**Official ASUS Striker II Formula Discussion/Review/Overclock/Guide/BIOS Thread**

[71 (Bryan)]

Hey guys, finally got the Q9450 , first boot BSOD second boot, everything ok Stock cooling still fast Ima n00b u guys are gonna help me yay
this will most likley be the N00biest question ill ever ask, do i need to reformat (running vista) after i installed the new cpu?
thx guys

[simonk]

No Vista will (should!) pickup the new CPU, check in system properties

[71 (Bryan)]

thx bro, eventually, im still gonna do it cuz i got alotta on my pc
another thing has anyone figured out how to cool the bridge chip when unsing aftermarket cooling, im not gonna get the ek block since it wont fit since the vidcard id in the way

[EvoCarlos]

thx bro, eventually, im still gonna do it cuz i got alotta on my pc
another thing has anyone figured out how to cool the bridge chip when unsing aftermarket cooling, im not gonna get the ek block since it wont fit since the vidcard id in the way

hello
i just use a 80mm fan full speed on the nb resting on the gfx card it keeps the nb bellow the 50c mark @ any oc i have tryed so far was going to fit water cooling but found the fan is better than i can water cool it lol with out buying a new bigger rad,,

[simonk]

Anyone notice any difference between PMP's 1401 bios and the new released official 1401?

[71 (Bryan)]

already got the block some im not just gonna burn 50$
and the diff between the 2 bioses is that the asus version works and pmps didnt for me

[EvoCarlos]

Anyone notice any difference between PMP's 1401 bios and the new released official 1401?

i have not try'd the offical yet but im having trouble with pmp's 1401 droping a gfx card @ 2000mhz it finds it but wont install the drivers for it
it even killed my os managed to fix with vista disc so that was good.
i got the bios on my usb pen so i'll put it on and try but its probbly just pmps hosted on the asus site lol..

[EvoCarlos]

already got the block some im not just gonna burn 50$
and the diff between the 2 bioses is that the asus version works and pmps didnt for me

did you get the 4 water blocks? for the mobo as the nb is all connected ??
thats what put me off w/c the nb lol

[71 (Bryan)]

nopes, im goona mod the stock cooling somewhat so i can still use stock cooling on the mosfetsm i think im gonna chop off a piece of the nb sink and glue it to it

[Marios]

Anyone notice any difference between PMP's 1401 bios and the new released official 1401?

They are exactly the same byte by byte.

And one tip
Set the BIOS pnp OS to YES.
This fixed a "stop moving" problem I had with Microsoft USB 5000 keyboard - Laser mouse set, while playing Crysis.

And a strange one. I am almost 100% sure this is the case, but I cannot believe my eyes .. a trick of the eye (Tail) ...
I noticed that the OS (Vista) made changes to my BIOS. This is how.
I set the USB legacy keyboard support to NO and BIOS pnp OS to YES.
The first time I got a no keyboard BIOS message, but the booting sequence went on and I entered windows Vista without keyboard.
Then I connected the USB keyboard - mouse transmitter.
After recognition, I did a shut down.
Then I checked the BIOS.
The USB legacy keyboard support was enabled.
This means the OP made changes to the BIOS settings.
We may see some BIOS settings having changed.
Others we don't.
Could this be true or am I soooo wrong?
I do not want to check once again since I got my keyboard working right at last.

[Kevin1970]

what would be the best memory to buy for this board. looking for reliable 800mhz sticks. preferably 2 sticks of 2gigs(4gigs). I 'm not looking to break the bank and just want sticks to replace the ones i have that are acting up.

[nugzo]

what would be the best memory to buy for this board. looking for reliable 800mhz sticks. preferably 2 sticks of 2gigs(4gigs). I 'm not looking to break the bank and just want sticks to replace the ones i have that are acting up.

I'm using 8gb of this stuff. Running at well above 800. Its rated for 1066 and 4gb for about $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166

[Kevin1970]

How important is the dram/fsb ratio. Does it really makes things better?

