Asus Striker II Extreme: Corruption/Freezes Troubleshooting Thread

[Mathieas]

Hi all seems i too have been having these random freezes with this board. Benchzowner i would be very greatful for some direction/help in solving this issue if you had some time. You mentioned getting rid of you striker II what did you replace it with? I just spent a huge chunk of money on this board and am really unhappy with its constant issues(more details after the system info) and would like to as a last resrot replace the motherboard but i am now gun shy and worried ill buy another difficult lemon any suggestions? Thanks a bunch, I have included all the information you request when starting a problem sovling ticket below.

Required System Specifications
PSU ( Power Supply Unit ) = Zalman ZM1000-HP
CPU =Intel Extreme Core Duo QX9650
RAM =OCZ Reaper 1333mhz 2X 2Gig 6-5-5-20
HDD ( the one where you have your windows installation on ) = Raid 0 2X WDAKKS750 SATA(or somthing similar)
VGA1 = BFG Geforce 280GTX OC2
VGA2 ( if you have ) = BFG Geforce 280GTX OC2
VGA3 ( if you have ) =
SPU ( Sound Card ) = Sound Blaster X-Fi Faility ed PCI-E
NorthBridge Cooling = Stock fustion block with Big water 760i Liquid cooling
SouthBridge Cooling =Stock
CPU Cooling =Intel retail stock
RAM Cooling = Reaper Ram heat spreaders
nFORCE Chipset Drivers Version = 9.64
ForceWare/GeForce Drivers Version =180.43 (had issues with 178.X vidoe cards would randomly not load drivers/EQ2

crashes)
Sound Card Drivers Version = Latest
BIOS version 0801 REQUIRED--- i am using 1104

BIOS Settings
Extreme Tweaker
CPU Level Up = Auto
Memory Level Up = PC3-10660(required for this ram to run at stock settings, auto detects as a step lower)
AI Overclock Tuner = Auto
CPU Multiplier = 9X
FSB - Memory Clock Mode = Disabled
FSB - Memory Ratio = AUto
FSB (QDR) MHz = 1333
MEM (DDR) MHz = 1333.3
LDT Frequency = 1333
PCIE Bus Slot 1 & 2 MHz = 100
PCIE Bus Slot 3 MHz = 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = 200
SLI-Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 =Disabled
P2 =Disables
tCL ( CAS Latency ) =6
tRCD =5
tRP =5
tRAS =20
Command Per Clock (CMD) =2T
tRRD = 5
tRC = 34
tWR =12
tWTR =15
tFAW =26
tRD =8
tRTP =1
tRFC =74
tREF =7.8µs

Over Voltage- setting on the left, hareware volt reading on the left
CPU Voltage = Auto - 1.29
Loadline Calibration = Enabled
CPU PLL Voltage = Auto - 1.53
CPU VTT Voltage = Auto - 1.13
Memory Voltage = 1.8 - 1.87
NB Core Voltage = 1.56 - 1.6
SB Core Voltage = Auto - 1.50
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio =Auto
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio =Auto
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio =Auto
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio =Auto
NB GTL REF Ratio =Auto
DDR3 CHA1 Ref Volt =DDR_Ref
DDR3 CHB1 Ref Volt =DDR_Ref
DDR3 CHA2 Ref Volt =Auto
DDR3 CHB2 Ref Volt =Auto

CPU Configuration
CPU Internal Thermal Control = Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal = Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E) = Disabled
Execute Disable Bit =Disabled
Virtualization Technology = Disabled
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(tm) Tech. = Disabled
CPU Core 2 = Enabled
CPU Core 3 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled
CPU Core 4 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled

Spread Spectrum Control
CPU Spread Spectrum = Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum = Disabled
MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum = Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum = Disabled
LDT Spread Spectrum = Disabled

Problem Description
My computer will run great for hours.. Prime95 passes for at least 6 hours, memtest Test#5 134 passes np, Intel Burn

Test 5 Passes residuals all the same. The issue is randomly i get these freezes in game or as i load i

game...Prime95 even froze once within 2mins so i rebooted and it passed for 6 hours. I have a feeling this freezing

is comming from a random hickup in the bios or drivers but my experiance is not such that i can proper diagnose or

solve the issue. I doubt its a heat issue, i just got an Antec 1200 case, CPU gets to about 46-53C(it might have

spiked at 55 but the majority of the run was 50 or less) under Prime 95 max load.

