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

[xxDayTrader]

............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

I've already forgotten the # but I think I need 50...or 100 posts to be able to view the for-sale thread so, could any of you guys give me some ideas what it'd cost to buy everything: decent pump(s), radiator(s), tubing and so forth to cool this mobo, the cpu and a 3870x2 for now or maybe something from the 4800 series down the road, and prob. something to cool the NB and/or SB of the mobo (unless that's just completely unnecessary)

I mean, I know I could spend a friggin grand buying the best of the best all brand new but I'm just trying to get some ideas on how much we're talking here before I go spend 100 hrs reading up on what components to buy.

[zlojack]

I've got two pumps, a 120.2 and an EK Supreme that I've just put up for sale on HardwareCanucks, but I'd be willing to ship to the USA as well.

[Grnfinger]

I've already forgotten the # but I think I need 50...or 100 posts to be able to view the for-sale thread so, could any of you guys give me some ideas what it'd cost to buy everything: decent pump(s), radiator(s), tubing and so forth to cool this mobo, the cpu and a 3870x2 for now or maybe something from the 4800 series down the road, and prob. something to cool the NB and/or SB of the mobo (unless that's just completely unnecessary)

I mean, I know I could spend a friggin grand buying the best of the best all brand new but I'm just trying to get some ideas on how much we're talking here before I go spend 100 hrs reading up on what components to buy.

You will need


RAD ---------PA 120.3 $115
CPU Block----Swiftech GT $35
NB Block----------MCW30 $20
Res--------EK or Swiftech $20-40
Tubing----------Primoflex $20 ( for 10 feet)
Pump--------------D4 $40-60

Total $250-290

You can most likely do it for a little less but I wouldnt cheap out on the pump or CPU block.
Try to stay with trusted names
Some will argue the res is not needed and I suppose its true, but it helps to remove air from the system very quickly and would be recommended for your first time.

[Zucker2k]

^^^ I got an apogee gt. $20 + shipping. A Q9550 too.

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

Nice one, what clocks was he running?

[chew*]

^^^ I got an apogee gt. $20 + shipping. A Q9550 too.

Nice one, what clocks was he running?

5.4 IIRC, we were down to the last few drops of LN2 and it was quick and dirty. My fault, I shoulda have focussed on the LN2 systems instead of my rig on DI. Running 3 rigs at once is hectic as hell especially when all sub zero. Next time one rig only.

[Flak]

How is the Maximus Formula with q9550? Currently have one with a q6600 but couldn't pass up getting the q9550 for $60. The q6600 will move to an old p35 board.

[Nuckin_Futs]

I'd like to know on that Q9550 too as far as what are the known good revisions. I had poor luck with my Q9450 on this mobo so I'm moving the 45nm to my RAMPAGE EXTREME mobo. What canI expect out of that core on that mobo as far as FSB or overall overclocking?

Also, am I the only one then who has Vista x64 edition w/ 4g RAM on S4 Hibernate issues? My notebook has the same and all ACPI S3 and S4 works perfectly. On the decktop, it sucks, Ihave to do the reset to get it to detect. And on my MAXIMUS FORMULA SE, I have to put it to sleep (S3) like 3 times for it to stay aslepp in Windows 7 Ultimate beta.

[Grnfinger]

I moved from the Maximus X38 with my Q9550, as I have posted b4 the Maximus X38 is 45nm quad FSB limited
425-435FSB seems to be the max on this chipset, yes there are a few rare chips that go beyond this but I have yet to see many of them.

Tested my Q9650 on the board with same results it would max out at 427FSB on any multi

[Dukester420]

just flashed to the rampage 0802 bios and it seems to have turned my board into a beast... whats up with my vantage scores?

525x8 stable for hours of 3dbenching so far. on water.

[Jaekae]

ok so it was a year or more ago since i had my computer overclocked, so i have forgot all settings needed

got a maximus formula with newest bios and a e8400 intel that i wanna get to 4 ghz again like a had it before, could anyone give a starting point of the bios settings?

[Power_VANO]

Guys you can use 0803 BIOS, it's on support.asus.com already

[Dukester420]

yes i stand corrected i am running the 803 bios and not the 802 bios.
i managed to get it bench stable at 4.4GHZ and it put my cpu score up over 40,000... but the thing is.. is that im like 10,000 over the WR on CPU score... whats up with that?

[Flak]

Using the 803 bios, haven't tried any others yet. Changed my q6600 to the q9550 and can't get past 425fsb. It does 8.5x425 with all voltages @ stock, vid is 1.225. It will boot up to 505, but it won't load into Vista at anything past 425. Any suggestions, other then getting a new board?

[Spyrus]

You could try the 0308 instead of 0803 for those not having the newest processors.
It has better memory latency than any newest bios that that (tREF = 16383T)

[lohoutlaw]

Hello people,

I've been reading this thread trying to figure out the memory on this board.
Could not find any post with my kinda hardware or clock speeds.
I've currently have 4.6Ghz stable with these bios settings. (pics below)
But i want more
I have been told my memory is holding me back and i need help adjusting the setting for the memory that i have no clue what these settings do.
As you can see most of them are set to auto.
I want 4.7 or 4.8Ghz.
Cooling custom water.
Idle temps are about 25c and load is 62c with IntelBurn. (yes its 18c room temp)
Here are some screen shots of my bios so that maybe some one can help me with some adjustments

Specs.
Intel E8600
Asus Rampage Formula
OCZ Reaper PC8500 1066mhz 2x1g/was using PC9200, but could not get to run at rated speeds with the auto settings.
Corsair 750w 60amp rail.
WD 250g SATA with Windows Vista 32bit
XFX 260GTX 192 version water cooled.

