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

[Darkstormz]

My MF has 425FSB limit with my q9550 E0. Bought a Rampage Formula today to see what happends. Or should I have bought the Maximus II Formula?

[zlojack]

It's all based off the bus speed.
Then the RAM works on a divider of that multiplied by 2 and the FSB is 4x that.

So

400 FSB
Ram ratio of 4:5 = 500 = DDR21000
400 x 4 = 1600 FSB

[Darkstormz]

So far I´m impressed with my Rampage Formula experience.
Running 450x8.5 right now using Q9550 E0.
My Maximus flashed to Rampage could only prime at 425FSB.

[19*12 gamer]

Thanks everyone!

Got my Q827A E8400 cooled on Xigmatek S1384/ Maximus Formula stable on 4Ghz @ 1.240V around 42 Degrees stressed 14hrs (auto voltage)

Cant go higher because mem wont go over 920, will get new ram soon to hit 4.5+Ghz
(i dont like overvolting ram at all)

p.s Just cant compare my E8400 to my AMD X2 5000+@3.2, AMD is really far behind on performance and temps as it could not handle most games maxed with my 3870X2, but the E8400 can for example.

@Darkstormz; I thought q9550's only go to about 4Ghz or do you have water?

[Darkstormz]

Thanks everyone!

Got my Q827A E8400 cooled on Xigmatek S1384/ Maximus Formula stable on 4Ghz @ 1.240V around 42 Degrees stressed 14hrs (auto voltage)

Cant go higher because mem wont go over 920, will get new ram soon to hit 4.5+Ghz
(i dont like overvolting ram at all)

p.s Just cant compare my E8400 to my AMD X2 5000+@3.2, AMD is really far behind on performance and temps as it could not handle most games maxed with my 3870X2, but the E8400 can for example.

@Darkstormz; I thought q9550's only go to about 4Ghz or do you have water?

I´m not at 4GHz at the moment. But I´m pretty close. Running 460x8.5 right now aircooling. Temps 53-53-53-55 with TRUE120.

[Zucker2k]

I´m not at 4GHz at the moment. But I´m pretty close. Running 460x8.5 right now aircooling. Temps 53-53-53-55 with TRUE120.

Nice At those temps, you still have a lot of room to hit 4Ghz, 8.5x471. If you have ram that'll do 1132Mhz go that option; the Rampage Formula will allow you to run PL 7 at that frequency and you should be getting 10,000+ all across in Everest benchmark. Otherwise, 1:1 strap is not shabby either @ PL8; and you could run tighter timings and even stronger aiclock.

[Darkstormz]

4GHz done at pretty high vcore. Wanted to make sure the NB could handle the pressure
I´m going to lap the CPU tonight I think. I use a TRUE with PUSH-PULL.

[Commander_HK47]

Hi I'm new member here at Extreme Systems,

I am having trouble obtaining a stable over clock with my current bios configuration(Blend test will always fail 1 of x for a result of 90%).

I think it is the MHCI(I think that is what the memory controller on Intel boards are called...) as memory checks out after running mem test+ for 10 hours or so.

I think i may have some of the voltages too high as I'm still learning about newer generation Intel chips and there corresponding boards.




Maximus Formula Converted to a Rampage Formula
BIOS: 0410
Lapped Q6600(Go Stepping VID:1.270~) with a TRUE Extreme
4x1GB Transcend 1200MHz Axe Ram(all are DB9)
PSU Silverstone 850Watt Olympic(64Amp +12V)
(if you need/want more hardware information just ask)


Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 400

DRAM Clock CMD Skew CH1 A1 : AUTO
DRAM Clock CMD Skew CH1 A2 : AUTO
DRAM Clock CLK Skew CH1 B1 : AUTO
DRAM Clock CLK Skew CH1 B2 : AUTO

FSB Strap to North Bridge : Auto/266
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1203
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 : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 44
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: Auto
Ai Clock Twister : Auto
Transaction Booster : Manual

Common Performance Level [5]

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

Hardware Monitor:
CPU Voltage : 1.4375 (1.43)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.56 (1.68)
North Bridge Voltage : 1.44 (1.56)
DRAM Voltage : 2.10 (2.20)
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.53 (1.50)
South Bridge Voltage : AUTO (1.08)
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63X
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67X
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : AUTO
SB 1.5V Voltage : AUTO (1.55)

As always thank you for any help.

