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

[Grnfinger]

Thanks m8
I will try a Corp release next and see if its just the copy I'm using.
Do you not run raid?, I doubt it has much bennifit with the drives I'm using

[Zucker2k]

Thanks m8
I will try a Corp release next and see if its just the copy I'm using.
Do you not run raid?, I doubt it has much bennifit with the drives I'm using

It shouldn't make a difference as long as you inject the correct drivers/or F6 method. What drives are you using?

[ZenEffect]

Thanks m8
I will try a Corp release next and see if its just the copy I'm using.
Do you not run raid?, I doubt it has much bennifit with the drives I'm using

i dont use raid. only have 1 500gb hard drive and it works fast enough for me atm. if there is a huge difference in load times etc then i may consider switching later down the road.

[Grnfinger]

It shouldn't make a difference as long as you inject the correct drivers/or F6 method. What drives are you using?

I'm using

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filt...4&submit=Go%21

[Nuckin_Futs]

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?

As long as you have at least one SATA HDD to Intel SATA on ICH9R (wich is all on this mobo) and bIOS set to RIAD w/ boot ROM enabled, it is ready. Using f6 install, there is only 2 drivers, ax x86 (old 32bit) and x64 (64 bit modern). All versions of XP will utilize AHCI and or RAID Ready function

i dont use raid. only have 1 500gb hard drive and it works fast enough for me atm. if there is a huge difference in load times etc then i may consider switching later down the road.

YES, there is a noticable performance difference. Even for a single HDD in AHCI RAID Ready mode you get better read/write times w/ all the functions of full Intel AHCI as well as ability to migrate to Intel RAID later in XP. You must install in the same manner as outlined above, at least one HDD to ICH9R.

[mazda_626]

I am running 2x 36Gb raptors in raid 0.
the only problem i have found is the system crashes on startup IF i use the MF bios. it would only crash on boot and when restarting. from cold boot, things were fine.

Now i'm running the RF bios, i have absolutly no problems at all, computer doesnt crash on boot and i can restart without having to hard crash the system.

But incase i misunderstood you, is it when you are installing xp that the crash occurs or after xp is installed and the computer restarts?
if it's during the install, is a crash or an error that xp cant find the correct driver when doing the initial install of files (after the HDD format).

[ZenEffect]

As long as you have at least one SATA HDD to Intel SATA on ICH9R (wich is all on this mobo) and bIOS set to RIAD w/ boot ROM enabled, it is ready. Using f6 install, there is only 2 drivers, ax x86 (old 32bit) and x64 (64 bit modern). All versions of XP will utilize AHCI and or RAID Ready function


YES, there is a noticable performance difference. Even for a single HDD in AHCI RAID Ready mode you get better read/write times w/ all the functions of full Intel AHCI as well as ability to migrate to Intel RAID later in XP. You must install in the same manner as outlined above, at least one HDD to ICH9R.

thanks, i will give it a try when i get back home

[Grnfinger]

I am running 2x 36Gb raptors in raid 0.
the only problem i have found is the system crashes on startup IF i use the MF bios. it would only crash on boot and when restarting. from cold boot, things were fine.

Now i'm running the RF bios, i have absolutly no problems at all, computer doesnt crash on boot and i can restart without having to hard crash the system.

But incase i misunderstood you, is it when you are installing xp that the crash occurs or after xp is installed and the computer restarts?
if it's during the install, is a crash or an error that xp cant find the correct driver when doing the initial install of files (after the HDD format).

it crashes after the full install not during, the first boot into windows or even if I try to enter safe mode.
I have installed the raid drivers from the link posted above. I would assume they are the correct drivers.
I could try the ones posted on Asus site or the MF disk but thought the latest drivers would be the best route to take.

[Nuckin_Futs]

If you suspect something, use the ASUS drivers for safe compatable results. I only remember hearing of some driver compatability issues w/ certain newer Raptor, but old models worked fine.

Use the f6 install, and direct to floppy frive A w/ ASUS driver download or off CD/DVD, USB or internal (I don't think FDD emulated USB stick will work but if you do it let us know as this mobo can emulate USB as FDD so maybe XP can see it). DO NOT let XP use its included driver regardless of what is says.

