Asus Striker II Extreme: Corruption/Freezes Troubleshooting Thread

[Cibic]

You mean the score at 2090mgz ? i get 13,750.

Wow, I never thought 1T would make such a difference. With 8-8-8-28-2T, tRC: 38, tWR:10, tRFC:80 can do 2045MHz at 1.98v which is quite high for my taste. I got more write performance at 11,857 MB/s than read.

[ozgunkara]

hi cibic
when I tried to set the settings you told me I could not post. i tried to clear cmos but i still can't post. the lcd poster says cpu init all the time.

[ozgunkara]

hi
I managed to clear cmos in the end it boots with the auto settings right now but it can't post with your settings. What do you think is the problem that the cpu does not accept overclocking?
I also don't understand what VID is, as you mentioned last time

[Cibic]

CPU init means it needs more voltage. VID is the minimum voltage your cpu needs to run at stock frequencies but most of the times it can go lower than that. VID is reported in the program I mentioned a few posts ago. I am guessing that your cpu is 1.3v VID. My q6600 can do 3.6GHz at 1.42v but its VID is 1.26. Increase cpu voltage along with vVTT (they should be about the same) until you can boot, it will need a bit more than that to pass prime95 small fft's though.

[neo mike]

Wow, I never thought 1T would make such a difference. With 8-8-8-28-2T, tRC: 38, tWR:10, tRFC:80 can do 2045MHz at 1.98v which is quite high for my taste. I got more write performance at 11,857 MB/s than read.

My friend thats because you dont have P1 P2 enabled, it makes a huge difference.

[Cibic]

I mentioned they are enabled after bios upgrade to 1202, i think.

[neo mike]

I mentioned they are enabled after bios upgrade to 1202, i think.

You should check, cause thats a low score for that speed, i get 12,940 with 2000mgz cas 8, processor at 4.0

[Cibic]

I mean they are enabled. It has got to be 1T, what tRC and tWR are you running? I would appreciate if you could set Command Rate at 2T and post your result.

[neo mike]

I mean they are enabled. It has got to be 1T, what tRC and tWR are you running? I would appreciate if you could set Command Rate at 2T and post your result.

Im running 39 trc, 1t only gives you about 200-300 points more. Twr 10, trfc 78. Your not running you processor at 4.0 ? that could be the difference.

[Cibic]

I'm running it at 4050 and ram at 2025 at the moment. Can't go more because I'm already at 1.6vCore. Besides, mine's quad with 8mb cache, it should do better though its an early quad model.

EDIT: I tried 1T, got loads of corruptions but I actually made it through the benchmark before it BSOD on me. Seems like OCZ or 2GB modules are more sensitive to 1T, I managed to do 13,210 MB/s write and 13,002 read.

[ozgunkara]

Hi Cibic
i tried what you recommended and it mostly got stuck at "en setup". I tried to increase voltage like you mentioned and was able to see the boot screen of windows but i never managed to see my desktop. I guess my Cpu is not good at overclock or I am just bad at it .

[Cibic]

Freezing or crashing? VID would still be helpful on this stage, can show us what we are up against.
Starts, set vNB to 1.54, PLL at 1.56, memory at 1.9 and let me know whats your top vCore and vVTT so far. You can try raising vCore and vVTT even more if your temps are fine.

[Skanderbeg68]

Hi All! I can finally post my problem on this super help page! Here is my template...

Required System Specifications
PSU ( Power Supply Unit ) = Epsilon FX700-GLN 700watt
CPU = Intel Core2Quad CPU Q9550 2.83ghz
RAM = 2Gb Corsair XMS3 CM3X2G1333C9 DDR3 SDRAM 1333 Mhz
HDD ( the one where you have your windows installation on ) = Seagate Barracuda 500Gb 7200.11
VGA1 = Asus ENGTX260 896Mb DDR3
VGA2 ( if you have ) = no
VGA3 ( if you have ) = no
SPU ( Sound Card ) = Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 Value
NorthBridge Cooling = none
SouthBridge Cooling = none
CPU Cooling = none (I have Enermax Chakra Case with 24cm Cooling Fan)
RAM Cooling = none
nFORCE Chipset Drivers Version = 15.25
ForceWare/GeForce Drivers Version = 186.18
Sound Card Drivers Version = 6.0.1.1370
BIOS version 0801 REQUIRED (I have 1104 version)

