ASUS Maximus II Formula - new P45 king?

[Sassy]

Hello guys & girls...

I wonder if you kind people would give me a heads up on what I should be running @ i.e... Fsb volts you name it, I’m not very clued up on OCing
Here are the specs of my rig>>>
Maximus II Formula
Q6600 G0
OCZ (2x2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel Platinum Series
Seagate 500GB*32MB Cache
700watt PSU
Vista 32bit but up grading to 64 so I can get full use of the mem..

ATM I’m running stock with core temps around 27c Thanks to my Asus silent square & Antec 1200 with more fans than a Britney Spears concert.

I got this chip as I was told it’s a great overclocker, I’m not looking to set the world alight nor my living room lol, I’m a avid gamer so need it stable for the likes of BF2 /COD4 ect!!! If I can run stable @ 3.2 GHz to 3.3 GHz with no twitching ingame I’ll be a happy bunny

Any help you can give me would be very much appreciated, I’ve looked over many forums but after reading here I think I found the right forums with the right people...

Thanks for you time
sassy

[LookyKai]

Hello guys & girls...

I wonder if you kind people would give me a heads up on what I should be running @ i.e... Fsb volts you name it, I’m not very clued up on OCing
Here are the specs of my rig>>>
Maximus II Formula
Q6600 G0
OCZ (2x2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel Platinum Series
Seagate 500GB*32MB Cache
700watt PSU
Vista 32bit but up grading to 64 so I can get full use of the mem..

ATM I’m running stock with core temps around 27c Thanks to my Asus silent square & Antec 1200 with more fans than a Britney Spears concert.

I got this chip as I was told it’s a great overclocker, I’m not looking to set the world alight nor my living room lol, I’m a avid gamer so need it stable for the likes of BF2 /COD4 ect!!! If I can run stable @ 3.2 GHz to 3.3 GHz with no twitching ingame I’ll be a happy bunny

Any help you can give me would be very much appreciated, I’ve looked over many forums but after reading here I think I found the right forums with the right people...

Thanks for you time
sassy

try this..

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 400 - (3600MHz)
CPU Clock Skew : Auto
North Bridge Clock Skew : Auto
FSB Strap to North Bridge : Auto or [266] ~ [333]
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-XXXXMHz (your choice)
Dram Clock Skew CH1 A1 : Auto
DRAM Clock Skew CH1 A2 : Auto
Dram Clock Skew CH1 B1 : Auto
Dram Clock Skew CH1 B2 : Auto


DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 5
RAS# ActivateTime : 15
RAS# to RAS# Delay : [Auto]
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 55 or [Auto]
Write Recovery Time : [Auto]
Read to Precharge Time : [Auto]

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

Write to PRE Delay : Auto
Read to PRE Delay : Auto
PRE to PRE Delay : Auto
ALL PRE to ACT Delay : Auto
ALL PRE to REF Delay : Auto

DRAM Static Read Control: Auto - My set up
Dram Read Training : Auto - My set up
MEM OC Charger : Auto - My set up
Ai Clock Twister : Auto (set for lowering memory latencies)
Transaction Booster : Manual (i suggest [Auto])

Common Performance Level: 10 (lowest you can set is 10 on 1:1 ratio)

Pull-In of CHA PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH2 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH3 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH4 Disabled
Pull-In of CHA PH5 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH1 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH2 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH3 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH4 Disabled
Pull-In of CHB PH5 Disabled

PCIE Frequency : 100

CPU Voltage : 1.4v ~ 1.45v (always check the Idle and Load Temp)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.5v ~ 1.6v
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.3v ~ 1.35v
DRAM Voltage : 2.1v ~ 2.2v
North Bridge Voltage : 1.35v ~ 1.45v
South Bridge Voltage 1.5 : 1.5v ([Auto] - My set up)
South Bridge Voltage 1.1 : 1.5v ([Auto] - My set up)

CPU GTL Reference 0 : Auto
CPU GTL Reference 1 : Auto
CPU GTL Reference 2 : Auto
CPU GTL Reference 3 : Auto
North Bridge GTL Reference : AUTO
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge DDR Reference : AUTO

Try to change GTL Refs, sometimes helpful

Load Line Calabration : Enabled
CPU Sread Spectrum : Disabled or [Auto]
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled or [Auto]

for the stability test, i always using HyperPI 32MB and IntelBurnTest by AgentGOD, make sure Air Conditioner in your room turned on when running IntelBurnTest

Good Luck!

