ASUS Striker II Extreme

[neo mike]

Well there seems to be some kinda bug, or something, i can get to 550fsb easy, but anything over, and i mean 1mgz is no boot, and i have to clear cmos evertime, very strange, im hoping this isnt the limit. Update, ok for sure is a bios bug, anything over 2200, set for fsb, is a no boot, and clear cmos, go back down to 2200 even, boots fine, has to be a bios bug, im mad, cause i know i could get more. Good luck getting asus to fix this, im wondering if bios 901 has this issue, if its just 1104, does anybody know if anyone has got over 550fsb on this board ? i see on page 7 or 8 there is a guy that had 550fsb, but i have not seen more???.

[slim142]

Mike, here is the template for the BIOS. Please erase whatever doesnt apply to you and change it to what you have it set up in BIOS, also post your nForce, GeForce and all the extra info. Thanks

-------
PSU ( Power Supply Unit ) = Corsair HX1000 ( 1000W )
CPU = Intel Quad Core QX9650
RAM = OCZ DDR3-1600 Platinum Edition 4GB Kit ( OCZ3P20004GK )
HDD = Western Digital Raptor ( 150GB x2 Raid 0)
VGA1 = PNY GeForce 280GTX 1GB
VGA2 = none
VGA3 = none
BFG Ageia PhyX card
SPU ( Sound Card ) = AuzenTech Auzen X-Fi Prelude
NorthBridge Cooling = Bitpower water block
SouthBridge Cooling = Bitpower water block
CPU Cooling = custom water cooled with Swiftech water block
RAM Cooling = OCZ Memory Cooler
nFORCE Chipset Drivers Version = nVIDIA nFORCE Drivers v15.23
ForceWare/GeForce Drivers Version = nVIDIA ForceWare v177.83
Sound Card Drivers Version = X-Fi Prelude RC7
BIOS version 0901

BIOS Settings
Extreme Tweaker
CPU Level Up = Auto
Memory Level Up = Auto
AI Overclock Tuner = Manual
CPU Multiplier = 9.5
FSB - Memory Clock Mode = Linked
FSB - Memory Ratio = Synch
FSB (QDR) MHz =
MEM (DDR) MHz =
LDT Frequency = 5x
PCIE Bus Slot 1 & 2 MHz = 150
PCIE Bus Slot 3 MHz = 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = 200
SLI-Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 = Enabled
P2 = Enabled
tCL ( CAS Latency ) = 7
tRCD = 7
tRP = 6
tRAS = 18
Command Per Clock (CMD) = 2T
tRRD = 1
tRC = 27
tWR = 10
tWTR = auto 25
tFAW = auto 25
tRD = auto 15
tRTP = auto 15
tRFC = 88(72)
tREF = 7.8us

Over Voltage
CPU Voltage = 1.V
Loadline Calibration = Disabled
CPU PLL Voltage = 1.V
CPU VTT Voltage = 1.V
Memory Voltage = 1.V
NB Core Voltage = 1. V
SB Core Voltage = 1.V
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio = mv
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio = mv
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio = mv
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio = mv
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 = Enabled
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 = 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
-------

Also, about your FSB problem. Try leaving your RAM on 1600Mhz and increase the FSB to see if its a chipset limit. You can also try lowering the multiplier to see if its a CPU speed limit.

[slim142]

Here is a new bios for us guys, suppose to fix over volt problems and other issues heard its pretty good http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=894394&da=y 1202 froms asus forum. Slim not my cpu holding me back only running a 7x multi, lowered rams speed, no go, i mean the second you set it to 2201, it just shuts down, no go at all, no matter what you do. Im going to flash this new bios and try it.

Not really a new BIOS, its been around for some time already hehe.
If its not your CPU, it might be the limit of limits. Maybe increasing more NB voltage, but anything over 1.60 (real) will NOT be safe at all.
To be honest, I think you have a really good overclock. I have only seen few times 13k achieved with this board and if you can get it stable for benchies, it would be great.

About the BIOS files, you might want to try 0901, 1004, 1103. Remember to save your settings so you dont have to do them over and over.

EDIT: About the flash, dont use Send option, just copy and paste it and make sure is a short name (just 1202.bin) and that it is the only file in the floppy.

[neo mike]

I see now this is not a real asus bios, somebody made this, but i heard some guys saying it works well, but i cant load it. Well if 550fsb is the limit, that sucks, and i will dump this board, thats just not good enough for a EXTREME BOARD, i just tried again lowering ram, high nb, high sb, not going to go. I maybe one of those other bios is better, maybe i will try, but seems to me like the latest should be best, i dont know.