[Rocks]

How important is the dram/fsb ratio. Does it really makes things better?

I wrote this last night took me forever but here ya go!!


Front Side Bus: Memory Ratios


Let me start off by saying that I am in no way an expert when it comes to over clocking.

I have only been doing it for about a year or so.

I have however, realized that in order for an over clock to be stable and provide maximum performance, the front side bus speed used in conjunction with

the memory speed, plays an extremely important role.


Point of view and system specs:


Here are my system specifications so everyone can understand my point of view.


Antec 900/Q6600 G0 2.4Ghz @ 3.2 GHz: 9x multiplier/Vista 64 bit

SP1/ASUS Striker II Formula BIOS 1401 / 4GB(1GBx4) Crucial

Tracer Ballistix PC 8500 Dual Channel / All RAM Dual Channel @

1066(533x2(dual channel)) MHz 5-4-4-12-20-2T/ RAM : FSB - 3:2 /


3x Hitachi 7200 RPM HDD @ RAID 0 / Zalman CNPS 9700 NT

Cooler/NVIDIA 8600 GTS x 2 SLI/ 630 watt PSU



So there you have it. I am stable. I can multitask the following and remain stable:



Itunes: playing music


Torrenting: Bitlord; downloading whatever to an external HDD @ whatever speed.


Nero: Video encoding-authoring or recoding DVDs.


Gaming: Warcraft 3- older game but I am not interested in anything else at the moment.


Themeware: I use stardock and Deskscapes, I can’t get Windows blinds stable, but so far Deskscapes is working fine.


Sidebar: I have this enabled and have CPU usage as well as temperature monitoring gadgets running.


Multitasking is everything and if you don’t admit it you are in denial. This is most likely out of the scope of this article so I’ll deal with this in another thread.



To the point:

FSB : MEM ratios Here they are and we all need them-

remember these are based on a Quad core 4x1GB system.


Your results could be different, but I firmly believe that as these ratios reach 1:1, performance and stability increases.


Memory dividers (simple calculation dual core):

It took me over a year to figure this out because most people have no skills or determination when it comes to explaining this in layman’s terms.

Here is how it works:

When you use a program such as CPU-Z or Everest to determine your system settings, you will see a reported FSB:Memory ratio or Memory:FSB ratio.

It doesn’t matter the order, programs report the order differently. What I will attempt to explain is how this ratio is calculated.

For calculation purposes, it is easier to use the Memory:FSB ratio as a multiplier. So if your Memory:FSB ratio is 3:2, the multiplier is 1.5.


This is calculated by 3/2 (dividing 3 by 2) which equals 1.5.


What this means is that you need to multiply your raw FSB by this multiplier to get the desired ratio of 3:2.

Your raw FSB is your FSB divided by your quad (4x), dual (2x), or oct (8x) core.


So if you have a dual core @ 3.000 GHz, your raw FSB is (3.000/ (your multiplier lets say 10x)) so your raw FSB is 300 MHz.

Your true FSB would be your raw FSB x your type of CPU…2x, 4x, 8x. Dual core, quad core, oct core(not sure if this is available or what…)


Your true FSB here would be 300 x 2(dual core) or 600 MHz. If it were a quad core it would be 300x4(quad core) or 1200 MHz, basically double.

Now to get a 3:2 Memory : FSB ratio you need to multiply 1.5 (3/2) by 300 (your raw FSB) which equals 450. If you need to enter the dual channel number simple multiply

this by 2 which will be 900. This is your memory speed you need to set in

order to achieve the 3:2 ratio.


Complex Calculation (Quad core):



If you want to see a clear calculation here you go:


3000(GHz) / 9 (CPU multiplier) = 333.333 ( raw FSB)


333.333( raw FSB x 1.5= 500 ( Memory speed)


If you want to run a 3:2 ratio with a Quad core processor @ 3.000 GHz you need to set your memory at 500 (for single channel configurations) x 2 = 1000

(for dual channel configurations).


