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

[.OCX]

Why does the System do a Hard power down (pause), then Power back up when I increase the FSB from 442 to 443 in the Bios and Hit F10 Save and Restart?

If I increase from 440 to 442, the system simply restarts, with no Power loss/Power down. Generally, the stability is much better because of the constant power to all the components, caps, etc...

If I increase from 442 to 443 or 444, Hit F10 to restart, the System will completely Shutdown, and then Powers Up similar to what happens if you change the Divider in the Bios and F10 to restart.

4.0ghz is possible with this Gem of a Chip, but I agree about this Board being janky with 45nm Quads, I've seen "Machine Check Exception" BSOD a couple of times, never saw that with the Wolfdale.

What I didn't like were the voltage amounts needed to be stable at 4.0ghz vs. 3.9ghz at substantially lower voltage inputs.

4.0ghz - Damn close to Stable 444x9
Strap 333
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

==================================


3.9ghz Rock Solid 433x9
Strap 333
CPU Voltage : 1.2375
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.5
North Bridge Voltage : 1.55
DRAM Voltage : 2.0
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.2
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

[Zucker2k]

It's a balancing act; more fsbt should enable you to drop cpu vcore.

[loften]

have any of you checked out this write up yet? i thought it may be usefull for some here..http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3184&p=6

[.OCX]

442x9

Increasing FSB to 443 causes the PC to shutdown after the Bios Restart creating a wildly unstable and unpredictable overclocking environment.

Extreme Tweaker 
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual  
CPU Ratio Control : 9  
FSB Frequency : 442
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 1062
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~~1.256v
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.5~~1.632v
North Bridge Voltage : 1.57~1.600
DRAM Voltage : 2.0~~2.128
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.26~1.20
South Bridge Voltage : 1.075~1.104
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~~1.056
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.55~~1.616

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

[.OCX]

have any of you checked out this write up yet? i thought it may be usefull for some here..http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3184&p=6

Yeah thats a tough read, had to put it down a couple of times to keep my head on straight lol. The article was written over 1 year ago early in the 45nm Fab for Extreme/Non Extreme edition CPU's, having since matured that process during that time.

Bottomline: I just bought a MaxII Formula so I'm done with the wall hopping act on this board. Last upgrade before I wait for 32nm fabs to come out to upgrade to i7.

[Nuckin_Futs]

EDIT @ 02-23; Why the ignore? I pull over to ansewer questions for the foum.

Can I get a feedback on the various graphics card builders you gamers and or overclockers use and a brief or detailed reason for your choice when using on this ASUS x38 and or X48 mobo?
I'm looking for input on such builders as Sparkle, Apollo, Zotec, Saphire, Galaxy & Palit as far as anything in general.

I am also interested in reasons for choices of the big names like ASUS v/s Gigabyte, nVidia, MSI, LeadTeck XFX, EVGA, BFG and so on.

What brands are best chosen for what GPU chip (ATI or nVidia)? Which are chosen for either best quality v/s performance on a budget?

Thankx for your time.

[Grnfinger]

Yeah thats a tough read, had to put it down a couple of times to keep my head on straight lol. The article was written over 1 year ago early in the 45nm Fab for Extreme/Non Extreme edition CPU's, having since matured that process during that time.

Bottomline: I just bought a MaxII Formula so I'm done with the wall hopping act on this board. Last upgrade before I wait for 32nm fabs to come out to upgrade to i7.

to the club.
I look forward to seeing you over at the other thread.

[orbiter]

Just ordered my MIIF as well. Got fed up with the cheapo UD3P At least now I'll be able to see what my temps are reading again, whilst also looking forward to viewing the inside my case each time I open it

Shoots across to see Grn and the gang in the appropriate thread

Orb

[Grnfinger]

EXCELLENT!!!

Another member

[xxDayTrader]

It's a balancing act; more fsbt should enable you to drop cpu vcore.

Ah haaaaa..... That sheds some light on my situation.

Would any of you guys be able to recommend something for me to read where I could read up on things like this. I've pounded through this whole thread in a quest to get my system stable on a 24hr prime run but I either have to crank the hell out of my voltages or settle for a system that is stable for a number of hours but not 24 (this is the route I chose......out of frustration).

Perhaps it's just my cpu and/or motherboard but my money's on user error.

thanks
Mike

[Nuckin_Futs]

After experiencing some issues with a process named aacenter.exe from ASUS AASP folder. I stopped the process and then moved it for testing since I could get no help on what to do about it. Now I have al kinds of issues with ACPI suspend modes especially simple S3/S4 resume. How do we fix or reinstall correct ACPI for this mobo? I see an ATK fix on Windows downloads but it cannot install. In fact it has never installed and keeps saying failed since new VISTA install.

Prior to this, OC was nice and smooth and full ACPI worked in BIOS v1207 be it slow that it was, but it worked.

AmI looking at a new install just to fix? When and if I do, do I leave out the ASUS ProbeII or any other ASUS app that places the AASP folder and aacenter file in system?

