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

[Grnfinger]

Here's what I used:
Bios settings:

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8.5
FSB Frequency : 450
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 266
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 1128
DRAM Command Rate : 2N
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 60
Write Recovery Time : 6
Read to Precharge Time : 3

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : 8
Write to Read Delay (S) : 3
Write to Read Delay (D) : 5
Read to Read Delay (S) : 4
Read to Read Delay (D) : 6
Write to Write Delay (S) : 4
Write to Write Delay (D) : 6
Then the extra sub-timings for the Rampage: 14-5-1-6-6
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled(tried Enable no diffrence)
Ai Clock Twister : Moderate/Strong
Performance Level : 7 (I had it at 6 for FSB at 425 + 1133MHz RAM on my QX9650, but for 450 it had to go to 7)
All pull-ins disabled.

These settings were pretty decent and stable, but I hadn't really played with them enough in terms of tightening timings to squeeze a bit more out of the sticks.

Thanks

Will give me something to play with while I'm off work tomorrow, seems I'm ( cough cough) getting sick

[zlojack]

LOL...yeah... I might be getting a cold sometime next week after my new chip arrives

[yobi]

any info - new bios for MR.406 ?

[AquaRelliux]

Here's what I used:
Bios settings:

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8.5
FSB Frequency : 450
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 266
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 1128
DRAM Command Rate : 2N
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 60
Write Recovery Time : 6
Read to Precharge Time : 3

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : 8
Write to Read Delay (S) : 3
Write to Read Delay (D) : 5
Read to Read Delay (S) : 4
Read to Read Delay (D) : 6
Write to Write Delay (S) : 4
Write to Write Delay (D) : 6
Then the extra sub-timings for the Rampage: 14-5-1-6-6
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled(tried Enable no diffrence)
Ai Clock Twister : Moderate/Strong
Performance Level : 7 (I had it at 6 for FSB at 425 + 1133MHz RAM on my QX9650, but for 450 it had to go to 7)
All pull-ins disabled.

These settings were pretty decent and stable, but I hadn't really played with them enough in terms of tightening timings to squeeze a bit more out of the sticks.

Tried those settings with my system dident even pass loading screen, and I have pretty much a veyr alike system like u, diffrence beeing 1 less pair of rams(should only improve) and using a Q9450 insteed that is basicly the same cpu as yours but with a lower multiplier so I dont get it why i dont get it stable I copied your settings should I turn something off in cpu condifuration I have pretty much all on enable

[zlojack]

Tried those settings with my system dident even pass loading screen, and I have pretty much a veyr alike system like u, diffrence beeing 1 less pair of rams(should only improve) and using a Q9450 insteed that is basicly the same cpu as yours but with a lower multiplier so I dont get it why i dont get it stable I copied your settings should I turn something off in cpu condifuration I have pretty much all on enable

That's strange, man. I've got those settings running right now. What volts are you using on your RAM and NB? I'm at 1.59 vNB and 2.0 vram.

Of course, with RAM you never know. I might have got lucky with my sticks (because I sure have had a hell of a time with CPUs!)

[Sources]

I think it actually may be your PSU giving you problems. 3 hard drives, 2 vid cards, liquid cooling, fans, etc... might be taxing for the 580w

PS also try running with one vid card if you think it might be the modded one.

Hello

I just swapped my 4x1gb Ballistix PC8500 ram to 2x2gb Dominator PC8500 ram to fix my system hang problems. But it still dident slove it I always get 1 crash when the system hangs and I need to force reboot no bsod nothing like that just freeze screen. I have been trying 1 millon settings and still no go I having the feeling that it might be a good idea to get a X48 moderboard but I am not sure. Always after 1 hang it runs fine horus after that the system is:

Q9450@3600mhz 1.23v(100% prime blend and small ffts stable even tryied OCCT ran smooth for 2 hours) max temp around 50c with realtemp it is watercooled.
Asus maximus X38 modded to rampage 0403 bios
2x2gb Dominator PC8500 ram
2x Powercolor 3870s in crossfire only one with modded bios might this be it?, both run @850/1271 and I always get the damn atikmdag problem in same games.
Tagan Easycon 580watt PSU should be enough I heard alot of times.
3x hdds, 1x velociraptor 300gb, 1x 500gb WD sata, 1x 250gb WD sata
1x Samsung Dvd recorder

Bios settings:

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8
FSB Frequency : 450
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 103(tried 100-110 not diffrence over 110 and it dosent boot)
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 1081
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 4
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 60
Write Recovery Time : 4
Read to Precharge Time : 4

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : Auto
Write to Read Delay (S) : Auto
Write to Read Delay (D) : Auto
Read to Read Delay (S) : Auto
Read to Read Delay (D) : Auto
Write to Write Delay (S) : Auto
Write to Write Delay (D) : Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Disabled(tried Enable no diffrence)
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : 7 (tried alot of other settings but only boots in 7 otherwise blackscreen)