Remember the memory has to be doubled for the final calculation if you are running memory in dual channel.


Final system specification: Dual core 3.000 GHz with Memory @1000 Mghz (3:2) ratio.



Math:

Here comes the Math. I am not a mathematician, but this is what I have gathered thus far.


The first thing you need to do is determine what CPU speed you want. So let’s say you want 3.0 GHz.


The next step is dividing the 3.0 GHz by the multiplier you have chosen in the BIOS, so for the Quad core let’s just use the max @ 9x.

What you need to assume is that the 3 GHz is 3.000 . You need to calculate this to the thousands decimal place to be accurate.


3000(GHz) / 9(multiplier) = 333.333 repeating. Now you have your raw FSB speed.

What you need to do next is use the best FSB:RAM multiplier you know for your setup.

People will argue but the best multipliers I have found are 1:1, 3:2 ,5:4.





Ratio Multiplier



The multiplier to use for 1:1 is (1/1) = 1

The multiplier to use for 3:2 is (3/2) = 1.5

The multiplier to use for 5:4 is (5/4) = 1.25



And so on and so forth…


The next step is where I had been confused for months on end. I never saw a post that explained it clearly. So here we go!


Now, use one of these multipliers and multiply it by your raw FSB to get the proper memory speed which compliments your desired CPU speed.


So lets say you want a 5:4 ratio and a 3.000 CPU speed. Simply:


3.000/ 9 = 333.333


333.333 (raw FSB) x 1.25(5:4) = 416.66667 (Memory speed for a 5:4 ratio) If your BIOS wants you to enter the dual channel speed then just multiply

this by 2 which equals 833.3325.

Some people might argue that the BIOS will automatially adjust these numbers for you when you set the the CPU and memory to unlinked.

This is not true with the motherboard I am using.

I am not getting the ratios that the BIOS is reporting once I boot into windows.

If you know why this is true post it up!!!


Your True FSB is your raw FSB x your CPU type. So in this case 333.333 x 4(Quad core) = 1333.332.

For most motherboards this is the number you will need to input in order to over clock.


Final system spec is 3.000 CPU speed and 833.3325 memory speed at a 5:4 ratio. 5 times your raw FSB will equal 4 times your memory speed. In this case (5 x 333.333)= (4 x 416.66667)

Raw FSB x 5:4 (5/4) = Memory speed = CPU speed x Ratio

333.333 x 1.25 (5/4) = 416.666667 = (3000 / 9 ) x 1.25


That is basically how it works.

You can use any ratio you want when calculating what the exact speed of your ram has to be in order to achieve a desired FSB:Memory ratio.


Problems:


I am not sure about other boards but the Asus striker II formula does not seem to be in line with hardware monitoring programs as far as FSB: memory ratio calculations go.

Whenever I try to set 3:2 in the BIOS, these programs never show that same ratio....for the life of me I can't figure out why.

If you want to get the exact multiplier you will have to set the memory speed a little higher until the actual speed reaches your desired FSB: MEM ratio.


I do not know why this is. But, whenever I set the pre-defined ratios in the BIOS none of the programs I use will report the same ratio.

For example if I set my ratio in the BIOS to 3:2 upon windows load CPU-z will report a 11:13 ratio or some other strange ratio.

My best guess for this is that the BIOS uses a different multiplier and calculation than these monitoring programs do.

However, if you keep upping the speed, the actual speed( the grayed out one) will reach your desired speed for you ratio if you enter the right number.

Then you will be able to get an actual 3:2 ratio upon reboot.


I hope this helps and Happy overclocking!!!





--Rock

[Racerman]

Rocks , tnx you truelly rock!!
This was information many of us needed.

[RedneckHunter]

Yah, great info.

Anyone running a Kingston HyperX 4GB DDR2 800 set on this mobo? I cant for the life of me get them to a stable 900MHz OC. They will get there but I will start ti get random freezes and BSODS out the wazoo.

[molotov]

Rocks, your explanation is great and I would like to add some info. From my knowledge it's the same calculation for Dual or Quad core CPU...

