X48 Rampage Formula Preview.

[Roger_D25]

I've been testing away the last few days and just wanted to thank all you guys for all your help and time, its made my own testing far more productive because of all the information posted in this thread! I'm hoping that I might be able to give some advice once I get things stable at the clocks I want!

[Shiranui Gen-An]

More fun with BIOS 0802

[Alien Grey]

Ai Clock Twister is still unpredictable in BIOS 0802. It sets the DRAM Clock fine delay not like it should be.

I've been trying to find stability in Prime95 for 8 X 465MHz and I have a lot of trouble to get it stable with BIOS 0802.

Changing Ai Clock Twister to a different setting (from moderate to light and back) solves the problem. Thanks to mickeyakame for that.

[greg.m]

I've been testing away the last few days and just wanted to thank all you guys for all your help and time, its made my own testing far more productive because of all the information posted in this thread! I'm hoping that I might be able to give some advice once I get things stable at the clocks I want!

It would be perfect to see how these fantastic memory modules that you have perform. If you do some benches/tests please postem

[DEFLORATOR]

mikeyakame

One thing I've been always confused about DFI is that they use 6-layer PCB even for their high-end boards. While ASUS uses 8 or even 10 layer PCB (don't know about Gigabyte). Using 6-layer PCB doesn't make DFI boards to price cheaper, nevertheless.
The more layers, the higher overclock, that's true for motherboards, videocards, DIMMs etc. I would say that number of PCB layers is the key factor that splits MBs into different market segments. Cheap motherboards usually have 6 or even 4 layers, while top have 8 or more. And I don't understand DFI which rates itself as overclock brand.
For example, when videocard vendors step away from reference PCB design proposed by Nvidia or ATI, they usually claim that they do this for increased overclockability, using more power phases and etc. Don't trust them!, at all this they reduce PCB layers, what makes the production of card cheaper. That's why I always buy videocards on reference design, and buy ASUS instead of DFI.

[spoof]

Loadline Calibration is Disabled. Like that you always have vdrop on load. The vdrop is higher with linpack and you have to compensate that.

Edit:

Also try with DRAM Controller Voltage REF and DRAM Channel A/B Voltage REF on auto. I have more luck leaving that on auto.

They was set to auto at first, that's way i'm testing with values

@spoof

You may also consider to upgrade to 0802 so that you can try CPU and NB clock skew.

Zucker2k bios setup might help some, look at post 1656

I'm sorry, i forgot to post, that i'm with 0802 and -100 Cpu Clock Skes and Normal NB Clock skews ...

[Shiranui Gen-An]

I haven't done any benchmarks yet, but 542FSB and memory at 650MHz was pretty much memtest stable:

[Shiranui Gen-An]

It's dual SuperPI 32M stable too This is with vMCH at 1.65V, vTT somewhere around 1.36V and vDIMM at 2.40V (=2.48V real). If Asus had released a BIOS with NB/CPU Clock skews earlier I might not have gotten any boards after it, and especially not have wasted that money on the MIIF

[mikeyakame]

mikeyakame

One thing I've been always confused about DFI is that they use 6-layer PCB even for their high-end boards. While ASUS uses 8 or even 10 layer PCB (don't know about Gigabyte). Using 6-layer PCB doesn't make DFI boards to price cheaper, nevertheless.
The more layers, the higher overclock, that's true for motherboards, videocards, DIMMs etc. I would say that number of PCB layers is the key factor that splits MBs into different market segments. Cheap motherboards usually have 6 or even 4 layers, while top have 8 or more. And I don't understand DFI which rates itself as overclock brand.
For example, when videocard vendors step away from reference PCB design proposed by Nvidia or ATI, they usually claim that they do this for increased overclockability, using more power phases and etc. Don't trust them!, at all this they reduce PCB layers, what makes the production of card cheaper. That's why I always buy videocards on reference design, and buy ASUS instead of DFI.

Asus uses 6 layer PCB too. Rampage Formula is 6 layer. Rampage Extreme might be 8 layer but don't have a definite on that.

Most boards use a 4 layer PCB. It's only the new X58 boards that use 8 layer PCBs.