Well just flashed to 1202, will test this bios and see if any improvments, but i know it did fix over voltage problems, and system boots much faster, will see if it can get me past 550fsb point.

Update, 1202 faster boot, fixes voltages, thats about it, still cant break 550fsb, tried 5:4 3:2 divider, linked, unlinked, synced, its a no go aint going to happen, would love to see somebody who has cracked 550fsb, please step foward ?, oh well i tried my best, unless BENCH you have some ideas why it wont go past 550fsb, usaully a board will not stop on 1mgz over, it will still boot, but not goes as far 2200 goes into vista and i can run anything, 2201, wont even post, thats the weirdest thing i have ever seen, like they put a stop in the bios or something, i give up.

[Big Myke]

SLim, how come you raise the PCIe slot 1 and 2 to 150?

[neo mike]

Well i got my 24/7 setup, ran all test is rock solid stable, still trying to get my memory to 2000 on this setup, but wont pass memtest, will keep trying, but i would say not a bad 24/7 setup, i will post bios settings later

[slim142]

I see now this is not a real asus bios, somebody made this, but i heard some guys saying it works well, but i cant load it. Well if 550fsb is the limit, that sucks, and i will dump this board, thats just not good enough for a EXTREME BOARD, i just tried again lowering ram, high nb, high sb, not going to go. I maybe one of those other bios is better, maybe i will try, but seems to me like the latest should be best, i dont know.

Well just flashed to 1202, will test this bios and see if any improvments, but i know it did fix over voltage problems, and system boots much faster, will see if it can get me past 550fsb point.

Update, 1202 faster boot, fixes voltages, thats about it, still cant break 550fsb, tried 5:4 3:2 divider, linked, unlinked, synced, its a no go aint going to happen, would love to see somebody who has cracked 550fsb, please step foward ?, oh well i tried my best, unless BENCH you have some ideas why it wont go past 550fsb, usaully a board will not stop on 1mgz over, it will still boot, but not goes as far 2200 goes into vista and i can run anything, 2201, wont even post, thats the weirdest thing i have ever seen, like they put a stop in the bios or something, i give up.

Ok, first, all BIOS files that come out are made by ASUS. There are a couple of people that release these files but that doesnt mean they are not "real", they just get it from ASUS admins and then release them.

You are the first one I hear that mentions increased boot times, will have to check that as I hate slow boot computers.

About your 550 limit, I think thats a really good overclock. I dont know how many people can actually say "I got 550" on their S2E boards. It might be true you can get higher on other boards like Rampage Extreme, but if you keep in mind you ARE able to use SLI right now, I wouldnt complain for those couple more Mhz.

SLim, how come you raise the PCIe slot 1 and 2 to 150?

Myke, I just copied and pasted that BIOS template from some other user so neo mike can post his seetings. Those are not my settings

Well i got my 24/7 setup, ran all test is rock solid stable, still trying to get my memory to 2000 on this setup, but wont pass memtest, will keep trying, but i would say not a bad 24/7 setup, i will post bios settings later

What have you run? How long?
BIOS settings, screenshoots and pictures from your rig would be great

EDIT:
Neo Mike, newer versions of Everest improved my reading speeds, try this
Everest Ultimate Edition 4.60.1607

[neo mike]

I am using everest 4.60, i have a pretty good 24/7 overclock, i ran super pi 32m windows memtest, running prime 95. I found out why this board wont go over 550, read a review on i4memory on this board, but a very good reviewer, he had same problem 550fsb, 1 mgz over no boot, he said you have to play with the cpu gtl voltages and the board will do 585-590, see on anadtech i read those voltages were for quads, thats why i never touched them, now im going to play with them see how high i can go. I like 1202 bios, it definitly seems a faster boot, ok will post my setting, i have no photoshop so i cant post all cpuz and all that stuff, but will copy and paste the bios settings.

[neo mike]

Here are my current bios setttings, im working on tightning up my memory sub timings.


