X48 Rampage Formula Preview.

[traveler]

@traveler

That 4870X2 brings out a lot of heat and passed through the NB heatsink on the way up and also the NB craves a bit more juice to run the 4870X2 and yes both those things add so the NB runs hotter.

WC is probably the best option to cool the NB but if you plan on stay with air you can take of the heatsink/pipe arrangement that cover the NB and SB and keep the heatsink that cover the VRM, yes the heatsink/pipe is a two part arrangement, one for the NB,SB and one for the VRM.

And then try something like this with a fan for the NB



and something like this for the SB

So that's what's happening to it. Thanks.

Should I bump the voltage to the NB up a bit? Would that help in some way?

I just touched the heat sink fins on the 4870X2 card. Whew! It's got some heat there! Wonder if there is a way to block the hot air from going past the NB heat sink with either some kind of physical barrier or putting a Corsair Dominator memory fan on the RAM to blow the hot air away from the NB. Has anyone tried this?

Liquid cooling has been under consideration for quite a while. But I did want to get only the CPU set up first under liquid and then add NB and SB blocks later. I used to have lots of room under the 3870X2 for a SB block, but now with the 4870X2 there, there's not as much room as there used to be. Or are there fittings that can efficiently turn the liquid flow 90° entering and leaving a block on the SB?

Nice heat sinks Ghostleader. Thanks for showing them. Since I'm seriously thinking liquid, I don't want to get elaborate "temporary" air cooling solutions for the NB and SB. Yet I do need a temporary solution for now. Is there a SouthBridge heat sink that fits cleanly on the SB, that is, one that has the opposite side parallel screw mount hole tabs? Or is the Asus stock heat sink the only one?





__________________
Asus X48 Rampage Formula / Intel Q9450 2.66 @ 3.2 / 2 x 2GB OCZ Reaper HPC PC2 8500 /
Asus Radeon HD4870X2 Tri-Fan 2GB graphics card / 24" DeLL Ultrasharp 2408WFP monitor /
Western Digital Raptor X Hard Drive / Two Western Digital Caviar RE2 WD5001ABYS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drives /
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Elite Pro 7.1 / Creative Gigaworks S750 7.1 Speaker System /
Lian Li 343B cube case / PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Crossfire Edition /
IOGEAR GCS1782 GCS1782 Dual-Link DVI KVMP switch with 7.1 audio

[Ghostleader]

Nice Memory you've got there Ghostleader.

Thank you


@traveler

Thanks, you´re welcome

If you need a temporary solution, just add a fan on top of the NB heatsink for now.

When you go for WC, don´t wait to add the NB, do it together with the CPU, it doesn´t add much temp to the loop and you will not regret it.

You don´t need WC on the SB it doesn´t get that hot, passive or actice air cooling such as Enzotech CNB-S1L or SLF-1 will do just fine.

I have the CNB-S1L on my Rampage Formula and SLF-1 on my Rampage Extreme and I´m very please with the performance.

You have to modifiy it some though, like this, the holes is to far a part.


Here´s a pic of my Rampage Formula, using a Zalman ZM-WB4 Gold for the CPU (oh yes it´s a odd choice and it´s old but it works really good, have compared it with a D-Tek Fuzion, not much of a different), for the NB I have a Koolance CHC-122, (an other odd choice but I found it to be very flexible, have used it on several boards), for the SB I use EnzoTech CNB-S1L and for the VRM I use Enzotech BMR-C1.

[Alien Grey]

I am also found damn VID 1.3000 E8400 (manufactured 04/2009)

4.2Ghz need 1.41xx V
4.5Ghz need 1.58xx V

Send that piece of crap back from where it came.

[ElAguila]

What kind of volts does the NB need to run an oc'd Q9650 and 2 4870 X2's in crossfire X. Right now I am running the NB at 1.5v. The load temps never go above 47C. My system specs are in my sig. I have the stock cooler on the NB with a fan on it and MX2 instead of the stock paste. I have a TRUE on my cpu with a delta fan. My case is very air cooled. It is a ufo cube case and the room temp stays below 25C.

[kuebk]

NB volts have nothing to do with crossfire or gfx cards...

[Ghostleader]

NB volts have nothing to do with crossfire or gfx cards...