[spoof]

I think, DFI can claim do be a top overclocking brand, because their boars are done with a lot of thiniking - i mean, everything is on its place, because it have to be there - elements, paths, key points. I think you'll accept this - when you invest a lot of mind-work and test various ways of doing something you can do it better. So, with this two things DFI can do a lot better overclocking board that other manufacturers.
Or you can do like Gigabyte - dicker cooper plate between critical layer and there you go - less layers, more cooper = higher overclocking abillity.

[Roger_D25]

Greg.m - The day I installed these modules they booted right up at 1203Mhz (5-5-5-15 2T @ 2.04v "BIOS") and did 12 passes of Memtest with no problems. I haven't pushed them any futher since then, been too busy working with my Q9650, once I get the quad stable at upwards of at least 450FSB x 9.0x I'll start working on the memory.

Shiranui Gen-An - Nice work with that E8400, I guess the new CPU/NB Clock Skews really make the difference! Do you mind sharing what RAM your currently running?

[Shiranui Gen-An]

Greg.m - The day I installed these modules they booted right up at 1203Mhz (5-5-5-15 2T @ 2.04v "BIOS") and did 12 passes of Memtest with no problems. I haven't pushed them any futher since then, been too busy working with my Q9650, once I get the quad stable at upwards of at least 450FSB x 9.0x I'll start working on the memory.

Shiranui Gen-An - Nice work with that E8400, I guess the new CPU/NB Clock Skews really make the difference! Do you mind sharing what RAM your currently running?

Cellshock 2x1GB DDR2-8000 C4.

[Roger_D25]

Great stuff for sure, I've got a 2 x 1GB DDR2-6400 C5 kit (D9GKX) but since getting this 4GB GSKill kit I haven't touched it (haven't even installed it on this Rampage Formula). I should have asked in my previous message but would you also share what CPU/NB Clock Skews your using for the settings above (3.793Ghz and RAM @ 1300Mhz)? I just flashed to 0802 from 0701 but havent' had time to test those settings yet.

[Shiranui Gen-An]

I didn't touch the NB clock skew, but CPU is 200ps.

[DEFLORATOR]

Asus uses 6 layer PCB too. Rampage Formula is 6 layer. Rampage Extreme might be 8 layer but don't have a definite on that.

Most boards use a 4 layer PCB. It's only the new X58 boards that use 8 layer PCBs.

No, RF/MF/P5E are all 8 layer boards! As well as P5K Premium and Blitz based on P35 chip. Can't say anything about RE, definitely it uses not less that 8 layers. And M/B ASUS P5K3 Deluxe/DDR31333 with embedded DDR3 was a 10-layer board.

[m4gg0t]

I Have a problem with my board, my NB and SB temps are very high. NB @ 75C Idle and 85C Load SB @ 55C Idle and 70C Load.

[mikeyakame]

I Have a problem with my board, my NB and SB temps are very high. NB @ 75C Idle and 85C Load SB @ 55C Idle and 70C Load.

You've definitely got a huge problem there. Stick a 40mm fan on the NB and SB it should help and redo the thermal paste.

Make sure they are getting adequate air. My NB temps with a 40mm fan on it and 1.5-1.6v were no more than 53c under full load. I removed the heat pipe between the NB and SB and that dropped my SB temps significantly.

[m4gg0t]

Alright ill do that tomorrow. This only happened after i switched to watercooling.

[Zucker2k]

I thought this might help somebody....

Rampage Formula x48, Bios 0802
Q9650 @ 4.4GHZ - 9x489 FSB
4x2GB G.Skills @ DDR2 978 1:1.

Extreme Tweaker

Ai Overclock Tuner : [Manual]
CPU Ratio Setting : [9]
FSB Strap to North Bridge : [333]
FSB Frequency : [489]
PCI-E Frequency: [100]
DRAM Frequency: [DDR2-978]
DRAM Command Rate : [2N]
Dram CLK Skew on Channel A : [AUtO] : [200]
Dram CLK Skew on Channel B : [AUTO] : [300]
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay : 5
RAS# Precharge : 3
RAS# ActivateTime : 12
RAS# to RAS# Delay : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : [AUTO] (52)
Write Recovery Time :
Read to Precharge Time :

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
DRAM Static Read Control : [Disabled]
Ai Clock Twister : [Stronger] : [AUTO]
Ai Transaction Booster : [Manual]
Common Performance Level : [08] you can run lower with higher DRAM frequency.

