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

[Brama]

Extreme Tweaker


CPU Voltage : Set to 1.55 for 1.53 Real
CPU PLL Voltage : Set to 1.63 for 1.73 Real
North Bridge Voltage : Set to 1.71 for 1.73 Real
DRAM Voltage : Set to 2.18 for 2.28 Real
FSB Termination Voltage : Set to 1.61 for 1.63 Real
South Bridge Voltage : Set to 1.15
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.67x
North Bridge GTL Reference : Auto
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR2_REF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR2_REF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2_REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : Set one above stock

DON'T USE a FSBT so high in 45 nm cpus unless you want to buy one new soon.

[Renegade5399]

Look at my sig, I am running a Q6600.

[Brama]

Look at my sig, I am running a Q6600.

It was a warning for other forum's mates that use a 45 nm cpu, not for you.

[Krav]

How does one work out what to set FSB termination voltage at? been trying to find guide to explain this but getting nothing helpful.

[Cob]

You guys are scaring me with the low Q9450 clocks on this board.

I've one sitting at 3.8ghz in an Abit IP35 Pro, and I'll be swapping it into this board as soon as I've got some more MX-2.

[Zucker2k]

After a bit of a fight, I managed to get this Q9450 to 8x470 with 8Gbs of ram. Will post settings soon....

Sorry for poor picture resolution, had to save image to .gif to get it under 200k limit...

My first impression: The chip is very sensitive to ALL voltages, it'll fail to boot into windows if I merely upped vcore alone to get prime stable. You have to adjust all settings at once. Still learning a few things.

[XtremeTiramisu]

How does one work out what to set FSB termination voltage at? been trying to find guide to explain this but getting nothing helpful.

We don't see the option of CPU VTT for tweaking in the Asus bios unlike other manufactures such as DFI for example. I think FSB VTT in the most recent Asus Maximus and Rampage bios is referring to the same as CPU VTT, if I'm not mistaken here. I believe Asus' FSB VTT tweak option behaves the same or in a similar manner as CPU VTT.

The general understanding of correlation between CPU VTT, NB voltage, CPU voltage, NB and CPU GTL reference voltages and the recent DRAM SKEW options are all tied up together. It's very crucial to understand what each of these option does for overclocking. An novice overclocker can leave most of these settings in AUTO and may only find himself capped at a certain overclock usually due to FSB limitation, whereas, overclockers who has an basic understanding what these options does and sit in front of his comp all day overclocking using the method of trial by error may be able to break the FSB wall.

After the released of P35 chipset to the recent X38/X48 chipset and the upcomming P45 chipset, it will be a must to understand and to tweak EVERY options I mentioned above before you get fruasted or post a new reply here saying why you can't past FSB 384 or FSB 412, or even FSB 458, etc. Yes, there will be cases that the limitation is due to the hardware but research results have shown that by understanding and tweaking these options will give you an above average OC than an average OC if you leave most of the option in auto.

I strongly recommend everyone read this article to understand these options more and why they are essecial in the X38/X48/P45 chipset mobos:

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/05...-intel-s-p45/1

[Renegade5399]

It was a warning for other forum's mates that use a 45 nm cpu, not for you.

Cool beans! You are very correct too. 45nm goes the other way of 65nm. 65 likes a bump in those volts whereas 45 likes to left alone.

How does one work out what to set FSB termination voltage at? been trying to find guide to explain this but getting nothing helpful.

Well, it's not easy. Mine was pure trial and error. My quad was doing the "stable one day, but not the next" routine at 4.0. 3.952 was fine, but 4.0 wasn't. The last 2 things I had left to tweak were the FSBTerm and PLL volts. The NB and Core volts I was not willing to go higher on, so I tried FSBTerm and PLL. Turns out that was the issue.

[chawks2]

After a bit of a fight, I managed to get this Q9450 to 8x470 with 8Gbs of ram. Will post settings soon....

My 9450 highest was 8x465, however it was completely unstable.

I have to rethink my cooling solution on the NB. The Thermalright HR-05/IFX, is not getting it done. I have had my vNB as high as 1.73 and the machine is stable (E8400), but after about 30 minutes it shuts off. Turns out the NB temp is going over 90C.

Additionally, I have noticed some strange USB behavior when using the 8 multi vs. the 9 multi. Has anyone seen the USB controllers showing up, but failing to recognize the device? Once I go back to the 9 multi the USB ports work with no issue. Then again maybe it has something to do with FSB (8 multi - as high as 510//9 multi as high as 475)??

Strange if you ask me.

[Renegade5399]

I would like to also mention that I feel safe running higher voltages because of the cooling I have. My water system can remove a large amount of heat due to the CFM of my fans and those Bonnie cores dump heat like crazy when a lot of CFM is pumped through them. After all, that's what they were designed for. I can maintain what I feel are safe temps with the fans at half speed and crank the fans up for hot weather or hard benching. Unless you're prepared to spend the money for over the top type cooling, I DO NOT suggest you push the voltage envelope as I have, it's just not a good idea. I have gotten a few "Are you nuts?" PM's from both here and at my home forum. Short answer: Yes I am. I have deep pockets and like performance. If it takes a little voltage to get there, then so be it. I just don't want people popping their $200+ dollar CPUs on my suggestions.

[Zucker2k]

My 9450 highest was 8x465, however it was completely unstable.

I have to rethink my cooling solution on the NB. The Thermalright HR-05/IFX, is not getting it done. I have had my vNB as high as 1.73 and the machine is stable (E8400), but after about 30 minutes it shuts off. Turns out the NB temp is going over 90C.