Nothing is a pretty strong word and I don´t agree with you, if I´m not misstaken both PCIe x16 go through the MCH (NB) and according to my own experience I need more juice through the MCH with a HighEnd gfx then with a LowEnd gfx, I think the same goes for the Crossfire.

I´ll soon find out, Crossfire is coming my way.

[kuebk]

Since always PCIe lines go through MCH and I've never heard anything about raising MCH voltage to stabilize Crossfire.

[Fritz_the_germ]

Well kuebk,
it sounds reasonable to me. The data throughput is higher using crossfire. So you should need more voltage to keep your system stable.

[Ghostleader]

@ElAguila

Forgot about you ElAguila, well, 1,50 sounds alright but it depends on what bus speed, Ai Twister and tRD you run.

I suppose that you are stable with 1,50 so to really find out, lower it to see when you are unstable then you know.

[Alien Grey]

Well kueck,
it sounds reasonable to me. The data throughput is higher using crossfire. So you should need more voltage to keep your system stable.

I'm not really sure if you need more voltage on the NB. I think that if you run Prime95 Large FFT's you'll stress your NB as much as you can.

Can two graphics cards in crossfire push more out of your NB then what you can push out of it with your CPU in Prime95 Large FFT's?

[traveler]

Thanks Buds for the help and suggestions.

I found the problem and it was the solution.

My Rampage Formula has a Vantec Spectrum fan in slot six which, besides looking good with the blue LED's, blows air up at the video card. When I replaced the two fan cooling solution of the Visiontek 3870X2 with the cooling solution of the Tri-Fan Asus 4870X2, I thought I would not need the extra air cooling from the Vanrec fan anymore. So I turned it down to the minimum rpm. Guess I was wrong. Apparently the Vantec fan also blew air onto the NB from under the video card.

So, I turned the Vantec Spectrum fan to its maximum rpm. Now my NB temps are coming in at 38°C idle and 48°C for load. It is a bit higher then when I had the 3870X2 card in which was 44°C under load, but I guess with the hotter 4870X2 installed, 48°C is acceptable.


Regarding watercooling, a heatsink on the SouthBridge may be a requirement because there doesn't seem to be any room for hoses and fittings on the SouthBridge waterblock if the 4870X2 (single card or CrossFire) is there and keeps its stock air cooling. Is there anyone who has the Rampage Formula SB under water while keeping the stock air cooling on the video cards?



__________________
Asus X48 Rampage Formula / Intel Q9450 2.66 @ 3.2 / 2 x 2GB OCZ Reaper HPC PC2 8500 /
Asus Radeon HD4870X2 Tri-Fan 2GB graphics card / 24" DeLL Ultrasharp 2408WFP monitor /
Western Digital Raptor X Hard Drive / Two Western Digital Caviar RE2 WD5001ABYS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drives /
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Elite Pro 7.1 / Creative Gigaworks S750 7.1 Speaker System /
Lian Li 343B cube case / PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Crossfire Edition /
IOGEAR GCS1782 GCS1782 Dual-Link DVI KVMP switch with 7.1 audio

[Ghostleader]

@kuebk and A-Grey

What I have found out is that when ever I´m stable with P95 small/large FFT and blend, LinX/IBT and HCI Design Memtset and do some for exemple Crysis, Crysis Warhead or FarCry 2 gaming with my 4870X2 I do need some extra voltage through my X48, not much ~0,02 - 0,04, this is when I compare it with my 9800GTX.

I usually do run Crysis benchmark Tool, Harbor Assualt @ very high, loop for 2hrs after the above tests and even though I´m stable with the above tests Crysis often freezes and I need to raise the NBv and then it´s fine.

Don´t know if I do some this wrong or what but that´s the way it´s for my.

Thanks Buds for the help and suggestions.

I found the problem and it was the solution.

My Rampage Formula has a Vantec Spectrum fan in slot six which, besides looking good with the blue LED's, blows air up at the video card. When I replaced the two fan cooling solution of the Visiontek 3870X2 with the cooling solution of the Tri-Fan Asus 4870X2, I thought I would not need the extra air cooling from the Vanrec fan anymore. So I turned it down to the minimum rpm. Guess I was wrong. Apparently the Vantec fan also blew air onto the NB from under the video card.

