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

[ShawnTRD]

I would try RF 0802 BIOS

Please do keep us informed when you get your Q9650.

I recently got one and with the mobo on 1302 bios (not rampage modded) I can't get anything stable over 3.6 GHz in windows. The CPU is watercooled with D-tek fuzion and MCR-220 rad. TH north bridge is also indcluded in the loop.

Also, on any cpu temp monitoring tool, I get core 1 that is higher than all the other cores. Is this normal? I even took the block off and re-clean, re seated, re-pasted AS5 and re installed the block on but still getting on core higher. Happens idling or loaded

For e.g. it would be like ;
core 1 = 42 Deg C
core 2 = 35 Deg C
core 3 = 37 Deg C
core 4 = 35 Deg C

X38 chipset is 45nm quad limited

[Zucker2k]

Please do keep us informed when you get your Q9650.

I recently got one and with the mobo on 1302 bios (not rampage modded) I can't get anything stable over 3.6 GHz in windows. The CPU is watercooled with D-tek fuzion and MCR-220 rad. TH north bridge is also indcluded in the loop.

Also, on any cpu temp monitoring tool, I get core 1 that is higher than all the other cores. Is this normal? I even took the block off and re-clean, re seated, re-pasted AS5 and re installed the block on but still getting on core higher. Happens idling or loaded

For e.g. it would be like ;
core 1 = 42 Deg C
core 2 = 35 Deg C
core 3 = 37 Deg C
core 4 = 35 Deg C

Get the 0802 RF pre beta bios. Set CPU skew to Delay 100ps, NB Skew to Normal. You should break through that wall. Of course, other settings are important too but 400 FSB is too low for that board and chip.

Edit: ShawnTRD beat me to it.

[MUYA]

Does the 802 Bios support 45nm CPUs? I have the Max Formula SE mobo only

[mr-rob]

->Muya: Bios 802 is a Rampage Formula bios... You have to do the Rampage conversion.

BTW, I try this bios & It brings me some odd stuff (USB Disappear, unstable, ...) I'm going back to 701.

[MUYA]

->Muya: Bios 802 is a Rampage Formula bios... You have to do the Rampage conversion.

BTW, I try this bios & It brings me some odd stuff (USB Disappear, unstable, ...) I'm going back to 701.

Thanks for info.

Will give it a shot.

If my mobo tanks..I will get a P5Q-E :p

[mr-rob]

Even with the bios 701, I can't have any USB in Vista's session... I had to reinstal Vista & it seems to be ok now.

[MUYA]

Get the 0802 RF pre beta bios. Set CPU skew to Delay 100ps, NB Skew to Normal. You should break through that wall. Of course, other settings are important too but 400 FSB is too low for that board and chip.

Edit: ShawnTRD beat me to it.

Thanks for your and ShawnTRD's input!
Much appreciated!

I am going to flash mod my mobo tonight!

[MUYA]

Flash modded to RF.

After hours of trying. Seems my mobo cannot go higher than 425 Mhz on the FSB ie load into Vista and OCCT for a few hours....hit the wall I suppose at this fsb.

The CPU can be booted at 450mhz/440MHz/430MHz...but just cannot load Vista. SO 425Mhz it is, max OC 3825 MHz!

for 3825MHz
Bios Set Everest
vcore = 1.275v 1.27v
PLL = 1.58v 1.6v
FSBT = 1.36v 1.3v
NB = 1.58v 1.55v


I even tried over the top voltage for 450 etc....nada!

[tiesum]

I'm having trouble getting a stable (undervolted) 24/7 setting.

specs:

E8400
4x1GB Crucial Ballistix (micron) PC8500
Maximus Formula SE (Bios: RF 0403)

This settings run Orthos stable. The problem is however that I get a DET DRAM error at coldstart.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FSB Frequency : 389 (x9)
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 975 (4-4-4-12)

CPU Voltage : 1.20625
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.5
North Bridge Voltage : 1.27
DRAM Voltage : 2.14
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.20
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What do you recommend for a stable setting?

[ShawnTRD]

try North Bridge Voltage of 1.4

[Grnfinger]

Agreed up the vNB

[tool_462]

Anyone have a good settings list for a starting point for high FSB DICE benching? I just got a Maximus Formula for my first DICE/phase runs to learn the ropes and not be worried if I fry the board.

I'm looking hopefully for ~560 FSB with an E8500 (or E8400)

Just dont know where to start on this board, my previous boards have had no issues doing that sort of FSB with little tweaking and what I'm finding right now is that it will take more knowledge of the Asus BIOS than I have a full understanding of

[ShawnTRD]

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3149&p=10
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3149&p=11

Anyone have a good settings list for a starting point for high FSB DICE benching? I just got a Maximus Formula for my first DICE/phase runs to learn the ropes and not be worried if I fry the board.