Additionally, I have noticed some strange USB behavior when using the 8 multi vs. the 9 multi. Has anyone seen the USB controllers showing up, but failing to recognize the device? Once I go back to the 9 multi the USB ports work with no issue. Then again maybe it has something to do with FSB (8 multi - as high as 510//9 multi as high as 475)??

Strange if you ask me.

The biggest factors are NB and FSBT volts... still pushing...

[Anuaja]

All, this is safe voltage ?

CPU Voltage : 1.4
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.56
North Bridge Voltage : 1.51
DRAM Voltage : 2.1
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.46 probe & everest 1.36
South Bridge Voltage : 1.1
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63x
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67x
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



sorry for my bad english.

[Renegade5399]

What RAM is that?

[Anuaja]

What RAM is that?

2x1gb teamxtreme cl 3-3-3-8

[MrHydes]

Is There anyone with E8500 with same FPO Q746A363 as mine?

[Cob]

All, this is safe voltage ?

CPU Voltage : 1.4
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.56
North Bridge Voltage : 1.51
DRAM Voltage : 2.1
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.46 probe & everest 1.36
South Bridge Voltage : 1.1
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63x
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67x
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



sorry for my bad english.

Niiiiiiiiiiice

This page has started to get my hopes up for my Q9450 in this board.

[Furious]

Im having cold boot issues, my setup works very well at 4ghz with orthos/prime tests. I can restart the computer and everything is good. However after leaving it overnite, it will hang at DET RAM the next day.

If I use sleep its all fine

This is very annoying. Any ideas? Ive tried playing with most of the voltage settings, I think the last options I have is either a new bios from Asus or trying a older one?

Setup:
E8400
Rampage
4ghz @ 1.4v
Loadline Disabled
4x1GB Corsair Dominator (@ 44412 890mhz or 55518 1069mhz does the same thing) @ 2.22V
NB @ 1.63V @ 40c load (watercooled and ive tried higher V)

Any ideas?

[ghost_recon88]

So the RF 0403 is better for quads then the MF 1201?

[XtremeTiramisu]

So the RF 0403 is better for quads then the MF 1201?

Which quad? 45nm or 65nm? I've 65nm quad and I find the newest MF or RF beta bios to share the same stability. I can say either bios are the best ones I've tested up to date in terms of stability. RF bios has finer tuning options so it will get you a slightly faster system under benchmarks but not so much that you can actually "feel" it. You can tell the scores are better than MF bios becouse MF bios doesn't have the finer tuning options to make the board to run near its max OC potential. The finer tuning options offered in the RF bios will need you to take lots of patience to gain any additional system bandwidth, latency over MF bios. Have a read of my previous post above where I've included a link as a must read for overclocking X38/X48/P45 chipset mobos.

[jonathankru]

I just went through this, its a pain in the ass to resolve.
Delete Asus Suite and AACenter alltogether, there part of the problem.
Then if you read a few pages back I posted updated chipset drivers, install them and it should be back to normal.

Start > run >type regedit>press crtl +f> type aacenter.
set the value to zero, then delete the file, reboot. AACenter is now removed.

Then install updated NB driver and SB driver

Thanks Grnfinger. I Read your post about the new NB and SB drivers and i have already upgraded them but what i have not done is delete Asus Suite and AAcentre and then do the registry change.I will try it tonight. I thought my board was Faulty.

Thanks Agian

[mashakos]

Post settings.

CPU-Z validation in sig

courtesy of nuckin_futs

CPU Configuration

Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
OC From CPU Level Up [Auto]
CPU Ratio Control [Manual]
Ratio CMOS Setting [8x]
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 [1.632v] = 1.632v
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]
-------------------------------
CPU Configuratins:
Virtualization = Enabled*
TM Mode = Enabled
C1E = Enabled
Ex Bit Disable = Enabled*
EIST = (Disabled by BIOS over certain FSB

[JH_man]

I got a old BIOS (check my sig). What BIOS should I upgrade to?

JH_man

[Zucker2k]

CPU-Z validation in sig

courtesy of nuckin_futs

CPU Configuration

Ai Overclock Tuner [Manual]
OC From CPU Level Up [Auto]
CPU Ratio Control [Manual]
Ratio CMOS Setting [8x]
FSB Frequency [500MHz]
FSB Strap To North Bridge [Auto]*
PCIE Frequency [111]
DRAM Frequency [Auto]* DDR2 1000? What spec. rams are you running?

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 [1.632v] = 1.632v Set this to 1.50v - I had a lot of problems running my wolfie at anything higher than 1.50v
North Bridge Voltage [1.47v] What performance level are you running? You may have to up this a little bit.
DRAM Voltage [2.14v] = 2.245v
FSB Termination Voltage [1.40v] = 1.472v This is a little high, since your board is overvolting, I suggest you set it to 1.30v if it boots and your able to even stress the board a few minutes, you're fine in this category. Mine was set to 1.24v for 8.5x506
South Bridge Voltage [1.075v] = 1.104v
Loadline Calibration [Enabled]
CPU GTL Refference [0.63%]
North Bridge GTL Reference [0.63%] Set this to x67
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]
-------------------------------
CPU Configuratins:
Virtualization = Enabled*
TM Mode = Enabled
C1E = Enabled
Ex Bit Disable = Enabled*
EIST = (Disabled by BIOS over certain FSB Nope, it'll show when you set cpu ratio to auto, then disable, then set back to x8.

Goodluck to you.

[Zucker2k]

Anyone in the market for a cherry-picked quad pm me. Thanks.

[ghost_recon88]

Holy crap, I'm from Haslett too!