Live MB OC Report :: ASUS Rampage Extreme

[aln688]

Simply rediculous for a board with a price tag like this one!

I experienced something similar, there's no contact with the NB heatspreader at the side of the coils/pwm's.

I'm still waiting for bitspower to finish their block.

Zeus, I'm sitting here shaking my head constantly wondering why the hell a board that costs so much, has so little compound on the parts that need it and so little contact pressure. It's outrageous. I've never spent this much on a board before and yet with this board I've spent the most time and effort on it. I really want to ditch it and get a Gigabyte, but I don't know how good or bad they are, maybe that's just another barrel of problems, who knows.

Hi Aln688 - On a bit of a mission tonight so will have more time in the morning - there are passive N/B heatsinks available from Noctua and Thermalright that still allow for a decent sized CPU H/S to be installed. If you search this thread I think 3oh6 has had some impressive results with the Noctua one. It just means fitting the small EK sinks to the other components (see my avatar pic).

ATB R2K

No problem Rob2k, you seem experienced in such matters, I appreciate any advice you have. I've made an executive decision, I'm going to rip off the HPA (Heat Pipe Assembly) and go with Enzotech copper heatsinks. I need help from the community here determining which heatsinks I need for which components. The components I think I need to buy heatsinks for are:

* Northbridge
* Southbridge
* MOSFETs
* Three large chokes (next to silver Fujitsu chip)
* MOSFETs one row to left of CPU socket
* MOSFETs one row along top of CPU socket

I see Sidewindercomputers has a good range of coolers, problem is, I look at them and don't have a clue if they'll fit my board. FYI, I'm not watercooling, just air for now.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/memandvidcar.html

[3oh6]

for the MOSFETs, you want BMR-C1s, a single pack should be 8 which is all you will need for those.

for the MOSFETs around the NB, a package of the MOS-C1s should do the trick...it's been a while since i have been under my heatsinks i have on there but the package comes with 10 and i think 8 is all you need.

to be honest, the chokes near the NB don't need heat sinks, but if you wanted to add a second pack of BMR-C1s, a pair of those cover them nicely.

for the SB, the SLF-1 should do the trick.

for the Northbridge, pretty much any NB heat sink will do good. the more cooling power the better. i am just not familiar with the Enzotech lineup to recommend anything.

i honestly can't believe i haven't added an alternative cooling section to the OC Report but will get started on that as soon as i clean a few things up. i have a full Enzotech setup, the same parts i listed above, and will use that as the hardware. here is a photo of my setup with Swiftech MC-14s (basically identical to Enzotech BMR-C1s). i simply cut an MC-14 in half for the MOSFETs near the NB.



HTH

[DeathWalking]

Your GTZ is on sideways.

[quattro_]

im sick of waiting for BitsPower to release the nb/sb block .

can someone tell me whats the best block for the north bridge and a low profile HS for the south bridge ?

[Ozzfest05]

well enzotech sells a sapphire waterblock which looks sexy and works well and grab a enzotech low profile block passive for south bridge

[Ozzfest05]

Im still going people but I decided to take it slow bits at a time that way I have something to do after work never hit you climax too early lol raised FSB and ram this cpu is doing good likes high speed with low voltage ram now at 1920mhz

[quattro_]

well enzotech sells a sapphire waterblock which looks sexy and works well and grab a enzotech low profile block passive for south bridge

thanks mate

[Ozzfest05]

heres the link water block http://www.enzotechnology.com/snbw_reva.htm

and for SB http://www.enzotechnology.com/cnb_s1l.htm

[aln688]

for the MOSFETs, you want BMR-C1s, a single pack should be 8 which is all you will need for those.

for the MOSFETs around the NB, a package of the MOS-C1s should do the trick...it's been a while since i have been under my heatsinks i have on there but the package comes with 10 and i think 8 is all you need.

to be honest, the chokes near the NB don't need heat sinks, but if you wanted to add a second pack of BMR-C1s, a pair of those cover them nicely.

for the SB, the SLF-1 should do the trick.

for the Northbridge, pretty much any NB heat sink will do good. the more cooling power the better. i am just not familiar with the Enzotech lineup to recommend anything.

i honestly can't believe i haven't added an alternative cooling section to the OC Report but will get started on that as soon as i clean a few things up. i have a full Enzotech setup, the same parts i listed above, and will use that as the hardware. here is a photo of my setup with Swiftech MC-14s (basically identical to Enzotech BMR-C1s). i simply cut an MC-14 in half for the MOSFETs near the NB.



HTH

MUCH appreciated 3oh6. I WAS going to go with this line-up:

*** Northbridge: Thermalright HR-05/IFX ***


*** Southbridge: Not decided, can't see anything that fits perfectly ***

*** MOSFETS top of board above CPU: Thermalright HR-09 S Type 2 ***


*** MOSFETS left of board next to CPU: Thermalright HR-09 U Type 2 ***


*** MOSFETS & Chokes near Northbridge: Enzotech BMR-C1 ***


*** MOSFETS & Chokes near Northbridge: Enzotech MOS-C1 ***


I do like your idea of the BMR-C1 heatsinks along the top and left side of the board, very neat and tidy. I sense a sigh of relief to ditching this Asus HPA (Heat Pipe Assembly), that thing was the source of frustration. I'll try to ignore the fact I spent over $400 on it and I'm now throwing parts away.