[Grnfinger]

Hi I'm new member here at Extreme Systems,

I am having trouble obtaining a stable over clock with my current bios configuration(Blend test will always fail 1 of x for a result of 90%).

I think it is the MHCI(I think that is what the memory controller on Intel boards are called...) as memory checks out after running mem test+ for 10 hours or so.

I think i may have some of the voltages too high as I'm still learning about newer generation Intel chips and there corresponding boards.

Welcome to the forums
Heres is what I would suggest


xtreme 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 : Auto
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1200
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 : 50
Write Recovery Time : 8
Read to Precharge Time : 4

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : 9
Write to Read Delay (S) : 5
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
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : Manual

Common Performance Level [7]

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

CPU Voltage : what ever your cpu needs
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
North Bridge Voltage : 1.53
DRAM Voltage : 2.12
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.67X
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67X
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5

[Commander_HK47]

So to confirm, you want me to change the following:

- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8
FSB Frequency : 450

RAS# to RAS# Delay : 4
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 50
Write Recovery Time : 8
Read to Precharge Time : 4

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : 9
Write to Read Delay (S) : 5

DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Common Performance Level [7]

CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
North Bridge Voltage : 1.53
DRAM Voltage : 2.12
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
CPU GTL Reference : 0.67X
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5

let me know if i missed any thing.

[Commander_HK47]

Welcome to the forums
Heres is what I would suggest


xtreme 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 : Auto
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1200
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 : 50
Write Recovery Time : 8
Read to Precharge Time : 4

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : 9
Write to Read Delay (S) : 5
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
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : Manual

Common Performance Level [7]

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

CPU Voltage : what ever your cpu needs
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50
North Bridge Voltage : 1.53
DRAM Voltage : 2.12
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.67X
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67X
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5

Well i tried the settings you suggested, and i lose USB functionality when i run stability test or have any kind of real system load. I'm thinking the north bridge, or is it south bridge that handles USB? At any point the system BSOD and now it feels like im stepping backwards instead of moving forward

[19*12 gamer]

I have a problem getting to 4.2+Ghz wit my E8400. (maximus Formula latest bios, good air cooled)

I have DDR2 800Mz wich i can run on 1Ghz stable on 2.1V(2x1GB). The funny thing is, i can only run it at 1Ghz when i do not oc my E8400.
When i leave the RAM Voltage on auto i can oc my CPU to 4Ghz resulting in my RAM running 890Mhz and that is also stable. My E8400 needs 1.24/1.28V for this oc but i dont know how to manage the RAM. (settings/voltage)

Can anybody point me in the right direction?

[kup]

Found an interesting stability issue. I can prime all day and night... with Blend and pass 100%. But play a video and BAM, crash/lock. Now I'm prime Blending @ 520MHz FSB with a 720p Vid running via the CPU and an SD Vid playing via the CPU and it's catching problems FAR faster than before.

Zucker, do you think you could post up your 500MHz+ Maximus settings? If you could so it on an X38 I'd love to try the same settings on an X48 and see how they compare? Was it with a Q6600?

[Grnfinger]

Well i tried the settings you suggested, and i lose USB functionality when i run stability test or have any kind of real system load. I'm thinking the north bridge, or is it south bridge that handles USB? At any point the system BSOD and now it feels like im stepping backwards instead of moving forward

You will need to adjust voltages accordingly. Not every system is the same.
This isnt please overclock my rig for me thread you will actually have to do some work on your own.
4x1GB sticks will tax the NB harder than 2x2GBs so you may have to raise the vNB, also depending on what you have attached to the SB volts may have to be raised.
All the information is in this thread, ppl have worked hard for a year learning this board and its limits. If you take the time to search and read this thread all information, and answers to questions are in it.

