ASUS Striker II Extreme

[slim142]

Hey Roger, like I said, try upping NB man. that was the key for me to get estable with P1 and P2 in AUTO.

[Roger_D25]

Good suggestion, I'll have to see if that helps at all! I admit that I've been very conservative with voltages in general which could be my main issue.

[Tyke]

Also, for my Q9450 running at 450Mhz FSB at 3.6Ghz with a CPU VTT of 1.30, what GTLRefs would be recommended for me?

The general opinion seems to be that Yorkfields work best at 63% of reference, against the standard VTT of 67%. At 1.3V VTT this would give a GTL_REF setting of -52mV. When I set VTT to Auto I get 1.28V, this gives a GTL_REF of -51mV at 63% which is the setting I am using on core 1.

[slim142]

Hey Tyke

Thanks for doing the math for me. I just lost the post where it was explained ( 63% times 1.30 divided by 1000 or something related to that). Since the moment I enabled P1 and P2, I been getting errors on prime95 with Core 1 and Core 3 so I just decided to mess with the GTLRefs. I tried -51 for Core 1 but it froze after 5 secs of windows, so right now Im using -58mv for Core 1 and seems kinda better. We will see how this goes.

Btw, some questions, does the system work good if you have only modified one of the core's GTLref? Also, as you all probably know cause I have mention this a lot of times, my system overvolts so instead of 1.30VTT it gives out 1.34VTT which might be the reason why I need -58mv instead of -51mv?

[Qwik]

wahoo! finally made back, New Egg sent me a new MoBo and all is fine now. Bios got corupted and wouldn't initiate boot files in the last board, this is my second RMA to date. I am using Bios 0602 now, tried bios 0702 in last board and that seem to cause to last RMA. any ways all seems to be working OK and I am also tring Vista 64 for the first time, we will see how that works out.

[slim142]

So Qwik are you using 0702 on your new board?
Please show us some nice QX9770 overclock!

[Tyke]

Hey Tyke

Thanks for doing the math for me. I just lost the post where it was explained ( 63% times 1.30 divided by 1000 or something related to that). Since the moment I enabled P1 and P2, I been getting errors on prime95 with Core 1 and Core 3 so I just decided to mess with the GTLRefs. I tried -51 for Core 1 but it froze after 5 secs of windows, so right now Im using -58mv for Core 1 and seems kinda better. We will see how this goes.

Btw, some questions, does the system work good if you have only modified one of the core's GTLref? Also, as you all probably know cause I have mention this a lot of times, my system overvolts so instead of 1.30VTT it gives out 1.34VTT which might be the reason why I need -58mv instead of -51mv?

The Anandtech article seems to suggest that you can modify the GTLs for just one core, so I think you are OK there. Yes you are correct: at 1.34VTT 63% of VTT reference would be -58mV.

[Holmer]

Right now I'm Priming (blend) and so far (for roughly 3 h) without errors with the following settings:

Multi: 7
FSB-MEM: Linked
FSB/MEM: Sync
FSB: 1800
MEM: 1800

Memory timing:
P1: Auto
P2: Auto
8-8-8-24 2T
All subtimings Auto

Overvoltage settings:
CPU: Auto
Loadline calibration: Disable
PLL: 1.5
VTT: 1.30
MEM: 1.76
NB: 1.48
SB: 1.55
GTL_REF0: -14
GTL_REF1: -16
GTL_REF2: -16
GTL_REF3: -14

I tried GTL_REF0-3 -48/51 as well but for me it resultet in no boot and a POST message telling me some file was corrupted. Well in a few hours I will probably post that it is completely unstable in some other test, but anyway this is the best I have done with this board so far. One core is roughly 2 min behind the other three cores in Prime v. 25.6 build 6 (blend). Is that normal or already a sign of something is wrong. I must say my CPU temperature is very high (max 67 on two cores but on average around 62 degre Celcius) since I'm still on stock cooler.
I'm pretty sure I got data corruption during my attepts to find proper settings for linked, sync FSB 1800 since I lost any stability after some unsuccessful boots but regained "stability" after running the sfc /scannow command.
To be honest I am still a little puzzled that I was able to Memtest linked, sync, FSB 1800 without errors for 7 h at settings I could not event boot to windows with. But I'm happy I appearantly could tweak the overvoltage settings in order to be able to Prime for at least 3 h linked, sync, FSB 1800. Now I just wonder will these settings result in Memtest errors ;-)
Well I'm improving but I still don't feel comftable with this motherboard, it seems so inconsistent and I'm just waiting for the next error/corruption to occur.