BIOS Settings
Extreme Tweaker
CPU Level Up = Auto
Memory Level Up = Auto
AI Overclock Tuner = Auto
CPU Multiplier = 8.5
FSB - Memory Clock Mode = Auto
FSB - Memory Ratio = Auto
FSB (QDR) MHz = 1333
MEM (DDR) MHz = Auto (1333.3)
LDT Frequency = 5x
PCIE Bus Slot 1 & 2 MHz = 100
PCIE Bus Slot 3 MHz = 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = Auto
SLI-Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 = Auto
P2 = Auto
tCL ( CAS Latency ) = Auto (9)
tRCD = Auto (9)
tRP = Auto (9)
tRAS = Auto (24)
Command Per Clock (CMD) = (Auto) 1T
tRRD = Auto (5)
tRC = Auto (34)
tWR = Auto (12)
tWTR = Auto (16)
tFAW = Auto (26)
tRD = Auto (11)
tRTP = Auto (5)
tRFC = Auto (74)
tREF = Auto (7.8uS)

Over Voltage
CPU Voltage = Auto
Loadline Calibration = Disabled
CPU PLL Voltage = Auto
CPU VTT Voltage = Auto
Memory Voltage = Auto
NB Core Voltage = Auto
SB Core Voltage = Auto
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio = Auto
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 = Auto
Limit CPUID MaxVal = Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E) = Disabled
Execute Disable Bit = Enabled
Virtualization Technology = Enabled
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(tm) Tech. = Enabled
CPU Core 2 = Enabled
CPU Core 3 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled
CPU Core 4 ( Ignore this setting, unless you have a Quad-Core CPU ) = Enabled

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

Problem Description
I have a random freeze problem Just when I play games with high-end graphics ( Crysis, ARMA II, etc.).
Sometimes it happens after 10 min of play, other times it happens after 2-3h of play. I also tried to play with low details-medium details but nothing has changed. I've noticed that sometimes after freezing it's possible to hear a continuous sound from speakers. It's not important for me to overclock. So we can try to solve the problem without overclocking. Thanks all for the help! Bye!

[hitrateOC]

Required System Specifications
PSU ( Power Supply Unit ) = ABS TAGAN BZSeries (1300W)
CPU = Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650
RAM = Corsair Twin3X2048-1333C9 (9-9-9-24 1.6v ver 1.1)
HDD= WD Raptor 10krpm( 150GB, SATA II )
VGA1 = BFG GeForce 9800GX2 1024MB
VGA2 ( if you have ) =
VGA3 ( if you have ) =
SPU ( Sound Card ) = Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Extreme Gamer
NorthBridge Cooling = Water Cooled (2 fans on copper shrouds)
SouthBridge Cooling = Stock cooler with a fan above it blowing towards the SB
CPU Cooling = Water Cooled
RAM Cooling = High cmf fan blowing right on the ram
nFORCE Chipset Drivers Version = nVIDIA nFORCE Drivers v15.25
ForceWare/GeForce Drivers Version = nVIDIA ForceWare v186
Sound Card Drivers Version = Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Drivers WebUpdate
BIOS version 0801 REQUIRED, Actual 1104

BIOS Settings
Extreme Tweaker
CPU Level Up = Auto
Memory Level Up = Auto
AI Overclock Tuner = Manual
CPU Multiplier = 9
FSB - Memory Clock Mode = Linked
FSB - Memory Ratio = Synch
FSB (QDR) MHz = 1333
MEM (DDR) MHz = 1333
LDT Frequency = 5x
PCIE Bus Slot 1 & 2 MHz = 100
PCIE Bus Slot 3 MHz = 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = 200.0MHz
SLI-Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 = Auto
P2 = Auto
tCL ( CAS Latency ) = 99
tRCD = 9
tRP = 9
tRAS = 24
Command Per Clock (CMD) = 1T
tRRD = 5
tRC = 34
tWR = 12
tWTR = 16
tFAW = 26
tRD = 11
tRTP = 5
tRFC = 60
tREF = 7.8us

Over Voltage
CPU Voltage = 1.21250V (1.24v actual)
Loadline Calibration = Disabled
CPU PLL Voltage = Auto
CPU VTT Voltage = Auto
Memory Voltage = 1.54V (1.60v actual)
NB Core Voltage = Auto
SB Core Voltage = Auto
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio = Auto
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 = Auto
Limit CPUID MaxVal = Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E) = Enabled
CPU C State Capability = 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


Issues:
Freezing video and looping audio when playing games, and sometimes while surfing the web. I am just trying to get this thing stable at stock, no over clocking and cannot.. I get maybe an hour if lucky of playing before a freeze up. Even just setting the memory timings, bus, and voltage and leaving all else auto still causes it. no issues posting or in memtest..