[mazzy]

Hi,
Someone can help me about DDR2 Controller REF Voltage & Channel A & B Volt?
are they working at all ?
I've tried to set it to -10mv but the DDR Voltage is the same that before. I'm running RAM that need only 1.8v I've set The RAM Voltage to 1.8 into the BIOS but Everest/asus probe II report 1.888V.
is there a way to lower a little bit the DDR2 real Voltage ?
thanks.

[430]

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.

Thank you very much

[scottath]

Hi,
Someone can help me about DDR2 Controller REF Voltage & Channel A & B Volt?
are they working at all ?
I've tried to set it to -10mv but the DDR Voltage is the same that before. I'm running RAM that need only 1.8v I've set The RAM Voltage to 1.8 into the BIOS but Everest/asus probe II report 1.888V.
is there a way to lower a little bit the DDR2 real Voltage ?
thanks.

These boards overvolt by about 0.1v so getting 1.8v is proably not going to happen unfortunately for you.....but who in there right mind will run ram at their defaults - this is Xtreme Systems is it not.....
{not trying to have a go at you mazzy ]

[Wolf2000me]

I'm running a RAID-0 2xRaptor setup with XP 32bit. The F6 method worked just fine, although I did have one crash once at the first bootup. It was probably due to something else, it's been running flawless for the rest of the time for several months.

My first RAID attempt with this board didn't go that well but it turned out one of the two disks was writing corrupted data. The RAID bios detected that, I got 2 new raptor drives and it was all good to go.

[Grnfinger]

Thanks for the input guys, I will give it another go today.

[mazzy]

These boards overvolt by about 0.1v so getting 1.8v is proably not going to happen unfortunately for you.....but who in there right mind will run ram at their defaults - this is Xtreme Systems is it not.....
{not trying to have a go at you mazzy ]

Yes, but more Volt = more speed isn't always true, my RAM have Micron D9HNL chip that look like don't like to be juiced to push, so I'd like to experiment down to 1.8v, DDR2 Controller REF Voltage look like a way to change the reference voltage with a offset, so maybe settitng it at -10,20,30 I can get lower DRAM voltage but look like it's not working or the sensor Voltage is placed before the actual offset is applied, so maybe someone on extreme mode have checked the real voltage supplied at the dram with a voltmeter playing with the BIOS option and can enlighten me.

[Nuckin_Futs]

If overclocking in RAID, do give attention to the SB overvolts as well as maybe the use of PCIE OC. For up to 480FSB I use 110MHz PCIE and SB @ 1.104, & SB 1.5 @ 1.58 (actual)

It would be nice to finally hear some good info on the propper use of DDR GTL_Ref. I went over 8 months w/ not really bothering w/ it since I too, couldn't really see a notable change. Anybody? As for the 1.8v vdimm, I wouldn't bother, 1.9v in the 1st slots (closer to CPU) will be more then fine w/ even the cheapest of RAM. Anyways, as far as I can remember, all the better RAM for us enthusiast have alwayz run at least 0.05-0.1v over to maintain stability of performance.

[Grnfinger]

If overclocking in RAID, do give attention to the SB overvolts as well as maybe the use of PCIE OC. For up to 480FSB I use 110MHz PCIE and SB @ 1.104, & SB 1.5 @ 1.58 (actual)

It would be nice to finally hear some good info on the propper use of DDR GTL_Ref. I went over 8 months w/ not really bothering w/ it since I too, couldn't really see a notable change. Anybody? As for the 1.8v vdimm, I wouldn't bother, 1.9v in the 1st slots (closer to CPU) will be more then fine w/ even the cheapest of RAM. Anyways, as far as I can remember, all the better RAM for us enthusiast have alwayz run at least 0.05-0.1v over to maintain stability of performance.

I use GTL_Ref +10mv if I recall ( I'm not at home right now) I found it help'd eliminate the "det dram" on the older bios.
I never tried to compensate for the overvolt, by trying to undervolt it. + .8 ( my board) is very easy to compensate for.

As for my raid0 XP issue, I did another clean install using the original MF ( cd ) drivers and it booted without issue

Very pleased and thanks for the advice

[ZenEffect]

well, my maximus died last night... watched a little whiff of smoke come up from the mosfet area



RMA TIME!