The SLF-1 Enzotech part, does that sit flush on the SB chip? I read somewhere that it sits to an angle not covering the chip, I can't find that post. So in your opinion is it not worth covering the chokes near the NB? That would be a time saver.

Also I heard it mentioned you tried the Noctua HC-U6 NB cooler, how did it install/perform? I see it is now discontinued. Thanks again.

[3oh6]

The SLF-1 Enzotech part, does that sit flush on the SB chip? I read somewhere that it sits to an angle not covering the chip, I can't find that post. So in your opinion is it not worth covering the chokes near the NB? That would be a time saver.

Also I heard it mentioned you tried the Noctua HC-U6 NB cooler, how did it install/perform? I see it is now discontinued. Thanks again.

the NC-U6 works fine as would the HR-05 but you will need active cooling with either one IMO. there is just too much heat being dumped by the x48 chipset that either one without a fan would struggle.

as for the SB, yes, the SLF-1 or even the CNB-S1L as Ozzfest05 suggested sit a bit at an angle but cover more than enough of the SB to cool it more than adequately. the SB doesn't generate much for heat at all so either one would work fine...the passive one actually being the better choice perhaps. i just grabbed the SLF-1 as i can always take the fan off if not needed but when it is on my 790i boards i will need the fan.

oh, and if time is your only hangup on heat sinking the chokes near the NB...spend the 30 seconds to peel a backing off heat sinks and sticking them on

[aln688]

can someone tell me whats the best block for the north bridge and a low profile HS for the south bridge ?

I'm looking at this Enzotech southbridge heatsink:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/encnfoconohe.html

It fits the Rampage Extreme but at an angle, not square with the chip, although I do believe it covers the chip 100%.

[rob2k]

as for the SB, yes, the SLF-1 or even the CNB-S1L as Ozzfest05 suggested sit a bit at an angle but cover more than enough of the SB to cool it more than adequately. the SB doesn't generate much for heat at all so either one would work fine...the passive one actually being the better choice perhaps. i just grabbed the SLF-1 as i can always take the fan off if not needed

@ 3oh6 - Long time no hear Just out of interest what S/B temps do you have with the SLF-1 ?, I have the CNB-S1L passive version and the max S/B temp I have seen is 53 degrees. I pre-drilled holes in the mobo tray behind the retaining clips so that I could change over without removing the board - just the graphics card - if it was worthwhile.

@ aln688 - Good to see you are well on the way, stick with the RE it will be worth it in the end. The Enzotech MOS-C1 worked well for me and saved any cutting. Here is my board 'naked' but with new passive cooling before adding the water blocks :-

[aln688]

the NC-U6 works fine as would the HR-05 but you will need active cooling with either one IMO. there is just too much heat being dumped by the x48 chipset that either one without a fan would struggle.

Really? So a fan really is needed as well? I spent time looking into the NB heatsink and the Thermalright HR-05 IFX has provision for an 80mm fan. Looks like I'll be needing it then. Yet another fan, I hope my PC doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner when I switch it on! Do you use water cooling or a NB air heatsink?

oh, and if time is your only hangup on heat sinking the chokes near the NB...spend the 30 seconds to peel a backing off heat sinks and sticking them on

Ha ha, I was thinking of potentially having to cut the copper heatsink in half and match it up with a whole one to get full coverage over all three chokes. I think I have time in my busy schedule to peel the backing off some thermal tape...

Thanks again, your heatsink motherboard picture explains a lot regarding which heatsinks get used where.

[aln688]

@ aln688 - Good to see you are well on the way, stick with the RE it will be worth it in the end. The Enzotech MOS-C1 worked well for me and saved any cutting. Here is my board 'naked' but with new passive cooling before adding the water blocks :-

Your board looks great, but what about cooling the MOSFETs around the CPU? Or is your water cooling device have that covered? I think for me, I'm changing from the Thermalright HR-09's, I'm going with an Enzotech MST-81 MOSFET cooler, it's actually listed on Enzotech's site as compatible with the Rampage Extreme.



I think the toughest part is waving goodbye to a large part of the board, taking into considering the cost of this board, and also the cost of buying new copper heatsinks to replace the missing HPA. I was seriously considering trying to make the stock HPA work, but after seeing the posts/pillars/legs of the HPA all different lengths, and a forum post that suggested the copper that sits on the three chokes/resistors near the NB is too low, therefore lifting the HPA up off the NB, I gave up trying.

I wonder if the Rampage Extreme II (X58) is the same under the HPA as this board? Who cares, once I've got this up and running, I'm not touching it for years, I'll take a look at Rampage Extreme V if there is one.

Thanks for the advice, both yourself and 3oh6, extremely useful and gives new comers hope with this badly engineered heatpipe assembly.