Please help

[Cibic]

Hi there, you can start by making sure your NB and ram are not overheating, the NB can still get hot if you don't change its paste to ceramic at least.
Follow these steps:
Increase mem voltage to 1.56v and NB to 1.48v. If that doesn't work then try increasing them even more but but i don't recommend exceeding 1.62v on mem and 1.54v on vNB for 1333 FSB and no OC.
If the problem persists then set P1 & P2 to disabled and Command Rate (CMD) to 2T, at this point you can decrease mem and NB voltages.

[hitrateOC]

NB only appears to be running at max 60c (that is the MCP reading?) as for ram, it is rated at 1333 and i have a high cmf fan right on it. Also the sticker does say 1.6v and I am running it at bios setting 1.54, or 1.6v actual from the hardware monitor.

How can i see the ram tempeture? as well, the spd on the ram has all 1.5v settings, but even setting the bios to 1.5, the actual is like 1.58v minimum....

Thanks

[Cibic]

NB only appears to be running at max 60c (that is the MCP reading?) as for ram, it is rated at 1333 and i have a high cmf fan right on it. Also the sticker does say 1.6v and I am running it at bios setting 1.54, or 1.6v actual from the hardware monitor.

How can i see the ram tempeture? as well, the spd on the ram has all 1.5v settings, but even setting the bios to 1.5, the actual is like 1.58v minimum....

Thanks

Your ram temp should be fine with airflow but if you want to check anyway, use your finger but with the back skin (near your nail which is more sensitive to temperature) and if you can hold it there for 10 seconds while on load then it should be fine.

Isn't that the max your mem voltage goes? We need the average values which in my experience is -/+ 0.02v-0.03v from what your set in bios. The problem with the ram is that you need to compensate for voltage loss that happens no matter what and on load it decreases even more.

[hitrateOC]

Your ram temp should be fine with airflow but if you want to check anyway, use your finger but with the back skin (near your nail which is more sensitive to temperature) and if you can hold it there for 10 seconds while on load then it should be fine.

Isn't that the max your mem voltage goes? We need the average values which in my experience is -/+ 0.02v-0.03v from what your set in bios. The problem with the ram is that you need to compensate for voltage loss that happens no matter what and on load it decreases even more.

I think i just need a new board, this one is just highly unstable.. Just changing the few settings that I showed in my bios, it still locks. I have now set the cpu on auto, hovering around 1.32v in the voltage monitor. Some people said that they set the same memory i have at 9-9-9-27 at 1.8v and that fixed there issue. I ran it at that and the thing ran for 2 hours before crash, and now it is back to 10 to 35 mins max before freez.

I ran memtest for 6 hours no issue with the NB setting you gave me and the above mem settings. I looped 3dmark06 advanced for 4 hours just on vid and cpu tests and no crashes. I then play a game and bam, it will crash consistently. I have never had this problem before. First system ever that has done this to me.

Any suggestions on a nice board to replace this one?

[Cibic]

It could still be setting related or perhaps you need a newer bios version or both. You could tell me the exact settings you tried stating which are auto. But if you still want to get rid of this board I would go for msi x48 or p45 ddr3 mb.

[hitrateOC]

It could still be setting related or perhaps you need a newer bios version or both. You could tell me the exact settings you tried stating which are auto. But if you still want to get rid of this board I would go for msi x48 or p45 ddr3 mb.

Well in my post above i did show all the auto settings. I made some more changes. Here is my new settings.