[Grnfinger]

After experiencing some issues with a process named aacenter.exe from ASUS AASP folder. I stopped the process and then moved it for testing since I could get no help on what to do about it. Now I have al kinds of issues with ACPI suspend modes especially simple S3/S4 resume. How do we fix or reinstall correct ACPI for this mobo? I see an ATK fix on Windows downloads but it cannot install. In fact it has never installed and keeps saying failed since new VISTA install.

Prior to this, OC was nice and smooth and full ACPI worked in BIOS v1207 be it slow that it was, but it worked.

AmI looking at a new install just to fix? When and if I do, do I leave out the ASUS ProbeII or any other ASUS app that places the AASP folder and aacenter file in system?

aacenter is a dirty thing, this is what I did to resolve the issue, I posted this on page 221

Start > run >type regedit>press crtl +f> type aacenter.
set the value to zero, then delete the file, reboot. AACenter is now removed.

Then install updated NB driver and SB driver, this should resolve any issues.
I did not have to do a clean install after this

[tr8rjohnk]

Hello All:

Been a lurker here forever and a member for almost a year but this is my first post. I just wanted to start by saying what a great community, I've learned a lot here.

Well, here's my issue:

Can't seem to post my brand spanking new q9650 at 4ghz (a couple of times I've gotten to right before Windows boots but that's it). With this setup and these settings, I should at least be able to boot into Vista to stability test. I've kept roughly the same settings and have slowly increased the vcore from 1.29375 to 1.34375 (should at least boot at that voltage). CPU VID is: 1.2375. Here are my BIOS settings:


Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 450
FSB Strap to North Bridge : tried both 333 and 400
PCI-E Frequency: 101
DRAM Frequency: DDR2- 900@400strap & 1069@ 333 strap and 445fsb
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 : 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: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : Disabled (also tried enabled)

CPU Voltage : 1.34375
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.56
North Bridge Voltage : 1.63
DRAM Voltage : 1.9 (board overvolts to 2.04)
FSB Termination Voltage (VTT): 1.36
South Bridge Voltage : 1.10
Loadline Calibration : Disabled (also tried enabled)
CPU GTL Reference : .63x
North Bridge GTL Reference : .67x
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : Auto
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : Auto
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR_REF
SB 1.5V Voltage : Auto

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

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

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


USB Configuration
USB Functions: Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Disabled

[Grnfinger]

Hello All:

Been a lurker here forever and a member for almost a year but this is my first post. I just wanted to start by saying what a great community, I've learned a lot here.

Well, here's my issue:

Can't seem to post my brand spanking new q9650 at 4ghz (a couple of times I've gotten to right before Windows boots but that's it). With this setup and these settings, I should at least be able to boot into Vista to stability test. I've kept roughly the same settings and have slowly increased the vcore from 1.29375 to 1.34375 (should at least boot at that voltage). CPU VID is: 1.2375. Here are my BIOS settings:

Strange issue you have...

first pull 2 sticks and run 4GBs for the moment

Try the 333 strap runing 1080MHZ ram @ 450x9
Your NB volts are excessively high for that clock, 1.47-1.51should work for 450FSB. Enable Load line it will reduce vdroop and help stabilize the chip.

Disable these....
CPU TM Function :
Vanderpool Technology :

[tr8rjohnk]

Strange issue you have...

first pull 2 sticks and run 4GBs for the moment

Try the 333 strap runing 1080MHZ ram @ 450x9
Your NB volts are excessively high for that clock, 1.47-1.51should work for 450FSB. Enable Load line it will reduce vdroop and help stabilize the chip.

Disable these....
CPU TM Function :
Vanderpool Technology :

Hey Grnfinger:

Thanks for the info. I'll try yanking those two modules and make the suggested changes.

Venderpool technology is kind of necessary since I run vmware quite a bit and I had enabled CPU TM function because I was being so aggressive with the voltages.

If these settings don't work correctly, I'm going to flash to the 802 Beta Rampage Formula BIOS.

Running out to visit dad in the hospital so I'll be playing mad-scientist tonight when I return.

[tr8rjohnk]

Before I even get started, thanks to mikeyakame, I have a much better understanding of clock skews and their importance after reading his guide. Also, thanks to ericeod for pointing me in the direction of the read. One more thanks to Grnfinger for his input up until now. Along with the pencil mod, I'm going to try the 333mhz strap at 1080 and bump down the voltage of the nb.