[BenchZowner]

You mentioned getting rid of you striker II what did you replace it with?

Got rid of those, and unpacked some of my old 'n' trusty motherboards.
Currently using a bunch of P5K3 Deluxes, P5E64 WS Evolutions, Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6s and a lazy Gigabyte GA-EP45T-DS5R revision.... 0.3

I just spent a huge chunk of money on this board and am really unhappy with its constant issues(more details after the system info) and would like to as a last resort replace the motherboard but i am now gun shy and worried ill buy another difficult lemon any suggestions?

Any of the following boards is easy to set up and even overclock the QX9650 with:

Asus:
P5K3 Deluxe ( old, the cheapest, yet great motherboard money can buy for a stable and overclockable QX9650 setup ) [ my favorite Intel LGA775 platform board ]
P5Q3 Deluxe ( might disappoint you if you're looking to overclock your RAM very high )
Gigabyte GA-EP45T-Extreme ( awesome board )
Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 ( lovely board )

Red Color = changes

Required System Specifications
PSU ( Power Supply Unit ) = Zalman ZM1000-HP
CPU =Intel Extreme Core Duo QX9650
RAM =OCZ Reaper 1333mhz 2X 2Gig 6-5-5-20
HDD ( the one where you have your windows installation on ) = Raid 0 2X WDAKKS750 SATA(or somthing similar)
VGA1 = BFG Geforce 280GTX OC2
VGA2 ( if you have ) = BFG Geforce 280GTX OC2
VGA3 ( if you have ) =
SPU ( Sound Card ) = Sound Blaster X-Fi Faility ed PCI-E
NorthBridge Cooling = Stock fustion block with Big water 760i Liquid cooling
SouthBridge Cooling =Stock
CPU Cooling =Intel retail stock
RAM Cooling = Reaper Ram heat spreaders
nFORCE Chipset Drivers Version = 9.64
ForceWare/GeForce Drivers Version =180.43 (had issues with 178.X vidoe cards would randomly not load drivers/EQ2

crashes)
Sound Card Drivers Version = Latest
BIOS version 0801 REQUIRED--- i am using 1104

BIOS Settings
Extreme Tweaker
CPU Level Up = Auto
Memory Level Up = Auto
AI Overclock Tuner = Manual
CPU Multiplier = 9X
FSB - Memory Clock Mode = Linked
FSB - Memory Ratio = Synch Mode
FSB (QDR) MHz = 1333
MEM (DDR) MHz = 1333
LDT Frequency = 4x
PCIE Bus Slot 1 & 2 MHz = 100
PCIE Bus Slot 3 MHz = 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = 200.5
SLI-Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 = Auto
P2 = Auto
tCL ( CAS Latency ) =6
tRCD =5
tRP =5
tRAS =20
Command Per Clock (CMD) =2T
tRRD = 5
tRC = 29
tWR =12
tWTR =25
tFAW =29
tRD =8
tRTP =8
tRFC =74
tREF = Auto

Over Voltage- setting on the left, hareware volt reading on the left
CPU Voltage = Auto - 1.29
Loadline Calibration = Enabled
CPU PLL Voltage = 1.54V
CPU VTT Voltage = Auto - 1.10V
Memory Voltage = 1.8 - 1.87
NB Core Voltage = 1.4V
SB Core Voltage = 1.5V
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio =Auto
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio =Auto
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio =Auto
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio =Auto
NB GTL REF Ratio =Auto
DDR3 CHA1 Ref Volt = Auto
DDR3 CHB1 Ref Volt = Auto
DDR3 CHA2 Ref Volt =Auto
DDR3 CHB2 Ref Volt =Auto

CPU Configuration
CPU Internal Thermal Control = Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal = Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E) = Disabled
Execute Disable Bit =Disabled
Virtualization Technology = Disabled
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(tm) Tech. = Disabled
CPU Core 2 = Enabled
CPU Core 3 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled
CPU Core 4 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled

Spread Spectrum Control
CPU Spread Spectrum = Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum = Disabled
MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum = Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum = Disabled
LDT Spread Spectrum = Disabled

Problem Description
My computer will run great for hours.. Prime95 passes for at least 6 hours, memtest Test#5 134 passes np, Intel Burn

Test 5 Passes residuals all the same. The issue is randomly i get these freezes in game or as i load i

game...Prime95 even froze once within 2mins so i rebooted and it passed for 6 hours. I have a feeling this freezing

is comming from a random hickup in the bios or drivers but my experiance is not such that i can proper diagnose or

solve the issue. I doubt its a heat issue, i just got an Antec 1200 case, CPU gets to about 46-53C(it might have

spiked at 55 but the majority of the run was 50 or less) under Prime 95 max load.

