Dedicated Gigabyte EP45-DQ6 thread

[Minnyboy]

I used Supershanks bios settings as a starting point & have managed to finally get an OC out of my q6600/flexXLC9200...

Booting & passing tests at/or better than what it was running on my X38-DQ6...

Using stock hsf atm too due to me being a nub & giving away my coolers to my bro who doesn't do any OC...

Anyways, gonna do more testing on all the components I have & see what board/cpu/ram combo I should keep for my main PC..

Seems I am quite behind in the OC/bios settings scene...

Must get off WOW....

[Richard Dower]

New revision 1004 of the .pdf manual is online, shows F8c bios.... http://www.giga-byte.com.tw/Support/...l&FileID=18611
Realtek 889A driver update, version 2.00: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/...&GetDown=false

[joolz]

I have bought the board about 2 weeks ago. One reason for chosing the board was presence of 10 SATA channels onboard. This would suit my purpose: building linux-based home file server (raid6 etc).

However, I was disappointed quickly, having found no way to use the 4 SATA channels attached to GSATA independently. The Silicon Image 5723s -- used as 1-to-2 port multipliers on each of GSATA's (aka JMicron 363) SATA ports -- support a bunch of RAID modes (RAID1, RAID0, combination of the two, and JBOD) according to Silicon's website. I was planning to put them in JBOD mode, and let the linux raid functionality take care of the rest. However, this is not possible right now. Gigabyte has decided that RAID1 is that we all need, and hard-wired the 5723s into RAID1 mode.

I have had conversation with Gigabyte support techs regarding this, and their reply was quick and disappointial:

"(SiI5723 RAID chip) supports RAID 1 mode only. When you connnect four SATA HDDs, GSATA controller chip will able to connect them with RAID 0 mode."

Well, RAID0 consisting of 2 RAID1s was not what I was looking forward to when buying the board, although I understand there are users who find it useful.

I would venture into "un-hard-wiring" the 5723s to allow them to be used in any mode configurable with SteelVine Manager. This could probably be achieved by unsoldering some of 5723s' pins and reconfiguring the chips into soft-config mode. Unfortunately, so far I have not found which are the configuration pins. Apparently, obtaining the datasheet from Silicon Image would require an agreement to their NDA. I would appreciate any help in this field... [Update: I _have_ contacted Silicon Image for the datasheet, and indeed, I was asked to begin the NDA process. When it turned out that I am the single individual (end user) and not a manufacturer, I was politely but definitely informed that they disclose that kind of information only to manufacturers. Anyone out there being a manufacturer that would qualify?]

Conclusion: Unless you really want RAID1s, this board has effectively only 8 SATA channels.

After lots of playing around, I was actually able to create a RAID0 with only 2 drives connected to the GSATA ports (with F6 bios). Use port 1 and port 4. Completely un-intuitive I know, but I managed to do it. Mind you, I ended up not running with that in the end. I ran my RAID0 from the ICH10.

The other thing that wasn't (and still isn't as of F6, maybe later bios addresses this) clear is that the the smart backup (RAID1 on the GSATA) found the two drives and is functional (it just says initializing, and then on the GSATA bios screen, its says non-raid, which to me, it really is, just not configured manually). The only way I proved to myself it was working was to put the two drives separately into another machine and see if they were the same (which they were).

[Richard Dower]

New Jmicron drivers dated August 1st, WHQL: ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/jmb36x/Win2k_xp_Vista/

[igm]

After lots of playing around, I was actually able to create a RAID0 with only 2 drives connected to the GSATA ports (with F6 bios). Use port 1 and port 4.

Well, it makes sense: you managed to create 2 raid1s (on port 1&2 and 3&4), both in degraded state (raid1 is degraded but functional with just 1 disk). Atop of these, one obviously can create raid0. The thing is, you cannot use _all 4 gsata ports_ without raid1, i.e. independently.