[slim142]

The Anandtech article seems to suggest that you can modify the GTLs for just one core, so I think you are OK there. Yes you are correct: at 1.34VTT 63% of VTT reference would be -58mV.

Omg Tyke, I want to shoot this
-58 lasted for 13 HOURS!!!!!!! then while testing some new music I got, FREEZE! Whhhhhhat!

Then I tried -61mv (or 65 i think) and it frooze after 3 hours. Now I have put -58, -52,-52, -58 and this is the last time Im running prime95, if anything happens, GOING TO 0702.

Any tip on why can P1 and P2 be causing so much trouble? I could just leave it on Auto but I just wouldnt tolerate 8800 reading speed...

[Tyke]

Omg Tyke, I want to shoot this
-58 lasted for 13 HOURS!!!!!!! then while testing some new music I got, FREEZE! Whhhhhhat!

Then I tried -61mv (or 65 i think) and it frooze after 3 hours. Now I have put -58, -52,-52, -58 and this is the last time Im running prime95, if anything happens, GOING TO 0702.

Any tip on why can P1 and P2 be causing so much trouble? I could just leave it on Auto but I just wouldnt tolerate 8800 reading speed...

I can't figure it either, Prime95 completely stable then a random freeze. Haven't tried disabling P1 & P2 yet, but as you say it seems a compromise too far - I am getting no memory errors in memtest with them enabled.

[slim142]

So you too are getting this random freezes. Could it be NB temps? Mines around 62c in load and 52c in idle.

Well right now 15 hours of prime95 for me is what I can call cpu+ram estable. Since I have seen my system failing in 8, 9, 13 and 14 hours of priming, 15 is now my new standard.

[BenchZowner]

Changing the thermal paste under the NB & SB heatsinks is a good idea, since the original "thermal tape" sucked balls.
Temps dropped considerably since I removed the original TIM and used my old & trusty Arctic Silver Ceramique

[pmp]

PM me known BIOS bugs (at least other than tRFC, which worked for me iirc :|).

[slim142]

The main problem I see with this board (up to 0701) so far is the divider problem which has been around since 680i (afaik).
Also, overvoltages which sometimes pisses me. I have to put 1.86 for the motherboard to give 1.90 in idle but in load, it gives out 1.94 :S

[slim142]

PM me known BIOS bugs (at least other than tRFC, which worked for me iirc :|).

BTW PMP, what about what Bingo said about the new BIOS coming out around this days which fixed the isolated corruption problems?

[Holmer]

I can't even get my SIIE stable unlinked, FSB 1333, MEM 1800. I just got a full refound accepted at Komplett (super service) so I'm done with this board and have ordered a Asus P5E64 WS Evolution.
Thanks for everybody's response and good luck to all other SIIE owners.

[Justifire]

Got my 3rd SIIE on the way.
Hope that after 2 rma's this one will hold longer than a month :S

[Atlantic2142]

I can't even get my SIIE stable unlinked, FSB 1333, MEM 1800. I just got a full refound accepted at Komplett (super service) so I'm done with this board and have ordered a Asus P5E64 WS Evolution.
Thanks for everybody's response and good luck to all other SIIE owners.

I wish you good luck with the EVO! It cirtainly have the look of pro MoBo.
I´m on my third SIIE RMA so currently i´m back on my X38BT.

Cheers friends

[OBR]

my second Striker II is able to run only at 1333MHz FSB ... any frequency above 1400MHz is unstable at any settings (CPU 6x350, MEM 1333MHz, various voltages too!) This board is crap, i gave it and moving to reference EVGA board.

[Justifire]

my second Striker II is able to run only at 1333MHz FSB ... any frequency above 1400MHz is unstable at any settings (CPU 6x350, MEM 1333MHz, various voltages too!) This board is crap, i gave it and moving to reference EVGA board.