Try the settings shown above and let me know as soon as you've got any news

[Mathieas]

Thank you very much I will make the changes. The voltage changes you made i noticed the 1.1v on the CPU VTT said Auto-1.1 my auto reads higher in the hardware monitor so i set it to 1.1. Also the voltage changes you are writing are the bios setting not th overvoltage final reading correct? (in my display the auto- voltage i releazed i made a typo the Auto is the setting and the number on the right is the read voltage in hardware monitor).

I was wondering if you might explain some of the logic behind these changes? I am really interested in learning how all of these things work together. if this ends up requireing alot of time/writing its np but even a breif summary would be excelent. Thank you again for your time. I is so nice to have someone with as much knowleage as yourself on our side! K back in a bit with the results

[BenchZowner]

I'm listing the values that you have to set the settings to, not the values displayed in the Hardware Monitoring page ( just like you guessed ).
The suggested settings will make your RAMs job easier and cut some slack off the chipset.
I don't have the time to explain each setting one by one now I'm trying to prepare my stuff for a LN2 benchmarking session and also trying to finish another hardware review as well ( and eat something 'cause I'm starving ).

[Mathieas]

I regret to inform you that the issue persists. I just dont understand it. All the benchmarks and tests comeback saying its fine and everything is working and then bam 2-3hours later crash.... I just bought a new case so i doubt its a heat thing... is this mobo just terrible?

[BenchZowner]

Try the same settings with the SB Voltage at 1.56V

[Mathieas]

Will do and thank you again for your reply. I was wondering if you also got hard locks with your striker II(or just crashes to desktop)? What type of test did you use to prove it was unstable? I have to run errands today and it would be nice to set it up and just walk away to test it.

PS: My SB Core Voltage only changes in increments of .05 so instead of 1.56 i used 1.55. Is this acceptable or should I have gone with 1.60?

[Deathspine]

New Bios surfaced in the Asus forums number 1202. The one link has reached its daily limit.

[BenchZowner]

Will do and thank you again for your reply. I was wondering if you also got hard locks with your striker II(or just crashes to desktop)? What type of test did you use to prove it was unstable? I have to run errands today and it would be nice to set it up and just walk away to test it.

PS: My SB Core Voltage only changes in increments of .05 so instead of 1.56 i used 1.55. Is this acceptable or should I have gone with 1.60?

Sorry I meant 1.55V

I didn't have any hard locks or any kind of errors when I was using it.
It was either fully stable, or barely stable ( errors, BSODs, etc ) when I was pushing it, or playing with the settings.

It's like shooting a moving target... for example I have been testing some settings, and it was totally unstable ( barely entering Windows ), and when I changed the NorthBridge GTL Reference Voltage to +40mV it became fully stable.

Unless you really need SLI ( 30" TFT Monitor for example ), it's not worth fighting over those "stupid" nFORCE motherboards.

[Mathieas]

I wonder what could be cuaseing my random hard locks? Seems to me if it was my video cards/ SLI setup they would crash much sooner then 2hours. Or if it was my CPU/Ram it would fail memtest/prime95/Intelburntest(20 passes maybe i should do more?).. I have not had a crash yet since i changed the SB voltage but I also havent had a chance to give it a 2-3 hour gamming session.
I did just reinstall wow and it crashed terribly with any form of SLI(nv4displ.dll error and BSOD) other then SLI-single card enabled...but i have a feeling this is a driver/software issue. Unless this has given rise to a weakness/error in one of my cards... What I most fear is putting all this work into a board that is broken from the get go. Thank you again for all your assistance! When this is over you will have to give me your address or a PO Box so i can send you a thank you!

