Foxconn Quantum Force Black Ops X48 OC Guide (56k Warning)

[Telo]

hi,

got a small problem with my blackops, I cant seem to get the 1:3,2 divider to work, first I blamed it on the quadcore + 4GB combination (q6700 + 2x2 GB g.skill 1600) which is known to oc not too good, but I got some blue cellshocks in the meantime and even when using a E8400 instead of the q6700 and the cellshocks I cant get that divider to work (no boot and error 54), the weird thing is that with the same timings and volts the system boots with the 1:4 333 divider.

anyone else with problems with that divider when higher dividers work at otherwise same settings?

There is an entire thread about the 1:3.2 [5:8] divider for this board; go here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=190667

[Telo]

Of course, the "Fox LiveUpdate" locks up on opening, and the AWDFlash included with downloading the BIOS says it wants a 16 bit OS.

I'm you, and I'd send that board back for replacement. Counting the many issues you have had so far; I had my first board give me a handful and after a week and a half I sent it back, got a new board that is somewhat flawless so far. I'm really happy about this purchase and sending it for replacement and not return. Don't drop the board altogether, it is a great board, just a bit stubborned.

[MotF Bane]

I'm you, and I'd send that board back for replacement. Counting the many issues you have had so far; I had my first board give me a handful and after a week and a half I sent it back, got a new board that is somewhat flawless so far. I'm really happy about this purchase and sending it for replacement and not return. Don't drop the board altogether, it is a great board, just a bit stubborned.

Well, it's definitely going back Monday. It wouldn't boot from USB key, so there went the last method I could think of for BIOS update.

[naokaji]

There is an entire thread about the 1:3.2 [5:8] divider for this board; go here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=190667

thanks, I'll have a look there.

[Telo]

Well, it's definitely going back Monday. It wouldn't boot from USB key, so there went the last method I could think of for BIOS update.

The flash tool does not take the USB drives [well, at least mine doesn't take the USB drives], you have to go old school and use the floppy drive.

[MotF Bane]

The flash tool does not take the USB drives [well, at least mine doesn't take the USB drives], you have to go old school and use the floppy drive.

...I don't even own a floppy drive anymore. I'll try to borrow one.

[T_M]

yep, no USB for flashing action for me, had to us Live Update always.

[MotF Bane]

yep, no USB for flashing action for me, had to us Live Update always.

Live Update doesn't work when the LAN driver won't install.

[gmcg]

Anyone else using Cellshocks and this mobo with a quadcore...please feel free to comment.
Regards
sashin

Use my settings published above and you will be able to use not only FSB=400, but FSB=421 with x9.5 multiplier, your rig will be faster than with x10 and FSB=400.
Those settings are quite safe, and you can even lower the CPU V core voltage, I would say it should be fine at 1.36-1.38V (depending on the CPU) with Vdrop enabled.

Live Update doesn't work when the LAN driver won't install.

Why don't you try a CD to update your BIOS, previously cleaning it with BIOS reset?
Don't forget to make default setting before updating BIOS and after.
Also there are two BIOS, BIOS 1 and BIOS 2, may be your rig jumps on one which is corrupted? Try to switch it.

[MotF Bane]

Why don't you try a CD to update your BIOS, previously cleaning it with BIOS reset?
Don't forget to make default setting before updating BIOS and after.
Also there are two BIOS, BIOS 1 and BIOS 2, may be your rig jumps on one which is corrupted? Try to switch it.

I'll need to poke through the BIOS options then, as I just got this thing working Friday night at about 11 PM. Never heard of using a CD for BIOS updating.

[Telo]

Why don't you try a CD to update your BIOS, previously cleaning it with BIOS reset?
Don't forget to make default setting before updating BIOS and after.
Also there are two BIOS, BIOS 1 and BIOS 2, may be your rig jumps on one which is corrupted? Try to switch it.