IMO

---
forgot to mention, make sure to update BIOS to 1307 version

[Grnfinger]

holy hannah thats alot of auto settings.
Damn hard to get stability with auto settings.
8x450 would yield higher bandwidth. plus running 1:1 means PL10 wich is crap.

A better setup would be
450x8
333 strap
1080MHz for ram.

Then this would allow for PL8
DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
Dram Read Training : AUTO
MEM OC Charger : AUTO
Ai Clock Twister : Stronger

[Ender3rd]

heres another weird one for you, when i have the asus probe running every now and again i get alarms for wierd voltage spikes. like just a minute ago it said my vtt cpu was at 13v early my ram aparently spiked to 18v. im thinking its just an error in the bios. but odd none the less

Yes, I see that with Probe as well. It will sound the alarm and report random device voltages as 0.00v or VCORE as 50.0v now and then. It has to be a glitch in the momentary sampling as it polls the sensors. It does tend to get your attention though!



Ender

[CryptiK]

Yes, I also get those random warnings in Probe, I have turned off the sound so it doesn't startle me anymore, but it is really annoying.

[Ender3rd]

Yup, looks pretty impressive though when you get a report like this, especially with sound enabled...

[ThugsRook]

do yourself a favor, uninstall the Asus software and leave it uninstalled.

[CryptiK]

Asus definitely need to revise the software and fix the bugs, the poor quality of asus software is legendary.

Asus really need to bring out a new bios too, that corrects the inability of D9 GMH/GKX ram to overclock past 1210 MHz, I have sticks that do 1333+ MHz but I can't get them over 1210 on this board no matter what. Also the low FSB should be addressed, as at the moment, the P5Q-Deluxe is better than this board in every way doing 590 FSB on 1.26 vNB (whereas the M2F maximum FSB is around 560 using 1.30 vNB) and being able to clock ram above 1350 MHz.
Asus better fix these issues with the next bios release or the M2F will become a legendary failure, as it is being outclassed by boards 30% cheaper than it (P5Q-D, DFI P45 Dark Plus etc).

[LookyKai]

holy hannah thats alot of auto settings.
Damn hard to get stability with auto settings.
8x450 would yield higher bandwidth. plus running 1:1 means PL10 wich is crap.

A better setup would be
450x8
333 strap
1080MHz for ram.

Then this would allow for PL8
DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
Dram Read Training : AUTO
MEM OC Charger : AUTO
Ai Clock Twister : Stronger

haha, i never had any experiences with Quad 6600 before, especially on this MIIF board

Sassy's just wanted for little overclocking, so FSB 400 with 9 multi is enough for him/her, reducing PL or any DRAM tweaks will giving hard time for him/her i believe.. and he/she just want to reach his/her CPU around 3.2 ~ 3.3GHz, so i gave him/her info with easiest way to OC to 3.6GHz especially with our beloved MIIF

i copied all of my DRAM Timings set as reference, everythings set to auto except DRAM Clock Skew, 5-5-5-15 thing, Ai Clock Twister and Performance Level, and got no probs with me

[LookyKai]

Yup, looks pretty impressive though when you get a report like this, especially with sound enabled...

must be cool ambient temp in your area

but, how come the DRam VTT skyrocketed to 59.37v??? isn't it scary?

mine running at green 1.05v

what BIOS version you are currently use?

[Ender3rd]

must be cool ambient temp in your area

but, how come the DRam VTT skyrocketed to 59.37v??? isn't it scary?

what BIOS version you are currently use?

Ah yes, the ambient temp has been perfect today @ 70F/21C. Sunny, breezy, and pleasantly comfortable!