[Zucker2k]

Found an interesting stability issue. I can prime all day and night... with Blend and pass 100%. But play a video and BAM, crash/lock. Now I'm prime Blending @ 520MHz FSB with a 720p Vid running via the CPU and an SD Vid playing via the CPU and it's catching problems FAR faster than before.

Zucker, do you think you could post up your 500MHz+ Maximus settings? If you could so it on an X38 I'd love to try the same settings on an X48 and see how they compare? Was it with a Q6600?

Yes, I used a Q6600. Here are the settings used; you'll probably need less volts all around...

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 7
FSB Frequency : 500
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1000 (1:1)
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 : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : Auto (for 52, can't be set manually in bios)
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 : 6
ALL PRE to REF Delay : 6

DRAM Static Read Control: Auto
Ai Clock Twister : Auto
Transaction Booster : Manual

Common Performance Level [9]

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

CPU Voltage : 1.320 (CPU-Z)
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.50v
North Bridge Voltage : 1.65v
DRAM Voltage : 1.80v
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.50v
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050v
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.50v
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.67X
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67X
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : Auto
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : Auto
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : Auto

Advanced CPU Configuration:
Everything Disabled

Thread here: 500FSB+ on Maximus Formula

Edit: With Vide problem, I'll bump pcie a bit, maybe SB too.

[Commander_HK47]

You will need to adjust voltages accordingly. Not every system is the same.
This isnt please overclock my rig for me thread you will actually have to do some work on your own.
4x1GB sticks will tax the NB harder than 2x2GBs so you may have to raise the vNB, also depending on what you have attached to the SB volts may have to be raised.
All the information is in this thread, ppl have worked hard for a year learning this board and its limits. If you take the time to search and read this thread all information, and answers to questions are in it.

Fair enough, I however went back to the old settings for memory and FBS/ratio as there was a fairly large drop in the processors L1, and L2 cache speed with there Read and write speeds dropping by about 10Gb of through put(60Gb down to 50Gb and 30Gb down to 20Gb respectively).

On the other hand, with the memory though. Read, write(being the biggest Improver), copy, and latency all had better scores. I'm still stumped by that one as you suggested relaxed timings on the memory compared to what i had to start with, leaving me to think that it would be slower However i am still learning about what means what in the terms of timings and propper voltage selection with the newer inlet products.

[Grnfinger]

Fair enough, I however went back to the old settings for memory and FBS/ratio as there was a fairly large drop in the processors L1, and L2 cache speed with there Read and write speeds dropping by about 10Gb of through put(60Gb down to 50Gb and 30Gb down to 20Gb respectively).

On the other hand, with the memory though. Read, write(being the biggest Improver), copy, and latency all had better scores. I'm still stumped by that one as you suggested relaxed timings on the memory compared to what i had to start with, leaving me to think that it would be slower However i am still learning about what means what in the terms of timings and propper voltage selection with the newer inlet products.

Every setup is different, I have never had success on the 266 strap so thats why I suggest 333, the higher FSB will help to compensate for the higher PL.
Some timings when relaxed will not hurt bandwidth much at all but will greatly improve stability.
Zucker2K, Kup, Zlojack are very experienced with the board and can offer other suggestions besides mine.
ZenEffect if you can find him is very well versed in ram tweaking and can offer a great deal of information.

[Commander_HK47]

Every setup is different, I have never had success on the 266 strap so thats why I suggest 333, the higher FSB will help to compensate for the higher PL.
Some timings when relaxed will not hurt bandwidth much at all but will greatly improve stability.
Zucker2K, Kup, Zlojack are very experienced with the board and can offer other suggestions besides mine.
ZenEffect if you can find him is very well versed in ram tweaking and can offer a great deal of information.

Well i've been focusing on the NB, and have come to find out that:
1) The NB heatsink wasn't screwed down(so it was lose).
2) After removing the NB and the SB cooler, to clean the epoxy resin like TIM off that people speak so lowly of here, I come to find out it wasn't even making contact wit the SB at all(SB didn't have even a smug of TIM on it) and every so slightly(but not really)was making contact with the NB.

