ASUS Maximus II Formula - new P45 king?

[CryptiK]

Thanks mate, I didn't think it was too bad for a P45 either, they can be a bit temperamental when trying to achieve high speed. I actually left all of the clock skews at 'normal' for that run - I was actually able to POST at up to 700 MHz with all skews set to 'normal' too. However I didn't have long enough with the board to really get to know it before I had to RMA it, so when I get my replacement back I will definitely be playing with it more extensively.

[CryptiK]

I just figured out this board in relation to ram overclocking.

This is one of my CellShock PC 8000 CL4 GKX kits on 2.2v real

Everest 649.5 MHz:


SPI 1M 649.6 MHz:


I reduced the tRD (PL) and got some better bandwidth & lower latency:

Everest @ 651 MHz, tRD 6 @ 2.2v real


SPI1M @ 651 MHz, tRD 6 @ 2.2v real

[ThugsRook]

CryptiK,

Why da_hell am I going to do that?
You have there a DDR2-1333 CL5 at 444FSB, and you have 9K read and 60ns latency. That is so bad it hurts.

450FSB / DDR2-900 CL4 1:1 will do about the same bandwidth and latency you are doing on your P5Q with insane DDR2-1333 CL5.

Get real, you won't have more then 1-3% boost on any game going from reasonable DDR2 clocks, to insane DDR2-1333 like that.

P45 prefers speed over latency when it comes to gaming, CryptiK has it right.

only SuperPI cares about low latency, games do not. the sweet spot is CL555-15 PL10.

[elsupremo]

Guys, need a little bit of help with my overclock. I have the following stuff:
QX9650 watercooled
2x 2GB Gskill DDR2 800
4870 X2
Auzentech DTS Xplosion

Since I've had this CPU, I've been at 4 Ghz, previously on the DFI P35 board. I'm having trouble getting everything perfectly stable on this board. By trouble, I mean: I can pass IntelBurnTest at maximum stress for 20 tests, and it will pass stable. I can do Orthos on all 4 cores Blend and small fft's for hours, and it will be fine. SuperPi stable. 3d Marks stable. However, sometimes doing random things, like repairing Par2 files and installing a game, or playing a game, for instance, USB's will start disconnecting and reconnecting repeatedly, and before I changed my RAM speed, it would even lock up.

At first, I tried 400 x 10, the settings from my last board. It will pass every stability test, but would still lock up sometimes. Then I tried 450 x 9, and the same thing. With both of those settings, I was trying 1:1 ratio on the RAM, keeping it low, around 800 (400) and 900 (450). However, when it locked up, I changed it to the current setting. I have not had a lock up since, making me think RAM was the issue for the lockups. However, I still have other stability issues: when I'm playing a fairly intensive game like Assassins Creed, sometimes after playing it for awhile, the USB's will start disconnecting and reconnecting (usually it's my fan controller that it disconnects and reconnects, not my mouse/keyboard). Also, sometimes it seems the PCI stuff gets messed up - my sound started losing synch., and being way behind what I was seeing on screen. It seemed possible my graphics got choppier too. It never froze up though.

I'm not sure what's going on and would like some help. I experimented once by giving 1.35v to NB & VTT, but after playing Assassins Creed for an hour or so, the NB heat built up to 66 degrees C, and it started locking up. It did not do the USB disconnecting though, or the weird PCI issues. I went down a lot (to 1.25V for NB & VTT) to avoid the heat issue, but have been working up slowly trying to make the USB & PCI issue go away. At my current setting, 1.31V for NB & VTT, it doesn't get much warmer than 55 degrees, but I'm still having the issue.

I'm using BIOS 0802.

Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
OC From CPU Level Up: Auto
Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
FSB Frequency: 450
CPU Clock Skew: Normal
NB Clock Skew: Normal
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1081MHz

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A2: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B2: Auto
DRAM Timing Control: Manual

1st Information: 

CAS# Latency: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Activate to Precharge: 15 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to RAS# Delay:  Auto
Row Refresh Recycle Time: Auto
Write Recovery Time: Auto
Read to Precharge Time: Auto

2nd Information:

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







3rd Information:

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
DRAM Read Training: Auto
MEM. OC Charger: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister: Auto
Ai Transaction Booster: Auto


PCIE Frequency: 100

CPU Voltage: 1.525
CPU PLL Voltage: Auto (usually goes to 1.69)
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.31
DRAM Voltage: 2.1
North Bridge Voltage: 1.31
South Bridge 1.5 Voltage: 1.51325
South Bridge 1.1 Voltage: 1.11325

CPU GTL Reference (0): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (1): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (2): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (3): Auto
NB GTL Reference: Auto
DDR2 ChA Reference Voltage: Auto
DDR2 ChB Reference Voltage: Auto
North Bridge DDR Reference: Auto









CPU Configuration:

Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
C1E Support: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Tech: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled

Load-Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled 

[BlueAqua]

I just wanted to let you guys know that you can switch the ROG symbol/Led around if you want it to align for an inverted atx setup. Also the red mosfet shields are removable too.