So, I turned the Vantec Spectrum fan to its maximum rpm. Now my NB temps are coming in at 38°C idle and 48°C for load. It is a bit higher then when I had the 3870X2 card in which was 44°C under load, but I guess with the hotter 4870X2 installed, 48°C is acceptable.


Regarding watercooling, a heatsink on the SouthBridge may be a requirement because there doesn't seem to be any room for hoses and fittings on the SouthBridge waterblock if the 4870X2 (single card or CrossFire) is there and keeps its stock air cooling. Is there anyone who has the Rampage Formula SB under water while keeping the stock air cooling on the video cards?

No problem, you´re welcome, nice to here that you solved your problem

[Alien Grey]

Regarding watercooling, a heatsink on the SouthBridge may be a requirement because there doesn't seem to be any room for hoses and fittings on the SouthBridge waterblock if the 4870X2 (single card or CrossFire) is there and keeps its stock air cooling. Is there anyone who has the Rampage Formula SB under water while keeping the stock air cooling on the video cards?

There is a solution for that problem. I know that there is a watercooling heatsink that can cool the NB and SB in one loop.

Grnfinger has one of these coolers. I can't seem to find that post anymore with the picture. I don't know if I've seen it in this thread or in the Maximus II thread.

-------------------

Here's the picture with the solution to watercool the NB and SB in one loop on the ASUS Rampage Formula: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...postcount=3660

[Armored_Kech1]

Ordering some improved cooling for my NB now (thanks Ghostleader). I decided to upgrade my graphics card too. Now I can't decide between the 4890 and GTX 275 (it's driving me nuts). I game at 1680x1050. Both have aftermarket coolers that I know nothing about (noise, cooling performance).

Gainward GTX 275


ASUS 4890

[Ghostleader]

Ordering some improved cooling for my NB now (thanks Ghostleader). I decided to upgrade my graphics card too. Now I can't decide between the 4890 and GTX 275 (it's driving me nuts). I game at 1680x1050. Both have aftermarket coolers that I know nothing about (noise, cooling performance).

Thanks, you´re welcome, glad that I inspired you to take the step.

I understand, that´s a tough call, can´t really help you there, I think you gonna be pleased either way.

I choose two Sapphire Toxic HD 4890 for myself and I´m wait for them to arrive.

[Armored_Kech1]

Thanks again Ghostleader. I think I'll go for a Sapphire Vapor-X 4890. I figured I could always use my 8800GT for physx should the need arise. I can't find the toxic/atomic versions in stock anywhere, just the regular vapor-x which I expect will perform adequately (I know it doesn't support software voltage control but I'm not really bothered with that).

[Roger_D25]

I think your making the right choice Armored Kech1 given the resolution you plan to use (and I assume the amount of money you want to spend), in my opinion the 4890's are amazing cards for the money at more reasonable resolutions!

A-Grey - I want to apologize for not doing a better job of pushing Asus to make those key BIOS changes you have been discussing for months now (I did receive all your PM's but only contacted Asus 3 times). Its very easy to get frustrated when trying to get Asus to make changes on an older motherboard now that they have moved on to LGA1366 (I now believe its a lost cause)! With that all said do you plan to continue working with the Rampage Formula or do you plan to make the switch to i7 in the near future? Even though I haven't been pushing Asus lately I have been continuing to push the motherboard with limited results!

[kuebk]

@kuebk and A-Grey

What I have found out is that when ever I´m stable with P95 small/large FFT and blend, LinX/IBT and HCI Design Memtset and do some for exemple Crysis, Crysis Warhead or FarCry 2 gaming with my 4870X2 I do need some extra voltage through my X48, not much ~0,02 - 0,04, this is when I compare it with my 9800GTX.

I usually do run Crysis benchmark Tool, Harbor Assualt @ very high, loop for 2hrs after the above tests and even though I´m stable with the above tests Crysis often freezes and I need to raise the NBv and then it´s fine.

Don´t know if I do some this wrong or what but that´s the way it´s for my.

I would rather say that 4870x2 increased temps near mch so you had to increase it's voltage.