I'll be heading to a local hardware store in the morning to pickup some sanding/cleaning supplies fix that right up

[Grnfinger]

Well i've been focusing on the NB, and have come to find out that:
1) The NB heatsink wasn't screwed down(so it was lose).
2) After removing the NB and the SB cooler, to clean the epoxy resin like TIM off that people speak so lowly of here, I come to find out it wasn't even making contact wit the SB at all(SB didn't have even a smug of TIM on it) and every so slightly(but not really)was making contact with the NB.

I'll be heading to a local hardware store in the morning to pickup some sanding/cleaning supplies fix that right up

There has been a few heated debates on what is a max NB temp.
Intel states some insane number like 90c
In real world we have come to find 47-50c load would be the max to maintain stability.
reseating the blocks would be the right choice.
My new MIIF suffered from the same problem, there were reports of the NB hitting 100c right out of the box and killing the board.
Seems Asus QA department isnt up to par

Keep us posted on your progress

[19*12 gamer]

Just 1 more quick question on my FSB-wall around 460, i see lots of settings i cannot give meaning like:
Maximus formula in bios:There is loadline calibration, mem performance setting (0-7) in light and strong, well you know what im talking about.

Also PLL voltage and VTT are not clear to me, my question is:
Will changing them affect my max oc? Just checking before i buy new ram for 100 euro and end up having the same FSB-wall.

To oc to 4Ghz i do not need to adjust any setting, cpu-,mem,NB-voltage do not help, are there any other setting that affect oc-ability positively?

[Grnfinger]

Just 1 more quick question on my FSB-wall around 460, i see lots of settings i cannot give meaning like:
Maximus formula in bios:There is loadline calibration, mem performance setting (0-7) in light and strong, well you know what im talking about.

Also PLL voltage and VTT are not clear to me, my question is:
Will changing them affect my max oc? Just checking before i buy new ram for 100 euro and end up having the same FSB-wall.

To oc to 4Ghz i do not need to adjust any setting, cpu-,mem,NB-voltage do not help, are there any other setting that affect oc-ability positively?

Yes there is a direct relation to CPUPLL and FSBT they will affect stability greatly.
Increasing PLL can reduce vcore/ but will increase stability.
To low of a FSBT will result in a unstable chip.

to help elimate a FSB wall drop the multi down and try a higher FSB

[19*12 gamer]

Thanks for the info, i will try it right away.
(I have a FBS-wall around 460 because my ram wont oc stable when i oc my cpu, i can run it on 1066Mhz without oc-ing my cpu, so dropping the multi doesn't help with my current RAM)

If this doesn't help i will get new ram this week!

[Grnfinger]

Thanks for the info, i will try it right away.
(I have a FBS-wall around 460 because my ram wont oc stable when i oc my cpu, i can run it on 1066Mhz without oc-ing my cpu, so dropping the multi doesn't help with my current RAM)

If this doesn't help i will get new ram this week!

just run a different divider then, at 460 your options are limited but 920MHz running 4-4-4-12 would do rather well

[Commander_HK47]

LOL was testing some things out and thus far i got 450*9(4.05GHZ)to load into windows and validate via CPU-Z although it doesn't report my memory speed correctly...(should say pc9600 for 1200MHZ ram but no biggy)

here is a link to the cpuid database page:


Now for the Bad news it has taken cpu 1.58V to get in windows and i haven't even started to test it yet.

However i am wondering if there is a way to bring down the CPU volts need via PLL/FBS Termination Voltage?

I remember reading about that some where but am still kind of hazy on how that all works...

Ill edit/post more information in a sec about my NB situation with odd BIOS memory detection issues.

[Lusken]

Hey! I'v just got my new Asus Maximus II Formula, Can som Post (Or Re-post) some picz of their Bios-settings?

I've got an E1200 celeron CPU (yeah, i know - it sucks :P). I have reaced 3.45 ghz (1.425 volt) already, but i want to get longer, and since i haven't change anything besides volt-settings, frequency, and disabled all that Eist-function .

Someone?