Asus Maximus II Formula - Problems & Fixes

[jason4207]

Thanks for the warm responses guys!

485 seems pretty stable now (at least 1:30 of large fft before I stopped it). Working on 490 now (11mins stable so far...1 core just failed). I'm using the 6x multi, and have the RAM loose 1:1 for now. This way I can stay focused on the FSB. Next is CPU top speed (I think this will be easy since I could get over 3.9GHz at only 1.208v on my old board), and then RAM/tRD tweaking which will be fun w/ only 2x1GB of D9, but won't be as practical for 24/7 usage.

I started w/ min voltages all around except 1.25 vcore, and 2.15 vdimm. All GTLs on auto. Then I played w/ NB, vTT, and PLL in a cyclical fashion until I found the sweet spot for each setting at 485. Next I played w/ NB GTL which surprised me by how much it helped. I went from 3mins stable to 7mins stable w/ a bump to +10mV, and then over 1:30 stable w/ +20mV before I stopped it to go higher. Went to 490 and was getting a lock-up w/n 5 mins. More NB GTL didn't help, but a bump to the NB voltage allowed me to go 11mins before a core failed. I've given it another bump...let's see what happens!

I always clear CMOS after a BIOS update and re-enter everything from scratch. Then save over my old profile. Thanks for the tip, but I figured that one out on my old board. Makes sense too b/c some BIOS' have settings that other BIOS' don't.

I'll post up my BIOS settings if I hit another snag I can't figure out, or if I get done...just to share.

Any advice on some good RAM that won't kill my wallet? I only need 4GB. Does anybody still sell D9's that clock crazy? I know Team had some for a while after Crucial stopped using them in Ballistix, but I'm not sure of what's currently available. Maybe I'll check the classifieds here and at OCF.

Thanks again guys!

[CryptiK]

Nice work so far keep at it. Say you get to 471 x 9, you can run your ram 5:6 so DDR2-1130MHz. Your ballistix should do that without trouble, my cellshock & teams do it with 1.94v (1.95900 bios). Don't forget to tweak your CPU GTL Refs they help with high FSB/Clocks.

You should still be able to find either team or cellshock stock left somewhere they have been good for me and work well with the board. Maybe look on ebay too you might be able to pick up some more double sided crucial.

[jason4207]

Well no 9x multi for me on my Q9550, but 8.5 will do pretty good if I can get 490+ completely stable. 500 would be awesome.

I already know these RAM have some kick to 'em. Here's PL=6 on my old P35 at 2.3v. Best $20 I ever spent!



The trouble I had on my P35 is that I could never get anything but the 1:1 ratio to be completely 24/7 stable. Probably stable enough for most, but I like it to be solid.

So far I haven't needed to adjust my CPU GTLs, but I will toy around w/ them once my other efforts fail. I like to leave those for last and then work backwards on volts if permitted.

[folklore11]

eSATA

Anyone getting this to work in Windows XP Pro?

I loaded Marvel SATA driver and that completely wracked the system even causing my DVD drive to disappear. Now it is uninstalled. I do have Marvell controller IDE/esata enabled in BIOS.

I am trying to get the Thermaltake BlacX USB & eSATA docking station to work with eSATA. USB works well. Any help?

[pphx459]

Quick question, has anyone used Thermalright HR-09's on this board?

[529th]

Hey guys, I just bought this board and figured instead of having to troll through 60 pages in the M2F thread, I'd summarize what I could here similarly to how someone did for the P5WDH. I hope this helps! Many thanks to all contributors to the existing threads.

Asus Maximus II Formula P45 Motherboard - Problems & Fixes
---------------------------------------

In an effort to keep threads organized, please only use this thread to post overclock settings and SOLUTIONS to issues. Use the other threads below for discussion. Thank you.


Additional information:
ASUS Maximus II Formula - new P45 king?
How to set up GTL Ref Values for 45nm & 65nm

BIOS

Latest: 1802
Recommended: 1307

1802
- Fixed multi bug
- Pull ins not working
1702
- Multi is still stuck
1602

Possible multiplier lock issue (unable to change)

1403 - issues with long post @ SATA stage
1307
1307 - KET modified
0901
0802
0701
0604
0503
0117


"EDIT - I also do not know where/how Solarfall got bios version 603, all i can find is 604. I have tried 1307, 701 & 801 and all of them had the same limits, but 1307 recovers from a failed overclock properly, whereas the older bioses do not, requiring a power off at the PSU switch."
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...postcount=1038

Problems & Fixes

Will not boot / hangs / CMOS reset to POST after overclock
Ensure difference between vFSB and vNB is no more than ~0.11v. This seems to help on some people's configurations, but maybe not all.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=996

Very high northbridge temperatures
See below for remounting the heatpipe with more pressure on the NB.

Booting from Speeding HDD (possible solution)
Install a bootable drive on Primary Intel SATA port, select External Disk 0 as the second bootable drive, in the bios selection of bootable drives.
After installing a new windows on the Speeding HDD drives, it will present an OS selection after the first reset.
(thanks Gunnz Akimbo)

Cooling

Northbridge

• May not have good contact
• Take off heatpipe assembly, remove foam spacers
• Add metal washers to underside to increase pressure
• Diagram of washers and standoffs. Also see post 36 for details of what to be careful of.

Swiftech MCW30

• Fits without modification but with slightly bent posts.
• Fits better if you cut a little bit of the mounting "axe".