I'm looking hopefully for ~560 FSB with an E8500 (or E8400)

Just dont know where to start on this board, my previous boards have had no issues doing that sort of FSB with little tweaking and what I'm finding right now is that it will take more knowledge of the Asus BIOS than I have a full understanding of

[ShawnTRD]

Flash modded to RF.

After hours of trying. Seems my mobo cannot go higher than 425 Mhz on the FSB ie load into Vista and OCCT for a few hours....hit the wall I suppose at this fsb.

What CPU, RAM, Video Card(s), and Power Supply?

Fill it in

Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : ??
FSB Frequency : 425
FSB Strap to North Bridge : ??
PCI-E Frequency: 100 - 110
DRAM Frequency: ??
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency : ??
RAS# to CAS# Delay : /?
RAS# Precharge : ??
RAS# ActivateTime : ??
RAS# to RAS# Delay : Auto
Row Refresh Cycle Time : Auto
Write Recovery Time : Auto
Read to Precharge Time : Auto

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : Auto
Write to Read Delay (S) : Auto
Write to Read Delay (D) : Auto
Read to Read Delay (S) : Auto
Read to Read Delay (D) : Auto
Write to Write Delay (S) : Auto
Write to Write Delay (D) : Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Enable
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : 9 (go lower once your stable and happily clocked)

CPU Voltage :
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.5v
North Bridge Voltage :
DRAM Voltage :
FSB Termination Voltage : ??
South Bridge Voltage : 1.5v
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.67x
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67x
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR REFF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR REFF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5v

NB LED Selection : FSBT Volt
SB LED Selection : SB Volt
CPU LED Selection : CPU Volt
Voltiminder LED : Enabled

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

[Grnfinger]

What CPU, RAM, Video Card(s), and Power Supply?

As I said b4 X38 is 45nm quad FSB limited, so that information is ilrelevant .
If he wants a higher FSB he'll need a new board.
Most 45nm quad hit the wall around 420-430FSB....there are a few rare exceptions but I have not seen many.....

[ShawnTRD]

As I said b4 X38 is 45nm quad FSB limited, so that information is ilrelevant .
If he wants a higher FSB he'll need a new board.
Most 45nm quad hit the wall around 420-430FSB....there are a few rare exceptions but I have not seen many.....

my bad

[Zucker2k]

I bet I can overclock that cpu past that fsb on that board; sorry, I don't want to sound like a smartass or anything, but 425 fsb is too low, even for a quad on that board.

[tool_462]

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3149&p=10
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3149&p=11

Thanks that is a very good write up, we'll see if I can get past 520 FSB here that I'm struggling with a bit after I read up a little.

[tool_462]

Still struggling with FSB over 530 or so, not going to be a good DICE learning board if I can hit higher clocks on water or air on a budget P35

[Nuckin_Futs]

I had good luck with the ASUS 9800-GT on this mobo a year ago. I want to put it back in service and wanted to get an idea of it is worth getting another 512mb 9800-GT or if an older HD 3870 on GDDR4 would still be be better bang for the buck at todays prices? Is the 4850 much better then both, even on GDDR3? (comparing all at 512mb).

[tiesum]

I'm having trouble getting a stable (undervolted) 24/7 setting.

specs:

E8400
4x1GB Crucial Ballistix (micron) PC8500
Maximus Formula SE (Bios: RF 0403)

This settings run Orthos stable. The problem is however that I get a DET DRAM error at coldstart.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FSB Frequency : 389 (x9)
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 975 (4-4-4-12)

CPU Voltage : 1.20625
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.5
North Bridge Voltage : 1.27
DRAM Voltage : 2.14
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.20
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What do you recommend for a stable setting?

I tried upping the NB Voltage to 1.41. I still get the DET DRAM message and I'm still crawling under my desk in the morning... Any other suggestions?

Thnx!

[ShawnTRD]

I tried upping the NB Voltage to 1.41. I still get the DET DRAM message and I'm still crawling under my desk in the morning... Any other suggestions?

Thnx!

Try using only two of the four 1GB Ram sticks. And relax your "DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 975 (4-4-4-12)" to 5-5-5-15. Also try Prime95 "blend test".

[.OCX]

L829A405
Pack Date: 1/30/2009
Purchased: Newegg on 2/13/2009

Q9650
Currently Testing:

444x9

Temp Loaded:
C1=44c
C2=35c
C3=34c
C4=37c

BIOS 1301
1. Noticed the FSBT(VTT) will default to 2.00v after Hard Reset/Reboot related to Crash/Freeze

2. 442FSB is fine, stable 100%...I move it to 444mhz and the System completely powers off....3 sec delay...and then powers up almost as if I changed dividers...even though all I did was move to 444mhz which pushed the Ram to 1066. Can anyone explain this? After the complete power off, it comes back unstable/freezes in prime/system.