CPU Voltage : 1.23785v(1.23v load) (tried up to 1.3 no diffrence)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.5v
North Bridge Voltage : 1.59v(tried from 1.4v-1.65 no diffrence)
DRAM Voltage : 2.04(2.1v real) (tried 1.90v and that makes the system completly unstable)
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.36v(Everest and bios says 1.26v so it should be fine or should I not trust Everest and bios?)
South Bridge Voltage : 1.5v
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : Auto(tried 0.63x but crashed on windows vista boot logo)
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67x( Tried alot of diffrent but still crashing)
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR REFF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR REFF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5v

NB LED Selection : FSBT Volt
SB LED Selection : SB Volt
CPU LED Selection : CPU Volt
Voltiminder LED : Enabled

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

Plz anyone got any ideas är should I just sell the crap and by a P5Q that seems really good, plz guys I am getting crazy here and I dont really have the money to buy a new mobo, also forgott to mention both gfx and NB is watercooled max NB temp os around 40c max load and gfx around 45c load?

//Aqua

[Overload]

Well now I have a 8400 running on MF bios 1102 temps are very good and acurate 30c idle and 55c load 478x9@1.40vCore. Everest and coretemp both read the temps correctly. Asus anal probe is crap, if you have an older version of everest it will read them wrong. Version 4.50.1330 is very acurate for 45nm cpu's, coretemp can be adjusted to the proper tjmax by editing the settings file tjmaxoffset= ( add whatever value )

So in your opinion I might be able to use lower vCore with my E8400 if I use the MF1102 over the RF401 bios? For some reason I just couldn't get the RF403 bios to work stable with my E8400 SLAPL. My vCore is at 1.40v now @ 445x9 with the RF401 flash.

[boombastic]

I've got an Asus Maximus Formula@Rampage and, connected to the six SATA ports, a DVD-RW, 4 Raptor (10000 RPM) configured as Raid-0 and another Raptor-X as storage.
When i copy from or to this last Raptor the PC always hang and i have to reboot manually.
Could it be that the sata controller has been saturated with this high I/O?
The other components are
Seasonic M12 700w
Q6600@3Ghx
2x1GB+2x512MB OCZ
Supreme FX sound card
Peak HD3870

thanks for yuor help!!

[chawks2]

Could it be that the sata controller has been saturated with this high I/O?

Highly doubtful. I have a RAID0, RAID5, 1TB storage drive. I experience no issues copying files with Vista SP1.

1. My first suspicion would be something to do with the SATA DVDRW. Unplug it, try the copy.
2. Ensure the Raptor X cable is not loose.
3. Try a different cable.
4. Try a different SATA port.

[Zucker2k]

I've got an Asus Maximus Formula@Rampage and, connected to the six SATA ports, a DVD-RW, 4 Raptor (10000 RPM) configured as Raid-0 and another Raptor-X as storage.
When i copy from or to this last Raptor the PC always hang and i have to reboot manually.
Could it be that the sata controller has been saturated with this high I/O?
The other components are
Seasonic M12 700w
Q6600@3Ghx
2x1GB+2x512MB OCZ
Supreme FX sound card
Peak HD3870

thanks for yuor help!!

My first suspicion is that your system is NOT stable, as in, it is probably not a hardware issue, but a stability issue. Post your bios settings, I'm sure some ich/fsbt/vnb tweaks will fix that.

[AquaRelliux]

I think it actually may be your PSU giving you problems. 3 hard drives, 2 vid cards, liquid cooling, fans, etc... might be taxing for the 580w

PS also try running with one vid card if you think it might be the modded one.

I dont think so actually 3870 dont use that much power at all

[chawks2]

My first suspicion is that your system is NOT stable

I made the assumption he was running at stock. Bad assumption.

[boombastic]

The system has been stable even with a FSB of 380 Mhz with my previous config. (2xRaptor Raid-0 and the same Optical Drive), anyway i tried this:

1)change sata cable: no
2)unplug DVD-RW: no

could i t be that the controller doesn't like bot a Non Raid Disk and 4 Raid disks?

Anyway my bios config is at the moment (but i also tried with 266 FSB):

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 333
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 800
DRAM Command Rate : 2N
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 4
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 45
Write Recovery Time : 6
Read to Precharge Time : 3

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : 8
Write to Read Delay (S) : 3
Write to Read Delay (D) : 5
Read to Read Delay (S) : 4
Read to Read Delay (D) : 6
Write to Write Delay (S) : 4
Write to Write Delay (D) : 6
Then the extra sub-timings for the Rampage: 14-5-1-5-5
DRAM Static Read Control: AUTO
Ai Clock Twister : AUTO
Performance Level : AUTO
All pull-ins disabled
CPU Voltage : 1.4875v
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.6v
North Bridge Voltage : 1.47v
DRAM Voltage : 1.90v
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.46v
South Bridge Voltage : 1.075v
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : Auto
North Bridge GTL Reference : Auto
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR REFF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR REFF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5v

NB LED Selection : FSBT Volt
SB LED Selection : SB Volt
CPU LED Selection : CPU Volt
Voltiminder LED : Enabled

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

[HermS]

I realised temps were causing a problem for me, my NB was blisteringly hot underload @ 62c and the Southbridge was not much better, so I decided to take the heatsink off while I was refilling and maintaining my water loop. I've never noticed a drastic improvement from replacing stock TIMs on NB's from other boards so was slightly sceptical, but after re-applying with Ceramique I took more than 10c off my NB temps and the SB temps dropped significantly too.