[lohoutlaw]

OK sorry for the double post.
I just updated bios to latest and greatest and now i cant get it stable at the above settings.
Going to start over and i will be back.

[jdrom]

Using the 803 bios, haven't tried any others yet. Changed my q6600 to the q9550 and can't get past 425fsb. It does 8.5x425 with all voltages @ stock, vid is 1.225. It will boot up to 505, but it won't load into Vista at anything past 425. Any suggestions, other then getting a new board?

Not much you can do IMO.

I'm in the same boat, though I have a X3350 (basically a Q9450). The Maximus Formula and well the X38 chipset in general just doesn't OC well with 45nm quad cores. I too am stuck at 425FSB. Anything beyond that results in OS instability.

[Zucker2k]

You could try the 0308 instead of 0803 for those not having the newest processors.
It has better memory latency than any newest bios that that (tREF = 16383T)

Or you can use 0803 (highly recommended) and use mchbar to load tref on windows startup. See the Rampage Formula thread for my little guide.

NOTE:
Just wanted to give those of you with dead-ended x38 maxforms a heads up that my venerable Rampage Formula x48 (I think it deserves that title - see my sig) is looking for a new home. Got the board new, comes with all accesories, some new, unopened. I really want a forum member to have it. The board currently holds the world record with quads and 8Gbs (unless someone can show me a board that has managed 9x528 fsb with 8GBs of ram; on water no less. Really has the potential to do some real damage on the ORB with 2x 4870 x2s. You can also count on me for help if need be as I've known it for 5 months. Thanks.

[d3fct]

@ zucker... could you share your bios settings for the 8400, I have a rampage formula and an 8400 but cant seem to get stable past 479x9 (4.3). as of lastweek im running the 803 bios. I am able to achive 10.3 in 1m super pi. I would like to break 10 , and also get stable at higher speeds seeing as how I have a phase change builder workin on a single stage cooling system for me. Plus I would like to push it further just to see how far i can take it, hopefully with sub ambient temps.

[Eastcoasthandle]

@ zucker... could you share your bios settings for the 8400, I have a rampage formula and an 8400 but cant seem to get stable past 479x9 (4.3). as of lastweek im running the 803 bios. I am able to achive 10.3 in 1m super pi. I would like to break 10 , and also get stable at higher speeds seeing as how I have a phase change builder workin on a single stage cooling system for me. Plus I would like to push it further just to see how far i can take it, hopefully with sub ambient temps.

You may want to clear the cmos.

[d3fct]

yeah i have done that prior to flashing the bios, ive flashed it about 3 times since i had it, the latest was about a week and a half to 2 weeks ago.


@ zucker i am also interested in that 8600@7.5, is that on liquid nitrogen? or maybe u meant 5.7 (600x9.5=5.7)

[Eastcoasthandle]

yeah i have done that prior to flashing the bios, ive flashed it about 3 times since i had it, the latest was about a week and a half to 2 weeks ago.


@ zucker i am also interested in that 8600@7.5, is that on liquid nitrogen?

I am talking about clearing your cmos after you flash not before.

[d3fct]

i tried it didnt seem to help, i can boot into windows up to 550fsb but i have to put the multiplier down to 7 or it wont even make it to windows without crashing. I can reach high fsb without a problem it just keeping it stable is where im having trouble's.

[Grnfinger]

i tried it didnt seem to help, i can boot into windows up to 550fsb but i have to put the multiplier down to 7 or it wont even make it to windows without crashing. I can reach high fsb without a problem it just keeping it stable is where im having trouble's.

489FSB Stable, This with with the Maximus X38 board, but the settings should play well on the Rampage.




Extreme Tweaker
Ai Overclock Tuner : Manual
OC From CPU Level Up : AUTO
CPU Ratio Control : Manual
- Ratio CMOS Setting : 9
FSB Frequency : 489
FSB Strap to North Bridge : 333
PCI-E Frequency: 110
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1174
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 : 3
Row Refresh Cycle Time : 30
Write Recovery Time : 6
Read to Precharge Time : 3

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: Enabled
Ai Clock Twister : Strong
Transaction Booster : Disabled
Relax level: 0

CPU Voltage : 1.475
CPU PLL Voltage : 1.53
North Bridge Voltage : 1.53
DRAM Voltage : 2.12
FSB Termination Voltage : 1.40
South Bridge Voltage : 1.050
Loadline Calibration : Enabled
CPU GTL Reference : 0.63X
North Bridge GTL Reference : 0.67X
DDR2 Channel A REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Channel B REF Voltage : AUTO
DDR2 Controller REF Voltage : DDR2-REFF
SB 1.5V Voltage : 1.5

[Zucker2k]

@ zucker... could you share your bios settings for the 8400, I have a rampage formula and an 8400 but cant seem to get stable past 479x9 (4.3). as of lastweek im running the 803 bios. I am able to achive 10.3 in 1m super pi. I would like to break 10 , and also get stable at higher speeds seeing as how I have a phase change builder workin on a single stage cooling system for me. Plus I would like to push it further just to see how far i can take it, hopefully with sub ambient temps.

Hmm, that 7.5 x 600 FSB shot has all the vital voltages in it. Could you list your hardware and current bios configuration?