[Nuckin_Futs]

well, my maximus died last night... watched a little whiff of smoke come up from the mosfet area



RMA TIME!

Sorry to hear! If you dont mind, can you share the details of the type of OC and components. I realize high end stuff can go out, I had it happen a few times, but I often find the average is usually due to BETA BIOS and or intence tweaking & or lack of good cooling, so just curious.

[ZenEffect]

Sorry to hear! If you dont mind, can you share the details of the type of OC and components. I realize high end stuff can go out, I had it happen a few times, but I often find the average is usually due to BETA BIOS and or intence tweaking & or lack of good cooling, so just curious.

believe it or not, it died @ stock settings. just one of those random things i guess.

[Nuckin_Futs]

Anybody else have issues w/ J-micron PATA controller dropping out every now and then? 2 times and in each profile as in sig. Do any new drivers help? Should I at leasty see the controller as a SCSI device or only as an ATIPI/IDE or such? I'm only using it for scratch drives in EIDE/PATA mode (no RAID) but I do need them to stay active during work. The driver for ATA/ATAPI is the basic old 2002 Microsoft. Is there anything since?

believe it or not, it died @ stock settings. just one of those random things i guess.

Not good. Anywayz, do note this mobo overvolts so you may in fact be running a tad more of everything then you want or need. Although not enough to kill anything that I can see, but it does overvolt. The only danger is for your CPU n the area of PLL. This if in Auto, scales along w/ FSB so keep an eye on it. I found mine using 1.712 @ 485FSB but I only need 1.612.

Most important, when reading most the forums, try to confirm if they are providing actual volts as reported by CMOS because too many still insist on only providing the CMOS setting wich we all know is different from board to board and various profiles and CPUs.


Good luck on your RMA.

[Grnfinger]

well, my maximus died last night... watched a little whiff of smoke come up from the mosfet area



RMA TIME!

Sorry to hear about your board.
Did you flash back to MF bios?
If you still have a RF bios on the board let us know how the rma works out.
If you have a SE board what are they offering as a replacement?
I was offerd a Maximus Exteme ( altho at the time I think the ppl here did not believe me) in Novemeber when I thought a rma was a comming, Kup solved my issue so I did not need to rma the board.

[ZenEffect]

Sorry to hear about your board.
Did you flash back to MF bios?
If you still have a RF bios on the board let us know how the rma works out.
If you have a SE board what are they offering as a replacement?
I was offerd a Maximus Exteme ( altho at the time I think the ppl here did not believe me) in Novemeber when I thought a rma was a comming, Kup solved my issue so I did not need to rma the board.

it has the rampage bios still on it, but my guess is they will rma no problem.

i dont have the se version. i will keep you guys updated on the rma.

[Nuckin_Futs]

it has the rampage bios still on it, but my guess is they will rma no problem.

i dont have the se version. i will keep you guys updated on the rma.

I thought you said everything was stock. That totally changes the story. So many things could have palyed a role in that. You're talking about using a BIOS (a BETA at that) written for one mobo to another. They are "alike", not "exact" or we would have BETAs of same version updated simotainiously for all 3 mobos. Not arguing why we do it, just pointing it out. I just think the risk of failure is masked by the praise of benchmark sores.

Anyways, do keeps us updated on the RAM then for sure, because I was under the impression ASUS considered this a void in Warrenty if they confirmed you modded it out of spec. We know they can tell, but the question is, will they bother to even look.

[ZenEffect]

I thought you said everything was stock. That totally changes the story. So many things could have palyed a role in that. You're talking about using a BIOS (a BETA at that) written for one mobo to another. They are "alike", not "exact" or we would have BETAs of same version updated simotainiously for all 3 mobos. Not arguing why we do it, just pointing it out. I just think the risk of failure is masked by the praise of benchmark sores.

Anyways, do keeps us updated on the RAM then for sure, because I was under the impression ASUS considered this a void in Warrenty if they confirmed you modded it out of spec. We know they can tell, but the question is, will they bother to even look.

thats what im betting on due to the failure rate of these things. sorry, i meant to say, all volts were default. the motherboard simply died for no apparent reason. honestly if they dont rma, i dont really care. its worth a shot though. looking @ p45 for high fsb dual core overclocking anyways. got the x48 for crossfire.