So, the drops in temps gave me more confidence to get a little more adventurous with the voltages and I've made a little progress here, switched to 5:6 divider and pushed FSB a little further. CPU needs 1.48v for 3.75Ghz prime stabel and ~1.53v to hit 3.8 Prime stable with load temps not exceeding 67c.

[chawks2]

could i t be that the controller doesn't like bot a Non Raid Disk and 4 Raid disks?

No, as I stated previously, I have a similar setup to yours.

I would configure the machine back to stock/auto values and see if you experience the same behavior.

[Grnfinger]

any info - new bios for MR.406 ?

I'm about to try it out
lets see if tref has been adjusted

[theonlybabyface]

I'm about to try it out
lets see if tref has been adjusted

I'm interested in this as well....

[Grnfinger]

406 is extremely unstable for my setup, 2 random bsod while testing with everest and superPI, 1 bsod while trying to post to the forum.
Cant report on tref settings I could not make that far into everest, many errors when Vista loaded, anitvirus stopped working, logitech G-15 stoftware stopped responding, hell cpuz would not load.
I do not like RF406!
Best to date for bandwidth is 308 imo, 403 is very stable and I have zero complaints other than the changed tref setting.
MF1102 is rather decent and is spot on with RF403 for performance, atleast with my hardware.
I have tested a E8400, Q6600 and a Q6700, running 2x1GBs(Corsair) and 2x2GBs(GSkill) and I can say with exception to boot times (Rampage is faster) MF1102 & RF403 are nearly identical.

[cadaveca]

Might be my Hynix bios, I'll give it a go. Link?

EDIT Nevermind, last page.

[Grnfinger]

Ok first I must retract my previous post.
Seems to much beer has clouded my judgment. In my bios settings for 406 I had incorrect ram voltage wich caused my instability.
So I will retest it once I grab another beverage and report back.


Update

Tref is still set at 3120.
I cannot see / feel a difference from 403, if I didnt know 406 was loaded I wouldnt be able to tell any difference, altho Vista does seems to have a more "fluid" feel to it.

[AquaRelliux]

I think it actually may be your PSU giving you problems. 3 hard drives, 2 vid cards, liquid cooling, fans, etc... might be taxing for the 580w

PS also try running with one vid card if you think it might be the modded one.

It sems like puttign 2.1v on ram solved it 100% stable now it should have crashed if it was like befire but it hasent thx for the advice Grnfinger

[zlojack]

Ok first I must retract my previous post.
Seems to much beer has clouded my judgment. In my bios settings for 406 I had incorrect ram voltage wich caused my instability.
So I will retest it once I grab another beverage and report back.


Update

Tref is still set at 3120.
I cannot see / feel a difference from 403, if I didnt know 406 was loaded I wouldnt be able to tell any difference, altho Vista does seems to have a more "fluid" feel to it.

So really they only changed tREF?

What was the difference between 0308 and 0403 on tREF? Does it make that much of a difference?

[theonlybabyface]

So really they only changed tREF?

What was the difference between 0308 and 0403 on tREF? Does it make that much of a difference?

Well the tREF on 0308 is 16383T which is faster than any of the bios' afterwards including 0406 (3120). Since you cannot change this option in the bios, stick with 0308 for more bandwidth unless you are having issues with your ram as the looser tREF setting of 3120 "may" help.

[zlojack]

Well the tREF on 0308 is 16383T which is faster than any of the bios' afterwards including 0406 (3120). Since you cannot change this option in the bios, stick with 0308 for more bandwidth unless you are having issues with your ram as the looser tREF setting of 3120 "may" help.

Thanks

My RAM was perfectly fine at 1122 MHz on 0308, so I think I'll flash back and see what difference it makes.

[Zucker2k]

Ok first I must retract my previous post.
Seems to much beer has clouded my judgment. In my bios settings for 406 I had incorrect ram voltage wich caused my instability.
So I will retest it once I grab another beverage and report back.


Update

Tref is still set at 3120.
I cannot see / feel a difference from 403, if I didnt know 406 was loaded I wouldnt be able to tell any difference, altho Vista does seems to have a more "fluid" feel to it.

Was the beer glass empty when you wrote that?