with it...

[sesion]

Did you want to lower Nb voltage or not ? well go looser then on the memory controller... and I love to see peeps here mess with timings and co ... Can you tell me what that extra bandwith gives in apps or games ??? pretty much nothing...great for benching and co... it's either the way you run it now or another way...

You can put 10 boards to one another , each board is different in setup (meaning the little details or tweaks) so is each CPU... you can compare and try other settings but did the other users run it at stock like eg you or did they use aftermarket cooling... other ram... My Nb was integrated in the loop ( SE version ) and it never got over 50&#176;C at 1.65volts... did you replace the TIM onder the NB ? Most of us popped it and scraped that freaking Asus stuff off...

And I messed with Maximus SE from day one it was released, I know the board... latest bios however I used was 0907 you guys might be on later rev already or rampage bios... I ditched the board asI don't like boards that tend to overvolt stuff (CPU PLL, RAM voltage, NB voltage )and undervolts FSB termination voltage and it ate twice one of my Gskill 2Gb sticks... I sold it and the current user is pretty happy with it...

No I haven't replaced it as I heard about troubles with taking off the radiator (his). And well my setup is air only, so I can't match your NB @ 50C at 1.67V... btw. more bw is never bad

[eSp!s0]

No real changes that I can see? Perhaps some 45nm clocking enhancements? I wont know until the Egg ships out my new X3350...

Changelog

[ 1201 ]
----------------------
Improve Memory compatibility

[XtremeTiramisu]

1.57v bios set for NB is nothing to be worried about. That's exactly what I need to set for my Q6600 G0 at x8 Multi, FSB450, 333 FSB Strap. Remember we're dealing with a 65nm archtechture quad here and not the easy peice of cake OC 45nm CPU. And you do realize that by lowering the multi from stock x9 down to x8 multi = more stressful for the NB and most likely requires more NB volt.

In my case, I had to set 1.65v NB in bios to get up to FSB470 * 8 Prime/OCCT stable. I've everything in my system air cooled, check my sig.
As a final note if you're using RF bios, the performance level that you set + AI Clock Twister from Lighter to Stronger on the RF bios will have a critical affect for your entire system's stability.
I had to lower the AI Clock Twister all the way from Stronger down to Moderate to stay Prime/OCCT stable using Performance Level 7.

Until we decided to ditch our Q6600 G0 for a 45nm cpu (in which case the mobo is best compatible and OC friendly with), nothing I can complaint really at this stage.
I'd surprised that if both of our board would still need the high NB volt for a 45nm to reach equivalent or greater OC. Until then, we can worry about RMA the ty NB on this MF board for later.

[sesion]

1.57v bios set for NB is nothing to be worried about. That's exactly what I need to set for my Q6600 G0 at x8 Multi, FSB450, 333 FSB Strap. Remember we're dealing with a 65nm archtechture quad here and not the easy peice of cake OC 45nm CPU. And you do realize that by lowering the multi from stock x9 down to x8 multi = more stressful for the NB and most likely requires more NB volt.

In my case, I had to set 1.65v NB in bios to get up to FSB470 * 8 Prime/OCCT stable. I've everything in my system air cooled, check my sig.
As a final note if you're using RF bios, the performance level that you set + AI Clock Twister from Lighter to Stronger on the RF bios will have a critical affect for your entire system's stability.
I had to lower the AI Clock Twister all the way from Stronger down to Moderate to stay Prime/OCCT stable using Performance Level 7.

Until we decided to ditch our Q6600 G0 for a 45nm cpu (in which case the mobo is best compatible and OC friendly with), nothing I can complaint really at this stage.
I'd surprised that if both of our board would still need the high NB volt for a 45nm to reach equivalent or greater OC. Until then, we can worry about RMA the ty NB on this MF board for later.

The AI Clock Twister setting runs best on AUTO here, basically when I change it on let's say moderated I can't pass prime blend... I might try giving the memorys more voltage but I doubt it will help....

How hot does your NB run?

[Grnfinger]

The AI Clock Twister setting runs best on AUTO here, basically when I change it on let's say moderated I can't pass prime blend... I might try giving the memorys more voltage but I doubt it will help....

How hot does your NB go?

Your running your ram at 1080 and cant set clock twister to strong without errors?
You either have some really bad ram or there is a setup issue.
At 1080 you should be able to run Twister Strong with Dram Static enabled for some better bandwidth.