As ThugsRook indicated, the probe software is fairly worthless as a reliable piece of monitoring software, and unfortunately the momentary displays of rubbish are not uncommon. My actual Dram VTT is 1.00v so no worries. Probe is great for initial setups to check things like the SB/NB temps and relative voltage settings, but beyond that...

I am still on the 701 bios and probably will not move to 13xx unless some new functions show up. The 701 has been rock steady for me.



Ender

[LookyKai]

Ah yes, the ambient temp has been perfect today @ 70F/21C. Sunny, breezy, and pleasantly comfortable!

As ThugsRook indicated, the probe software is fairly worthless as a reliable piece of monitoring software, and unfortunately the momentary displays of rubbish are not uncommon. My actual Dram VTT is 1.00v so no worries. Probe is great for initial setups to check things like the SB/NB temps and relative voltage settings, but beyond that...

I am still on the 701 bios and probably will not move to 13xx unless some new functions show up. The 701 has been rock steady for me.



Ender

cool, awesome temp and awesome weather

oh, so it's BIOS bug monitoring read when read thru software, mine Probe read correctly with BIOS 1307

yea, i get what you guys meant, as for me PC Probe isn't worthless at all..

ok

[CryptiK]

yap thats right
what is that meant? any solution?

It means you're unstable most likely, there is no device conflict or issue that causes the BSOD's as far as I'm aware, so concentrate on your settings and get it stable.

[elsupremo]

Well whatever the issue was, hope your new one goes well and doesn't take to long to get to you.

To Cryptik and everyone else who offered assistance with my problem getting my board to work stable with the ATI 4870 X2. It WAS the board! The replacement board came yesterday, and it works beautifully. The board is VERY easy to overclock, in my humble opinion, and the graphics card is working like a charm. I am very happy, although it stinks that it required so much time and effort to determine that the board was bad.

So far, this is a very good board.

[Grnfinger]

To Cryptik and everyone else who offered assistance with my problem getting my board to work stable with the ATI 4870 X2. It WAS the board! The replacement board came yesterday, and it works beautifully. The board is VERY easy to overclock, in my humble opinion, and the graphics card is working like a charm. I am very happy, although it stinks that it required so much time and effort to determine that the board was bad.

So far, this is a very good board.

[CryptiK]

To Cryptik and everyone else who offered assistance with my problem getting my board to work stable with the ATI 4870 X2. It WAS the board! The replacement board came yesterday, and it works beautifully. The board is VERY easy to overclock, in my humble opinion, and the graphics card is working like a charm. I am very happy, although it stinks that it required so much time and effort to determine that the board was bad.

So far, this is a very good board.

Excellent news, now you can start having some fun with it

[turtletrax]

Hey guys. Having a helluva time with this Mobo. I cannot get ANY oc to stick and after applying settings, board reboots and hangs and needs a hard reboot to get back into bios.

I have been trying with my Q6600 that is 4Ghz capable and proven as such with 2 other boards, and will be trying my E8400 that has done 4.7Ghz. I have 2x2 set of 8500 Dominators and a HX-1000. I can run stock with no issue till the cows come home, so needless to say I am frustrated as hell.

I have tried what worked on all my other boards as well as many toher templates with not so much as a unstable boot. Always ends up with hard lock.

Really starting to regret moving from my P35-T2R...

[CryptiK]

Hey guys. Having a helluva time with this Mobo. I cannot get ANY oc to stick and after applying settings, board reboots and hangs and needs a hard reboot to get back into bios.

I have been trying with my Q6600 that is 4Ghz capable and proven as such with 2 other boards, and will be trying my E8400 that has done 4.7Ghz. I have 2x2 set of 8500 Dominators and a HX-1000. I can run stock with no issue till the cows come home, so needless to say I am frustrated as hell.

I have tried what worked on all my other boards as well as many toher templates with not so much as a unstable boot. Always ends up with hard lock.

Really starting to regret moving from my P35-T2R...

Make sure the maximum difference between the vFSB and vNB is no more than ~0.11v. So if you set 1.2 vFSB, set no more than 1.21v vNB otherwise it will just lock on reboot. This is a very annoying 'feature' of the M2F, and Asus need to fix it (along with a lot of other stuff I keep mentioning) to make this board what I would call decent.