The following formulas maybe a more simple idea for the same thing:

(1) FSB x Multiplier = actual core speed, e.g. 333Mhz x 9 = 3000Mhz or 3.0GHz

(2) DRAM Frequency x 2 = actual ram speed as printed on the packing of the ram, e.g. 333.33Mhz x 2 = 667Mhz , 400Mhz x 2 = 800Mhz

(3) In CPU-Z - Memory page, you can find FSB : DRAM ratio, e.g 1:1, 2:3, 4:5

Case study:
If you have a E8400 running at 3.0G (3000Mhz) with multiplier = 9 and a pair of 1G 800Mhz ram, default "Link and Sync" will give 1:1 ratio to you, which means
FSB x 9 = 3000Mhz
FSB = 3000Mhz / 9
= 333.333Mhz <- from formula (1)

FSB : DRAM = 1:1 = 333.333 : DRAM <- from formula (3)
Thus DRAM freq is also 333.333Mhz

So actual memory speed is 333.333 x 2 = 667Mhz <- from formula (2)

Notice that you are not running at the speed printed on the box (800Mhz), right? Pretty upset uhhhhhhhh...... let's overclock the memory!

From formula (3) you need DRAM freq x 2 = actual memory speed
DRAM freq = 800Mhz /2 = 400Mhz

FSB : DRAM = 333.333 : 400 Mhz = 5:6

In Bios - FSB & Memory Config,
You may either choose 5:6 in "Linked" mode and not sync, but 5:6
(actually I forgot whether there is option 5:6 for you to choose)

OR (I prefer the second method)

Choose "Unlink", key in 1333.333 (333.333 x 4) for the upper box.
800 (400 x 2) for the second box and hit [Enter] twice. The gray figure will show the accepted number for memory speed. In this case, 800 will be accepted since it fits 5:6 ratio.

The so-called second method above is quite convenient in S2F bios since you can enter FSB x 4 & memory speed directly in Unlink mode and let the bios decide which ratio to run. But the overall theory should be understood so that in the future you can ride on any board~~~

If you change the Multiplier manually to 7.5 and FSB = 400Mhz, you can run Linked and Sync (1:1) at memory speed 800Mhz~ Notice the change of multiplier which affect your calculation. You should know why now~!

Hope this also help~~~~~~

[djobbydjobba]

Hi everyone!
First of all, my apologies if I make mistakes, I'm french and I thank all of you for this helpful thread.
It seems many of you can run their q6600 way beyond 3.0ghz on this mobo but I can't get anything stable over 3.0ghz it really pisses me off. I've been overclocking my rigs since my first PII 350 and it's the first time I'm stuck.
The system boots everytime between 3ghz and 3.75 but it never passes the 3dmark test, it just reboots.
I've been trying almost every combinations of voltages (plus my q6600 GO is watercooled). My cpu temp never reaches 50&#176;c, even at 1.5v, so this can't be a problem. My northbridge temp is around 60&#176;c at load.

My current voltages at 3Ghz:

Vcore=1.4 bios (1.31 cpuz)
vtt=1.4
pll=1.5
nb=1.38
sb=1.5
ht=1.35
loadline calibration enabled
cpu gtl=+30mv
nb gtl=+30mv

9*1333fsb
ram @ 400 4-4-4-15-24 2T 2.0v (2*2GB OCZ reaper PC2 6400)

I checked my ram frequency at each try and manually selected timings. Oh and strangely it won't post at 1600fsb, the lcd poster reports "MP INIT".
Am I missing something in the bios (1401 by the way)? And what's that "ES selection" thing?

Thanks.

[Dunderhoken]

Is this good?




QX9650, Asus Striker II Formula nForce-780i, 2-waySLI 8800GTX, Corsair Dominator TWIN2X10000C5DF-2GB 1250mhz 5-5-5-18, Zalman Reserator XT, Thermaltake ToughPower 1200W, Thermaltake Armor VA8003BWS, X-Fi Xtreme Gamer, 2xWD 74GB Raptor, ViewSonic VX2435WM

[justinkb]

any chance of still getting that full changelog for 1401? or did i miss that post?

