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

[dimsdale]

And why is it that the 1102 bios is newer than the 1201 bios? It's really confusing for Asus to be using lower numbers for successive releases.
Can anyone help explain?

hi all,

There is some opinion on the two new bios, that on ASUS site ?

1.
Maximus Formula 1102 Bios
Fixed it can not enter the setup of some PCI-Express SATAII RAID Card

2.
Maximus Formula 1201 Bios
Improve Memory compatibility

the 2 is a BETA.

i use 1004, the new BIOS worth the update ?

[theonlybabyface]

Tref to 16383 should add a little more to your bandwidth

Wouldn't be able to set this at all anyways as there isn't a bios adjustment for this. That's why I'm still on 308...16383T is default for better bandwidth.

[aicjofs]

Wouldn't be able to set this at all anyways as there isn't a bios adjustment for this. That's why I'm still on 308...16383T is default for better bandwidth.

Good point, you are right. I was thinking Memset on windows startup, or at least that's how I do it.

[HDPC]

My favorite RAM for the Maximus:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231145
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

My 8GB is still running just fine...

I think the Maximus does better with 5-5-5-15 RAM, rather than with running 5-5-5-12 RAM. (Especially if running 8GB's)

Well I ordered 8GB of these G.SKILL DDR2-1000, and going to pick them up after work.

Which Bios do you recommend? Currently I have 403.

[OVERK|LL]

What BIOS revision was you using for the RF? Assuming 0403 and 1201 for MF, I am unable to replicate your situation. Can you explain what your PL was and if you had any pull-ins? And what are you using now for transaction booster? What are/were your clock twister settings?

All fixed, was a PL setting.

[theonlybabyface]

Well I ordered 8GB of these G.SKILL DDR2-1000, and going to pick them up after work.

Which Bios do you recommend? Currently I have 403.

I'd recommend 308 and here are your settings for 3.6 GHZ:

Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 400
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 400
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 1066
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# Activate Time : 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: AUTO
Ai Clock Twister : Stronger
Transaction Booster : Manual
C/P: A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 | B1 B2 B3 B4 B5
LVL: 07 07 07 07 07 | 07 07 07 07 07

Common Performance Level [7]
Pull-In of CHA PH1: Enabled
Pull-In of CHA PH2: Enabled
Pull-In of CHA PH3: Enabled
Pull-In of CHA PH4: Enabled
Pull-In of CHA PH5: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH1: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH2: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH3: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH4: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH5: Enabled

CPU Voltage : 1.4375 (or whatever you need for 3.6 stable)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
North Bridge Voltage : 1.49
DRAM Voltage : 1.92
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
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 : 1.5

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 : 9
C1E Support : Disabled
CPU TM Function : Disabled
Vanderpool Technology : Disabled
Execute Disable Bit : Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled

USB Configuration
USB Functions: Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Enabled

If you can get settings any tighter, please let me know...

[HDPC]

I'd recommend 308 and here are your settings for 3.6 GHZ:

Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 400
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 400
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 1066
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# Activate Time : 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: AUTO
Ai Clock Twister : Stronger
Transaction Booster : Manual
C/P: A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 | B1 B2 B3 B4 B5
LVL: 07 07 07 07 07 | 07 07 07 07 07

Common Performance Level [7]
Pull-In of CHA PH1: Enabled
Pull-In of CHA PH2: Enabled
Pull-In of CHA PH3: Enabled
Pull-In of CHA PH4: Enabled
Pull-In of CHA PH5: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH1: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH2: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH3: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH4: Enabled
Pull-In of CHB PH5: Enabled

CPU Voltage : 1.4375 (or whatever you need for 3.6 stable)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
North Bridge Voltage : 1.49
DRAM Voltage : 1.92
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
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 : 1.5

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 : 9
C1E Support : Disabled
CPU TM Function : Disabled
Vanderpool Technology : Disabled
Execute Disable Bit : Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled

USB Configuration
USB Functions: Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Enabled

If you can get settings any tighter, please let me know...