Required System Specifications
PSU ( Power Supply Unit ) = ABS TAGAN BZSeries (1300W)
CPU = Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650
RAM = Corsair Twin3X2048-1333C9 (9-9-9-24 1.6v ver 1.1)
HDD= WD Raptor 10krpm( 150GB, SATA II )
VGA1 = BFG GeForce 9800GX2 1024MB
VGA2 ( if you have ) =
VGA3 ( if you have ) =
SPU ( Sound Card ) = Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Extreme Gamer
NorthBridge Cooling = Water Cooled (2 fans on copper shrouds)
SouthBridge Cooling = Stock cooler with a fan above it blowing towards the SB
CPU Cooling = Water Cooled
RAM Cooling = High cmf fan blowing right on the ram
nFORCE Chipset Drivers Version = nVIDIA nFORCE Drivers v15.25
ForceWare/GeForce Drivers Version = nVIDIA ForceWare v186
Sound Card Drivers Version = Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Drivers WebUpdate
BIOS version 0801 REQUIRED, Actual 1104

BIOS Settings
Extreme Tweaker
CPU Level Up = Auto
Memory Level Up = Auto
AI Overclock Tuner = Manual
CPU Multiplier = 9
FSB - Memory Clock Mode = Linked
FSB - Memory Ratio = Synched
FSB (QDR) MHz = 1333
MEM (DDR) MHz = 1333
LDT Frequency = 5x
PCIE Bus Slot 1 & 2 MHz = 100
PCIE Bus Slot 3 MHz = 100
SPP<->MCP Ref Clock, MHz = Auto
SLI-Ready Memory = Disabled

Memory Timing Setting
P1 = Enabled (the 1104 bios only has auto and enabled)
P2 = Enabled (the 1104 bios only has auto and enabled)
tCL ( CAS Latency ) = 9
tRCD = 9
tRP = 9
tRAS = 24
Command Per Clock (CMD) = 1T
tRRD = (Auto) 5
tRC = (Auto) 34
tWR = (Auto) 12
tWTR = (Auto) 16
tFAW = (Auto) 26
tRD = (Auto) 11
tRTP = (Auto) 5
tRFC = (Auto) 60
tREF = (Auto) 7.8us

Over Voltage
CPU Voltage = Auto (1.32v actual)
Loadline Calibration = Disabled
CPU PLL Voltage = Auto
CPU VTT Voltage = Auto
Memory Voltage = 1.7v (1.78v actual)
NB Core Voltage = 1.40
SB Core Voltage = 1.50
CPU GTL REF0 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF1 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF2 Ratio = Auto
CPU GTL REF3 Ratio = Auto
NB GTL REF Ratio = Auto
DDR3 CHA1 Ref Volt = DDR3_REF
DDR3 CHB1 Ref Volt = DDR3_REF
DDR3 CHA2 Ref Volt = DDR3_REF
DDR3 CHB2 Ref Volt = DDR3_REF

CPU Configuration
CPU Internal Thermal Control = Auto
Limit CPUID MaxVal = Disabled
Enhanced C1 (C1E) = Disabled
CPU C State Capability = 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 = Auto
PCIE Spread Spectrum = Auto
MCP PCIE Spread Spectrum = Auto
SATA Spread Spectrum = Disabled
LDT Spread Spectrum = Disabled


I did not get a single crash with theses settings during the 2 hours or so i played WoW and Counter Strike. However I am getting weird popping on my sound card Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Extreme Gamer, especially when using voice chat. I am also seeing stages in the game where is wants to freeze, like momentary suturing here and there but it kept recovering. I am also occasionaly seeing a usb error that blue screens some times, or say when i go into the bios the keyboard won't work.

So I am still not sure..

and Thanks for your input Cibic, i appreciate it...

[Cibic]

Hm, you are either closer to stable or lucky. Try to lower mem voltage to 1.65v actual average and vNB to 1.5v actual.
DDR3 is quite sensitive to voltage. Even with adequate cooling, modules can still get damaged.

Memtest is not enough, once you can prime95 blend for 8 hours then you can say that you are stable.

Also set all your Spread Spectrums to disabled; it might help. Note that you can enable Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(tm) Tech since you are on stock cpu frequency.

Sorry I forgot that on P1&P2 the only options available are those.

Glad that I can help

[hitrateOC]

I will try your suggestions and see what happens. However I initially have the mem set at 1.6v (1.68 measured) with NB set on auto and the thing still got the crashes every 35 minutes..