FSB - Memory Clock Mode = unlinked
FSB - Memory Ratio = unlinked
FSB (QDR) MHz = 2065
MEM (DDR) MHz = 1965
LDT Frequency = 5x
PCIE Bus Slot 1 & 2 MHz = 100
PCIE Bus Slot 3 MHz = 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = 202
SLI-Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 = Enabled
P2 = Enabled
tCL ( CAS Latency ) = 8
tRCD = 7
tRP = 6
tRAS = 21
Command Per Clock (CMD) = 1t
tRRD = auto
tRC = auto
tWR = auto
tWTR = auto
tFAW = auto
tRD = 9
tRTP = auto
tRFC = 85
tREF = 7.8us

Over Voltage
CPU Voltage = 1.32
Loadline Calibration = enabled
CPU PLL Voltage = 1.56
CPU VTT Voltage = 1.32
Memory Voltage = 2.0
NB Core Voltage = 1.56
SB Core Voltage = 1.55
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio = mv
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio = mv
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio = mv
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio = mv
NB GTL REF Ratio = +10mv
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 = Enabled
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 = Enabled
CPU Core 4 = Enabled

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

[slim142]

I am using everest 4.60, i have a pretty good 24/7 overclock, i ran super pi 32m windows memtest, running prime 95. I found out why this board wont go over 550, read a review on i4memory on this board, but a very good reviewer, he had same problem 550fsb, 1 mgz over no boot, he said you have to play with the cpu gtl voltages and the board will do 585-590, see on anadtech i read those voltages were for quads, thats why i never touched them, now im going to play with them see how high i can go. I like 1202 bios, it definitly seems a faster boot, ok will post my setting, i have no photoshop so i cant post all cpuz and all that stuff, but will copy and paste the bios settings.

The version I posted is build 1607, the reason why I posted it is because you seem to be using build 1500 according to the pictures you posted.
You dont need photoshop to post screenshots, just press Print Screen Sys on your keyboard then click on paste on paint, save it as jpeg and upload it to a website then post it here.


SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = 202
-Is this really on 202? most people will recommend this to be set at 200 for stability.

Command Per Clock (CMD) = 1t
- This setting might help you if you set it to 2.

tRC = auto
- Do you have this in auto? If so, what the current value? Maybe 50 something, this one gives you a lot of performance increase when lowered, but make sure not to go too low or no boot.

CPU Voltage = 1.32
CPU PLL Voltage = 1.56
CPU VTT Voltage = 1.32
Memory Voltage = 2.0
NB Core Voltage = 1.56
SB Core Voltage = 1.55
- You voltages are on the brink, however, since you say there is no more overvolt for NB, VTT and PLL, you are still ok. No more than 1.60 for PLL and NB and no more than 1.36 for VTT to be safe. CPU at 1.32500 really is 1.39-1.40 so I wouldnt go more than that.

NB GTL REF Ratio = +10mv
- Is this really at +10? Did it help you?

CPU Internal Thermal Control = Enabled
- This should be disabled

CPU Core 2 = Enabled
CPU Core 3 = Enabled
CPU Core 4 = Enabled
- I dont think you have Core 3 and 4 with that E8500 lol

SATA Spread Spectrum = enabled
LDT Spread Spectrum = enabled
- This should be disabled as well as the other spectrums

Hope that helps

[neo mike]

Why do i have to disable the spectrums ? and yes its 202, i guess i could try lowering it and see what happens, but when i went to low, it wouldnt boot. Now im getting a problem i pass memtest, super pi 32, prime 95, but when i start my computer up now, it says on my little lcd poster CHECK MEMORY ?? but the whole system is stable, it wouldnt boot, i had to clear cmos. Yes the +10 helped, i was at +30, but came back down. How can system be stable, but says test memory ? not liking this, it wont let me boot, going to have to tweak the ram i guess.

Im going to buy a 4gig kit of patriot 2000 today, right now im running crucial 2gig 2000, not enought memory for vista.

[Deathspine]

I am using everest 4.60, i have a pretty good 24/7 overclock, i ran super pi 32m windows memtest, running prime 95. I found out why this board wont go over 550, read a review on i4memory on this board, but a very good reviewer, he had same problem 550fsb, 1 mgz over no boot, he said you have to play with the cpu gtl voltages and the board will do 585-590, see on anadtech i read those voltages were for quads, thats why i never touched them, now im going to play with them see how high i can go. I like 1202 bios, it definitly seems a faster boot, ok will post my setting, i have no photoshop so i cant post all cpuz and all that stuff, but will copy and paste the bios settings.

I could not find the review at i4memory, where did you find it? Thanks

[neo mike]

Go to i4memory.com, go into the forums, click on intel boards, then asus boards, and scroll way down the page, you will see striker 2 extreme.

Here is the link, you will see about the 550fsb wall i talked about. http://i4memory.com/f54/asus-striker-ii-extreme-review-6756/

[slim142]

disable spectrums because they are not needed. Anandtech also mentios this.