[pjskeet]

After lots of playing around, I was actually able to create a RAID0 with only 2 drives connected to the GSATA ports (with F6 bios). Use port 1 and port 4. Completely un-intuitive I know, but I managed to do it. Mind you, I ended up not running with that in the end. I ran my RAID0 from the ICH10.

The other thing that wasn't (and still isn't as of F6, maybe later bios addresses this) clear is that the the smart backup (RAID1 on the GSATA) found the two drives and is functional (it just says initializing, and then on the GSATA bios screen, its says non-raid, which to me, it really is, just not configured manually). The only way I proved to myself it was working was to put the two drives separately into another machine and see if they were the same (which they were).

What Bios settings are you using? I can't get any of the GSATA ports to recognize a hard drive (Bios F7). The Intel chip sees the HDD's fine. Gigabyte claims you can use two of the four GSATA slots (GS1 and GS3) for HDD drives only. They say GS0 and GS2 are for Raid.

[Sil2]

hey guys,

im having the same problem. I bought this motherboard purely becuase of the 10 sata ports for my 7 hard drives.

I thought that i could get all of the hard drives to work so i stuck my 2 WD AAKS HDDs on the first 2 gigabyte ports and i booted my computer. Didnt pick up the hard drives. I turned on the Storage policy Smart Backup and it picked up one hard drive as an 'External Device' in the bios.

I couldn't get my WD7500AAKS to work so i stuck it on the other GS2-Source port and it worked but goes through this annoying thing so when you start up the computer it goes through the storage backup smart backup crap. It booted into windows finally and the WD7500AAKS was not be picked up. I found out that it had been formatted and used as a 'backup' for the other gigabyte. Luckily, i had nothing on it.. I was hoping to be able to use all 10 SATAs but maybe not.

Also, this is my 2nd EP45-DQ6 now after taking the board back for random freezing all of the time, it was as if it would stop for 20seconds and then start again. Sometimes when i play a game i get 'Display device has stopped responding' now i know it isnt a driver problem with the GFX card and the Video card drivers because the previous the motherboard i had was working fine with it..

The first one was doing that so we thought it was a motherboard problem, replaced it and this one is doing the same thing. We have tried loads of different chipset drivers, LAN drivers and everything based to this motherboard.

I sent an email to gigabyte technical support on sunday and i have received no reply back yet. If i cant get this motherboard to work properly ill wait for my XFX 780i SLi board to come back from RMA or ill stick the X48-DQ6 back in.

[Minnyboy]

Apparently some of the EP45-DS* boards we had in stock had issues with running PCIE 2.0 cards.

It would freeze when trying to install the drivers or BSOD on us. A bios update was the only fix available.

So be prepared to update your bios right away when buying any P45 mobos.

We built 10 machines for a client with the EP45-DS3 with 9600gt & all had problems until bios updates were applied.

Anyways, I got my EP45-DS5 back the other day. ripped everythng out, placed a new TR Ultra120 EX on it to keep things cooler...

Made sure all bios setttings were the same as what it was with the EP45-DS3P I was using & BSOD as it was trying to load windows...

had to lower clocks again to get it to boot... Still trying to work out what gives when it's "supposed" to be bit better than the "older" one...

Anyways... think i'm about to give up on the EP45-DS5 & put the DS3P back in...

[MACMAC]

Has anyone experienced an issue with high memory speeds?

DDR2-1280 A-OK, SPI & P95 Blend Stable. (9.5x384, 400 Strap, 3.33D Multi)
DDR2-1290 Corrupt BIOS (F10a), reverts back to original BIOS (F5)

Slightly weird...there usually isn't only a 10Mhz gap between fully stable and a nuked bios


EDIT:

Nevermind, the 400 Strap - 3.33 Multiplier appears defective.

