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

[dragao]

Where do I find the recommendations of memory for this card?????

[HDPC]

Hi,

Any one having issue with making the CPU heatsink tightly tied down? Mine does not and it can move. What do you do to keep it tightly tied down?

-hdpc

[RichardA]

Hi I have been checking out this informative thread and have a question or two.

I have a Maximus Formula (not the se version) that I have been using for a couple of months now and am interested in overclocking it. I have a Thermalright Ultra 120 extreme and my cpu temps seem ok, but my nb and sb temps are in the 40-45c range so I wanted to see if i could drop them. Will it be harder to remove the nb/sb heatsinks and heatpipe now that I have used the board for months now ? Also has anyone used a Thermalright HR-05 SLI/IFX on the northbrige or southbridge ? Im curious if that will fit with the Ultra 120 extreme .

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[HDPC]

Hi I have been checking out this informative thread and have a question or two.

I have a Maximus Formula (not the se version) that I have been using for a couple of months now and am interested in overclocking it. I have a Thermalright Ultra 120 extreme and my cpu temps seem ok, but my nb and sb temps are in the 40-45c range so I wanted to see if i could drop them. Will it be harder to remove the nb/sb heatsinks and heatpipe now that I have used the board for months now ? Also has anyone used a Thermalright HR-05 SLI/IFX on the northbrige or southbridge ? Im curious if that will fit with the Ultra 120 extreme .

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=52217

From what i can see on those pictures the HR-05 and Ultra should fit fine.

-hdpc

[Grnfinger]

Hi,

Any one having issue with making the CPU heatsink tightly tied down? Mine does not and it can move. What do you do to keep it tightly tied down?

-hdpc

Make sure all 4 push pins are properly seated, I dont have that HS so I cannot say for sure, but the only issue would be the pins are not fully seated

Hi I have been checking out this informative thread and have a question or two.

I have a Maximus Formula (not the se version) that I have been using for a couple of months now and am interested in overclocking it. I have a Thermalright Ultra 120 extreme and my cpu temps seem ok, but my nb and sb temps are in the 40-45c range so I wanted to see if i could drop them. Will it be harder to remove the nb/sb heatsinks and heatpipe now that I have used the board for months now ? Also has anyone used a Thermalright HR-05 SLI/IFX on the northbrige or southbridge ? Im curious if that will fit with the Ultra 120 extreme .

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

An old PII pu fan will fit rather nicely on your NB heatsink.
removing the NB block now will be a tad more difficult, but I would highly recommend it.
Alittle AS5 will improve your NB / SB temps

[HDPC]

Make sure all 4 push pins are properly seated, I dont have that HS so I cannot say for sure, but the only issue would be the pins are not fully seated



An old PII pu fan will fit rather nicely on your NB heatsink.
removing the NB block now will be a tad more difficult, but I would highly recommend it.
Alittle AS5 will improve your NB / SB temps

What is the best way to remove the NB/SB block? I will order the Thermalright HR-05/IX. I am planning to do it as well.

-hdpc

[Nuckin_Futs]

haven't been here in quite some time... just wondering if anybody has hit the 4.0 (Q6600) mark with stability? i'll post up the same old 3.915 that i've had for awhile but never seems to make it to the main page lol.

also, what's up with the rampage bios mod? can anybody point me in the right direction to the upgrades it provides? thanks!!

PM me directly and I can share my previously posted profiles for that CPU on MF BETA BIOS v0903 & 1004 as well as MF official v0602 (worked best for mine).

I think I need my water cooling sooner, rather than later now

SO, if I use a heater core, what do you guys recommend for a pump, plumbing, cooler block...etc for this board and case?

These work great for PC use and becaus they have such low flow restriction you can get away w/ low RPM fan (quiet) and moderate to low pnpm speed/flow.

To those who have removed the P5E Heatsink [northbridge]
Should i remove the "mat" like thing and put AS5 under, or leave the "mat" and put AS5 on also?

I would also remove the chipset IHS as well for an added 2-3C cooler. PM me for more more detailed tips to quickly and safely remove the OEM goop w/ an ear swob and Barrymans Carburater cleaner.

What is the best way to remove the NB/SB block? I will order the Thermalright HR-05/IX. I am planning to do it as well.

-hdpc

Use 99.9% alcohal in a spray can to drip into gap on any given side of chipset IHS & NB cooler block. carefully twist w/ a medium 1/4" slotted driver. You can heat w/ soldering iron tip to keep hot to the touch but not to burn. PM me for more in detail if need be. See above "quote and reply to remove & clean up.