Better wait for the Foxconn Dreadnought then

[tekjunkie]

Better wait for the Foxconn Dreadnought then

Hehe, thats what I decide to do too. I am putting my E6600 and my 7950gx2 on my P5N-T and giving it away to my cousin, so that I have an excuse to buy 1 more board.. Meanwhile I am still waiting on the RMAed S2E from Asus.

[Roger_D25]

Haven't checked the thread since yesterday, imagine my surprise when reading that so many of you have decided to try something new! I totally understand, if I was having those problems so consistantly I probably would have moved on long ago! Heck even though I'm not I'm still considering a new board just to test something new. I'm sure you all know but newegg is currnelty stocking Foxconns Blackopps for a very decent price. I want to wait a bit until others have the retail board before I get excited about. Even though many people around here have been testing it all along I'm curious how the first couple batches of "retail" board arre going to do? Plus DFI new X48-T3R is scheduled for release up on the 29th if all goes well so there are many great boards to choose from. Well good luck guys, I'll miss everyones help and experience, its all really helped me to stick with my board and work harder to get it sorted.

[slim142]

Dreadnought might be a nice board, however, Im estable at stock and because overclock is something that is not guaranteed to anyone, I cant complain.
Roger, are you stil on BIOS 0511? or you just forgot to change your signature?

[Roger_D25]

Slim142 - I am indeed still using BIOS version 0511 which is quite old. The thing is that I haven't had a single issues as far as data corruption goes, strange overclocking issues, etc... so at the moment I haven't had any major reason to change over to another BIOS. With that said however I did tried 0701 but only for a day because I just didn't like it. Granted I did not give it enough time to thoroughly test but since I wasn't having any problems before I didn't want to jinx anything, lol! I just did a full-format and clean install of Windows late last night (not because of any corruption issues) and just barely finished re-installing all my major software about an hour ago. With that said I'm gonna flash to 0703 and give it some more time. Although I haven't had any issues it might offer some overclocking headroom or at the very least offer some stability at higher clocks? In anycase I will certainly update the thread with any findings I have. I should mention that I've got an older E8500 ES coming this week so I'll be able to test far higher FSB speeds once I have it (only had my current QX9770 for the last couple weeks as I sold my E8400 and my Q9550 last week. By the way you make a good point about overclocking not being guaranteed to anyone, that is true! However its also true that certain boards are certainly marketed more towards the enthusient crowd and its no accident.

[slim142]

Slim142 - I am indeed still using BIOS version 0511 which is quite old. The thing is that I haven't had a single issues as far as data corruption goes, strange overclocking issues, etc... so at the moment I haven't had any major reason to change over to another BIOS. With that said however I did tried 0701 but only for a day because I just didn't like it. Granted I did not give it enough time to thoroughly test but since I wasn't having any problems before I didn't want to jinx anything, lol! I just did a full-format and clean install of Windows late last night (not because of any corruption issues) and just barely finished re-installing all my major software about an hour ago. With that said I'm gonna flash to 0703 and give it some more time. Although I haven't had any issues it might offer some overclocking headroom or at the very least offer some stability at higher clocks? In anycase I will certainly update the thread with any findings I have. I should mention that I've got an older E8500 ES coming this week so I'll be able to test far higher FSB speeds once I have it (only had my current QX9770 for the last couple weeks as I sold my E8400 and my Q9550 last week. By the way you make a good point about overclocking not being guaranteed to anyone, that is true! However its also true that certain boards are certainly marketed more towards the enthusient crowd and its no accident.

Exactly, and even though this is advertised as GAMERS DREAM WITH OVERCLOCKING CAPABILTIES, this is where the board fails if you dont have the right components. Even though I can OC, my board wont be estable with something that is basic in OC which is P1 and P2, whats the point of OC if you are going to get 8800 in memory reading??? I just cant tolerate that.

Im really ancious for the next BIOS which if Bingo is right, the VTT and GTLRefs configurations might have been fixed which will make OCing easier. Just setting GTLRefs to AUTO would give the right GTLRef to each core and that way we wont have to deal with them ANYMORE.