[Supershanks]

How to drop Everest Latency by 10.6
Think this is one of the highest stable FSBs I've hit but SuperPi is disappointing.
4,310 7.5x575@2B 1,150 5-5-5-20

still progress

[Supershanks]

Just got F6H BTA courtesy of Eva
Looking Better new bios options as well

[Ace-a-Rue]

Just got F6H BTA courtesy of Eva
Looking Better new bios options as well

things are looking up at 43xx mhz...I LIKE!

[xtatdsm]

has anyone been able to vdroop mod this board. I am getting some crazy vdroop that i am trying to get rid of.

thanks

[kayl]

has anyone been able to vdroop mod this board. I am getting some crazy vdroop that i am trying to get rid of.

thanks

WHat pLL voltage you using, with Pll lower that 1.5v i was getting vcore droop. Upping the pll voltage helped.
THeres board do 2v well

[RobPuba]

Some places listing the board as available from June 5th onwards:

http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=354381

http://www.norek.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=354381

http://www.awd-it.com/scripts/prodVi...+Socket+LGA775

This version have a better layout for big video cards

[some1]

I used Supershanks bios settings as a starting point & have managed to finally get an OC out of my q6600/flexXLC9200...

Booting & passing tests at/or better than what it was running on my X38-DQ6...

Using stock hsf atm too due to me being a nub & giving away my coolers to my bro who doesn't do any OC...

Anyways, gonna do more testing on all the components I have & see what board/cpu/ram combo I should keep for my main PC..

Seems I am quite behind in the OC/bios settings scene...

Must get off WOW....

Hi, i am using same, board, cpu and memory as you, what settings are you suing for your oc, and what oc have you reached?

I seem to be having real difficulty getting anything useful oc wise out of this combination!

[Ace-a-Rue]

Hi, i am using same, board, cpu and memory as you, what settings are you suing for your oc, and what oc have you reached?

I seem to be having real difficulty getting anything useful oc wise out of this combination!

this is where SS hangs out most of the time...he might be able to help you some more: Gigabyte GA-EP45-EXTREME Living Review

[xtatdsm]

WHat pLL voltage you using, with Pll lower that 1.5v i was getting vcore droop. Upping the pll voltage helped.
THeres board do 2v well

I am using the stock Pll voltage, I will up to a bit more than 1.5 and see if it helps.

thanks a lot

[stasio]

New bios EP45-DQ6
F10
F11

[Richard Dower]

Not posted here in months guys, sorry. Not even installed my EP45-DQ6 mobo...gonna try in the next couple of weeks to get back into the swing of things. Some new beta drivers for the Jmicron controller have been added: ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/jmb36x/Win2k_xp_Vista/

As you can see above F10 and F11 bios is out....not much else to add right now.

[Richard Dower]

Realtek 889A drivers, version 2.04: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/...&GetDown=false

[therat]

I know this is the Official EP45-DQ6 thread but I've searched everywhere and can't seem to find a dedicated EP45-DS3R thread. Is there one around?

cheers

[sparks]

same as therat here.
I picked up one for $109 after rebate at egg and put a 7200 on it.
Bios is F10 latest on giga site.

I can't get any where with this bios.

At first I looked at Ace-a-Rue bios pics on the X48 thread...ok I can do this. HUH ok they changed it ROFL

==================
edit I am getting some of this worked out...had to go look at clunk site.
I think what thru me most was pull up and stuff I thought pull ups was a huggies thing

[stasio]

New bios for all EP45 boards
http://www.jzelectronic.de/jz2/index.php

[Ace-a-Rue]

same as therat here.
I picked up one for $109 after rebate at egg and put a 7200 on it.
Bios is F10 latest on giga site.

I can't get any where with this bios.

At first I looked at Ace-a-Rue bios pics on the X48 thread...ok I can do this. HUH ok they changed it ROFL

==================
edit I am getting some of this worked out...had to go look at clunk site.
I think what thru me most was pull up and stuff I thought pull ups was a huggies thing

LOL