[Deathspine]

Go to i4memory.com, go into the forums, click on intel boards, then asus boards, and scroll way down the page, you will see striker 2 extreme.

Here is the link, you will see about the 550fsb wall i talked about. http://i4memory.com/f54/asus-striker...e-review-6756/

Here is the full review

http://www.benchzone.com/page.php?al...ker_II_extreme

[neo mike]

Ok i disabled it, im seeing that running linked, and synced, gives the best peformance by far, but trying to run 2000 fsb, and 2000 on the memory, is tough to get working, i will just keep playing with this thing, going to pick up my patriot 4 gig kit, see how it runs on this board.

[BenchZowner]

Here are my current bios setttings, im working on tightning up my memory sub timings.

If your memory kit is a 2GB ( 2*1GB Dual Channel Kit ) with Micron D9GTR / D9GTS chips, and you are efficiently cooling the CPU, NB and RAM with active cooling ( fans ) then the following settings should help you crack that 550MHz "barrier".

FSB - Memory Clock Mode = unlinked
FSB - Memory Ratio = unlinked
FSB (QDR) MHz = 2260
MEM (DDR) MHz = 1882
LDT Frequency = 3x
PCIE Bus Slot 1 & 2 MHz = 100
PCIE Bus Slot 3 MHz = 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = 200.5MHz
SLI-Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 = Disabled
P2 = Disabled
tCL ( CAS Latency ) = 8 
tRCD = 7 
tRP = 6 
tRAS = 22 
Command Per Clock (CMD) = 1t
tRRD = 7
tRC = 31 
tWR = 12
tWTR = 27 
tFAW = 31  
tRD = 12
tRTP = 8 
tRFC = 72
tREF = Auto

Over Voltage
CPU Voltage = 1.45V
Loadline Calibration = enabled
CPU PLL Voltage = 1.64V 
CPU VTT Voltage = 1.38V
Memory Voltage = 2.04V 
NB Core Voltage = 1.56V
SB Core Voltage = 1.55V 
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio = +24mV
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio = +31mV
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio = +31mV
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio = +24mV
NB GTL REF Ratio = +40mv ( try +30mV if it's unstable )
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 = Enabled
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

[neo mike]

Thanks Bench i will try those settings, but i noticed you have 4 cores enabled, i have a e8500, so i will just disgard that, and yes i have a 2x1 2000 kit of crucial. I would love to crack 550fsb, just for the sake of doing it, but i have found my 24/7 settings, and all passes memtest, prime, super pi 32m, but when i reboot i get a check memory error on my little screen that came with the board ? im asuming its a ram setting it dont like for some reason, thanks for your help Bench.


Ok can somebody tell me why when i run 500fsb, 2000 mgz ram, linked synced, wont boot with p1 p2 enabled ? how do i get around this ? i have tried everything to no avail.

[neo mike]

Ok just seeing if i did this right for the screen capture, was running some super pi 32m.

[neo mike]

Hey Slim, what kind of cooling you running on your board ? this thing is a frying pan, man the nb, and sb get hottt.

I got linked, synced at 500fsb 2000mgz memory to work, man its freaking fast, but takes 1.60 nb, 1.60 sb to keep it stable, but it flys.

I changed the twr to improve the write, and copy scores in everest, but it only helps very little, why are the write, and copy scores so low ? i noticed in the Anadtech article they mentioned it also, and said nvidia had fixed it, dont look like it to me, if your getting 13k read, the write, and copy should be around 12k or slightly above, there only like high 10k, thats just not right, anyway. This board crys for watercooling, its almost a must if your going to overclock it at all.

[slim142]

Board has stock cooling, right now its hell inside the case. I cant wait to put this board into water cooling and start overclocking the SHHHHHHHH out of it.

[neo mike]

Im just stumbed, my current overlclock passes memtest, super pi 32m prime 95, with flying colors, but when i turn off computer and cold boot, i always get a DET DRAM error on my little lcd that came with the board, which keeps my board from booting all the way up, just cant make it go away, have tried all differents settings on the ram, im at a loss, anybody have any idea what is causing this ?

[Erikz]

I upgraded to the latest Nvidia driver, the 1.80 release and I am getting constant lockups and resets like in the bad days of early 2008, anyone else getting this at the moment?

[Trigger5521]

I upgraded to the latest Nvidia driver, the 1.80 release and I am getting constant lockups and resets like in the bad days of early 2008, anyone else getting this at the moment?

reinstall the drivers again...happened to me a few versions back.

[Erikz]

reinstall the drivers again...happened to me a few versions back.

I had to roll back to drivers 178.xx