Extreme Tweaker 
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual  
CPU Ratio Control : 9  
FSB Frequency : 444
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 1067
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: Manual 
CAS# Latency : 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay :5 
RAS# Precharge :5 
RAS# ActivateTime :15 
RAS# to RAS# Delay : A
Row Refresh Cycle Time : A
Write Recovery Time : A
Read to Precharge Time : A

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : A
Write to Read Delay (S) : A
Write to Read Delay (D) : A
Read to Read Delay (S) : A
Read to Read Delay (D) : A
Write to Write Delay (S) :A 
Write to Write Delay (D) : A
DRAM Static Read Control: DISABLED
Ai Clock Twister : STRONG
Transaction Booster : DISABLED
===Relax Level = 0

CPU Voltage : 1.26875
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.5
North Bridge Voltage : 1.61
DRAM Voltage : 2.0
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.32
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : ENABLED
CPU GTL Reference : .63x
North Bridge GTL Reference : .67x
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR2REF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR2REF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5

NB LED Selection : NB Volt 
SB LED Selection : SB Volt 
CPU LED Selection : CPU VOlt 
Voltiminder LED : 

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled 
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled 

Advanced CPU Configuration 
CPU Ratio Control :9 
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 
C1E Suppport : Disabled 
CPU TM Function : Disabled 
Vanderpool Technology : Disabled 
Execute Disable Bit : Disabled 
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled 


USB Configuration 
USB Functions: Enabled 
Legacy USB Support : Disabled

UPDATE: More Testing to be Done....

[MUYA]

Yay I got a further 5 Mhz on the fsb bringing to 430MHz! But I went back to 425MHz on the fsb.

No matter what I try to tweak. It's a no go The rampage bios mod has not worked for me it seems.

Extreme Tweaker 
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual  
CPU Ratio Control : 9  
FSB Frequency : 425
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 1020
DRAM Command Rate : 2T
DRAM Timing Control: A 
CAS# Latency : A
RAS# to CAS# Delay : A 
RAS# Precharge : A
RAS# ActivateTime :A 
RAS# to RAS# Delay : A
Row Refresh Cycle Time : A
Write Recovery Time : A
Read to Precharge Time : A

Read to Write Delay (S/D) : A
Write to Read Delay (S) : A
Write to Read Delay (D) : A
Read to Read Delay (S) : A
Read to Read Delay (D) : A
Write to Write Delay (S) :A 
Write to Write Delay (D) : A
DRAM Static Read Control: DISABLED
Ai Clock Twister : STRONG
Transaction Booster : DISABLED
===Relax Level = 0

CPU Voltage : 1.275
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.58
North Bridge Voltage : 1.56
DRAM Voltage : 2.12
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.36
South Bridge Voltage : 1.1
Loadline Calibration : ENABLED
CPU GTL Reference : .63x
North Bridge GTL Reference : .67x
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : DDR2REF
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : DDR2REF
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.55

NB LED Selection : NB Volt 
SB LED Selection : SB Volt 
CPU LED Selection : CPU VOlt 
Voltiminder LED : 

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled 
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled 

CPU skew = 100 pps
NB skew = normal
Advanced CPU Configuration 
CPU Ratio Control :9 
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 
C1E Suppport : Disabled 
CPU TM Function : Disabled 
Vanderpool Technology : Disabled 
Execute Disable Bit : Disabled 
Max CPUID Value Limit : Disabled 


USB Configuration 
USB Functions: Enabled 
Legacy USB Support : Enabled

BTW I have a 850 W PSU (Antec Quattro), =2 x 2GB OCZ Reaper 1066 ram, 295 GTX btw.

When i go above 430 MHz FSB, even if I set NB to above 1.61v, and fsbt to above 1.4v, CPUPLL to above 1.6...no joy. This is with multiplier at 7, I was trying to ascertain the fsb wall. At fsb above 430mhz, my comp boots but, when it tries to load Vista, it freezes....

[Grnfinger]

You clould try setting

FSB Strap to North Bridge : Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: DISABLED
Ai Clock Twister : Light
Transaction Booster : DISABLED
===Relax Level = 1 or 2

PLL 1.60
FSBT 1.40
Set tref (row refresh cycle time) to 60 or 65
And try different GTL's

I could not move the wall with my 9550 so I opted for a Maximus II Formula
Same chip/ram/PSU different board