All Pull-ins = [Disabled] You can tweak these later if you want.

CPU Voltage : [Whatever your chip needs to be stable]
CPU PLL Voltage : [1.50v] set in bios, 1.56 real
North Bridge Voltage : [1.65v] with 8GBs of DDR2 @ 978mhz 1:1
DRAM Voltage : [Whatever your chip needs to be stable]
FSB Termination Voltage : [1.40v] 1.32v real for 4.4Ghz, 9x478fsb.
South Bridge Voltage : [1.100v]
SB 1.5v Voltage : [1.60v]
Loadline Calibration : [Disabled] A preference thing for me.
CPU GTL Reference : [0.67x]Generally, 45nm quads like 0.63x and 65nm 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]
NB LED Selection : [NB Volt]
SB LED Selection : [SB Volt]
CPU LED Selection : [CPU Volt]
Voltiminder LED : [Up to you]
CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled
CPU Clock Skew : [Normal]
NB Clock Skew : [Normal]

Advanced -> CPU Configuration

CPU Ratio Setting : [09]
C1E Suppport : Disabled
CPU TM Function : Disabled
Vanderpool Technology : Disabled
Execute Disable Bit : Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled

As you can see, these settings are quite different from the 9x500 settings. The volts are a little more tolerable for those on air. I have tested this and it's both prime small ffts, blend stable; as well as linpack stable. Have fun tweaking.

[neo_rtr]

With the QX6700 no matter what i do cant get it stable at 3.8ghz
I think is the CPU and i should look into RMA it.

By any change att all. any idea what volts this should run? I mean i have try so many variations, that by accident i should had make it by now

[Alien Grey]

I've send a mail to my ASUS contacts with the issues that i've found with BIOS 0802. I gave them the link to the thread on the ASUS Rampage Formula forum.

I think I added all of the issues. If you know of any other let us know.
Here's the thread.

[Alien Grey]

With the QX6700 no matter what i do cant get it stable at 3.8ghz
I think is the CPU and i should look into RMA it.

By any change att all. any idea what volts this should run? I mean i have try so many variations, that by accident i should had make it by now

Post your settings. Maybe someone will see what is wrong.

[situman]

With the QX6700 no matter what i do cant get it stable at 3.8ghz
I think is the CPU and i should look into RMA it.

By any change att all. any idea what volts this should run? I mean i have try so many variations, that by accident i should had make it by now

ur going to RMA a perfectly good cpu cause its not stable at 3.8? Nice of you.

[neo_rtr]

ur going to RMA a perfectly good cpu cause its not stable at 3.8? Nice of you.

For the 1000$ it costed, it should be doing its xtreme job as it should.
I should only be limited by the heat it produces and nothing else.

Í cant explain that extra $$$ for something the q6700 or Q6600 is doing with its eyes closed. Can you?

[Roger_D25]

Zucker2k - Thanks very much for posting your settings, your help has made a huge difference in my own clocking results!

m4gg0t - I agree, those temps are very high! Since I put my GTX295 on water my NB temps are gone down almost 4C but the biggest temp change occured from attaching a 40mm fan (the stock eVGA 680i Ultra NB fan) to my NB. Its pretty ghetto but I just used a small piece of double-sided foam tape (1/4" x 14") to attach the fan directly to the NB heatsink (I put the tape on the center on the fan, right behind the fan motor). Fortunately there is a fan header right there next to the NB because the 3-pin cable is very short (Ch 3 Fan). Now my NB temps never go above 39C no matter what I'm doing which is great for such a cheap add-on.

mikeyakame - Can you explain how you removed the heatpipe between the NB and SB? I realize it can just be cut but did you remove it some other way so that it could be re-attached later if needed (like for an RMA)? From my personal experience RMA's are hard enough with Asus and modifying the heatsinks would most likely VOID any warranty coverage (can you verigy this A-Grey)?

Thanks to everyone for all the help and information in this thread!