X48 Rampage Formula Preview.

[bigslappy]

I don't know if I should post this in this thread or start a new one. I'm about ready to FREAK OUT MAN! I posted earlier about my DDR2 800 Crucial Ballistix not being able to pass Memtest86 http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...181921&page=20. I adjusted voltage and timings and even tRFC like suggested. They wouldn't pass. I RMA'd the RAM and the MB and got new of each. It was decided that the 2Gb sticks were not compatible with the Rampage.

I order some G.Skill DDR2 1066. They will not pass Memtest86 either. WTF?

Unfortunately, it's starting to look like the common denominator is me.

Am I running the right program -Memtest86 v3.4? Is it possible that something is wrong with the bootable CD?

try prime95 on blend that really works the memory & what O/S are u useing ? & did you D/L the newest driver for the Intel X48 chipset (it's on an earlier post) as the R/F CD is out dated on all the drivers & as is the Intel download site , for some reason Intel hasn't updated their own site but i had a problem with the 2nd mobo till i had all the drivers in correctly

[DEFLORATOR]

What performance level do ya'll run 2x2Gb at? I had it set to auto. Now I'm trying 7. What tRFC?

-Thanks

It's not the same board. It came with all the accesories and another copy of Striker game. I reapplied the heatsink also and the new one is definitely a different board. Or they went through a lot of trouble to trick me.

And what does memtest86+ v2.01 say? Try it instead of memtest86, because basically when "memtest" is mentioned, they mean memtet86+ namely.
http://www.memtest.org/
For 2x2Gb I recommend begin with TRFC=54, because 2Gb sticks are extremely sensitive to that timing.

[Rickpatbrown]

Don't drivers only load when Windows loads. Memtest uns before that. I can't find the link to new drivers. Intel list two -one only for advanced users- http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=816&OSF ullName=Windows*+XP+Home+Edition&lang=eng&strOSs=4 5&submit=Go%21

Does it matter which one? Are these the latest? 6-02-08 seems pretty up to date to me.

I've tried tRFC up to 85 without any luck and performance level 8.

[bigslappy]

mods done ! pix attd......

the copper colored backplate is NOT copper it's ALU

drilled out the collars that were on stock back plate ran screws up with the blk nylon washer that were there from the back of the mobo
used the plexi thick hold down plate for a drill guide but the line up was slightly off soo i made the holes larger but not by much (1 drill size up ) next mobo i'll use the back plate for the guide
actually I will be redoing all this over in BRASS plate to replace the thin plexi hold down ,as i don't like the "X38" detail on the plexi = seeing it's a X48 chipset (gonna engrave the brass with my logo & X48)
I like how this works . Very simple to get the block alined (does it it's self)
very easy to get even pressure across block & don't have to worry about bending the PCB & useing the screws in that way from the back up ,there is not a nut tightning issue & less metal protrudes that can touch the MoBo tray
will no be useing grommets & washers on this at the top of the MoBo(like on the CPU) as there are 2 tiny resisters on 2 corners right at the screw holes

NOW ,with the brass DD block cover there is NO issue with crushing the capacitors &/or getting the V2 Pro-mount on clearance is not a problem due to the Brass block cover holding everything up WAY high

BUT with the thick plexi block cover it's gonna hit the caps when you tighten the plexi ....

I also will redo the back plate in Brass also & thread the holes for the screws to hold better ..

feel good about this Block & mount

NOW I can Bling it Up !

with brass custom parts

[bigslappy]

Does it matter which one? Are these the latest? 6-02-08 seems pretty up to date to me.

this the intel one i used but I see you are useing XP soo i can't help i got Vista on all machines ............



http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...stems&lang=eng

this is the latest marvel driver

http://www.marvell.com/drivers/drive...o?driverId=175


i was having strange problems with my 2nd R/F till i D/L'ed these & i am useing the new 0406 BIOS

what bios ya got now ?

[003]

bigslappy where did you get that brass thing that goes between the plexiglass cover and the block??? Can you give me a link to get it? That would surely solve all clearance issues!

[situman]

y would you want to use the promount anyway? THe old mounting method works so much better, especially if you change cpus often.

[bigslappy]

bigslappy where did you get that brass thing that goes between the plexiglass cover and the block??? Can you give me a link to get it? That would surely solve all clearance issues!

YEAH it does!

DD is where i got it in the spring ! april/may i'll lok at my invoices

it came with the block as an $8.00 option
i went to their site & they no longer sell that block & the NEW replacement block does not have that option ... Damn , NOW i want another !

[003]

Darn, if you could check the invoice that would be great. I always seem to get screwed like this

[bigslappy]

Darn, if you could check the invoice that would be great. I always seem to get screwed like this

the mpc-975x block has a brass option ..call DD in the morning it seems like we can get the top for that block cause it looks like the block is the same as ours . i gonna call quoc at petra's and have him mersure that block to see if it's the same size ..then if it is i'll order the mpc-975x for myself with the brass option and mod the hold down outta brass stock it's just as easy to make 2 or 3 as it is one . as i now have a mock up then from there it's a piece o' cake to make .. i really want a 4 hole block for that chipset for my other R/F mobo .... stay in touch ..