Thanks. It looks like you are in BC or a fan of the Canucks.

-hdpc

[theonlybabyface]

Thanks. It looks like you are in BC or a fan of the Canucks.

-hdpc

I am but ask me after Gillis does his thing.

[philbrown23]

I'm asking if this rampage flash will work on the max. extreme

[Grnfinger]

Have you figured out what you are going to in terms of RAM?

I've been extremely happy with how these Crucial Ballistix 667 sticks have clocked, but I want more RAM too and would be curious as to the OC capability of their 2GB sticks.... Specifically the Ballistix DDR2 800 kit, as I can get it really cheap wholesale.....

Sorry for the slow reply had my pc down for a day adding a PA 120.3 and a dual bay res to the loop. What a chore that was.

I'm going with Corsair myself ( already have the settings for what I know will work at 1174MHz) but Gskill will be a great kit, you wont be disapointed with them.

I'm asking if this rampage flash will work on the max. extreme

I doubt that it will work seeing as your board is DDR3

[AquaRelliux]

Hey

I know to 100% that my system is stable with 2x1gb ballistix PC8500 ram, but ever since I put in a extra par of ram I still cant get it stable it randomly locks up on load or not any load sometimes. I have uped the vNB from 1.45v(this was stable with 2x1gb ram) to 1.63v now, I crashed on 1.59v before havent tried 1.63v yet but I am worried it wont be stable. NB temp sets arounf 45c full load with 1.63v. The Cpu is a Q9450 btw and I am running 2x 3870 in crossfire. Cpu, NB and both gfx are watercooled.


I am using bios 0403 and this is my 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: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-901
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A : Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B : Auto
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 4
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 4
RAS# Precharge : 4
RAS# ActivateTime : 12
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

Write to PRE Delay : Auto
Read to PRE Delay : Auto
PRE to PRE Delay : Auto
ALL PRE to ACT Delay : Auto
ALL PRE to REF Delay : Auto

DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister : Stronger
Transaction Booster : Auto


CPU Voltage : 1.23150(yes it is stable 100% prime 10 hours and gaming 5 hours with 2x1gb ram it drops to 1.216v load)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
North Bridge Voltage : 1.63
DRAM Voltage : 2.10(Everest says 2.16v)
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.38(Everest says 1.28 is this accurate btw? I heard 1.4v could kill it and I dont want that)
South Bridge Voltage : 1.50
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : Auto(Tried 0.67x but crashed in boot then and I heard before u should leave this on auto for 45nm cpus)
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

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

USB Configuration
USB Functions: Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Enabled

I hope I get some decent help and thx in advance guys

//Aqua

Still not getting it stable @ 1081 mhz 5-5-5-15-5-60-6-5 Grnfinger, Row Refresh Cycle Time is up to 60 now and still random crashes while gaming it is prime stable and fine idle for hours

[Sources]

Still not getting it stable @ 1081 mhz 5-5-5-15-5-60-6-5 Grnfinger, Row Refresh Cycle Time is up to 60 now and still random crashes while gaming it is prime stable and fine idle for hours

Check and make sure both sets of your RAM match. (ie: both are dual sided dimms and both are same speed etc...)

I had to return the 2nd pair I bought since they were only single sided and did not mix with the dual sided for anything over 900mhz.

I have both dual sided pairs now running 1066 with ease.

[Grnfinger]

Still not getting it stable @ 1081 mhz 5-5-5-15-5-60-6-5 Grnfinger, Row Refresh Cycle Time is up to 60 now and still random crashes while gaming it is prime stable and fine idle for hours

Are your prime stable small fft's or blend?

I agree with Sources, check your ram and make sure there the same version it wouldnt hurt to test each dimm separately with memtest if you have not done that yet, it would rule out the dimms.
Q9450's do need a ton of NB and PLL volts to get them stable

[AquaRelliux]

Are your prime stable small fft's or blend?