[Kevin1970]

Got my new ram. So far all is good, it's been 30 mins so it doesnt mean much. I am wondering about the results i am getting on everest. My latency sucks at 800mhz or 1000 mhz. Currently i am running the ram at default 5-5-5-15 2 volts and getting 61.2 latency. The Cpu isnt overclocked at all. So what is going on here?

this is the ram i got
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166

As far as stability, i have no idea. I ran it thru call of duty 4 which gave me audio problems b4. It didnt today but after 20 mins maybe i got lucky. So far no crashes or bsod's. But to soon to tell.

Edit:
Ok, Several hours later no crashes, all is good. For now. Sound issue seems gone on the games. I will reinstall vista to insure the memory didnt screw up something somewhere. The Latency on the ram is giving me pause. I don't understand why it's so high.

[Amuro]

This is my first post here, so Hi everyone!

I'm currently using the 0902 BIOS, and I have a QX9650@3.8 (400X9.5) prime stable. I have tried all subsequent BIOS releases starting from 1101 all the way to 1401, and I can't seem to keep the FSB at 1600 no matter what I do. System won't even boot. If I use just the multiplyer to OC, then it's all fine, no issues whatsoever. With the 0902, it's very easy to get a stable 1600 FSB OC, almost no effort at all.

Anyways, I'm wondering if any of you that has a QX9650 with this board can give me some suggestions, and perhaps, share your settings?

[EvoCarlos]

This is my first post here, so Hi everyone!

I'm currently using the 0902 BIOS, and I have a QX9650@3.8 (400X9.5) prime stable. I have tried all subsequent BIOS releases starting from 1101 all the way to 1401, and I can't seem to keep the FSB at 1600 no matter what I do. System won't even boot. If I use just the multiplyer to OC, then it's all fine, no issues whatsoever. With the 0902, it's very easy to get a stable 1600 FSB OC, almost no effort at all.

Anyways, I'm wondering if any of you that has a QX9650 with this board can give me some suggestions, and perhaps, share your settings?

hello amuro
all i can say is this mobo and bios set is very much a pain in the ass (i use
1305 seams the best atm for me)
there are lot's of fsb holes throught out the fsb range for instance with my q6600 i can run 2.4ghz fine and 3.6ghz and 4.5ghz fine but @3ghz no boot and 3.15ghz it boots i do think the key is volts what settings are you using in the bios atm? i may be able to suggest some setting if i know what your at now

[EvoCarlos]

lol what a bell end i am so i have 2gb of ram atm tracer 1066mhz i only went and bought 2gb of tracer 800mhz lol now i got to send them back and get the right one lol im going to see what impact 4gb of ram has to the system as you all know with this mobo lantancy is gay the best i hve been able to do is 54ns @3.5ghz 4-4-4-9-2.2v i will post my findings when i have the right ones lol i went for this mem as it was the cheapest at the time and was able to do 1200mhz no problem and can be pushed to 1300mhz with some volts

[Amuro]

hello amuro
all i can say is this mobo and bios set is very much a pain in the ass (i use
1305 seams the best atm for me)
there are lot's of fsb holes throught out the fsb range for instance with my q6600 i can run 2.4ghz fine and 3.6ghz and 4.5ghz fine but @3ghz no boot and 3.15ghz it boots i do think the key is volts what settings are you using in the bios atm? i may be able to suggest some setting if i know what your at now

I'm using the following volt settings:

vcore: 1.33750V (1.31 actual), Loadline Cal off
pll: 1.52V
vtt: 1.28V
nb: 1.4V
sb: 1.5V
vdimm: 2.10V (using OCZ 2X2GB CL4 RAM@4-4-4-12-2T)

The rest is all at auto. They work great with 0902.
FSB is 1600Mhz with memory linked in sync mode.