[turtletrax]

Make sure the maximum difference between the vFSB and vNB is no more than ~0.11v. So if you set 1.2 vFSB, set no more than 1.21v vNB otherwise it will just lock on reboot. This is a very annoying 'feature' of the M2F, and Asus need to fix it (along with a lot of other stuff I keep mentioning) to make this board what I would call decent.

Thanks

Gonna give it a shot here.

Asus needs to realize that if they are gonna charge a premium for Enthusiast boards it need more than a cool heatsink and flashy box. I mean get real.

Edit: Worked like a charm Cryptik. Thanks for that. Kinda halarious tho, I mean I have never heard of this before... makes no sense.

[CryptiK]

Thanks

Gonna give it a shot here.

Asus needs to realize that if they are gonna charge a premium for Enthusiast boards it need more than a cool heatsink and flashy box. I mean get real.

Edit: Worked like a charm Cryptik. Thanks for that. Kinda halarious tho, I mean I have never heard of this before... makes no sense.

Good to hear that sorted it out mate. It drove me nuts for a couple of hours too when I first got my M2F, I just kept stuffing around with it until I worked it out. I have not had that issue on any other P45 board either, my P5Q-Deluxe would be fine using 1.11 vFSB and 1.36 vNB if I wanted to. What made me think of it was remembering that the Biostar I45 board has vFSB and vNB linked so I tried to bring them close together and it worked.

I hope the next bios revision fixes the issues this board has, I can't overclock my ram past 1210 MHz with it and I know for sure my D9 GMH/GKX kits do 1300+ (did that on my P5Q-D) but even 1220 is not possible on the M2F. Also I could get 590 FSB on my P5Q-D on 1.26 vNB but my M2F cannot go over 540 FSB on the same vNB. If I increase the vNB to 1.33v I can get 550 out of it and thats it.

[FuryPT]

Hey people i am looking for 4gb memory (2x2gb) and i am very interested on the these ocz!

Link : http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...n_dual_channel

I would like to know if i will have any type of problems with this combination (OCZ + MIIF)

Cumps,
FuRy

[LookyKai]

Hey people i am looking for 4gb memory (2x2gb) and i am very interested on the these ocz!

Link : http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...n_dual_channel

I would like to know if i will have any type of problems with this combination (OCZ + MIIF)

Cumps,
FuRy

i believe that memory ram will be fine on MIIF, make sure to update the latest BIOS

FYI, that memory ram isn't high-end class ram, it's mainstream class memory ram, so if you're looking for better speed read/write/copy it doesn't suit you, same class as my late memory ram "Team Xtreem Dark" series

I would like to know if i will have any type of problems with this combination (OCZ + MIIF)

i'm sure there will be no problem with combination of OCZ + MIIF, it's just when the memory ram isn't fully compatible with the BIOS, it will be hard to get stable when OCing (CMIIW)

anyway, how much budget would you like to spend for 2x2GB memory ram?

[Grnfinger]

Hey people i am looking for 4gb memory (2x2gb) and i am very interested on the these ocz!

Link : http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...n_dual_channel

I would like to know if i will have any type of problems with this combination (OCZ + MIIF)

Cumps,
FuRy

I would avoid that kit like the plague
there is alot better ram out ther than that.

Corsair has a line about the same price and would perform alot better.
So does GSkill, and Mushkin. OCZ is not the best choice imo

[Ender3rd]

They are not specifically listed on the Max II QVL @ asustek.

http://www.asus.com/999/download/pro...66/2166_10.pdf

That certainly does not mean they will not work. You might want to browse the OCZ support forum and see how they get along with the P45 boards. I would browse the user comments at Newegg as well and see if issues have come up. My OCZ2N1066SR2GK sticks get along very nicely with the Maximus II, but it's only a 2GB kit, and they are on the QVL.

Ender

[turtletrax]

With DDR2 prices such as they are, being cheap makes very liittle sense. Many 2x2 kits that OC quite well at low volts can be had for around $100 or less. These are primium ICs and lifetime warranty.

Cheaping out on ram for a $300 board is a big mistake IMHO