Jonathan
PS: Something of note, i have a SB Faility X-FI(i have both the PCI and PIC-E vertions) that seems to want to share IRQ16 with my video cards. Could this have anything to do with the random hard locks? I kinda doubt it but perhaps? Also do you happen to know if there are any Beta Bios out there or new final builds comming our way?

[Deathspine]

Sorry I meant 1.55V

I didn't have any hard locks or any kind of errors when I was using it.
It was either fully stable, or barely stable ( errors, BSODs, etc ) when I was pushing it, or playing with the settings.

It's like shooting a moving target... for example I have been testing some settings, and it was totally unstable ( barely entering Windows ), and when I changed the NorthBridge GTL Reference Voltage to +40mV it became fully stable.

Unless you really need SLI ( 30" TFT Monitor for example ), it's not worth fighting over those "stupid" nFORCE motherboards.

It is sure nice to see BenchZowner back active in this thread , you have been a major asses for those of use stupid enough to want to mess with nvidia motherboards . I certainly like how you share your opinion of this motherboard.

Got my QX9650 install, running smoothly at default. This weekend I will start the overclocking exercise and sure hope you are still around.

[Hobble]

Required System Specifications
PSU ( Power Supply Unit ) = Coolermaster 1000 Case with a 1000W Coolermaster PSU (Modular)
CPU = QX9650 Core Duo Processor
RAM = 4gig Corsair 1600 DDR3 (2x2gig set) - TW3X4G1600C9DHX
HDD = 2x Seagate 500gig HDD in RAID STRIPE (ST3500320NS)
VGA1 = Leadtek Geforce 280GTX 1gig
SPU ( Sound Card ) = Onboard
NorthBridge Cooling = Standard
SouthBridge Cooling = Standard
CPU Cooling = Standard
RAM Cooling = Standard
nFORCE Chipset Drivers Version = 15.23
ForceWare/GeForce Drivers Version = 178.24
Sound Card Drivers Version = ASUS site ones.
BIOS version 0801 REQUIRED - Currently using 1104

BIOS Settings
Extreme Tweaker
CPU Level Up = Auto
Memory Level Up = PC3 12800
AI Overclock Tuner = CPU Level Up
Overclocking Options = Disabled
CPU Multiplier = 9.0
FSB - Memory Clock Mode = Auto
FSB - Memory Ratio = Auto
FSB (QDR), MHz = 1333
Actual FSB (QDR),MHz = 1333.3
MEM (DDR), MHz = 1600
Actual MEM (DDR),MHz = 1600.0
LDT Frequency = 5x
PCIE Bus, Slot 1&2, MHz = 100
PCIE Bus, Slot 3, MHz = 100
SPD <--> MCP Ref Clock, MHz = Auto
SLI - Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 = Auto
P2 = Auto
tCL ( CAS Latency ) = 9
tRCD = 9
tRP = 9
tRAS = 24
Command Per Clock (CMD) = 2T
(Above are recommended by Corsair)
tRRD = Auto 6
tRC = Auto 41
tWR = Auto 12
tWTR = Auto 18
tFAW = Auto 25
tRD = Auto 11
tRTP = Auto 6
tRFC = Auto 88
tREF = Auto 7.8us

Over Voltage
CPU Voltage = Auto
Loadline Calibration = Disabled (Enabled made no difference)
CPU PLL Voltage = Auto
CPU VTT Voltage = Auto
Memory Voltage = 1.78
NB Core Voltage = 1.36
SB Core Voltage = Auto
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio = Auto
NB GTL REF Ratio = Auto
DDR3 CHA1 Ref Volt = Auto
DDR3 CHB1 Ref Volt = Auto
DDR3 CHA2 Ref Volt = Auto
DDR3 CHB2 Ref Volt = Auto

CPU Configuration
CPU Internal Thermal Control = Disabled (Auto)
Limit CPUID MaxVal = Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E) = Disabled
Execute Disable Bit = Enabled
Virtualization Technology = Disabled
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(tm) Tech. = Disabled
CPU Core 2 = Enabled
CPU Core 3 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled
CPU Core 4 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled
(I can change these to disabled, but have tried and it made no difference)

Spread Spectrum Control
CPU Spread Spectrum = Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum = Disabled
MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum = Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum = Disabled
LDT Spread Spectrum = Disabled


Voltages in Hardware Monitor show....
Vcore - 1.26
CPU PLL - 1.52
CPU VTT - 1.12
Memory - 1.84
NB Core - 1.39
SB Core - 1.50
DDR3 Termination - 0.91
3.3V - 3.31
5V - 5.02
12V - 12.16

Problem Description...
I have come to a dead end, and the basic problem is that I get random hard freezes. I can be running fine for days, not a single issue and then freeze... usually the next few freezes are within hours, (the settings above are the most stable I can get I believe, with my limited knowledge). I have tried many other settings, including turning the CPU configuration extras off, but I am running out of ideas and would like to get some expert knowledge on to this.

