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

[Grnfinger]

Not really, prepping my budget for a 4870

I don't know what the fuzz is about the P45s; they have their own problems; yes high fsb, but at very loose PL. If anyone is looking to upgrade, my personal recommendation is to get a "true" rampage.

I have been looking at that also.
Kinda torn atm, I have a Q6600, Q6700( in shipping) and a E8400, trying to find the best board to achive my highest clocks. I find the RF hack to limit my bandwidth some. I got better bandwidth with MF bios running a 65nm quad.

[OVERK|LL]

I have been looking at that also.
Kinda torn atm, I have a Q6600, Q6700( in shipping) and a E8400, trying to find the best board to achive my highest clocks. I find the RF hack to limit my bandwidth some. I got better bandwidth with MF bios running a 65nm quad.

Odd, because I've managed to get better bandwidth out of the RF conversion after playing with the settings extensively.

[Zucker2k]

I have been looking at that also.
Kinda torn atm, I have a Q6600, Q6700( in shipping) and a E8400, trying to find the best board to achive my highest clocks. I find the RF hack to limit my bandwidth some. I got better bandwidth with MF bios running a 65nm quad.

Get the RF, you won't regret it. Skip P45, when Nehalem drops we'll have no choice but to upgrade.

[Grnfinger]

Get the RF, you won't regret it. Skip P45, when Nehalem drops we'll have no choice but to upgrade.

You should be a PR guy for Asus, I'm thinking harder now on the Rampage.
Just got done reading your flamming post's on the q9450
A few got a little raw there. Anyways that is a nice stable clock you have on the Q9450, seems there might be a soloution to the fsb limit

[masska]

Anybody heard when the Maximus II or the X58 will be out?

[ZenEffect]

I have been looking at that also.
Kinda torn atm, I have a Q6600, Q6700( in shipping) and a E8400, trying to find the best board to achive my highest clocks. I find the RF hack to limit my bandwidth some. I got better bandwidth with MF bios running a 65nm quad.

how many mobos do you have? im only up to 3...

[Zucker2k]

You should be a PR guy for Asus, I'm thinking harder now on the Rampage.
Just got done reading your flamming post's on the q9450
A few got a little raw there. Anyways that is a nice stable clock you have on the Q9450, seems there might be a soloution to the fsb limit

Haha; I've had my fair share of dealing with rumor-mongers on this sweet forum. I have the Q9450 running at 8x482 fsb (3.856 Ghz) with 1.6v on the NB. I'm sure if I tried hard, I could take it to 8x500, but I gotta baby this little monster for the time being; plus my cpu sucks! Yikes!

how many mobos do you have? im only up to 3...

The trick is to get them out the door as fast as they come in

[ZenEffect]

Haha; I've had my fair share of dealing with rumor-mongers on this sweet forum. I have the Q9450 running at 8x482 fsb (3.856 Ghz) with 1.6v on the NB. I'm sure if I tried hard, I could take it to 8x500, but I gotta baby this little monster for the time being; plus my cpu sucks! Yikes!

The trick is to get them out the door as fast as they come in

but i like to horde hardware
really i need a new case, some ram... new psu... video card...
man, too much $$$ to be spent!

[Zucker2k]

but i like to horde hardware
really i need a new case, some ram... new psu... video card...
man, too much $$$ to be spent!

In 1 month, everything that is currently on the market will become 2 years obsolete. Well, maybe except for my RF Seriously, the hardware releases is going to get insane starting from next week. Drool.

[cadaveca]

LoL. this board sitll needs a bios for 45nm quad and hynix 2gb dimms....

[ZenEffect]

In 1 month, everything that is currently on the market will become 2 years obsolete. Well, maybe except for my RF Seriously, the hardware releases is going to get insane starting from next week. Drool.

yea, the only things that dont go obsolete are psu and case and keyboard. im waiting till 4870 for my next video cards. im quite suprised my 2900pros have held out this long as far as being still competitive. i dont think my 3dmark06 is too shabby atm. mabye i should wait for 3870x2 price drop and pick up 2. i doubt even 2 4870's in crossfire could match that

too bad p45 has 8x 8x pcie...

[Zucker2k]

yea, the only things that dont go obsolete are psu and case and keyboard. im waiting till 4870 for my next video cards. im quite suprised my 2900pros have held out this long as far as being still competitive. i dont think my 3dmark06 is too shabby atm. mabye i should wait for 3870x2 price drop and pick up 2. i doubt even 2 4870's in crossfire could match that

too bad p45 has 8x 8x pcie...

Another reason to consider x48 then.

[aussie-revhead]

What is bandwidth like on 8x pci-e2 ? Does that make a difference ? ie will it bottleneck a 4870x2 ? If not then it doesnt really matter right ?

[scottath]

What is bandwidth like on 8x pci-e2 ? Does that make a difference ? ie will it bottleneck a 4870x2 ? If not then it doesnt really matter right ?

1) It is the equivalent of a normal PCI-E 16x [as PCI-E 2.0 is twice the bandwidth than PCI-E]
2) No idea - and probably won't till the cards come out and are tested - but probably no still
3) Correct

[prime81]

Well here's my Formula S.E. flashed to the latest Rampage BIOS with my E8500. Keep in mind the CPU is the only thing watercooled, the mobo although its capable of watercooling is being cooled by one 120x38mm Delta.

4ghz 500 x 8(Daily setup)

Superpi 4ghz

4.25ghz 500 x 8.5

4.5ghz 500 x 9

Everest with temps and cache performance

And of course I couldn't resist 3dmark06@ 4.5ghz...19115 with 3870x2 @ stock speeds.

[ZenEffect]

Another reason to consider x48 then.

thats why i have a dfi lt x48 tr2

[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.

[elvislee58]

any people can oc Q9450 on MF se over 437 FSB??
can post setting in here?

[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.

[430]

Hi all,

if i have 2 pairs of Corsair Dominator.May i install HR-05 IFX / (SLI) on my NB??

or it will crash??

Thanks

did anyone had any idea about this?

[chawks2]

did anyone had any idea about this?

I have the HR05 on both the NB & SB. It comes really close to the outside RAM chips, but I think you would be fine. Dominators go straight up I dont believe their width is larger.

[Grnfinger]

I just ( for fun ) setup a Raid0 XP install, the raid drivers installed without issue, and XP installed without issues, when XP booted for the first time it crashed and will continue to crash even in safe mode.

Any ideas? oh if this matters I'm using a 32bit student XP issue, should I try a corp or oem version instead?

[ZenEffect]

I just ( for fun ) setup a Raid0 XP install, the raid drivers installed without issue, and XP installed without issues, when XP booted for the first time it crashed and will continue to crash even in safe mode.

Any ideas? oh if this matters I'm using a 32bit student XP issue, should I try a corp or oem version instead?

i would try the corporate version first before oem. honestly though, i have no experience w/ raid.