[Ghostleader]

Thanks again Ghostleader. I think I'll go for a Sapphire Vapor-X 4890. I figured I could always use my 8800GT for physx should the need arise. I can't find the toxic/atomic versions in stock anywhere, just the regular vapor-x which I expect will perform adequately (I know it doesn't support software voltage control but I'm not really bothered with that).

Nice choice, an other awesome piece of machinery from Sapphire.

Sorry guys for the , better get back before someone us.

Armored_Kech1, what kind of cooler did you get for the NB?

I would rather say that 4870x2 increased temps near mch so you had to increase it's voltage.

Don´t think so, I cool the MCH with water, never over 35C.

[kuebk]

Weird Ghostleader, anyway has anyone heard anything new about bringing sli to x48?

[Alien Grey]

A-Grey - I want to apologize for not doing a better job of pushing Asus to make those key BIOS changes you have been discussing for months now (I did receive all your PM's but only contacted Asus 3 times). Its very easy to get frustrated when trying to get Asus to make changes on an older motherboard now that they have moved on to LGA1366 (I now believe its a lost cause)! With that all said do you plan to continue working with the Rampage Formula or do you plan to make the switch to i7 in the near future? Even though I haven't been pushing Asus lately I have been continuing to push the motherboard with limited results!

I'm not going to make the switch to i7. The high prices for new hardware in Belgium are making the decission for me very easy.
I don't want to spend that amount of money on hardware that has such a small performance gain. If there's going to be any at all with the luck that I've got lately with buying new hardware.

If you look a few posts back you'll see that I've bought a Q9650. The CPU is a piece of crap and I already removed it from my board after two days.

This isn't the CPU that can replace my Q9450. now I have to wait for Intel to swap the Q9650 for a good Q9650.

There's an interesting thread on the ASUS Rampage Formula forum about flashing the Rampage Formula with the Rampage Extreme BIOS.

I'm not going to try it because I think it will only destroy the board but it's interesting that more guys want these extra settings in the BIOS and that it wasn't me that was complaining again.

[Alien Grey]

Don´t think so, I cool the MCH with water, never over 35C.

I think that a voltage raise of 0.02V or 0.04V isn't actually a voltage raise. There's a good chance that if you stress these GFX cards that the load on the PSU makes the voltage drop a bit on the NB and needs to compensate with one or two steps higher voltage in the BIOS.

[OLDcomer]

...
There's an interesting thread on the ASUS Rampage Formula forum about flashing the Rampage Formula with the Rampage Extreme BIOS.

I'm not going to try it because I think it will only destroy the board but it's interesting that more guys want these extra settings in the BIOS and that it wasn't me that was complaining again.

10x for the info A-Gray. Any info for the tref bios feature or 50ps step CPU/NB skews?

btw: I recently made some benchmarks with my new q9650 and submitted them to hwbot.org.

16th @ PCMark 2005
8th @ SuperPi 32m
12th @ PiFast
12th @ wPrime 1024m

Not bad for a x38 board flashed to x48.

[Alien Grey]

10x for the info A-Gray. Any info for the tref bios feature or 50ps step CPU/NB skews?

btw: I recently made some benchmarks with my new q9650 and submitted them to hwbot.org.

16th @ PCMark 2005
8th @ SuperPi 32m
12th @ PiFast
12th @ wPrime 1024m

Not bad for a x38 board flashed to x48.

No news, it's been months since I've wrote an email to ASUS. They probably think that I don't use that board anymore.

This can change of course when I have some fun again with my Q9650.

Very nice clocks with your X38 flashed with the Rampage BIOS.

[Ghostleader]

I think that a voltage raise of 0.02V or 0.04V isn't actually a voltage raise. There's a good chance that if you stress these GFX cards that the load on the PSU makes the voltage drop a bit on the NB and needs to compensate with one or two steps higher voltage in the BIOS.

Could be, could be but I think that my Thermaltake Toughpower 1000W can handle that stress though and I still believe that the data throughput that Crysis produce is more then Prime95 or LinX can produce and therefore I have to increase the volt.

Also when I benchmark Crysis my water temp (only CPU and MCH under water, GFX stock air) increases by 2-3C if I compare it with LinX (max problem size, max memory use) even though the CPU temp is lower with Crysis then with LinX.

Go figure