I really don't like bothering people about things I probably should be able to figure out for myself, but this is the last straw, I have had this hardware for a few months now, and with graphics cards problems in the first place it took a while to get everything working... apart from these hangs.

Memtest seems to be fine for 3 or 4 passes. Heat seems to be ok, and I really cannot find any correlation with anything. I have tried adjusting the NB, SB and Memory slightly with many combinations (memory between 1.72 and 1.80, NB between 1.32 and 1.40, SB at 1.5), and sometimes the hangs are sooner, sometimes later... bottom line is they are so random I don't know if it's helping or not. With these settings I have been able to run for days on end with no hang, but it still happens, then again I have has quicker hangs with these settings too.

This is becoming an extremely long thread and I admit there are some parts I scanned over, I may have missed something, so I am hoping the current settings above are enough information on what I am running now.

(I tried running the memory on auto at 1333 too, and same problem) Sorry to go on so much, you probably know how frustrating this is getting for me. (I have used several forums now, and this seems to be the best thread I have read over a few times now... just decided to post this time.)

Anyway, it's late so I have to turn in, thank you in advance.

[Deathspine]

I am no expert but with 4G of memory I suspect you will need to up your NB voltages above 1.4. If you read thru this thread you will notice that the key to this motherboard is higher voltages then suspected. BenchZowner has helped many folks get stable system but uses voltages higher then Anandtech.com had recommended. If you check the options in the bios you will notice how high you can up the voltages and still be in the "green" area. As you continue to up the voltages you hit yellow and then red numbers. Most recommendations from BenchZowner has been for overclocked systems. Your system is not overclock and will not need "high" voltages but I would try going up a little higher then you tried in the past.

Hope that helps you until BenchZowner returns.

[fps_dean]

I have a Evga 790i that with the release, I finally managed to find stable settings.

Anyone still having problems with a 790i, be sure to use P07 or later, that is absolutely required to get any sort of stable operation.

P07 works for me if I set the RAM at a lower speed than rated. My RAM is rated at 1600 mhz 6-6-6-24 1.9v and will tighten right up to 6-6-6-18 on an Intel chipset. But on the 790i it won't even boot at it's rated specs or pass 30 seconds of memtest even if I raise the voltage to 2.05v. It will pass memtest at 7-7-7-20 or higher timings, but then it will freeze instantly when gaming. 7-7-7-24 or 9-9-9-27 provide slightly fewer freezes, but still freeze quickly enough and makes the system ungamable.

I set my RAM to run at around 1333mhz at 6-6-6-18, and get no crashes. Also used linked and synced. The highest I've got without issues since P07 came out is 1408mhz (using a 5:4 ratio as my FSB speed at these settings is 1760). I recall 1440mhz being more problematic than 1333mhz before P07, so I do believe the limit is between 1408 and 1440mhz before I start getting freezing but I have not tested 1440mhz yet.

Raising the southbridge voltage does nothing unless you overclock your PCI-E lanes except generate extra heat.

Anyone who needs RAM for a 790i I would recommend anything 1600mhz+ so you can run 1333mhz instead of 1066mhz. I've tried several different RAM sets by different manufacturers and they all have the same result whether OCZ or Corsair. I've also tried several different boards.

You can enable P1 and P2 as they really have no effect on the freezes on this system. A NB voltage of 1.35v (1333mhz) or 1.40v (1408mhz) is good, and add another .05v for a quad core.

[Hobble]

Well, I will certainly try what you suggest Deathspine, on the next hang. Thank you for the responce... I should note though, last night I did a CMOS reset, for some reason I couldn't manually enter anything with the FSB and Memory Bus, maybe because I hadn't done a reset of the battery since flashing the BIOS version.

I have set up the BIOS the same, apart from these parts now...