[Zucker2k]

I would also remove the chipset IHS as well for an added 2-3C cooler.

Post a step-by-step guide.

[chawks2]

Here are my procs:

My 2nd fridge job was MUCH more successful. To be honest, the reason why I had the problems were because I was anxious and frustrated I couldnt remove the stock cooler quick enough. Didnt have a thought out process and you know what happens when no forethought is involved.

After taking my time and setting an 80m time period in the fridge, I was easily able to "pop/shift" the stock cooler off.

The key is the following:

1. Disconnect plastic pegs on all spots holding down the cooler
2. Place the mobo in the fridge in an anti-static bag for 80m
3. Using a flat-head screw driver, and the blue RAM slot as a fulcrum, _slowly_ pull the stock cooler from the mobo (you'll know when you are applying too much pressure to the RAM slot - it should just pop right off).


My next problem was everything appeared to post, but no video again. Thought I "defrosted" another board, but it ended up being the mobo had a REALLY old BIOS and needed to flash with an older 65nm before using a 45nm.

Will post pics and benchies when come back from vaca. Good luck to anyone who joins me!

[Nuckin_Futs]

Post a step-by-step guide.

Removing NB/SB integrated heat sink;

2 options, remove NB sink from IHS or remove IHS while still attached to sink. Not sure what is noted as easiest cause I did both pn several mobos and it's hit or miss which goes smoother. The obvious advantage of the removal of actual IHS off the chipset die is that you get the best of contack to the replaced cooler, wether it be OEM or aftermarket, any drop of temp is a "+".

Prepare; remove all plastic retention clips from back. Only one will stay in loose but at least free it from back (under mosfet cooler) Free SB section 1st as described below. make sure all the rest is free to allow the next step to go smoother.

Start w/ the method I describes much earlier for attempting to only remove heat sink, leaving IHS attached to chipset die. If for any reason it feels like its requiring too much effort, move on to carefully working at loosening and removing IHS from chipset die w/ heat sink still attached. (see below)

To help, I used a moderate heat soldering iron to heat my sink to just hot to the touch. Periodaccly, I dripped 99.7% alcohal into jiont where sink meets the IHS and IHS meets the die plate. for the most part, heat will soften the OEM thermal cement and allow alcohal to seap inbetween the IHS and sink 1st and you can gently work w/ a slotted screw driver of about 1/4" wide to sort of twist from base of die plate (the green plastic part) and under bottom of sink (the copper plate). Try from different sides to find the weakest and go from there. Once you see so much as any opening, hold and drop some alcohal into it and continue.

If the 1st method feels like it's taking too long then move to the IHS removal.

If you look down the mobo from front edge (RAM and SATA side), you will find a small indention at the fron fase of IHS. Usually this is often gooped over w/ cement so use a fine steel pick (size of tooth pick, I use my dental tools) to poke in the alcohal soaked area allowing the rest to fall in the opening. as it opens, try to work w/ mobo inverted upside down so alcohal loosens the IHS from the die as it is lithtly cemented from underneeth as well as lightly glued from edges where the IHS meets the plastic die plate (green part). now gently twist the entire heat sink as a unit (from SB and mosfet) over NB untill it begins to feel loose and wiggly. Add a few more drops of alcohal if need be to aid.

TIPS; If you are concerned of oops's, mask around chipset w/ painters tape and paper to reduce scratching by slip of tools.

To remove cemant and clean. I like to use Barrymans B-12 non residue brake cleaner in a spray to quickly soften and wipe away with cotton swab or ball. It drys fast so have plenty of wipes to remove desolved glue fast, repeat till gone, and finish final cleaning w/ above alcohal (99.7% as used for A/V head cleaning or tuner cleaner). This stuff is flamable so use outdoors and keep all electrical circuts OFF close to the work area. the high strength alcohal can be had at many electronis stores and even Frys has it in both open can or sray. Brake cleaner can be found many places such as Target, Wall-Mart and just about any automotive supply store.

Didn't mean to make this long but didn't wanna' miss anything either, but if you have any questions before going at it, PM me and or post reply.

And of corse as always, anything we do like this to our motherboards is all at our own risk so study carefully. Keep all removed parts in case of RMA, replace w/ any suitable thermal cement to return for whatever reason. They (ASUS) never hassled me yet.