[bigslappy]

the invoice says mpc-38 stock # CHP-319 .......DATED 4-21-08 OPTION BRASS TOP

[RealTelstar]

And what does memtest86+ v2.01 say? Try it instead of memtest86, because basically when "memtest" is mentioned, they mean memtet86+ namely.
http://www.memtest.org/
For 2x2Gb I recommend begin with TRFC=54, because 2Gb sticks are extremely sensitive to that timing.

The rampage doesnt have a fine tuning of tRFC, there is 50 (or 51 i dont remember) and then jump to 55.
I use 55.

When set to auto it goes with the SPD, which is 48 for my g.skills.

[RealTelstar]

this is the latest marvel driver

http://www.marvell.com/drivers/drive...o?driverId=175


i was having strange problems with my 2nd R/F till i D/L'ed these & i am useing the new 0406 BIOS

what bios ya got now ?

Interesting, besides that i cannot use the 0406 bios because I have the same raid controller as Brama. I'll check these new marvell drivers as well.

[Rickpatbrown]

Do the marvel drivers and south bridge drivers have anything to do with my memory problems?

Thanks for all the updates. I will not quit until this board is perfect . . . well, as close as possible.

[003]

Well good news regarding the brass top/spacer for the MPC-X38! I called DangerDen and asked about it, and they said you can still order it. All you do is order the Maze4 Chipset Brass Top Conversion Kit, which is here:
http://www.dangerden.com/store/produ...&cat=45&page=1

All you need to do is make sure you select "Intel 975" for the top style, and then when you are placing the order, put in the customer notes that it is actually for the MPC-X38.

I've ordered one

[bigslappy]

Do the marvel drivers and south bridge drivers have anything to do with my memory problems?

Thanks for all the updates. I will not quit until this board is perfect . . . well, as close as possible.

YEAH
but who knows

but having all yer ducks in row don't hurt

& like u said earlier it's something simple that is the hardest to track down & if i remember right the marvel driver's are suite of drivers that control a few things on the board not just the mini ports ( deleted one marvel driver (audio) on P5E & had a hellva time getting that mobo to work after )

[bigslappy]

Well good news regarding the brass top/spacer for the MPC-X38! I called DangerDen and asked about it, and they said you can still order it. All you do is order the Maze4 Chipset Brass Top Conversion Kit, which is here:
http://www.dangerden.com/store/produ...&cat=45&page=1

All you need to do is make sure you select "Intel 975" for the top style, and then when you are placing the order, put in the customer notes that it is actually for the MPC-X38.

I've ordered one

Yeah that's what i figured that the Intel 975 was the same basic block / just a different mounting when all plexi ... & you get a thin plexi mount when u order a brass option & that thin plexi i'll toss & make a brass hold down & Bling up both of mine .. soo i ordered the Intel 975 chipset block /with brass

the last block & brass cover(mpc-x38) they sent alot of sizes of the allen head screws with my last block soo that's not gonna be an issue

glad that worked out for u .. that screw/thumb nut set i used on the mod ...
i got from petra's ,you have to call & ask for them as they are not on the web site they are the "Vtec fusion screws set"

[003]

Thanks for the info! Oh, I thought I would let you know, I took the stock NB baseplate that came on my Rampage Formula (not using it with the current MPC-Universal), and I lined its screw sockets up with the holes on the plexiglas top on my MPC-X38, and they lined up perfectly. So if you are saying you got an MPC-X38 with holes that didn't line up on the Rampage Formula, that is an issue, because they should. Maybe they accidentally sent the wrong top with it or something.

[bigslappy]

Yeah as i said DD has sent me wrong block before ,I got a ATI 3870X2 block that didn't fit either but all is cool now as i do like that block with pins in it as the EK block only has channels & looks restrictive , that & the fact that it don't cover the chipset squarely

[3lfk1ng]

Hrmmm. Was 24/7 OCCT stable at 4.0ghz in XP pro, but upon getting my 4870 and trying to boot into Vista I ran into some stability issues and the system would crash into a blue screen before even loading Vista. After messing around for a long time I finally decided to update bios.

Updating the bios fixed my instablity and things are running solid once again.

[GAR]

What is max pci-e MHZ for this board????

[3lfk1ng]

Let me check

Edit: Checked - 180 is the max.

[DaLiu]

Hrmmm. Was 24/7 OCCT stable at 4.0ghz in XP pro, but upon getting my 4870 and trying to boot into Vista I ran into some stability issues and the system would crash into a blue screen before even loading Vista. After messing around for a long time I finally decided to update bios.

Updating the bios fixed my instablity and things are running solid once again.

What bios?

[3lfk1ng]

The first bios, to the most recent (0403).

[Ice009]

Does anyone know if OCZ 2 x 2 GB kit of PC8500 Reapers work with this motherboard? I want to get this motherboard with that kit of RAM and a Q9550 when Intel cuts their prices.