Swiftech MCW-NBMAX

• Waterblock designed specifically for M2F and Rampage Extreme

EK-NB Asus HP

• Fits M2F and Rampage Extreme

MOSFET

• Only one MOSFET sink is removable from the heatpipe, X38 block from MF fits

Template

Processor:  QX9770
Ai Overclock Tuner: Manual
OC From CPU Level Up: Auto
Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
FSB Frequency: 467
CPU Clock Skew: Normal
NB Clock Skew: Normal
FSB Strap to North Bridge: 333
DRAM Frequency: DDR2-1122MHz

DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A1: Advance 300ps
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel A2: Advance 300ps
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B1: Advance 300ps
DRAM CLK Skew on Channel B2: Advance 300ps
DRAM Timing Control: Manual

1st Information: 

CAS# Latency: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5 DRAM Clocks
DRAM RAS# Activate to Precharge: 15 DRAM Clocks
RAS# to RAS# Delay:  Auto
Row Refresh Recycle Time: 55 DRAM Clocks
Write Recovery Time: Auto
Read to Precharge Time: Auto

2nd Information:

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


3rd Information:

Write to PRE Delay: Auto
Read to PRE Delay: Auto
PRE to PRE Delay: Auto
All PRE to ACT Delay: Auto
All PRE to REF Delay: Auto
DRAM Static Read Control: Enabled
DRAM Read Training: Auto
MEM. OC Charger: Auto
Ai Clock Twister: Moderate
Ai Transaction Booster: Manual

Common Performance Level: 8
Pull-in of CHA PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH2: Disabled
Pull-in of CHA PH3: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH1: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH2: Disabled
Pull-in of CHB PH3: Disabled

PCIE Frequency: 101

CPU Voltage: 1.41875
CPU PLL Voltage: 1.50
FSB Termination Voltage: 1.35175
DRAM Voltage: 2.15775
North Bridge Voltage: 1.39150
South Bridge 1.5 Voltage: 1.50
South Bridge 1.1 Voltage: 1.10

CPU GTL Reference (0): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (1):-40mv
CPU GTL Reference (2): Auto
CPU GTL Reference (3):-40mv
NB GTL Reference: Auto
DDR2 ChA Reference Voltage: Auto
DDR2 ChB Reference Voltage: Auto
North Bridge DDR Reference: Auto


CPU Configuration:

Ratio CMOS Setting: 9
C1E Support: Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit: Disabled
Intel Virtualization Tech: Disabled
CPU TM Function: Disabled
Execute Disable Bit: Disabled

Load-Line Calibration: Enabled
CPU Spread Spectrum: Disabled
PCIE Spread Spectrum: Disabled

Overclocks
4ghz Q9450
4ghz q9550
Try positive GTL ref voltages.
E8600 @ 4 GHz - cstkl1
E8400 @ 4 GHz

Have these problems been fixed in the latest 1901 bios???

Thanks

[CryptiK]

What problems specifically? If you mean the vNB/Vtt thing, no thats hardware based AFAIK, same with with the high NB temps on some boards with badly made/mounted heatpipe assembly. I'm not sure about the booting from speeding HDD port thing, I dont use them, however there is a possible solution posted immediately after that issue in the text you quoted. 1307 & 1901 are solid BIOSes.

[KURTZ]

hey guys i've heard for a SLI modded BIOS ... can you confirm that?

[e.v.o]

w00t? SLI BIOS?
never heard of that :p
i wrote you a PM...

[KURTZ]

w00t? SLI BIOS?
never heard of that :p
i wrote you a PM...

just answered ...

[KURTZ]

guys, what about the 2104 release? and also anyone has seen the 2101? :p

[humeyboy]

2104, No gains for me, still cant boot ram at 1200mhz.

[SkOrPn]

Not sure where you are finding 2104, when I visit the MIIF page I only see up to 1901.

[KURTZ]

Not sure where you are finding 2104, when I visit the MIIF page I only see up to 1901.

right now you can download the 2104 from the support website ...

[GeorgeVasil]

2104, No gains for me, still cant boot ram at 1200mhz.

You are trying to boot with 4*2GB @1200?Sorry m8 but this is impossible.

After 5 months we have a new BIOS..Whooooaaa!!! nice work ASS -US.

I bet 10$ that ''2104'' is still a crappy one.

[WaterFlex]

1307 is still the best for me.

[noobzed]

I have annoying problem, i am 22 hours ( yes twenty two ) occt stable @ 478x9 ( 4,3 cpu speed ) but when i hard reboot ( with button ) or even with windows restart, mobo hang at reboot, if hard reboot always, if windows restart sometimes, do you have this problem too ? ( at 472 - 473 all is ok, but soon I go to 474+ hang at reboot )

[humeyboy]

You are trying to boot with 4*2GB @1200?Sorry m8 but this is impossible.

After 5 months we have a new BIOS..Whooooaaa!!! nice work ASS -US.

I bet 10$ that ''2104'' is still a crappy one.

NO, Where did I state I was ?

I posted full info in the Proper MFII thread (Multiple Times).

I hardly doubt its impossible if with no fancy tweaks and no extra voltage 8GB (4Sticks) boots @ 1175mhz.

[GeorgeVasil]

NO, Where did I state I was ?

I posted full info in the Proper MFII thread (Multiple Times).

I hardly doubt its impossible if with no fancy tweaks and no extra voltage 8GB (4Sticks) boots @ 1175mhz.

Your signature says : Corsair 8GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5.

[humeyboy]

Correct, but does not state OC etc

[KURTZ]

http://www.hwupgrade.it/forum/showpo...postcount=7761

with evo's SLI compatible bios

[In-Fluence]

SLI Bios? I've got 2 8600GTs sitting here!

[KURTZ]

SLI Bios? I've got 2 8600GTs sitting here!

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=231500

check here :p

[e1ectra_one]

hi can someone help me, i got M2F few days ago, and mbo doesn't want to boot with Q8400 and E8400 but it boots with E6600, i upgraded bios and still no change.

thanks