My thermal paste under the stock nb cooler was really poor too.

[Grnfinger]

Guys, need a little bit of help with my overclock. I have the following stuff:
QX9650 watercooled
2x 2GB Gskill DDR2 800
4870 X2
Auzentech DTS Xplosion

Since I've had this CPU, I've been at 4 Ghz, previously on the DFI P35 board. I'm having trouble getting everything perfectly stable on this board. By trouble, I mean: I can pass IntelBurnTest at maximum stress for 20 tests, and it will pass stable. I can do Orthos on all 4 cores Blend and small fft's for hours, and it will be fine. SuperPi stable. 3d Marks stable. However, sometimes doing random things, like repairing Par2 files and installing a game, or playing a game, for instance, USB's will start disconnecting and reconnecting repeatedly, and before I changed my RAM speed, it would even lock up.

At first, I tried 400 x 10, the settings from my last board. It will pass every stability test, but would still lock up sometimes. Then I tried 450 x 9, and the same thing. With both of those settings, I was trying 1:1 ratio on the RAM, keeping it low, around 800 (400) and 900 (450). However, when it locked up, I changed it to the current setting. I have not had a lock up since, making me think RAM was the issue for the lockups. However, I still have other stability issues: when I'm playing a fairly intensive game like Assassins Creed, sometimes after playing it for awhile, the USB's will start disconnecting and reconnecting (usually it's my fan controller that it disconnects and reconnects, not my mouse/keyboard). Also, sometimes it seems the PCI stuff gets messed up - my sound started losing synch., and being way behind what I was seeing on screen. It seemed possible my graphics got choppier too. It never froze up though.

I'm not sure what's going on and would like some help. I experimented once by giving 1.35v to NB & VTT, but after playing Assassins Creed for an hour or so, the NB heat built up to 66 degrees C, and it started locking up. It did not do the USB disconnecting though, or the weird PCI issues. I went down a lot (to 1.25V for NB & VTT) to avoid the heat issue, but have been working up slowly trying to make the USB & PCI issue go away. At my current setting, 1.31V for NB & VTT, it doesn't get much warmer than 55 degrees, but I'm still having the issue.

I'm using BIOS 0802.

Way to much auto settings and way to high vcore and pll imo.
Auto settings are not the way to go on this board if stability is to be achived.
GSkills seem to like clock skew to really stabilize the rig, set them to advanced 300ps it will help alot,
Get trfc ( row refresh cycle time) off auto and set 55-60.

450x9 those GSkills should be able to run

DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
Dram Read Training : AUTO
MEM OC Charger : AUTO
Ai Clock Twister : Stronger
Transaction Booster : Manual

Common Performance Level [8]

Your NB temp will also be an issue have you reseated it with AS5 or Ceramique? If not thats the first thing I would do.

My chip plays nice with a positive value for GTL's so you may need to adjust this to the correct value but I would start with this and adjust volts accordingly.

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 450
CPU Clock Skew : Normal
North Bridge Clock Skew : Normal
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1081
Dram Clock Skew CH1 A1 : Advanced 300ps
DRAM Clock Skew CH1 A2 : Advanced 300ps
Dram Clock Skew CH1 B1 : Advanced 300ps
Dram Clock Skew CH1 B2 : Advanced 300ps


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 : 55
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

Write to PRE Delay : 14
Read to PRE Delay : 5
PRE to PRE Delay : 1
ALL PRE to ACT Delay : 5
ALL PRE to REF Delay : 5

DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
Dram Read Training : AUTO
MEM OC Charger : AUTO
Ai Clock Twister : Stronger
Transaction Booster : Manual

Common Performance Level [8]

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 : 101

CPU Voltage : 1.35
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
FSBT : 1.33850
DRAM Voltage : 2.1
North Bridge Voltage : 1.39150
South Bridge Voltage 1.5 : 1.5
South Bridge Voltage 1.1 : 1.1

CPU GTL Reference 0 : +20mv
CPU GTL Reference 1 : +10mv
CPU GTL Reference 2 : +10mv
CPU GTL Reference 3 : +20mv
North Bridge GTL Reference : AUTO
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
North Bridge DDR Reference : AUTO

Load Line Calabration : Enabled
CPU Sread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

[GeorgeVasil]

Some results from me..Still testing..

It seems to be stable for now (link pack& blend)..



the settings..

Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
OC From CPU Level Up: Auto
Ratio CMOS Setting: 8
FSB Frequency: 500
CPU Clock Skew: Auto
NB Clock Skew: Auto
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1200 MHz

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A2: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B1: Auto
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B2: Auto
DRAM Timing Control: Auto (For now)
DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
DRAM Read Training: Enabled
MEM. OC Charger: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister: Moderate (For now)
Ai Transaction Booster: Manual

PL=8 and the First 2 Pull-in Enabled (Still Testing)


PCIE Frequency: 100

CPU Voltage: 1.33
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.52X
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.15XX
DRAM Voltage: 2.25
North Bridge Voltage: 1.29
South Bridge 1.5 Voltage: 1.53X (I have Raid)
South Bridge 1.1 Voltage: 1.13X (I have Raid)

CPU GTL Reference (0): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (1): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (2): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (3): Auto
NB GTL Reference: Auto
DDR2 ChA Reference Voltage: Auto
DDR2 ChB Reference Voltage: Auto
North Bridge DDR Reference: Auto

CPU Configuration:

Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
C1E Support: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Tech: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled

Load-Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

[Cable_Tie_Guy]

CryptiK,

I don't wanna fight about this computer stuff because this is ridiculous...
I am sure you will agree with that too.

Let's start over then, and exchange our infos, and keep this health.

My point is the M2F can clock some ram at very low volts and with good REAL performance.

Check this out, I did't even tweak it. I just booted like this now.
The only bios setting changed were 5-5-5-15, the rest is on auto.

3.6GHz cpu only
450FSB only
DDR2-1080 5-5-5-15 at 1.86v REAL on Maximus II Formula:


Now, compare that with your P5Q-deluxe DDR2-1333 5-5-5-15 at 2.29v and you will understand my point.

[ThugsRook]

Check this out, I did't even tweak it. I just booted like this now. The only bios setting changed were 5-5-5-15, the rest is on auto.

it appears you are confusing Everest benchmark with actual performance. Everest benchmark does not represent real performance, especially on a P45 that could care less about Everest.

CL444-12 PL8 means nothing to a gaming rig, matter of fact itll prolly be slower.

[Cable_Tie_Guy]

it appears you are confusing Everest benchmark with actual performance. Everest benchmark does not represent real performance, especially on a P45 that could care less about Everest.

CL444-12 PL8 means nothing to a gaming rig, matter of fact itll prolly be slower.

Who said CL4?
I am at CL5, check pic again.

I will say this again, P45 is very limited on memory performance (any brand board). There are some sweet spots and you have to take advantage of it. That is how you do on this chipset. If you want to have the performance expected from a DDR2-1300+ clock, you need to go back to P35 (DFI LP UT) or try some X48. Nvidia chipsets will own any intel chipset when it comes to DDR2 memory performance (mem controler is their especiality), but we know how unstable those chipsets are, so I won't recomend it. That is why I am on a intel too.

On P45 you should focus on the FSB and CPU clocks, and take advantage of the mem sweet spots.

It means absolutely nothing to have a high clocked mem on a P45 with a very poor performance. Not smart at all.

We can play on some 3DMARK too, so you can understand what I am saying too.

[kwalker]

Who said CL4?
I am at CL5, check pic again.

I will say this again, P45 is very limited on memory performance (any brand board). There are some sweet spots and you have to take advantage of it. That is how you do on this chipset. If you want to have the performance expected from a DDR2-1300+ clock, you need to go back to P35 (DFI LP UT) or try some X48. Nvidia chipsets will own any intel chipset when it comes to DDR2 memory performance (mem controler is their especiality), but we know how unstable those chipsets are, so I won't recomend it. That is why I am on a intel too.

On P45 you should focus on the FSB and CPU clocks, and take advantage of the mem sweet spots.

It means absolutely nothing to have a high clocked mem on a P45 with a very poor performance. Not smart at all.

We can play on some 3DMARK too, so you can understand what I am saying too.

It seems to me there are some very impressive memory bandwidth results on the P45 motherboards.
of course this is dependent on quality and maybe a little luck but none the less not too shabby.
your right about raw performance in the overclock arena but remember this is not a restrictive FSB chipset where memory overclocking is the only respective characteristic.(we seem to have the best of both worlds)
One thing I find odd is some modules like to hover at the 1:1 ratio others thrive on the dividers offered
this could be bios related or perhaps the the fact that some modules have restrictive devices implemented such as on die voltage regulation and the fact that termination is moved to the PCB of the module itself.
The tricks shared here show that there are ways around the restrictions and DDR2 is not dead

[ThugsRook]

Who said CL4?
I am at CL5, check pic again.