Here's where things stand. I'll start with the BIOS settings and then I'll go into what's going on. (I've flashed to the Rampage Formula, 0802 Beta)

Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting :9
FSB Frequency :445
FSB Strap to North Bridge :400
PCI-E Frequency:101
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-890
DRAM Command Rate :2N
DRAM CLK Skews all set to AUTO
DRAM Timing Control: Manual
CAS# Latency :5
RAS# to CAS# Delay :5
RAS# Precharge :5
RAS# ActivateTime :15
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: Disabled
Ai Clock Twister :Strong
Transaction Booster :Manual
Common Performance Level (10)
CPU Voltage :1.3625
CPU PLL Voltage :1.58
North Bridge Voltage :1.63
DRAM Voltage :1.92
FSB Termination Voltage :1.4
South Bridge Voltage :1.10
Loadline Calibration : Disabled
CPU GTL Reference :0.62x
North Bridge GTL Reference :0.67x
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage :
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage :
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : (DDR2_REF)
SB 1.5V Voltage :1.6
CPU Clock Skew: (Delay 100Ps)
NB Clock Skew: Normal
NB LED Selection : NB Volt
SB LED Selection : SB Volt
CPU LED Selection : CPU VOlt
Voltiminder LED :Enabled

CPU Spread Spectrum : Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum : Disabled

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


USB Configuration
USB Functions: Enabled
Legacy USB Support : Disabled

I initially tried these exact settings at 450fsb and couldn't get into Windows. When I bumped it down to 445fsb, I booted into the OS successfully (let's hope 450fsb is a fence and not a wall). I expected errors pretty fast since with only 5mhz more I couldn't boot but I wound up running stable under load for 9 1/2 - 10 hours or so. I also ran SuperPi to 1M (its in the screenie, just under 12 seconds), ran Vantage, 3D06 and moved around about 100gb's of data - all without incident. Then I decided to try and image C just for shoots and haha's (good thing I have a clean image already).

This is when I got the hard lock-up.

I restarted and this time I got stuck at OS load (I think it was at the scrollbar). I restarted and upped vCore to 1.36875 (mind you how terrible vdroop is on this board, at 1.36250, I reported as low as 1.27 in the OS), still nothing, this time I got stuck at the logo screen. So I upped vCore again to 1.37500, still no boot, stuck at the splash screen.

A couple of things to note:

I've set vcore to 1.3625 in BIOS but it drops to as low as 1.27 in Windows (gotta love the droop on this board - I don't know why I haven't done the pencil mod - this is one of the first things I'm about to do). I had to disable LLC to get any stability, so no help there. Temps are between 51c-60c on max OrthosX2 load with affinity set appropriately. Stable at 100% load for almost 10 hours before the lockup.

NB set to 1.63 in BIOS and reports as 1.68 in Windows (I need a bunch because I'm running 8gb and I'm trying to find a 24/7 for my rig as is but that's a bit much); this also puts it right at 47c (above that temp AFAIK it starts to loose stability). I'm at 1:1 right now so ram is 890mhz and the Transaction Booster level is set at 10.

Vanderpool Technology is Enabled because I virtualize on this rig quite often and CPU TM is Enabled because I'm shooting for as high as possible vcore.

Here's a quick screen. Oh, and feedback is greatly appreciated at this point as I'm a bit confused by a few things.

[neo_rtr]

Just made this thread. http://www.xtremesystems.org/Forums/....php?p=3688585
Looking to get some answers on a single or dual rad just for the VGA. In case anyone know pls let me know. thanks

[adrenaline7879]

My MF(Rampage) will be back from RMA soon and sold to a friend. After playing with my MFII I can never look back. My Q6600 is running about 5C cooler cause of lower volts all around, and my Q9550 should be in within a week

[Grnfinger]

My MF(Rampage) will be back from RMA soon and sold to a friend. After playing with my MFII I can never look back. My Q6600 is running about 5C cooler cause of lower volts all around, and my Q9550 should be in within a week

Looking forward to seeing some results with that new chip.

[adrenaline7879]

With that new chip, it's starting to make to itch and get that thing under some water Would be my first time to do anything watercooled

[Grnfinger]

Ahh watercooling is not so stressfull, its acutally alot of fun once you get a feel for it.
A little common sense and there will be no problems, I just upgraded a few parts so if you want a decent CPU block and a res at reasonable cost I can help you out, I just sold my spare rads and pump but there easily available in the 4sale thread

[shoota]

alright i've searched in here for awhile but didn't find anything. I'm sure my problem is just bios settings related but here goes. Is it normal, when booting, to have to wait for the jmicron controller to detect the IDE hard drives and then have to "press any button to continue" to get into windows? Why do i have to do this every time?

[chew*]

Ahh watercooling is not so stressfull, its acutally alot of fun once you get a feel for it.
A little common sense and there will be no problems, I just upgraded a few parts so if you want a decent CPU block and a res at reasonable cost I can help you out, I just sold my spare rads and pump but there easily available in the 4sale thread

Time for you to migrate to DI

I might be selling my MF soon its been fun but...all good things come to an end.

[Zucker2k]

alright i've searched in here for awhile but didn't find anything. I'm sure my problem is just bios settings related but here goes. Is it normal, when booting, to have to wait for the jmicron controller to detect the IDE hard drives and then have to "press any button to continue" to get into windows? Why do i have to do this every time?

Do you have anything connected to the jmicron controller? If not, disable it and your problem is solved; otherwise it takes about 2-3 seconds to detect drives connected to it.

Time for you to migrate to DI

I might be selling my MF soon its been fun but...all good things come to an end.

Chew, you still haven't touched my numbers...

[chew*]

ehh nope not yet but not bad for 2x 4850's, dont worry I'm still working on it.


One of my partners touched yah with the same card though with win 7 with a little guidance from me