First off, not trying to chase your posts. Can you clarify something for me? I was under the impression that the ROM1 and ROM2 feature only worked for settings saving [Gear Store 1-8]; so by your comment, am I correct in gathering that the BIOS actually stores itself as well on both chips?

[sashin]

Use my settings published above and you will be able to use not only FSB=400, but FSB=421 with x9.5 multiplier, your rig will be faster than with x10 and FSB=400.
Those settings are quite safe, and you can even lower the CPU V core voltage, I would say it should be fine at 1.36-1.38V (depending on the CPU) with Vdrop enabled.

I'll give it a go and see what happens....where are you settings published? Can you provide a link as there are now over 400 posts in this thread.
Regards
sashin

[Telo]

I'll give it a go and see what happens....where are you settings published? Can you provide a link as there are now over 400 posts in this thread.
Regards
sashin

His sig has a few of his settings.

[sashin]

Use my settings published above and you will be able to use not only FSB=400, but FSB=421 with x9.5 multiplier, your rig will be faster than with x10 and FSB=400.
Those settings are quite safe, and you can even lower the CPU V core voltage, I would say it should be fine at 1.36-1.38V (depending on the CPU) with Vdrop enabled.

Tried to use these fsb and multi settings BUT unable to boot after with error code 61. Tried to reset on mobo and also poer off PSU an reboot BUT kept getting the same error massage on the LCD. Finally had to reset cmos reboot again. Any other ideas.....i have tried to reduce cpu voltage below 1.40 BUT the system will not post. MY particular cpu needs 1.40 volts or more to boot into Vista at 400 x 10 or higher. I used to use nearly 1.60 volts on this cpu to get 4.0 stable on the Nvidia 790i ultra chipset !!
I guess every cpu is different.

[LardArse]

Well, it's definitely going back Monday. It wouldn't boot from USB key, so there went the last method I could think of for BIOS update.

Did you use the HP USB Boot key tool to make the stick bootable? Fat32?
Thats what I use and i select my HD priority since its detected as HD, in the bios and then boot up with the key.

[LardArse]

Tried to use these fsb and multi settings BUT unable to boot after with error code 61. Tried to reset on mobo and also poer off PSU an reboot BUT kept getting the same error massage on the LCD. Finally had to reset cmos reboot again. Any other ideas.....i have tried to reduce cpu voltage below 1.40 BUT the system will not post. MY particular cpu needs 1.40 volts or more to boot into Vista at 400 x 10 or higher. I used to use nearly 1.60 volts on this cpu to get 4.0 stable on the Nvidia 790i ultra chipset !!
I guess every cpu is different.

Vdrroop compensdation enabled in bios?
1.6v for 4.0G is too much unless your cpu is really bad...

[MotF Bane]

Did you use the HP USB Boot key tool to make the stick bootable? Fat32?
Thats what I use and i select my HD priority since its detected as HD, in the bios and then boot up with the key.

Yes, HP boot tool, with MS DOS startup folder, and Fat32. I'll look for the key in the hard drive lists, I figured it would be under one of the USB options. That might account for it.

[raptor1]

Yes, HP boot tool, with MS DOS startup folder, and Fat32. I'll look for the key in the hard drive lists, I figured it would be under one of the USB options. That might account for it.

During post press the print screen button to bring up the boot menu

arrow down to hard disk which should have a + beside it

highlight it and press enter / return and if your key is detected it should show up with your hard drives

at least it does for me - i have always used the usb key to flash the bios and never had a single issue

flanr

[ceevee]

SHould have went the eVGA 790i route... I had this board and I must say not fun to OC without problems.. Good Luck...

You were right.

X48 chipset is much much more stable than 790i.

May go back to the Blackops and get two 4870s instead.

[sashin]

Vdrroop compensdation enabled in bios?
1.6v for 4.0G is too much unless your cpu is really bad...