I will say this again, P45 is very limited on memory performance (any brand board). There are some sweet spots and you have to take advantage of it. That is how you do on this chipset. If you want to have the performance expected from a DDR2-1300+ clock, you need to go back to P35 (DFI LP UT) or try some X48. Nvidia chipsets will own any intel chipset when it comes to DDR2 memory performance (mem controler is their especiality), but we know how unstable those chipsets are, so I won't recomend it. That is why I am on a intel too.

On P45 you should focus on the FSB and CPU clocks, and take advantage of the mem sweet spots.

It means absolutely nothing to have a high clocked mem on a P45 with a very poor performance. Not smart at all.

We can play on some 3DMARK too, so you can understand what I am saying too.

i was using CL4 as an exagerated example.

the rest of what you just said i agree with

the sweet spot for gamers or just the avg ocing joe is CL555-15 PL10. any fsb, any ratio, thats the sweet spot.

it does like speed tho ~ 1066mhz minimum, there is no "max" as long as youre keeping CL555-15 PL10.

gaming does not care for CL4 or PL below 10, only superpi does. but then again some ppl think superpi IS a game

do not tune your gaming system using Everest as a guide. it can only be used as a reference and it doesnt represent real world performance in any way.

[kwalker]

but then again some ppl think superpi IS a game

It's not

[Simps]

Cable_Tie_Guy HoLY cRaP man!
You have DDR2 1080 running at only 1.86v?
What memory is that? I can't even load winodws on those speed / volts.
Nice performance with only 1.86v, very impressed. Nice board!

[Cable_Tie_Guy]

Cable_Tie_Guy HoLY cRaP man!
You have DDR2 1080 running at only 1.86v?
What memory is that? I can't even load winodws on those speed / volts.
Nice performance with only 1.86v, very impressed. Nice board!

Thanks, It's teamX8500.
It was prime stable but not linpack stable at 1.86v...
I am at DDR2-1080 5-5-5-15 PL8 full stable now at 1.89v.

[Cable_Tie_Guy]

Looks like Gigabyte made one hell of a P45 board.
User NapalmV5 on the thread below, just achieved 4.9GHz on his Q9650 (3.0GHz) and 545FSB.
That is right, 545FSB on a 45nm QUAD on a Gigabyte P45.

And, as if this isn't enough, he is saying he is on air, with Thermalright IFX-14.
He is using the Gigabyte EP45-DQ6
This is one of those "I NEED TO SEE TO BELIEVE", but who knows...

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...73#post3312873

[scooter.jay]

I have this board and it seems to only want to run my axe ram in single channel has anyone else sovled/had this problem as any help would be gratefully recived. Running one stick at the mo but it always boot single channel?

[CryptiK]

Have you tried both ram slots? ie: both blue slots filled, or both white slots filled? It may be a problem with the board itself, or a ram incompatibility issue. Got any other ram you can try in dual channel?

[scooter.jay]

Have you tried both ram slots? ie: both blue slots filled, or both white slots filled? It may be a problem with the board itself, or a ram incompatibility issue. Got any other ram you can try in dual channel?

Yeah done both slots have some ram on order so will test with other sticks when they arrive. Thanks for the reply. The ram i have is TX1200QLJ-2GK Axeram

probably incompatibility issue but i hope not!

[CryptiK]

What bios are you using currently? Have you tried again with the latest 1307 bios? What about using the 1307 mod bios Ket did for me (well, all of us really) it is linked a page ago and replaces the M2F memory table with the P5Q-Premium memory table. Perhaps it's worth a shot.

[scooter.jay]

What bios are you using currently? Have you tried again with the latest 1307 bios? What about using the 1307 mod bios Ket did for me (well, all of us really) it is linked a page ago and replaces the M2F memory table with the P5Q-Premium memory table. Perhaps it's worth a shot.

Using 1307 but will give the modded one a try thanks Could you repost link as can not see it. Thanks for all the help

[d3885u]

Hi...guys...I still try to make my FSB fly high with this mobo...my last result is stucking @570 FSB...I can't go further even @575 FSB....Anyone of you where I can't download the modded BIOS version for my Sexy M2F...???
http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=422381

[CryptiK]

Using 1307 but will give the modded one a try thanks Could you repost link as can not see it. Thanks for all the help

Here you go.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=358

The P5Q-Premium table may help if it's an incompatibility issue but it may not. Your sticks have micron D9 GMH IC's so they *should* work, but like I said it may even be the board.

Hi...guys...I still try to make my FSB fly high with this mobo...my last result is stucking @570 FSB...I can't go further even @575 FSB....Anyone of you where I can't download the modded BIOS version for my Sexy M2F...???

Link to post with link just above. I also can't get my board over 570 FSB. Not sure what is holding it back at the moment.

[CryptiK]

658.6 MHz done with TG 8500's @ 2.24v

[Darknezz]

Could someone post Bios setting for E8500 around 530fsb and over have some small trouble keeping it stabile..

Thankyou