The thing for me is that I was just trying to get this thing running stock for a few weeks before i started over clocking. I assumed that out of the box with just setting the mem frequency and the 9-9-9-24 at 1.6v (sticker), that the box would do this, so all the rest of this stuff is new to me. On all my other Asus boards, i was able to run stock out of the box no issues, then play from their by reading boards. The thing that is really getting to me is the soundblaster issues, which in my mind is some kind of board issue, but maybe its my NB or SB voltage?

So needless to say i am a bit confused.. I am thinking about going and picking up a set of crucial balisiex 1333 or 1600 memory and seeing if my memory is just already blown. Any suggestions on setting for clearing the cmos and adding this new memory as a start? any recommendations on which mem to get? Also is there a way to find the default recommended vcore for a cpu? my Q9660 is default auto to 1.32v average, but i see people clocking Q9770 to 4Ghz with a vcore of 1.29V... I am wondering if the system is just pumping to much voltage for the stock settings..

I eventually want to run my Q9650 at 3.6Ghz to maybe 3.8 or 4GHz...

Thanks..

[Cibic]

The thing that is really getting to me is the soundblaster issues, which in my mind is some kind of board issue, but maybe its my NB or SB voltage

Are you having issues with Supreme FX too? The popping could be from improper grounding, power surges etc. It can be fixed with power surge protector i'm guessing.

So needless to say i am a bit confused.. I am thinking about going and picking up a set of crucial balisiex 1333 or 1600 memory and seeing if my memory is just already blown.

You could try another set of sticks at 1333 or more (but keeping speed at 1333 with your FSB), everything at stock and more than stock voltage then prime95 blending again.

Any suggestions on setting for clearing the cmos and adding this new memory as a start?

There's a button on AS2E which resets CMOS, it works better than taking the small battery out. To reset cmos there's instructions on the MB manual.

any recommendations on which mem to get?

I had in mind that corsair works better with this board, I experienced similar issues with OCZ. You should decide first whats your overclocking goal, in my opinion you need more memory speed than your FSB (1:2). For instance, if your goal is 4GHz with 9x multi which is 1777FSB then you need your ram to run at least 1800MHz which I think will need more than stock voltage to run (with a quad core, with this board, with OCZ and with 2x2GB modules).

Also is there a way to find the default recommended vcore for a cpu? my Q9660 is default auto to 1.32v average, but i see people clocking Q9770 to 4Ghz with a vcore of 1.29V... I am wondering if the system is just pumping to much voltage for the stock settings..

You can find what is your cpu's VID from CoreTemp. VID is the voltage your CPU needs at full load to operate, theoretically that is; but I have seen cpus running at VID then dropping even more on load, sustaining operation. To be sure you won't have any problems set your vCore to whatever your cpu's VID (actual) + 0.04v-0.05v which this board drops on full load without LLC (=Loadline Calibration).
By the way, there is no Q9770 there's only qx9770 that has unlocked multiplier which is a different story, it is better if you get your examples from cpu's of the same model and even better with the same stepping and VID.

[hitrateOC]

Thanks once again.. After days of reading, and your advice I am starting to get a good feel for what i need to do to get this board stable. I have downloaded prime95 and will make the changes and test with my current configuration. I see from alot of boards that Vtt has a major affect on this board. i will start base, test and make one change at a time.

The grounding issue you mention is something i am going to look at, and might be the base of the whole issue, thanks for that tip. My ABS 1300w actually has a grounding cable, it would not even turn on until it screwed it to my case. But my case is all aluminum and i wonder if that is causing grounding issues. The plate that my mobo sits on is actually metal and I think i will ground the power supply to the plate bracket instead of the chassis. I actually screwed it to the chasis with a screw that holds my cdrom in place, maybe this is not right.

Thanks for all your help... I will not start the proper build and testing.

[Cibic]

If your tower turns on then its properly grounded, your problem is probably power surges. A friend of mine had popping sounds issue every day from the his on-board sound card which I found 2 solutions for it. The one I mentioned before which can easily be fixed with the surge protector (I noticed that the popping sound came when the air condition unit changed modes/fan speeds) and the other by getting an amplifier (i actually got that by installing my logitech z-5300 sound system that has an amplifier on its sub woofer which eliminated the problem without the power surge protector).
Sorry to disappoint you but I found no instabilities with my friend's pc at the time he had the issue.