[3oh6]

@ 3oh6 - Long time no hear Just out of interest what S/B temps do you have with the SLF-1 ?, I have the CNB-S1L passive version and the max S/B temp I have seen is 53 degrees. I pre-drilled holes in the mobo tray behind the retaining clips so that I could change over without removing the board - just the graphics card - if it was worthwhile.

yeah, been knee deep in 790i fun, the RE hasn't been fired up in a while. i haven't actually mounted the SLF-1 yet. i am hoping this weekend i will have time to do the 'alternative cooling' write up for the RE. i will do some testing with stock cooler and the SLF-1 with and without the fan for the SB. i'll keep you posted if i don't get the chance this weekend but i don't see anything preventing it from happening.

Really? So a fan really is needed as well? I spent time looking into the NB heatsink and the Thermalright HR-05 IFX has provision for an 80mm fan. Looks like I'll be needing it then. Yet another fan, I hope my PC doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner when I switch it on! Do you use water cooling or a NB air heatsink?

i needed a fan because i run open air setups when i tested it. without a 120mm fan blowing over the memory/NB, the temps just kept rising. if you are in a case with enough airflow around the area you might be able to get away without one. all depends on the setup. i run water on the NB, haven't had air cooling on it for quite some time. my RE is strictly a bench board.

Ha ha, I was thinking of potentially having to cut the copper heatsink in half and match it up with a whole one to get full coverage over all three chokes. I think I have time in my busy schedule to peel the backing off some thermal tape...

Thanks again, your heatsink motherboard picture explains a lot regarding which heatsinks get used where.

yeah, no cutting for the Chokes, just a pair of BMR-C1s or Swiftech MC-14s covers more than enough. Rob2K has done the same as i have but with the BMR-C1s, as you can see above, and they work perfect. the cutting was only for the MOSFETs around the chokes, but with the MOS-C1s, no cutting is necessary...again, see Rob2Ks photo above. his NB setup is the ideal one and what yours should look like with the outlined parts list. as you can see as well, the SB is fully covered, just a little crooked.

[rob2k]

Your board looks great, but what about cooling the MOSFETs around the CPU?

I went with Thermalright HR-09S and U Type 2 combo but they feel a bit flimsy if you catch them whilst handling the board so go with the MST-81's - probably cheaper too.

Too early to think about X58, time to have fun and enjoy the performance of what I have now its running to my liking with 33% CPU O/C and 18% FSB O/C.

@ 3oh6 - Thankyou, I look forward to seeing how the temps compare.

[rob2k]

I've got this board and the TRUE Black 120. I didn't notice anything with regards to the backplate. Have I missed something?

Look back at post 25 and post 28 which shows how I modified my TRUE120 B/P before moving to water. Unless the B/P has been re-designed since the launch of the Black version then I recommended cutting a hole for clearance to the component on the underside of the CPU socket.

[Expat GriZ]

Hey Guys, I can confirm that the Enzotech SLF-1 works well with this board. I had to take the dremel to it to get it to fit as the holes just ever so slightly don't line up. So I put a small grinding stone on and extended the holes just a bit. I used it before I put the mips sb block on. With the NB under water the SB never went over 37 degrees, and this was with 1.6V through the SB.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ensllowprcoc.html

[aln688]

Too early to think about X58, time to have fun and enjoy the performance of what I have now its running to my liking with 33% CPU O/C and 18% FSB O/C.

My initial aim is to get my Q9550 2.83GHz up to 3.4GHz, 400 FSB to start. I have Kingston HyperX PC 1600 modules, 2 x 2GB, I'm thinking I may have to upgrade those to the 1800 version. If I can get to 4GHz on the CPU that will do it for me.

[aln688]

Hey Guys, I can confirm that the Enzotech SLF-1 works well with this board. I had to take the dremel to it to get it to fit as the holes just ever so slightly don't line up. So I put a small grinding stone on and extended the holes just a bit. I used it before I put the mips sb block on. With the NB under water the SB never went over 37 degrees, and this was with 1.6V through the SB.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/ensllowprcoc.html

Is that the same as the Enzotech CNB-S1L, just with a fan added?

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/encnfoconohe.html

[Expat GriZ]

Is that the same as the Enzotech CNB-S1L, just with a fan added?

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/encnfoconohe.html

I believe so, yes!!! It works quite well but as I said I had to do a little modding on the length of the holes to get it to sit properly.

[Expat GriZ]

This is max stable for me on 801. Volts seem to be maybe a little lower all around but OC wise 5.4 is it where as on 501, 601 I can hit 5.6, 5.7. This bios is probably aimed for you guys running the samsung chips. 2160 on the ram is nothing to sneeze at though and it passed 450 percent memtest. This is with the Cellshock Black!! Glad I bought 2 pairs as they will make the trip to NAHELEM COUNTRY!!! Included this LightMark 2008 benchie, cool tune, quick, 64 bit compatible and better than watching the same old 3D mark over and over. Off to work tomorrow and I don't know if I'll have an internet connection soooooooooooo Merry Xmas, Happy New Year to ALL!!!!

[Ozzfest05]

well its coming slowly but surely here is the next step

[cstkl1]

this is a crazy board
400fsb 1:1 1600 CL7 1T tRD 5!!!

[Ozzfest05]

more testing you know how it is... ram at 1960mhz