BIOS Settings
Extreme Tweaker
CPU Level Up = Auto
Memory Level Up = Auto
AI Overclock Tuner = Manual
Overclocking Options = Disabled
CPU Multiplier = 9.0
FSB - Memory Clock Mode = Unlinked
FSB - Memory Ratio = Auto
FSB (QDR), MHz = 1333
Actual FSB (QDR),MHz = 1333.3
MEM (DDR), MHz = 1600
Actual MEM (DDR),MHz = 1600.0
LDT Frequency = 5x
PCIE Bus, Slot 1&2, MHz = 100
PCIE Bus, Slot 3, MHz = 100
SPD <--> MCP Ref Clock, MHz = Auto
SLI - Ready Memory = Disabled

CPU Configuration
CPU Internal Thermal Control = Auto
Limit CPUID MaxVal = Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E) = Enabled
Execute Disable Bit = Enabled
Virtualization Technology = Enabled
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(tm) Tech. = Enabled
CPU Core 2 = Enabled
CPU Core 3 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled
CPU Core 4 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled
(I can change these to disabled, but have tried and it made no difference)

[Ambiguous411]

Required System Specifications
PSU ( Power Supply Unit ) = Zalman 1000W
CPU =Intel Quad-Core Q9300
RAM = 4GB (2X2GB) OCZ PC3 12800 1600MHz (OCZ3P16004GK)
HDD ( the one where you have your windows installation on ) = 1TB Seagate Barracuda 3.5"
VGA1 = EVGA 9800 GX2 1GB (EVGA 01G-P3-N891-AR)
VGA2 ( if you have ) = EVGA 9800 GX2 1GB (EVGA 01G-P3-N891-AR)
VGA3 ( if you have ) =
SPU ( Sound Card ) = Supreme FX II
NorthBridge Cooling = Thermaltake Bigwater 760is
SouthBridge Cooling =Thermaltake Bigwater 760is
CPU Cooling =Thermaltake Bigwater 760is
RAM Cooling =none
nFORCE Chipset Drivers Version =15.23
ForceWare/GeForce Drivers Version =178.24
Sound Card Drivers Version =
BIOS version 0801 REQUIRED

BIOS Settings
Extreme Tweaker
CPU Level Up = Auto
Memory Level Up = Auto
AI Overclock Tuner = Manual
CPU Multiplier = 7.5
FSB - Memory Clock Mode = Unlinked
FSB - Memory Ratio = N/A
FSB (QDR) MHz = 1333
MEM (DDR) MHz = 1066
LDT Frequency = 3x
PCIE Bus Slot 1 & 2 MHz = 100
PCIE Bus Slot 3 MHz = 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = 200.5
SLI-Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 = Auto
P2 = Auto
tCL ( CAS Latency ) = 6
tRCD = 6
tRP = 6
tRAS = 24
Command Per Clock (CMD) = 2T
tRRD = 7
tRC = 33
tWR = 10
tWTR = 27
tFAW = 33
tRD = 12
tRTP = 7
tRFC = 72
tREF = 7.8uS

Over Voltage
CPU Voltage = 1.25
Loadline Calibration = Enabled
CPU PLL Voltage = Auto
CPU VTT Voltage = Auto
Memory Voltage = 1.7
NB Core Voltage = 1.4
SB Core Voltage = 1.55
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio = Auto
NB GTL REF Ratio = Auto
DDR3 CHA1 Ref Volt = Auto
DDR3 CHB1 Ref Volt = Auto
DDR3 CHA2 Ref Volt = Auto
DDR3 CHB2 Ref Volt = Auto

CPU Configuration
CPU Internal Thermal Control = Disabled
Limit CPUID MaxVal = Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E) = Disabled
Execute Disable Bit = Disabled
Virtualization Technology = Disabled
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(tm) Tech. = Disabled
CPU Core 2 = Enabled
CPU Core 3 = Enabled
CPU Core 4 = Enabled

Spread Spectrum Control
CPU Spread Spectrum = Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum = Disabled
MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum = Disabled
SATA Spread Spectrum = Disabled
LDT Spread Spectrum = Disabled

Problem Description

Same as usual, random hard locks usually while gaming, but sometimes while idling. Earlier, i would boot, usually freeze once within the first 10 minutes of game time, then reboot and be free of crashes until i shutdown. My machine was consistently doing that also. Then, I don't know what caused it to start doing this again, but i froze, rebooted, froze again almost immediately making my machine now ungamable, so i'm back here looking for more advice from the master himself. Thanks alot.