I agree with Sources, check your ram and make sure there the same version it wouldnt hurt to test each dimm separately with memtest if you have not done that yet, it would rule out the dimms.
Q9450's do need a ton of NB and PLL volts to get them stable

They are same speccs but the cooler looks diffrent but they are both dubble sided. They work as in 2 sticks I ahve tested that and I know it is not a motherboard dimm problem. The PPL is 1.6v and NB is 1.65v

[OVERK|LL]

Heh...see you didn't need my help at all you got it all figured out.

I'm suprised you were able to pull in all of the phases despite the low FSB, usually you only pull in one or two, if you pulled all of them in you bascially have changed the performance level to 4. If it's unstable for some reason go back and pull in less phases. Everyone keeps asking what the difference is between the Rampage and Formula BIOS and really you just played with it. Setting performance level directly without having to do the math of strap/transaction booster enable-disable/boost level in maximus and the abilty to adjust pull in directly.

Looking at you settings some other little tweaks to try are

Write Recovery Twr to 11 at least lower to 12
Read to Precharge Trtp to 4 maybe even 3
Write to Precharge Twtp to 11 at least lower to 12
Tref to 16383 should add a little more to your bandwidth

I will try those out this evening and see how it works

-Chris

[philbrown23]

man thats a real bummer!

[AquaRelliux]

Are your prime stable small fft's or blend?

I agree with Sources, check your ram and make sure there the same version it wouldnt hurt to test each dimm separately with memtest if you have not done that yet, it would rule out the dimms.
Q9450's do need a ton of NB and PLL volts to get them stable

I am stable in all prime tests

[Grnfinger]

I am stable in all prime tests

Do you only crash in that game or does it happen randomly?

man thats a real bummer!

I could be wrong but I doubt it very much, maybe check with another member to sure but I think if you try it you'll brick your board

[AquaRelliux]

Do you only crash in that game or does it happen randomly?



I could be wrong but I doubt it very much, maybe check with another member to sure but I think if you try it you'll brick your board

It happends in all games I play and it does not have to do with my gfx cards either buecause I tested that. Anyways ordered 2x2gb PC8500 dominator ram that should solve this

[WFO]

Still not getting it stable @ 1081 mhz 5-5-5-15-5-60-6-5 Grnfinger, Row Refresh Cycle Time is up to 60 now and still random crashes while gaming it is prime stable and fine idle for hours

Just for grins, try relaxing the tRAS to 18. Tony posted somewhere in this mammoth merged thread that OCZ found 18 was necessary when ram speed is over 1000. It's worth a try.

[Grnfinger]

Its worth a try b4 buying more ram.

What version drivers are you running and what bios for your cards?

[ZenEffect]

@ AquaRelliux.
how do you stress test a video card anyways? i found i can run 25+ loops of 3dmark06 @ 933/999 on my gfx however cod4 will crash within a half hour and i have to clock down the video cards to 900/966. is there a "stress test" that will max out the frame buffer to test the card completely?

@ Grnfinger.

how much did adding the 2nd rad drop the temps?

[AquaRelliux]

Its worth a try b4 buying more ram.

What version drivers are you running and what bios for your cards?

The drivers are maximus drivers latest ones from asus site, and the 3870 cards run in 850/1271 and it is all fine if I downclock the ram to 800mhz so how can it be something else?

[Grnfinger]

@ Grnfinger.

how much did adding the 2nd rad drop the temps?

I have a PA 120.3 and a Swiftech MC220, adding the PA 120.3 droppped temps 9C ( also added a dual bay res with a cool led)
Now my rig looks messy, big ass rad hanging off the back.
Shopping for anew case to house the 120.3 internally, I dont think a MM case will fly right now, wife is still in sticker shock over the cost of the rad and res. So looking for something thats a little less $$

[MomijiTMO]

I think ASUS is going mental [from Bit-tech]





Rampage Extreme good enough for you?