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

[Allubz]

Hiya guys,

I'm wondering if you might be able to help me getting a decent overclock on my rig:

Maximus Formula (am looking for some boot media to flash to Rampage)
E8400 C0 @ Scythe Infinity
OCZ FlexXLC 6400 CL3 (runs 1066MHz CL5)

For some reason the processor does 9*400 fine but anything near 4GHz is subject to epic reboots and instability.

I've read quite some stuff in this thread already but for some reason no said settings work for me. For example I've used:

6*475
RAM @ 950 5-5-5-15
PCI Freq: 110
CPU Volt: 1.45
PPL: 1.6
NB: 1.65
DRAM: 2.3
FSBT/VTT: 1.4
SB: Auto
Loadline: Auto
CPU GTL: 0.63x
NB GTL: 0.67x
DDR Ref voltages: Auto
SB 1.5 Volt: 1.5

It was a no go. I'm curious whether my problem is the FSB (around 443 it's bootable, but not exactly stable), and how I can possibly fix this.

The whole rig runs perfectly cool and stable at 3.6GHz.
Idle:
Core 1 - 32
Core 2 - 28
CPU --- 23
NB ----- 28

The Northbridge doesn't heat up too much at all when putting 1.65v and stressing and neither does the CPU, it goes up to 50 at worst.

Any input would be much appreciated.

[19*12 gamer]

Are you stressing your cpu with OCCT or IntelBurntest? I noticed that apps like Orthos dont stress the system near as much as the better apps resulting in much lower temps.

[ShawnTRD]

I have Rampage Formula BIOS. And I just don't seem to be picking up these hole tRD, Ai Transaction Booster, Ai Clock Twister. I just can't seem to understand it. Can anyone teach me in a simple way?

[Sparda]

I have Rampage Formula BIOS. And I just don't seem to be picking up these hole tRD, Ai Transaction Booster, Ai Clock Twister. I just can't seem to understand it. Can anyone teach me in a simple way?

I thought tRD = Transaction Booster(TB) = Performance Level(PL)
When start oc you cpu you want to put the ram out of equation. So set:

Static Read: Disable
Clock Twister: Light or Moderate
TB: Manual > PL: set to 7 or 8 or 9 and so on that allow you to post depend on your straps , fsb and ram divider. Ideally you want to choose the lowest that allow you to POST/BOOT.

After finish oc the cpu and find it stable. Start messing with the ram to improve some latency and read.

Static Read: Enable > TEST > Clock Twister: Moderate or Strong > TEST again.

With the lowest PL level that you choose before start pulling some phases one at a time. Note that every divider has their amount of phases.

So pull in CHA PH1 , CHB PH1, CHA PH 4, CHB PH4, CHA PH5, CHB PH5....ONE at a time and see if it passes Memtest86+ first or even posts.


More hocus pocus here. Basics of Strap Selections, Dividers and Derived Memory Speeds

[ShawnTRD]

So pull in CHA PH1 , CHB PH1, CHA PH 4, CHB PH4, CHA PH5, CHB PH5....ONE at a time and see if it passes Memtest86+ first or even posts.
Basics of Strap Selections, Dividers and Derived Memory Speeds

pull in CHA PH* ?
Change from Disabled to Enabled?

[sonojo]

My maximus formula does not boot after I flashed Rampage Formula Bios 0403. All 3 leds are on but no picture, no beep, lcd post says cpu init but nothing happens. I tried to take out the battery, the ddr2 modules, vga card, I wait for hours and nothing. Can someone help me?

[Zucker2k]

My maximus formula does not boot after I flashed Rampage Formula Bios 0403. All 3 leds are on but no picture, no beep, lcd post says cpu init but nothing happens. I tried to take out the battery, the ddr2 modules, vga card, I wait for hours and nothing. Can someone help me?

Unplug the power supply and wait 5 miuntes, if it doesn't post, clear cmos.

[sonojo]

Unplug the power supply and wait 5 miuntes, if it doesn't post, clear cmos.

I tried that already and nothing!

[sonojo]

Quote:
Originally Posted by M-XXXX
I have some big troubles now.





Tried this already. Tried with no ram, and still doesnt beep. Ive unpluged from electricity for 10min, and it didnt helped either I have cleared CMOS too, even removed battery..

Did you solve your problem? I'm having the same problem!!! Can you help me?

[ShawnTRD]

I tried that already and nothing!