[Deathspine]

Could not wait for the weekend , started the overclocking project with my new QX9650. Passed OCCP at 3.6 so far. My major problem is heat with this quad core. I have one radiator a Thermochill PA360 for the quad core, NB/SB & two 8800GTXs. It worked fine with the E8400 but this quad was over 60 degrees when stressed with OCCP. Should do fine gaming but I must add another radiator if I am to hit 4G.

[Mathieas]

I have another strange issue to add to the fire. I have not had a random lockup yet... but i sense it is comming lol. What does happen though is when i turn my computer on for the first time in the morning every other day or so i get no video but the entire system boots and i hear the windows gong....how werid is that.. no bios boot screen nothing just a dead monitor... restart everything comes up video and all and bam no problems.... any ideas?

[sunny7day]

I have a 630+fsb E8400, can this board do it?

[BenchZowner]

I have a 630+fsb E8400, can this board do it?

Doubtful.
Nearly 99.9% sure that it can't, and that's with extreme cooling for the CPU and the northbridge.
On air/watercooling ? Not in this world.

[Mathieas]

Bench any incite into the above random video failure issues? I have never had a card fail once i get a successful boot up but i have had the system load with out loading my vid drivers (on older 178 drivers) and now i get no video even at powerup(pre windows on the system checks) and the system still fully loads windows(i hear the bootup windows chime) this to me says its not a driver issue but a bios or hardware issue... have you ever seen this? Could this be vid card and not MB? I suspect MB due to the nature and timming of the error but my expertise is far less then yours. Thank you again.


PS: no system freezes thus far, only a couple random World of Warcraft drops... seems to be a memoery error but it is unconfirmed.

[Mathieas]

Bench seems those settings held on longer then any others but in the end i still end up with a freeze. Anything else i can try?


update: i was wrong crashes are back happend after 10-15mins again. What is with this board!

[lazareth1]

Just to let you all know, I got my board RMA'd and it still had same problem (no surprise) and then after looking in even more on the problem, I found on the OCz forums a guy saying its actually more stable in with your RAM in the white channel slots (B channel) than the blue slots.

I tried this and ive been running with the settings below for about 2 days without a lock up. Lets hope this continues!!!


P1/P2 - enabled
Clock - 2T
Timings - 9 . 9 . 9 . 24
RAM Voltage - 1.80
NB VOltage - 1.54
SB VOltage - 1.55

Everything else is on standard settings or default. None on auto.

If you do try this out, put the rated voltage of your RAM set in place of my 1.80v setting.

I know the NB is high, but if ya find it stable at this setting, you could always lower it step by step till it gets unstable again so you find the most stable setting at least applied voltage.

Edit: Spoke too soon!! It crashed just after writing this lol. But it is much more stable with the RAM in the white slots..............

[gunslinger690]

I'v been trying to o/c my board for a while now. I have the bios cpu overvolt to 1.4375. However in cpuz it shows a cpu volt at 1.120. Which one is right. Does this board undervolt that much? That would explain the crashs when I bump the multiplirer up to 10. With bios 091 I hit an o/c of 3.5 with no sweat. I'll wait for a replay before I bump the cpu voltage up, I really don't want to fry my proc. I ain't got another grand to drop at the moment.

[BenchZowner]

I'v been trying to o/c my board for a while now. I have the bios cpu overvolt to 1.4375. However in cpuz it shows a cpu volt at 1.120. Which one is right. Does this board undervolt that much? That would explain the crashs when I bump the multiplirer up to 10. With bios 091 I hit an o/c of 3.5 with no sweat. I'll wait for a replay before I bump the cpu voltage up, I really don't want to fry my proc. I ain't got another grand to drop at the moment.

If I recall correctly, CPUz cannot read the voltage on the Striker II Extreme, and even if it could it cannot be used as a reference at all, since software measurements are inaccurate, usually way off.

If you have a DMM ( Digital MultiMeter ) then you should check up your Vcore with it.
If you need guidance, let me know

p.s. And no, if you have the LoadLine Calibration option set to Enabled, there's nearly no Vdroop at all.