Vdroop compensation is enabled in BIOS. 1.6 volts was for NVIDIA 790i Ultra chipset. BUT on this mobo X48 chipset, i am using about 1.43-1.45 volts to get 4.05GHz stable hopefully.
Regards
sashin

[gmcg]

I'll need to poke through the BIOS options then, as I just got this thing working Friday night at about 11 PM. Never heard of using a CD for BIOS updating.

Well, EVGA mostly uses CD *.iso images for BIOS updates on 790i and 780i. It is pretty easy to create a bootable CD using something like MagicISO and burn on it awdflash and actual bin BIOS file for Blackops as well.

First off, not trying to chase your posts. Can you clarify something for me? I was under the impression that the ROM1 and ROM2 feature only worked for settings saving [Gear Store 1-8]; so by your comment, am I correct in gathering that the BIOS actually stores itself as well on both chips?

http://www.quantum-force.net/news/N000000016/
"whilst the new Twin BIOS feature safeguards against BIOS corruption and enables hot-swapping of BIOS chips."
Take a look at this picture:


We can see those two BIOS hot-swaping (located on panels) BIOS memory chips. Also one can force to use one of two BIOSes with jumpers.
This feature is a HUGE plus to Foxconn engineering approach IMO. If one's BIOS is corrupt, he/she doesn't need to RMA the whole MB, one can use another chip while waiting for the second chip replacement, which can be just plugged into the panel, no soldering required.

And yes, AFAIK you can record different versions of BIOS on two chips separately. Take a look on your Live update panel.

I'll give it a go and see what happens....where are you settings published? Can you provide a link as there are now over 400 posts in this thread.
Regards
sashin

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=200

Tried to use these fsb and multi settings BUT unable to boot after with error code 61. Tried to reset on mobo and also poer off PSU an reboot BUT kept getting the same error massage on the LCD. Finally had to reset cmos reboot again. Any other ideas.....i have tried to reduce cpu voltage below 1.40 BUT the system will not post. MY particular cpu needs 1.40 volts or more to boot into Vista at 400 x 10 or higher. I used to use nearly 1.60 volts on this cpu to get 4.0 stable on the Nvidia 790i ultra chipset !!
I guess every cpu is different.

Hmm, this is quite interesting. Let me think a bit.
Could you re-check all your voltage settings please, and re-connect your memory and power connectors to be sure that they are fixed in the positions?

[gmcg]

You were right.

X48 chipset is much much more stable than 790i.

May go back to the Blackops and get two 4870s instead.

2x4870 is significantly less expensive choice, and you will have DirectX 10.1 support ...

[sashin]

[QUOTE=Hmm, this is quite interesting. Let me think a bit.
Could you re-check all your voltage settings please, and re-connect your memory and power connectors to be sure that they are fixed in the positions?[/QUOTE]


Yep checked all the connections...all OK. I now can boot into Vista 32 bit at 4040 MHz with cpu voltage of 1.45 in the BIOS. VDroop enebled. All the memory timing are set at 7-7-7-20 at 1T with memory voltage of 1.875 or something along those lines...BIOS however reads memory voltage at 1.91 after reboot. Other memory setting mostly all on auto except command dll, controll dll and clock dll at -2. NB voltage ts 1.564. SB is at 1.50. FSB 405 x 10. All other cpu settings are as i had posted earlier except GTL ref voltage which are now at default. Have not run any benchmarks just yet.
Will keep you guys posted about stability later.
Regards

[Telo]

Well, due to some friggin' strange reason, the 92mm x 38mm fan on my CoolIT Freezone died yesterday and now it is forcing me to lower my frequency . Might have to run the system with 500FSB but with 4Ghz speed until I get a replacement fan. I will post images of stability testing and some settings when I see that it is at least SuperPI 32M stable. I guess I got to say goodbye to 4M test under 1min and 32M under 11min .

[HDCHOPPER]

ya dont that pi$$ ya off telo gotta thump my pump once in a while if temp go over 38c

downclocking is a sin