What CPU and RAM do you have? RF BIOS might not like what your running. Does you fans and stuff turn on? When you first start it after leaving the PSU off and resetting the BIOS are you giving it a minute to boot? Mine take 5 seconds or more to fire up after unplugging it.

[Zucker2k]

Do you have an LCD poster? If you get a DET RAM, try booting with 1 stick, or a cheapo DDR2 ram.

[Commander_HK47]

Has anyone come up with a fan mod for the stock northbidge cooler(non SE)with a TRUE cpu heatsink installed?

[faithful10]

First Orthos sucks ass I have had many systems pass orthos and fail prime.
OCCT is better than Orthos

Second your NB and FSBT are way to high for 24/7 use.

Besides that nice job getting it stable.

What ram do you have running 1:1 you should be able to enable dram static, and run clock twister strong for much improved bandwidth.

I have been running with 1.49 FSBT and 1.58 NB since april and no stability problems ever. This is with Rampage bios and my system, is 24/7 stable at 533 fsb speed in all stressprograms.

I got alot of ekstra fans in the case.

Before convertion to rampage maks fsb speed i could go was around 508-510. But with rampage bios and the possibilty to choose cpu gtl: 0,67 and Northbridge gtl 0,67 and performance level 9 i can run 537 mhz.

Everest score at 533 mhz here:

[sonojo]

What CPU and RAM do you have? RF BIOS might not like what your running. Does you fans and stuff turn on? When you first start it after leaving the PSU off and resetting the BIOS are you giving it a minute to boot? Mine take 5 seconds or more to fire up after unplugging it.

It is a quad 9300 with a patriot ddr2 1200mhz, the fans run but no picture.

[sonojo]

Do you have an LCD poster? If you get a DET RAM, try booting with 1 stick, or a cheapo DDR2 ram.

the lcd poster shows CPU INIT and stops there, I tried with one stick from a cheap kingston and nothing. The strange thing is that all 3 leds close to ddr2 slots go on
and there is no beep and no video.

[Grnfinger]

the lcd poster shows CPU INIT and stops there, I tried with one stick from a cheap kingston and nothing. The strange thing is that all 3 leds close to ddr2 slots go on
and there is no beep and no video.

Try removing the chip, clear cmos, and pull battery.
Wait 15 mins and remount the chip.
If its still an no go then looks like its RMA time.
Being a NON SE Asus will cross ship you another board but you have to request it.

[sonojo]

Try removing the chip, clear cmos, and pull battery.
Wait 15 mins and remount the chip.
If its still an no go then looks like its RMA time.
Being a NON SE Asus will cross ship you another board but you have to request it.

forgive for my ignorance but where is locate the chip?

[ShawnTRD]

forgive for my ignorance but where is locate the chip?

I think he's talking about the CPU.

[Futastic]

I'm using a Q9550 got it running stable at 3.84GHz, but I can't seem to get it stable at 4GHz. When I boot into vista at 4GHz it freezes a few minutes later. Can anyone help to get it stable?

Heres my settings @ 4GHz:
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 8.5
FSB Frequency : 471
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-942
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Auto
Ai Clock Twister : Lighter
Transaction Booster : Disabled

CPU Voltage : 1.33125
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.60v
North Bridge Voltage : 1.51v
DRAM Voltage : 2.12v
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.22
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.65x
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67x
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR2_REF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR2_REF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2_REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.50v

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

[loften]

does anyone have a extra se heat pipe cooler/water block they may be willing to give up so i can rma my board?

[MacClipper]

I'm using a Q9550 got it running stable at 3.84GHz, but I can't seem to get it stable at 4GHz. When I boot into vista at 4GHz it freezes a few minutes later. Can anyone help to get it stable?
...

FSB Termination Voltage : 1.22

Maybe try increasing this.

btw, that's a very nice quad o'c on a X38. Which batch Q9550 are you using?

[Futastic]

Maybe try increasing this.

btw, that's a very nice quad o'c on a X38. Which batch Q9550 are you using?

The batch I am using is L818B110. BTW this is C1 stepping not E0.

[Futastic]

Cool...the FSB Termination voltage worked. It's at 1.34 in the bios but real voltage is at 1.25. CPU voltage in the bios is 1.33125, real is 1.320. Priming now @ 4004 MHz

[Futastic]

Eh...system freezes after 15 mins of prime. Should I bump my FSB Termination Voltage up more?

[Zucker2k]

Eh...system freezes after 15 mins of prime. Should I bump my FSB Termination Voltage up more?

What temps are you getting? A slight bump in Vnb may solve it.